Private Message Workbench: Read, Search, Delete, Report and more

[Marco van Herwaarden]

PM Workbench v1.00 Beta 5

================================================== ============================
Hack: PM Workbench
Version: 1.00 Beta 5
Author: MarcoH64
vB Version: vBulletin 3.5.0. RC2
================================================== ============================


Important Notice:
Depending on the modules installed, a privacy statement might be added to your board.
This Privacy Statement can not be removed or hidden by any means. Failure to comply would be against the TOS
of this hack, and you would not be allowed to use it.

If your board already has a Privacy Notice covering reading Private Messages by Administrators, you can PM me a link to that statement on your board (provide test login if needed) and your email address, and i will mail a Plugin to remove the Privacy link.


What is this hack?
PM Workbench offers you a variety of tools for working with or extending the standard vBulletin Private Message System.
It is a Modular System that will allow you to add those functions that you need for your board. New Modules might be added later.
The system is fully phrased and options can be set in vBulletin Options.
Permissions to use Modules are given using the includes/config.php for increased security.
Currently no file or template edits are needed.

More modules might be added later. For some i am waiting for new hooks to be implemented in RC3.



Donations are always welcomed to PayPal: marcoh64 AT gmail.com (marcoh64@gmail.com)

Currently Supported Modules:

PM Workbench - Report PM

This Module adds a Report PM icon to the postbit when users are reading a PM. The reports and send to the PM Folder of the
userid defined to receive them. Administrators who are given access can read the reports, the original PM, and add notes to them.

Features:
- Access to the PM Reports is controlled in your config.php for added security
- Add report button to PM's, no template edit needed.
- Usersw can give a reason for the report.
- Reported PM's can be seen without modifications to them (PM's are not forwarded, but just added to the inbox of the report userid).
- PM's are fully parsed
- Notes can be added to reports.


PM Workbench - Read/Search Private Messages

This Module let administrators who are given permission, search and read PM's

Features:
- Access to the PM's is controlled in your config.php for added security
- PM's can be searched for:
- Keyword (title and/or body)
- Username (sender/receiver/both, optional exact match)
- Send date after
- Send date before
- With a simple click read the PM and see who still have it in their folders.


PM Workbench - Performance Pack

Add extra indexes to the pmtext table for faster searching.


Known limitations:
The 'Report PM' module might not work on some heavily modified Styles. I will be (hopefully) posting another (beta) hack for that tomorrow.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

If your are linked to this post because you clicked a Privacy Statement on a borad that you where visiting, this means that the Administrators of your board have installed the PM Workbench.

Please consult your administration team on how the privacy implications of this are handled at your baord.

This system is modular and will give the administrators the following options, depending on the letter-code you saw in the link you have clicked (the codes within the paranthesis).

These codes have the following meaning:
S - Search/Read PM's installed. Administrators on your board might have the option to search for and read Private Messages.
R - Your board have a Report PM functionality installed. Administrators can read reported Private Messages.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

More screenshots:

[Jedi Blaze]

You are my hero. *installs*

[Andreas]

Nice. I also thought of implementing a report PM function, and I think I still will have to do so as unfortunately I can't use your Hack - the enforced backlink to here is not acceptable to me :(

[Glovebox]

Worked a treat, danke!

[Sovereign]

What about making the PM box an email box? As in if you send an email to user@yourdomain.com it shows up in their vB PM box?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

That would probably require polling each members mailbox. As long as it is local on the same server it could be done.

I am planning (or already in progress) a lot more Modules.

[CompuJonathan]

Nice. I also thought of implementing a report PM function, and I think I still will have to do so as unfortunately I can't use your Hack - the enforced backlink to here is not acceptable to me :(

I agree. It is not vbulletin.org's concern on what I do with the information of my users. :ermm:

[Darth Gill]

Nice. I also thought of implementing a report PM function, and I think I still will have to do so as unfortunately I can't use your Hack - the enforced backlink to here is not acceptable to me :(I already tell my members that their pms may be viewed. It's stated in the rules document. I also would like to use this hack so that I can search MY Private messages because vbulletin doesn't support it, but I don't think I should be forced to link back. too bad. :( What's really stupid is you can read pms without any special software - it's right there in the mysql database. Also there are other addons that let you read PMS if you need to.

[hydrostatic]

I already tell my members that their pms may be viewed. It's stated in the rules document. I also would like to use this hack so that I can search MY Private messages because vbulletin doesn't support it, but I don't think I should be forced to link back. too bad. :( What's really stupid is you can read pms without any special software - it's right there in the mysql database. Also there are other addons that let you read PMS if you need to.

Yeah, it's clearly stated in the TOS for our forum. If they don't agree, they are obligated to not register.

Anyways, chill guys, it's Marco's hack. If he wants a link back, then so be it... Though I cannot use this unless I don't have to link back because I don't find that acceptable...

[BamaStangGuy]

Oh well nice hack to bad there is a forced link back to here.

Maybe Kirby will release one that does not require the backlinkl :)

[Pitman]

It would be good if the ALT text for report.gif was "Report Bad PM (or Private Message)" instead of "Report Bad Post"

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I agree. It is not vbulletin.org's concern on what I do with the information of my users.It got nothing to do with vb.org, it is something that i want if someone is using my hack.
I already tell my members that their pms may be viewed. It's stated in the rules document.If you (or someone else) pm me the link to their rules or board privacy note, where this is clearly stated, i will sent you a plugin to remove the link, please include a mail address.
I also would like to use this hack so that I can search MY Private messages because vbulletin doesn't support it, but I don't think I should be forced to link back. too bad.I am working on a module for members to search their pm's, but i am waiting for RC3 because i need some new hooks.
It would be good if the ALT text for report.gif was "Report Bad PM (or Private Message)" instead of "Report Bad Post"Notes, will change in next update.

[Jenta]

why i rated it one star
not to fond of his requirement

[Marco van Herwaarden]

What requirement you mean, the link to the privacy explanation? Well if you think that is a good reason to rate it 1 star, that is your choice. I would prefer if people to rate it for the quality of the hack though.

[uae]

I like it, and I like the idea behind the privacy statement, it should be more clear to all members in any board using any kind of reading others PM's hack...

Keep up the good work Marco

Thank you.

[talkhost]

I thought about installing this. But the forced link put me off. You may want to reconsider this forced link if you want people to use your hack.
I'll just wait until someone releases another version of this..

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Thanks for the response uae.

I am anyway happy to see that this thread hasn't turned into a big discussion if a hack like this is against morals or not. That is the main reason why i require some privacy statement to be present (personally i also think you should have a privacy statement if you read PM's).

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I thought about installing this. But the forced link put me off. You may want to reconsider this forced link if you want people to use your hack.
I'll just wait until someone releases another version of this..
Like i have posted before, PM me a link to your boards privacy statement that covers reading PM's, and i will email a plugin to remove the link.

[Darth Gill]

Marco did e-mail me the plugin to remove the link when I proved to him that my board already informs members their pms may be read. I just thought everyone should know. I will install the workbench now when I get the opportunity. Thanks Marco.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Your welcome, please click Install once you have it running (that should be in 2 minutes from now ;))

[wcbryant]

Your welcome, please click Install once you have it running (that should be in 2 minutes from now ;))

Marco, have a stray thought/question that your hack got me thinking about. Not sure if it's in the scope of what you're doing here, or if I should be posting in mod requests, but I'll start here.

One of the things my users ask for most frequently is more email-like handling of the to and from fields. Particularly in the case of multiple recipients.

Ideally, if I send to 5 different people, it's an open conversation with these folks, and in order for them to respond to the group, I have to start the PM with "to: user1, user2, user3, user4, user5" so they might copy that on the response.

In a perfect world, if I put 5 people in the to field, then all 5 see the other 4 names as well, and of course myself as the sender. Then they have the option to reply, or reply to all. This would create a need for a bcc field of course, in the event you want some or all not to see who else is being PMed, but that would really only function the standard way vB handles this (hiding everyone else but the sender and recipient), so I assume it wouldn't require any new code.

A step up functionally speaking to that would be being able to PM to usergroup (primary or secondary) as well, effectively enabling closed discussion groups between different project teams (I have a community driven site), and the like.

Is this practical? Is it a potential feature of your workbench? Or *gulp* are these features available in another hack I've simply managed to overlook?

As long as I had it all fresh in my head, wanted to ask here. Mostly because the notion of one complete workbench that overhauls PM functionality seems personally more appealing than several different little ones that might overlap and/or conflict.

Another notion I had that sort of speaks to the privacy issue, is affording users the option of encrypting PMs. Giving another layer of privacy and protection would make it a lot easier to have some userbases digest the reality (with this hack) that admins can read their PMs. Obviously that would mean admins having 'content' on their site that they have zero access to, but it could be an optional feature.

I suspect I'm way off base talking about these here, as your modification seems to speak more to the administrative side of things than the user experience, but wanted to give it a shot. ;)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Thank you for your feedback, all suggestions are welcome and i must say i really like the CC/BCC handling. (Actually vB = BCC, you want to add CC). I will give it some thoughts and if possible i will add it.

Closed discussion groups i am not so sure about yet.

Encryption is a different thing. Since 2 (or more) members must be able to encode/decode it, some encryption keys must be exchanged, that could be intercepted by the admin again, and thus given false sense of security. There have been more threads about encrypting/obfuscating private message.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I suspect I'm way off base talking about these here, as your modification seems to speak more to the administrative side of things than the user experience, but wanted to give it a shot.
PM Report is both User/Admin, i am planning to make a User Search PM function, but the needed hooks where not available in RC2. So i am still planning on having a go at that too. More might follow.

[wcbryant]

Thank you for your feedback, all suggestions are welcome and i must say i really like the CC/BCC handling. (Actually vB = BCC, you want to add CC). I will give it some thoughts and if possible i will add it.

Closed discussion groups i am not so sure about yet.

Encryption is a different thing. Since 2 (or more) members must be able to encode/decode it, some encryption keys must be exchanged, that could be intercepted by the admin again, and thus given false sense of security. There have been more threads about encrypting/obfuscating private message.

Appreciate your receptiveness and responses. I see your point on encryption. I suppose if users were savvy enough, and really wanted to, they could use something like GnuPG to encrypt and decrypt in text windows on their own machines. Not something that needs server-side support, and frankly, if they need that much privacy, better to take it to email, or OTR-enabled GAIM, etc. Something off-site.

The to/cc/bcc stuff would be a dream come true. More than half the emails I send are to multiple recipients, where the ongoing discussion is something we all want the others in the loop for. Invariably, someone forgets to include everyone else, so the convo fragments, and it gets difficult to keep things linear.

Perhaps instead of PMing usergroups, people (admins) could set PM aliases for groups? Something like 'game_preview_team' is defined as 'user1, user2, user34, user765', where any PMs sent to 'game_preview_team' goes to all those people (I run a college athletics site). Although I suppose functionally speaking, that might be no different than mailing usergroups, and might require users to be created for each alias? I have no idea, not a coder at all. :)

The big thing was definitely the cc/bcc stuff, and I'm ecstatic that it's something you might consider.

PM Report is both User/Admin, i am planning to make a User Search PM function, but the needed hooks where not available in RC2. So i am still planning on having a go at that too. More might follow.

Outstanding, Users being able to search their own PM folder would be a terrific feature. I just switched over to fulltext searching down to 2 character terms on my forums, and everyone is loving that. Extending it to PMs would really save some time.

[Sovereign]

That would probably require polling each members mailbox. As long as it is local on the same server it could be done.

I am planning (or already in progress) a lot more Modules.

How 'bout something like Erwin's vB mail checker? Have members input server info, and just use the username as a forward (unless you actually have an account on my site, like sovereign @ alliancemodding.com then you could turn forwarding off). Cool hack! Keeping updated on this one...

[hydrostatic]

Report does not work. It gets me a no permission error when I click on the report button on PMs.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Could you provide me with a test account and a link please.

[hydrostatic]

Could you provide me with a test account and a link please.

I'm PMing it to you right nooow.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Ok i see what is your problem. The problem is that i am doing template edits 'on the fly' your Styles ar so heavy modificated, that the string i am trying to replace (to change the standard report post link into a link to my report pm function) can not be found anymore.

[Sovereign]

BUMP. This is an awesome hack/concept. Any news?

[rinkrat]

This is the same as spyware to me.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

BUMP. This is an awesome hack/concept. Any news?There won't be an update for at least 2 weeks i think, i am over my ears in RL stuff (work and family) until at least thursday. I doubt however that the email feature will be the first thing i will add, must do some research before i will start that.
This is the same as spyware to me.
And that is a very unasked for remark, and a very strange comparison. Spyware is spying on you without you informaing about it. With my hack there must always be a privacy notice that will inform members that PM's can be read.

[Sovereign]

The priivacy thing is OK, it's probably good cause if someone doesn't like it then they can't sic the ACLU on you because you told them already...

[utw-Mephisto]

Mmm... I would add one simple thing : You don't like it, don't use it ? Whats the big deal with discussion privacy etc. ? You have a choice, do you ?

[ixian]

Just adding my opinion, for what it's worth, that I would never install this hack with those requirements. Appreciate the effort but as I know I am far from the only one who feels this way I fear it's mostly going to waste.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

What requirements you are talking about? That i want either the standard privacy notice as supplie by the hack to be shown, or a paragraph in your board policies to cover reading PM's?

If both are a problem to you, then yes, this is not the hack for you.

[Boofo]

I agree with Marco. It is his perrogative as to what requirements he wants in exchange for using his hack. You should respect that, even if you don't agree with it.

[ixian]

I agree with Marco. It is his prerogative as to what requirements he wants in exchange for using his hack. You should respect that, even if you don't agree with it.


I do respect that, and I appreciate his work. That has nothing to do with the issue at hand - as a coder, I would think he would appreciate feedback on his hack good or bad as long as it is constructive and not mere message board flaming. My opinion is that these requirements - either linking back here or having an existing privacy policy that in the sole opinion of the coder, who is not an attorney, is an acceptable substitute is not acceptable to me. I feel this entire "read members private messages" debate is net-lawyerism at it's worst and this kind of requirement is reacting too far in the other direction to it.

That said, it's my own opinion, and the coder can do what he or she wishes. I'm not implying he should change his hack because of it - that's an informed decision only he can make.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I do appreciate all kind of feedback, not only positive. It was at first just not 100% clear to me what you ment with your first post.

[Thug]

anyway i can use this for 3.0.X sure loads will want it

[Marco van Herwaarden]

No you can't.

[Thug]

realy wanted this hack to :( was looking for it for ages, no anyone who will release for 3.0.x

[ctsolutions]

Marco, can we use your hack without PM Workbench - Report PM, activated ?
Concenrning what you wrote "Depending on the modules installed"

BTW, awesome hack.

ctsolutions

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Except for the basic module, you can install each module seperate.

[nexialys]

so MarcoH64, when will we see the end of the beta versions ?!.. ;)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Next version will not be a beta anymore.

I have a new version of some modules on my localhost that are 99%, and i want to put some extras in teh next version. Was waiting for gold to finihs those. But i don't seem to have a free minute atm to go finish things.

But looking back at the number of reported (well maybe they are there but nobody reporting) i think it is already a stable product so hardly can be called beta anymore.

PS Thanks for the bump ;)

[Nullifi3d]

Is this stable on 3.5.0 Gold?

[prawn]

My members are asking for a feature to search through their own pms. Will that be added in the nexr available version? Last thing I read that there weren't enough hooks. Has that changed?

And might I get a plugin without the backlinking if I show you I do not use the module to look through 3rd's pms? I don't like that idea anyway.

Thanks for that great hack.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Nope unfortunatly there are still no hooks on the places needed for that. I think it will have to be a seperate file. I have already experimented with it in RC2.

Will make something as soon as o got a bit of spare time.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Yes, it was (and still is) my plan to also add a PM Censor module.

[moonclamp]

Can anyone tell me what the full text of the privacy statement is and whereabouts it will be linked/visible? ... I'm happy to have one but I like to use my own choice of words for this sort of thing.

My site is a new import from an old phpbb forum so everything is still very much in infancy and I'm only installing what I know will sit right with my members.

[TyleR]

Hey Marco, nice hack here..one problem: when trying to upload 2 of the product files (product-mh_pmwbpp.xml and product-mh_pmwb.xml), it gives me this error: No file uploaded and no local file found.

Any idea what may be causing this?

Thanks ;)

[Oblivion Knight]

Am I missing something, what do we need to do with the files in the folder "Dynamic Template Modifications"?
* Oblivion Knight feels stupid.. :(
My report link for PMs is still pointing to report.php?p=

------------------------------------------------

I'm also having a strange issue with the PM Workbench link in the Admin CP, the users total pm amounts aren't being displayed (see screenshot).

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Hey Marco, nice hack here..one problem: when trying to upload 2 of the product files (product-mh_pmwbpp.xml and product-mh_pmwb.xml), it gives me this error: No file uploaded and no local file found.That should only happen when you have not selected a file. I doubt that could be caused by the content of the xml-file.
Am I missing something, what do we need to do with the files in the folder "Dynamic Template Modifications"?
* Oblivion Knight feels stupid..

My report link for PMs is still pointing to report.php?p=Those files are ment to be used together with another (not released yet) hack that will allow the 'on the fly' changing of templates, like i am doing in this hack, to also work on modified templates. PS The link pointing at the wrong script could be because of a modified template. Try contacting me next week about it and we will try to solve it.
I'm also having a strange issue with the PM Workbench link in the Admin CP, the users total pm amounts aren't being displayed (see screenshot).I never seen that with anybody before, sorry i haven't got a clue, but will try to look at it next week.

[Oblivion Knight]

PS The link pointing at the wrong script could be because of a modified template. Try contacting me next week about it and we will try to solve it.Nope, it's because your script isn't changing the link in postbit_legacy, only postbit.. ;)


I never seen that with anybody before, sorry i haven't got a clue, but will try to look at it next week.I'll look into possibilities, it could be something wrong with the ImpEx PM module again.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Hmm, i always seem to forget legacy. Will have a look for a quick fix tomorrow.

[Oblivion Knight]

Hmm, i always seem to forget legacy. Will have a look for a quick fix tomorrow.I've just done this for now, but no doubt you could come up with a better fix.. ;)

if ($show['mh_pmwbrp_reportpmlink'])
{
$show['reportlink'] = true;
require_once(DIR . '/includes/functions_mh_pmwb.php');
mh_pmwb_modify_template(&$this->registry->templatecache, 'mh_pmwbrp', 'postbit', 'report_button'
, 'href=\"report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "p=$post[postid]\"'
, 'href=\"mh_pmwbrp_report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "do=reportpm&pmid=$post[pmid]\"');
mh_pmwb_modify_template(&$this->registry->templatecache, 'mh_pmwbrp', 'postbit_legacy', 'report_button'
, 'href=\"report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "p=$post[postid]\"'
, 'href=\"mh_pmwbrp_report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "do=reportpm&pmid=$post[pmid]\"');
}

[Thug]

That should only happen when you have not selected a file. I doubt that could be caused by the content of the xml-file.


i assure you it was the file.i tryed to just woudnt upload

[Marco van Herwaarden]

please try again. the pmwbpp file could take some time to install.

[Oblivion Knight]

I'll look into possibilities, it could be something wrong with the ImpEx PM module again.Nope, it wasn't ImpEx.

I changed this in includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php:
$row['totalpm'] = ($vbulletin->products['mh_pmwbrd'] ? "<a href=\"mh_pmwbrd.php?do=showpm&amp;u=$data[userid]\">$data[pmtotal]</a>" : $data['totalpm']);To this:
$row['pmtotal'] = ($vbulletin->products['mh_pmwbrd'] ? "<a href=\"mh_pmwbrd.php?do=showpm&amp;u=$data[userid]\">$data[pmtotal]</a>" : $data['pmtotal']);It all works fine now.. :)

[Thug]

marco can u describe the problem when you tryed it,so i can ask over at vb.com on this issue

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I never had chance to try it, since the Product Manager option is missing from your ACP menu. I don't know how you f...cked up your board like that, but i can't help you unless you fix your board first.

[Thug]

i dint mess up my board, was a fresh vbulletin install jus 2days ago
thats why i wanted you to just type the prblem here so vb could look into it

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Well i already told you the problem. But this is not an unedited board!

[Thug]

i sorted product manager
but the 1st and last file of products refuse to be uploaded

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You are now uploading them as products? What error you are getting now?

[kadafi_alive]

Hi Marco,

Is there a way to make it accessible for supermoderators?

Regards

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You would need to give them access to your ACP, and include their userid's in the config.

[kadafi_alive]

You would need to give them access to your ACP, and include their userid's in the config.

Hi, thanks for your reply,

is it really impossible to add the workbench link in ModCP instead of AdminCP

Regards

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You could try to upload it to the modcp directory instead of the admincp, but i guess that will not work.

[kadafi_alive]

You could try to upload it to the modcp directory instead of the admincp, but i guess that will not work.
No, it doesn't work :(

Does it require hacking when adding supermods to admincp since that option is not available in admincp?

Regards

[kadafi_alive]

bump

[Oblivion Knight]

Does it require hacking when adding supermods to admincp since that option is not available in admincp?It's a usergroup option.. :)

Can Access Control Panel (is Administrator)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Without modifying the code it is not possible to use it in the modcp. I will not spend time on changing this, since i don't believe that this should be an option to moderators.

You can ofcourse always give some moderators limited access to your AdminCP.

[thenewuser]

Errr my paying customers would be spooked if they got linked back here. How can you catch the bad people to weed out when they know you are watching. If I were to install this the few scammers that exsist would take their scams on to an instant messenger instead.

:(

So do you want me to put something about this in my ToS they agree to when they join for the plugin? I need something like this but can't afford to have a mass panic.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Yes like explained before if you have something in your TOS covering this you can get a plugin to remove the privacy note.

PS If the privacy note would scare away scammers, you already got what you wanted: no more spammers.

[thenewuser]

Yes like explained before if you have something in your TOS covering this you can get a plugin to remove the privacy note.

PS If the privacy note would scare away scammers, you already got what you wanted: no more spammers.

Ahh okay, I was tired when I wrote that and may have sounded rude, I am sorry.

I will add it today and PM you. :)

[thenewuser]

I seemed to have installed your system correctly. I mean it's pretty
> easy to install. I can't seem to find it in my ACP. My name is Admin
> Katz, and I placed that in the field where specified and added that line
> to my config.php.
>
> Any ideas? Is it suppose to show up somewhere under a menu on the admin
> cp? I just don't see it. heh.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You added your username or userid to the config file? You should use the id.

Also check that you uploaded the files to ./includes/xml

[thenewuser]

Ahh userid, that would make more sence. I have changed it to my user ID and still do not see an addition to the ACP after ctril+f5'ing...

I see:

"PM Workbench - No Privacy link 1.00 Remove the privacy statement. Only after permission by the Hack Author!!"

In my "installed products" page but nothing new anywhere else.

[TheFocusElf]

Marco -- I like this mod a lot, though I have one question.

I would love to install this mod on an intranet site I am working on -- but I really don't want the privacy notice. I don't necessarily want the admin to be able to read the mail either.

Is it possible for the admin (Or even the message sender) to view the status of his mail (sent to more than one user) as to wether or not it has been read or not yet -- and do this without using the privacy statement?

Thanks Marco! Looking great so far.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I see:

"PM Workbench - No Privacy link 1.00 Remove the privacy statement. Only after permission by the Hack Author!!"

In my "installed products" page but nothing new anywhere else.Did you also install the main products as downloaded from this thread?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Marco -- I like this mod a lot, though I have one question.

I would love to install this mod on an intranet site I am working on -- but I really don't want the privacy notice. I don't necessarily want the admin to be able to read the mail either.

Is it possible for the admin (Or even the message sender) to view the status of his mail (sent to more than one user) as to wether or not it has been read or not yet -- and do this without using the privacy statement?

Thanks Marco! Looking great so far.
With mail you mean PM i asume?

There is no seperate module for the admin to see only if a PM was read. That is included in the Read PM module.

There are no functions for members to see if a PM was read. (you can still use the standard PM Receipt tracking for this).

Sent me a screenshot of the Privacy statement on your intranet board to my mail (marcoh64 AT gmail.com) and i will sent you a plugin to remove the privacy statement. (PS I will be out of the country till next weekend, so it can take some time).

[thenewuser]

Did you also install the main products as downloaded from this thread?

No, I did not want to trigger your privacey statement, remember you sent me the non-privacey link as I had added a small section to my ToS.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

The non-privacy plugin is an addon to the main product. It will only switch of the privacy statement. Teh main product must always be installed.

[thenewuser]

Ahh is there an install order of the .xml's that I need to follow?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I would start with the Basic 'PM Workbench' Module. I don't think the order in which you install them is very important.

[thenewuser]

Thank you, it is now working. This will improve security on my site quiet a bit. :)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Nice to see that you finally succeeded.

[kadafi_alive]

There is something wrong with the smilies. It displays a red cross instead of the actual smilies. When I checked the path of the smilies, it was: admincp/images/smilies/smile.gif instead of images/smilies/smike.gif

[moonclamp]

What does the privacy statement on this actually say?

I'd like to know in advance before I install please.

[twincamfxd]

Hi, I am pretty new at uploading hacks, and after installation, I keep getting the "page cannot be found" screen when I click on any of the 3 options under the PM workbench category in my admin panel. I went back and double checked all of my install and cant find any problems. I am wondering if I put the code in correctly in the config.exe file. I pasted all 3 codes in at the bottom of the page with 1 space between them. Is that where they go? I also added both superadmin ID#'s in seperated with a comma. I uploaded the files in the upload folder into the forum directory, and used the plug-in system to install the files to the forum. I am a little confused. Thanks in advance for the help.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

"page cannot be found" indicates that you didn't upload all the files. Please re-upload the contents of the upload folder to your forumhome directory.

[twincamfxd]

I went back and re-uploaded, and overwrote the old files, and I still get the same message. Is it possible I could be missing something on my end? There are 3 files admincp, includes & xml, and I put them all in the forum directory.

I will go over the whole install again tomorrow, and see if I missed something.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You don't go uploading all the files from the subdirectory into your forumhome directory. You should just upload the contents of the upload folder (ie., the 3 directories 'admincp', 'includes' & 'modcp') to your forumhome.

In the zip-file:
upload
- admincp
--- file1
- includes
--- xml
----- file 2
--- file3

Would become on you server:
forumhome
- admincp
--- original admincp files
--- file1
- includes
--- xml
----- original includes/xml files
----- file 2
--- file3
--- original includes files

etc....

[twincamfxd]

I cleaned it out and re-installed, I am still getting the same thing. I have my friend (my site's actual programmer) comming over to fix it for me and show me what I am doing wrong. I appreciate the help, and cant wait to try out your program. I will eventually learn how to do this lol.

[twincamfxd]

Its fixed. Awesome work man, and thanks for your patience. This is a sweet thing to have to keep the spammers\troublemakers at bay. Thanks!

[.Tim]

I am working on a module for members to search their pm's, but i am waiting for RC3 because i need some new hooks.

Any progress in this? This is a feature myself and many of my users would love.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

No i didn't spend much time on this lately. And i doubt that i will have the needed hooks even in 3.5.1. So it will become either a code edit project, or a seperate file.

[.Tim]

No i didn't spend much time on this lately. And i doubt that i will have the needed hooks even in 3.5.1. So it will become either a code edit project, or a seperate file.

Well, if you ever decide to work on it, it would be much appreciated. If not, it's cool, I'm sure eventually one will come along. :D

[Lyricsmama]

Ok i see what is your problem. The problem is that i am doing template edits 'on the fly' your Styles ar so heavy modificated, that the string i am trying to replace (to change the standard report post link into a link to my report pm function) can not be found anymore.

I'm having the same issue.
My first thought is the hack that's interfering is this one (reported post goes to a new post ) (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=83074) .
Is there a way around this?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I don't know if it is interfering, but i have a solution for modified styles. Give me a PM next week, since i am about to leave country for a few days.

What Style are you using?

[Lyricsmama]

I don't know if it is interfering, but i have a solution for modified styles. Give me a PM next week, since i am about to leave country for a few days.

What Style are you using?

Thanks a million, I'll PM you.
We're using the original style, yet we did modify CSS with our own images/colours.
Oh and we use the postbit legacy not postbit.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Hmm seem to remember that i forgot to include postbit_legacy support in this version.

Try edit the 'Replace Report Button in Postbit for PM' plugin.
Find:
mh_pmwb_modify_template(&$this->registry->templatecache, 'mh_pmwbrp', 'postbit', 'report_button'
, 'href=\"report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "p=$post[postid]\"'
, 'href=\"mh_pmwbrp_report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "do=reportpm&amp;pmid=$post[pmid]\"');

and replace by:
mh_pmwb_modify_template(&$this->registry->templatecache, 'mh_pmwbrp', 'postbit_legacy', 'report_button'
, 'href=\"report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "p=$post[postid]\"'
, 'href=\"mh_pmwbrp_report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "do=reportpm&amp;pmid=$post[pmid]\"');

[Lyricsmama]

mh_pmwb_modify_template(&$this->registry->templatecache, 'mh_pmwbrp', 'postbit_legacy', 'report_button'
, 'href=\"report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "p=$post[postid]\"'
, 'href=\"mh_pmwbrp_report.php?" . $GLOBALS[\'vbulletin\']->session->vars[\'sessionurl\'] . "do=reportpm&amp;pmid=$post[pmid]\"');


Thanks! It's working :)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Great. :D

This reminds me that i should update this soon.

[Alfa1]

Does this work for 3.5.1 and 3.5.2?
What please define the text that you need in the rules of a forum to cover the privacy notice.
When do you expect to have the new version ready?

Here is a suggestion that IMHO would be very nice to have in this extension:
A function that would alert the admin in case a new PM contains predefined(by the admin) keywords. This function could be used to stop spammers that keep coming back or illegal activity, in real time.
The ability to response in real time gives a good advantage. With my former script I sometimes find illegal activity of months ago and by then it's to late to stop it. And another advantage is that a spamming member can normally just jump to a new account to start the same menace all over again. With a short reaction time, you can fix the problem when it arises.

[Smiry Kin's]

Works ok with 3.5.2 yet to see a problem, don't see how users report bad PM's tho..

hmm

[yakusasc]

I've tested the delete function but still got a pop-up alert, normal ? tks

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I've tested the delete function but still got a pop-up alert, normal ? tks
What popup alert?

PS I will have a look at the other suggestions made as soon as i got some free time.

[yakusasc]

What popup alert?
When you've got a new message, you have a pop up "you've got one new PM ..." ; but when I try to delete one, the message is deleted but I still get the pop up ... but no message because I've deleted it :p so I think you need to reset a parameter in the database to deal with it.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Ha funny nobody reported that before. Will provide a fix in the next version.

[yakusasc]

Ha funny nobody reported that before. Will provide a fix in the next version.

Ok tks. I'm eager to test it. Merry Xmas ;)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Don't expect anything before XMas, i am kinda busy on other things right now.

[yakusasc]

Don't expect anything before XMas, i am kinda busy on other things right now.

Np, me too waiting Santa :p

[Alfa1]

Marco, I have sent you a pm.

[Alfa1]

I have installed the products, but mixed the install order of the rp and rd files up. (installed rd first) I have 3 new vbulletin options, but I do not see where I can start searching. The option pm workbench read/search pm does not show other options than filling in the amount of pm's on one page.
Am I missing something or did I scew up?
I installed the no privacy statement product as well.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You will have new PM Workbench menu options in your AdminCP. Make sure you also set your userid in the config.php.

PS Please click install if you have it working.

[Alfa1]

I do not know what happened, but I just opened my admincp and it is there now. Very strange. But I do not care. I am very happy with this. Many thanks. (rated 5 stars)

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You probably didn't refresh your ACP after uploading the cpnav.xml and installing product.

[kadafi_alive]

Any solution on this bug:
There is something wrong with the smilies displayed when you read the pms. It displays a red cross instead of the actual smilies. When I checked the path of the smilies, it was: admincp/images/smilies/smile.gif instead of images/smilies/smike.gif

[LBSources]

working great here so far .. 3.5.2

/me clicks install.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Any solution on this bug:
There is something wrong with the smilies displayed when you read the pms. It displays a red cross instead of the actual smilies. When I checked the path of the smilies, it was: admincp/images/smilies/smile.gif instead of images/smilies/smike.gif
Do you have the latest version running?

I will try to have a look tomorrow if i have some time.

[Daniel]

I'm not sure where to change the permissions for users to report a private message. Whenever I try to report a private message I get an error saying I don't have permission to do so.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

In the Usergroup Permissions.

[Daniel]

They don't seem to appear for whatever reason. I've reuploaded all the files and products.

[kadafi_alive]

Do you have the latest version running?

I will try to have a look tomorrow if i have some time.
Yes,

I have the latest version running

Regards

[SpankMe]

I'll add my voice to those that have probably already asked. This hack would be pefect for members to search their own PMs. I'm sure it wouldn't require much modification to do so.

I have no requirement to read my members PMs, but I (like many others on my site) would like the ability to search my own.

[MThornback]

I'll add my voice to those that have probably already asked. This hack would be pefect for members to search their own PMs. I'm sure it wouldn't require much modification to do so.

I have no requirement to read my members PMs, but I (like many others on my site) would like the ability to search my own.

Perssonally i'm just kinda hoping that there is a few new features in the bag for a late Christmas present for us :p

[Daniel]

They don't seem to appear for whatever reason. I've reuploaded all the files and products.
:surprised:

[Puntoboy]

i've installed this hack however i cannot use it.

i get the error message

Sorry, you don't have permission to access the administrative controls on this page.

If you need to access this page, ask your lead administrator to enable your permissions for this page using the Administrator Permissions section of the control panel.

[Puntoboy]

ignore me.

[kadafi_alive]

Do you have the latest version running?

I will try to have a look tomorrow if i have some time.

Hi Marco64, any updates on this?

[Julie]

Looks like a nifty hack this little thing! I'm just wondering, does it, or will it perhaps in the future, log all PMs sent?

I remember there was a hack for logging all on a previous vB version, I just can't remember the name/location/etc for it. I'd be one superhappy admin if it did log all, or, could log all....

I have some people talking about messing up my board, via PM, and I can't catch ALL their PMs (stupid sleep).... And I can't pin them before they actually DO anything. Therefore a log-all would be wicked :D Perhaps just a fuction to set userids or usernames...

Thanks!

[Cromulent]

Heh, you need to clear some PM space so I can send you a link to my board so I can remove the privacy statement :).

Anyway great hack, nice work.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Sorry to all who are waiting for an answer, i have been away (and still am) unexpectedly long. Will reply to all once i return.
PS PM box is not full (for now).

[dasvishal]

will this work on 3.5.3 and one more qustion its beta stage do any reports till yet have been came regarind any data base problem ?

please help me i m new with VB

[Cromulent]

It works with 3.5.3, and I have not had any problems with it yet :).

[Marco van Herwaarden]

It is mostly still beta since i didn't have the time to create a new version with all the ideas i still have for this hack yet. There have not been any serious reports for the current version (as you can see if you read back in this thread).

[Firestar.chkn]

Hi Marco,

Any news on this hack? It's quite an awesome Hack. Also, if I PM you a link to my privacy statement tonight, can I expect the hack soon?

There are also a couple of fixes with regards to postbit_legacy that you wanted to do. Have these been done, or must I just use the inline code adjustments to get this working?

One last thing. Is there a way to just change the privacy statement to point to mine? I suppose I can just add it in myself, so no worry really.

Cheers and thanks for a great hack
Firestar

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Also, if I PM you a link to my privacy statement tonight, can I expect the hack soon?
If you pm a link to your statement and your mail address, i will sent you a plugin to remove the privacy statement tomorrow.
There are also a couple of fixes with regards to postbit_legacy that you wanted to do. Have these been done, or must I just use the inline code adjustments to get this working?
No they are not in the current version, but changing to postbit_legacy will only require a minimal change to the plugins. If the solution was not posted in this thread, also ask for this and i will try to post the solution here.
One last thing. Is there a way to just change the privacy statement to point to mine? I suppose I can just add it in myself, so no worry really.No, i don't think that is possible, it will either point to the second post of this thread, or no privacy statement.

[Firestar.chkn]

Hi Marco,

Thanks for the reply. PM sent. Where does it show your privacy statement? The automatic one that points to this forum? Does it only show it below the inbox, or other places as well?

Otherwise, thanks for a GREAT hack. I'm really enjoying this one from my previous version :)

Cheers
Firestar

[Firestar.chkn]

Installed and working. THanks Marco! Awesome hack! Rated 5 and clicked install. Just waiting for that email now :)

[cmiller1014]

Sounds like a cool idea but all information on my site belongs to me. I dont need to provide any privacy statement to my members, or to vbulletin.org. Guess this wont get installed.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Sounds like a cool idea but all information on my site belongs to me. I dont need to provide any privacy statement to my members, or to vbulletin.org. Guess this wont get installed.
If you have a TOS page where you explicit say that all including PM's belong to you, then you could get the Privacy statement removed. PM me with a link to the page and your mail address if you want this.

[Sidewindr]

Get the following error .. it seems to work but this error comes when displaying the PM...

Warning: array_merge() [function.array-merge]: Argument #1 is not an array in /includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php(281) : eval()'d code on line 18

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /includes/functions.php on line 2454

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Get the following error .. it seems to work but this error comes when displaying the PM...What vB & PHP versions are you running?

[T3MEDIA]

I do respect that, and I appreciate his work. That has nothing to do with the issue at hand - as a coder, I would think he would appreciate feedback on his hack good or bad as long as it is constructive and not mere message board flaming. My opinion is that these requirements - either linking back here or having an existing privacy policy that in the sole opinion of the coder, who is not an attorney, is an acceptable substitute is not acceptable to me. I feel this entire "read members private messages" debate is net-lawyerism at it's worst and this kind of requirement is reacting too far in the other direction to it.

That said, it's my own opinion, and the coder can do what he or she wishes. I'm not implying he should change his hack because of it - that's an informed decision only he can make.Its old but this was very well put ixian.

Just so people know it is actually a breach in privacy to have the users come to vbulletin.org with out them knowing. This would be more damaging for the admin than reading the PM. As well the protection is for only 1 party who will never see this notice that is the person who wrote the PM. The person who recieves it reliqishes the right once they consider it abuse or spam. OBVIOUSLY it must be reviewed.

Does vb.org have a statment stating this will uccour to guests from differnt sites and how will thier private information be handled? Does anyone on any site using this hack state that vb.org may or may not get specific types of information? Is the privacy aggreement for vb.org and (whoever you are) are in syc with one another to co exist legally with this idea.

So its not really ad-ware its more inadvertant spy-ware. (please ignore my bad spelling. English is not my first lanugage but I am learning). Please note I put inadvertant... I am aware its not the purpose of the hack.

If you use this logic used to protect members you would have to have a notice saying if you use it your information may or may not be given to third parties.

vb (all vb) records ip, referer and sessions. This is the major flaw having vb.org involved in private messages. But I just wanted to say that. this is old news but just so people understand.

(think about it. Once a guest hits this page and an admin reviews it they now know)
1. This user comes from x website (its vb, its a 3.5.x site and there is a cookie left) so This user is a member of x website (100% sure)
2. This user was previously reading a PM
3. This user uses whatever browser and speaks whatever lanuage. (OS system as well)
4. This user had (whatever is in your copy and paste space) saved
5. This user just had spam or an abusive message.

I could now email the owner of that site about some new spam blocker for vb or use google adwords to market to the users about more secure websites that are simular to thiers. "Are you tired of forum spam?". (advertise on this site method)

That is off the top of my head. I dont think anyone is using this that way but hey... if you want to be legal do it all the way.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I will only reply with 2 line to this:
1. It is clearly stated in teh ahck description, so board owner know what he will get before installing. It is his choice, nothing hidden here. If he wants to warn members that vb.org might leave a cookie or something, feel free to do so.

2. If i follow your logic, all links to vb.org (and any other website) should be removed from google.

[T3MEDIA]

I will only reply with 2 line to this:
1. It is clearly stated in teh ahck description, so board owner know what he will get before installing. It is his choice, nothing hidden here. If he wants to warn members that vb.org might leave a cookie or something, feel free to do so.

2. If i follow your logic, all links to vb.org (and any other website) should be removed from google.1. you dont have to sign up to use google.
2. google is a search engine.
3. And yes... if I dont want to be in the index google has to remove the URL.
4. Users are aware that they are using a search engine EVEN on that note google has a disclamer (click on cache) lol kinda put your foot in your mouth on that one. But its good debate so its all good.

Come on you know all this...
Just for conversation yes your right about (1) I was just saying you might as well be 100% about it.

[Daniel]

They don't seem to appear for whatever reason. I've reuploaded all the files and products.
Two months later. :(

Doesn't there need to be a bitfield or something to make it display in the usergroup settings?

[JayJay]

Edit: Misread first time around.

I don't have any problems with usergroup permissions. Have you tried the latest version of this modification? Do you currently have it installed on JT?

[Daniel]

That the config file... not the plugin.

I already configured it, and that should only be to view the reports...

[JayJay]

Where's your test forum currently located?

When you reinstall the plugin does it still have this issue? I understand, and have seen for myself, that you have numerous plugins already installed so is it possible that any of these are causing conflict?

[Daniel]

I've reinstalled it, still having the same problem. More than likely it's other plugins/products causing this, but no other plugins I'm using use the hooks postbit_display_complete or postbit_factory. I'll try it on my test board anyhow.

EDIT: Works on my test board, must be a different plugin messing it up. Ah well, I can live w/o it, only needed it for the report a pm feature.

[NeutralizeR]

What's the fastest way to add a link for "Total number of Unhandled PM Reports" to Control Panel Quick Statistics? Under "New Users Today" for example?

Or is it possible to receive the reports as email?

Regards

[Marco van Herwaarden]

I've reinstalled it, still having the same problem. More than likely it's other plugins/products causing this, but no other plugins I'm using use the hooks postbit_display_complete or postbit_factory. I'll try it on my test board anyhow.

EDIT: Works on my test board, must be a different plugin messing it up. Ah well, I can live w/o it, only needed it for the report a pm feature.If the bitfield_pmwb*.xml files are uploaded correct, then i don't see any reason why the usergroup permissions would not show up. If you really can not figure this out, i would need to have access to your ACP/FTP to have a look.
What's the fastest way to add a link for "Total number of Unhandled PM Reports" to Control Panel Quick Statistics? Under "New Users Today" for example?Just copy the link and paste it in the template where you want.
Or is it possible to receive the reports as email?Not in the current version, but it is a feature i plan to add in future.

[almqdad]

Hi

Whenever I try to report a private message I get an error saying I don't have permission to do so.

In the Usergroup Permissions don't seem to appear for whatever reason

I also tried to give another member permission to veiw PMs it does not work with him

do I have to reinstall the plugin if so how to do that

thanks

[Kihon Kata]

getting error at private.php...any ideas?


Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of [runtime function name](). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in /home/httpd/vhosts/makeuptalk.com/httpdocs/forums/private.php(194) : eval()'d code on line 59

It goes away when I disable PM workbench plugin

[almqdad]

hi
where Dynamic Template Modifications suppost to go

thanks

[imported_ToY]

where art thou marco?

ive pm'd him 3 weeks ago in regards to getting the inbuilt tos removed and he is still awol

[Gizmo5h1t3]

installed, and its working like a charm

[MrZeropage]

Tested this out and I like it, but Smilies are not parsed correct, they get pulled from the wrong path (/admincp/images/smilies)

Anybody fixed that ?

I also implemented the fix for postbit_legacy from Oblivion_Knight, thanks for this!

I also noticed that while deleting PMs via the Workbench the "total PM"-Counter of a user does not get updated, this means after deleting messages it still says the old total value...

[Angelus]

will it give also times one a finally version?

and also the possibility everything comes pns which one over searches found to mark, because my space bar gets broken soon :)

[NeutralizeR]

Got some issues with vb 3.6 beta 3...

"To Users" shows as "Array" for everybody...

[xlegends]

RUNNING solid. This exactly what I need when trouble hits the forums. Very rare. Hell the privacy link wont be seen unless they know what to look for.

[barca4ever]

I'm facing 1 small bug with this great mod

When I deleted a pm through this mod, the fields pmtotal and pmunread in user table are not upadated

[hnjco]

when you are coming with full version of this?

[Firestar.chkn]

I've been using this for ages, and it is perfectly stable. I've recently upgraded to 3.6 RC2, and it works, but has a slight problem with the new multiple recipients and BCC thing from the PM side. Would you be able to make that change for 3.6 soon?

It shows "array" instead of the recipients, until you go into the PM via the adminCP panel. Is there a way around this?

[FatalBreeze]

i got a slight problem here, i've entered the userids of my fellow admins in the config.php exactly where its supposed to be, but they can't see the link in the ACP...

note: they dont have a vbulletin settings permission, but i still want them to view your hack.

[Cyburbia]

Sigh. I think some of the other features of this program are useful, but I've got a big problem with having the ability to easily read PMs sent by forum users.

If anything, I'd like to see a hack that makes PMs even more secure.

[R.Solutions]

Is this now okay to use on 3.5.x

[NeutralizeR]

Is this now okay to use on 3.5.x
-3.5.x, YES
-3.6.x, 90% YES

[karlm]

Sigh. I think some of the other features of this program are useful, but I've got a big problem with having the ability to easily read PMs sent by forum users.

If anything, I'd like to see a hack that makes PMs even more secure.

I agree with the fact that reading pm's is virtually, in it's most literal and metaphorical senses, snooping. PM's really should be made more secure, not less, having said that, the one element i'm very impressed with is the 'report bad pm' function. Due to the fact that the user reporting a bad message cannot actually edit it in any way gives the admin the security in knowing that the messages are 100% legitimate, thereby giving confidence in their decision making processes to ban or publicly spank offending users.

For the record, I tested this out on 3.5.4 on a month old database backup. As far as I can see, it works perfectly, however i've not tried it in a 'working condition' - as i said, it's only been used thus far on my test board. I'm not 100% whether I'll be applying it to the main forum (the real one) or not as yet. I'm still chewing on that... but the idea of reporting bad pm's (with it's 'note added' functionality) is very appealing.
I'll do the 'click install' because i ahve tried it, it works well (at least for the last hour i've been playing with it) and it has been 'installed', even if not on a fully functioning and active board.

[hnjco]

Not sure what to do with "Dynamic Template Modifications" where to upload them? please help!

thanks

[Firestar.chkn]

Hey KarlM,

I hear what you're saying, and I agree to a certain degree.

However, there are certain cases where this is an invaluable feature. My users are made VERY aware that I can, and will, read any PM's I suspect of breaching my forum rules. I have 4 rules that I am not negotiable on, and those 4 rules I enforce with an iron fist. Everything and anything that happens on those forums, are my responsibility. If someone uses the PM feature to post child porn, I want to know about it before it actually gets read by the other party. I therefore installed another hack that traps PM's where certain specified keywords are triggered. Most of the times, I don't read any other PM's of any other users, except where those keywords are triggered, though.

To me, this function is absolutely necessary, simply because I'm held liable for anything that happens on my forums. I also run an online business from my site, and because of that, it's even more important that I control what gets said on my forums.

I do see how this is a moral issue, though. But IMO, it's only a moral issue when users are not aware that they are being "snooped" on. If they are aware of it, and they don't agree, they are more than welcome to not make use of the PM system. It's as easy as that.

Cheers
Firestar

[jzhostpa]

I don't need to monitor all PMs sent by all members. Generally I would want to moderate PMs only when a user sends out a large numbers of PMs.

So is it possible to trigger this moderation based upon the number of PMs sent?

For example. If a member sends more than X PMs at one time (or within a given timeframe)?

[Alfa1]

Here is a suggestion that IMHO would be very nice to have in this extension:
A function that would alert the admin in case a new PM contains predefined(by the admin) keywords. This function could be used to stop spammers that keep coming back or illegal activity, in real time.
The ability to response in real time gives a good advantage. With my former script I sometimes find illegal activity of months ago and by then it's to late to stop it. And another advantage is that a spamming member can normally just jump to a new account to start the same menace all over again. With a short reaction time, you can fix the problem when it arises.

Is there any update on this? Last year you wanted to code this, but had found no time yet. This would also clear the privacy issue, as with such function the admin can choose to only need to see those PM's reported by the PM Workbench.
Illegal activity by PM is a big problem / liability for forum owners. If illegal activity(trade in drugs, weapons, terrorisme, child porn, etc) is taking place on the server, this poses a direct risk to the site and the owner. I think many underestimate the risk. This extra function can counteract that risk. Due to the nature of the internet, I think it is a necessity.

[hnjco]

Any chance for 3.6.x?

[mcyates]

it works on vb 3.6.0 i've got it working, the only problem is where it should tell you who a message was sent to, it just says "array"

[hnjco]

it works on vb 3.6.0 i've got it working, the only problem is where it should tell you who a message was sent to, it just says "array"
I installed too and working fine expect the same thing "Array"

[karlm]

Yeah, i get array too.
However, when i tested the 'report bad pm' function, no matter what access level i use (admin or regular member) it states i don't have the access to perform that function.

[Ziki]

Marco this doen't work at all :)

[Alfa1]

Here is a suggestion that IMHO would be very nice to have in this extension:
A function that would alert the admin in case a new PM contains predefined(by the admin) keywords. This function could be used to stop spammers that keep coming back or illegal activity, in real time.
The ability to response in real time gives a good advantage. With my former script I sometimes find illegal activity of months ago and by then it's to late to stop it. And another advantage is that a spamming member can normally just jump to a new account to start the same menace all over again. With a short reaction time, you can fix the problem when it arises.

Is there any update on this? Last year you wanted to code this, but had found no time yet. This would also clear the privacy issue, as with such function the admin can choose to only need to see those PM's reported by the PM Workbench.
Illegal activity by PM is a big problem / liability for forum owners. If illegal activity(trade in drugs, weapons, terrorisme, child porn, etc) is taking place on the server, this poses a direct risk to the site and the owner. I think many underestimate the risk. This extra function can counteract that risk. Due to the nature of the internet, I think it is a necessity.

Any word on this feature? Are you still planning to code this? I've seen another hack, which gives this functionality. I would really prefer to have it included in this hack.
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=118983&page=4

[rareclownfish]

is this going to port to 3.6.2?

[MustangLisa]

I'd love to see this for 3.6.3 in full working order. I need to be able to search and sort PMs better than vb currently allows.

[randy.]

any chance there is an update of this coming for newer versions of vb?

[hnjco]

Any chance of update?

[Shazz]

Any chance of update?

Its been asked numerous times on this page ...

[KoC]

Please update this great vbulletin plugin. Many Forum Leaders need this plugin for the new version

[COBRAws]

I would gladly pay for this on 3.6.4

[Black Widow]

I would gladly pay for this on 3.6.4

Me too...

[Black Widow]

Marco, any update on this?

[fluentdesigns]

id donate for an update for 3.6

[g00gl3r]

Is there a version of this that would work for 3.6.1?

[Shazz]

With bugs yes..

[T2DMan]

just installed on a forum.
With the postbit_legacy template, I have used the following code for the template:

replaced
report.php?$session[sessionurl]p=$post[postid]

with

<if condition="THIS_SCRIPT=='private'">mh_pmwbrp_report.php?$session[sessionurl]do=reportpm&amp;pmid=$post[pmid]<else />report.php?$session[sessionurl]p=$post[postid]</if>

The same would probably be needed if you were coding for the normal postbit template.

[T2DMan]

The PM Workbench to field shows "array" when looking at pm's. So I have taken the code from vbulletin's private.php file and added to the specific file as per below:

admincp/mh_pmwbrd.php

replace
while ($pm = $vbulletin->db->fetch_array($pms))
{

$pmrow = array(
"<a href=\"mh_pmwbrd.php?do=readpmtext&amp;pmtextid=$pm[pmtextid]\">$pm[title]</a>"
, $pm['fromusername']
, (is_array(unserialize($pm['touserarray'])) ? implode(", ", array_values(unserialize($pm['touserarray']))) : null)
, vbdate($vbulletin->options['dateformat'] . ', ' . $vbulletin->options['timeformat'], $pm['dateline'])
, "<input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"action[" . $pm['pmtextid'] . "]\">"
);
print_cells_row($pmrow);
}


with

while ($pm = $vbulletin->db->fetch_array($pms))
{


$cclist = array();
$bcclist = array();
$touser = unserialize($pm['touserarray']);
foreach($touser AS $key => $item)
{
if (is_array($item))
{
foreach($item AS $subkey => $subitem)
{
${$key.'list'}[]=$subitem;
}
}
else
{
$bcclist[]=$item;
}
}

$pmrow = array(
"<a href=\"mh_pmwbrd.php?do=readpmtext&amp;pmtextid=$pm[pmtextid]\">$pm[title]</a>"
, $pm['fromusername']
, implode(", ",$bcclist).implode(", ",$cclist)
, vbdate($vbulletin->options['dateformat'] . ', ' . $vbulletin->options['timeformat'], $pm['dateline'])
, "<input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"action[" . $pm['pmtextid'] . "]\">"
);
print_cells_row($pmrow);
}

[T2DMan]

and another two file changes:

1. same admincp/mh_pmwbrd.php file

after the following line

$pmtext = mh_pmwb_fetch_pmtext($vbulletin->GPC['pmtextid'], true);
add
$cclist = array();
$bcclist = array();
$touser = unserialize($pmtext['touserarray']);
foreach($touser AS $key => $item)
{
if (is_array($item))
{
foreach($item AS $subkey => $subitem)
{
${$key.'list'}[]=$subitem;
}
}
else
{
$bcclist[]=$item;
}
}


replace
print_label_row($vbphrase['mh_pmwb_to_users'] . ":", (is_array(unserialize($pmtext['touserarray'])) ? implode(", ", array_values(unserialize($pmtext['touserarray']))) : null));
with
print_label_row($vbphrase['mh_pmwb_to_users'] . ":", implode(", ",$bcclist).implode(", ",$cclist) );


2. admincp/mh_pmwbrp.php file

after
$pmreport = mh_pmwbrp_fetch_pmreport($vbulletin->GPC['pmreportid'], true, true);


add
$cclist = array();
$bcclist = array();
$touser = unserialize($pmreport['touserarray']);
foreach($touser AS $key => $item)
{
if (is_array($item))
{
foreach($item AS $subkey => $subitem)
{
${$key.'list'}[]=$subitem;
}
}
else
{
$bcclist[]=$item;
}
}

replace
print_label_row($vbphrase['mh_pmwb_to_users'] . ":", (is_array(unserialize($pmreport['touserarray'])) ? implode(", ", array_values(unserialize($pmreport['touserarray']))) : null));


with
print_label_row($vbphrase['mh_pmwb_to_users'] . ":", implode(", ",$bcclist).implode(", ",$cclist));


so how have I done? I think I now have them all?

[Black Widow]

Thanks a lot man.
It works like a charm...:)

[fluentdesigns]

Is this a full update or just a hack to make it work?

[T2DMan]

It is not a full update, just a hack to make it work.
Please let me know if there are any other things that are not working. I might get around to changing those too. I notice that when I "delete" a reported pm, that the message remains there. So not sure what is happening there.

[fluentdesigns]

is there any 3.6 mod that is similar to this?

[Shazz]

is there any 3.6 mod that is similar to this?

Read PM would be the most simular

[fluentdesigns]

I get this when I update the hack for 3.6...

Sorry, you don't have permission to access the administrative controls on this page.

If you need to access this page, ask your lead administrator to enable your permissions for this page using the Administrator Permissions section of the control panel.

any ideas?

[Alfa1]

Can you please update this great add-on with a keyword alert, like the PM moderation (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=118983&page=8) hack had. (Now in the graveyard)

[fluentdesigns]

Ya I dont want to see this mod die.. its hands down the best PM management mod.

[CoTTon]

what about pictures? this mod doesnt show the pictures if people send pictures over...

[Mag1c]

someone help, i installed the upload folder to my forum root, then installed the basic plugin then the pm search plugin.. but there is no "pm workbench" bar to view the pms in my admin cp

[Alfa1]

Marco; please see the suggestions in this thread on vbulletin.com (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189631).

[Marco van Herwaarden]

@Mag1c

Did you upload the contents of the upload folder to your forumhome directory?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

@Alfa1

First of all i don't have much time to work on any of my modifications, so a new (3.6) version with added functionality is not very likely to happen soon.

Also the suggestions in that thread (only read the first post) are mostly aimed at the end-user. This modification is more an admin tool. Also some of the suggestions seem outdated.

[Alfa1]

I can imagine that coordinating this site will take up your time. Would you feel for the idea to have another coder look into expanding and port your add-on?
There is a lot of potential in your already superb hack. Like a merge with the now dead keyword alerts (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=118983) and PM report threads (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=154094).

[mlbvb]

Thanks SOOO much T2DMan!! That Array thing has been bugging me forever now!! Your edits worked like a charm!!

I really hope that other coders can keep this mod alive and up to date!

[GSM_electronic]

I keep getting this errors on the header of the PM page:

Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of [runtime function name](). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in .../httpdocs/forum/private.php(194) : eval()'d code on line 9

Warning: Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by value; If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the declaration of [runtime function name](). If you would like to enable call-time pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any longer. in .../httpdocs/forum/includes/functions_mh_pmwb.php on line 23

Hack was fully working on my site, some time ago...

Any help?

[Alfa1]

I just moved servers. When accessing the PM workbench, I am getting this message:
Sorry, you don't have permission to access the administrative controls on this page.

If you need to access this page, ask your lead administrator to enable your permissions for this page using the Administrator Permissions section of the control panel.
I am the leading admin and all my permissions are set correctly in the Administrator Permissions section of the control panel.

Any idea's?

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Did you also add your userid to the config.php? (see install notes)

[FlyBoy73]

Marco, any plans to upgrade this to 3.7x?

[zylstra]

T2Dman, I implemented your file edits in posts #200 and #201 in admincp/mh_pmwbrd.php - I only use the search and read function - but I'm still getting the following error when I read a PM:

Warning: array_merge() [function.array-merge]: Argument #1 is not an array in /includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php(281) : eval()'d code on line 33

Warning: array_merge() [function.array-merge]: Argument #1 is not an array in /includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php(281) : eval()'d code on line 36

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /includes/functions.php on line 2508

[fluentdesigns]

I would donate some money to have this upgrade to 3.7

[zylstra]

I added a userid in the includes/config.php file but that user cannot see the PM Workbench item in the admincp. Is there anything else I need to do to let this admin see this?

[gnrmarcel]

works with 3.7.x?

[fluentdesigns]

This mod hasnt worked since 3.5 so i would say no. Sad as this mod was one of the most used backend tools.

[Blackhat]

what about this https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=123166&highlight=search+pm

[Alfa1]

What about it?

[PDM]

for 3.7.x Do it work?

[Puntoboy]

I'm also wondering if this works with 3.7.3 PL1 as I've just upgraded my test forum and it no longer works.

[deejayotto]

trying to delete pms 3.7.3 PL1 error received:


Fatal error: Existing data passed is not an array
Called set_existing in [path]/includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php on line 397
Called mh_pmwb_build_pm_counters in [path]/includes/adminfunctions_mh_pmwb.php on line 170
Called mh_pmwb_delete_pmtext in [path]/admincp/mh_pmwbrd.php on line 532
in [path]/includes/class_dm.php on line 235


error receied if not from/to same user ... or the from/to user doesn't exist.

[Alfa1]

It works fine in vb 3.7.3
I am not sure about PL1

[barca4ever]

It was working fine until version 3.7, now its showing the following message:

Sorry, you don't have permission to access the administrative controls on this page.
If you need to access this page, ask your lead administrator to enable your permissions for this page using the Administrator Permissions section of the control panel.

Where can I add the permission to view this hack in admincp?

[alan92rttt]

If your are linked to this post because you clicked a Privacy Statement on a borad that you where visiting, this means that the Administrators of your board have installed the PM Workbench.
Where is this privacy statement normally found?

What happens a board were to install this and remove it from the privacy statement?

[Puntoboy]

Mine is working on 3.7.3 PL1 now but I'm getting "Array" in the tu user column instead of the username of the person it's being sent to.

[Puntoboy]

It was working fine until version 3.7, now its showing the following message:



Where can I add the permission to view this hack in admincp?

I had this issue and if I remember correctly it's due to the new config.php you are using. You need to add which users can use PM workbench to the config.php so when you upgraded this was probably lost. Find your old config.php and add the code, which is usually found at the bottom.

[b00k]

-----------

[Under_Dog]

Would someone please bring this back to life for Version 3.7.4 and beyond.

I am willing to pay a fair rate to get this mod working. Yes! Not a donation but an actual fee.

For you moral Nazi's,
I own my forum, there are non-profit, and used for a gaming community full of spammers and spies. I should be able to do what I want with what I bought.

Once again, I am willing to pay someone to get this mod working. I am a registered member of PayPal or we can discuss other forms of payment.

Please contact me via a PM or at black.rose@comcast.net

[Alfa1]

It works on vb 3.7.4PL1. I surely do hope that it will keep working on vb 3.8.

[FloridaGerman]

bump
any update on 3.8 prior to downloading?

[fluentdesigns]

I would like to see this updated to 3.8, I would surely donate a good amount to the cause.

[Darthvader2007]

This is a great plugin/hack
Hopefuly it will work on 3.8.1
And if not ? is there some other ?

[kmatwill]

does this work for 3.8? Just what I'm looking for.

[tafSteve]

PM Workbench works fine for me on 3.8.2... no errors yet. Would like to see this updated though, as well. Would donate for sure.

[wfouly]

Excellent
thank you very much
I get attacked from spamer who send pm to all the members
after i delete his account, couldn`t delete the pm from admin control panel
this Mod solve the problem I installed it and working good with v 3.8.2 till now
but it need little modification to mark all selected pm at one step to delete them in one click not to mark the check box one by one
I hop to upgrade this mod it is very essential in fighting spam pm
best regards and good luck for Marco van Herwaarden (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/member.php?u=59998)

[deepak7]

Where is the statement posted after install? Can you give me some links from forums with this? Cheers

[Alfa1]

Does this work on vb4.1?