[HTL] & [Normal] Private threads
 

Tested with 3.0.1

This hack lets you have private threads. A private thread is either:
* A thread where only some selected users can post
* A thread where some some selected users cannot post, everybody else can

With this regular users can protect their threads from regular spammers, it is useful for a roleplaying game, for a semi-private conversation (everybody can read, only some users can post), if you wanted to have a semi-private conversation with 5 people that is not possible in private messages, but a private thread would do.

The hack works:

When you create a thread you will be given the option for the thread to be private. If the thread is private you need to specify:

To allow some users or to deny some users (not both!)

Everybody can see the thread but when they try to answer they must have the proper permissions, otherwise a "this is a private thread" message would be shown to them.

After the thread is posted you can go to the "edit thread" screen and change which users can see the thread and its general behaviour, you can either make it public again or make a public thread now private. This is done by whoever has access to the edit thread tool.

I am not planning to release a "completely private" thread hack, if you don't want anybody to see the thread or to post in it just use a private forum :) I think only not being able to post is enough functionality (at least for me!).



Please take in consideration this hack only runs with php version > 4.1.0

Info for hackers:
You may modify, improve, upgrade, redistribute this hack, include it
in another hack or yours or translate it provided you do it free of
charge and you distribute it in www.vbulletin.org at least, there is no
need to pm me asking for permission
Some portions of the code are (c) Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

This might be useful for clan/club threads. Neat ;)

thank, nice job :)

nice mod. Would it be possible to work for replies as well?

there is an error.

The following sentence does not exist: ' privatethread_notallowed'

you do not have to forget to add this sentence? :rolleyes:

If you create a private thread a user that is not in the allowed list will not be able to reply to it

Add this phrase in your admincp (phrases -> add new phrase):

Type: Front-End Error Messages
Name: privatethread_notallowed
Text: This is a private thread and you are not allowed to post.

It was in the instructions, just in the front page.. I guess it was a little hidden :)

oups, sorry Kentaurus , I had badly read the beginning of file HTML :(

Very good taff :D

Looks like a must have hack... I'll download it now but will see about installtion. there's a few other things to do first.

interesting, but not sure if it is of some use for me ...

Good hack. I think Administrators need to be able to see it no matter what.

very nice hack.. works well and was easy to install.. shows off how much easier the HTL makes it for somewhat bigger hacks like this..

It doesn`t stop people from seeing the thread, just replying.. we`ve got this set for our poetry, story submission threads where some people are constantly flamed by the same people, just gives them a little control and might make them post more...

This is fantastic! I'll get alot of use for this in my RPG forums! Great idea! <3

Questions! Would Admins still have the ability to reply, even if they are not on the reply list? And are admins or mods able to edit who is on the reply list?

Very nice! :)

I second this and would like to know as well, but also, is it possible that only certain usergroups could get this privelage? Thank you.

Admins wouldn't be able to reply right away. Although because they can edit the thread they can add themselves to the allowed list and then reply.

Thanks. Also, I ran a test thread and can see the 3 options to allow, disallow, etc., but after hitting the edit thread to put who can or can't, it doesn't show me a form to enter the names. I'm sure I've installed everything right. Any suggestions?

Did you do the template edit completely? It should show a "Select users - Separate multiple users with a ;" and an input box to type

Can this be addd to the editpost if you are editing the first post in the thread?

very nice! I could find some uses for this ;)

[high]* MGM clicks Install
[/high]

MGM out

Something like a <hide> hack?
Now understand how good it is ...

Why this? For the thread creator to be able to edit the allowed users list?

Any chance you could tell us how to add this option?

you would have to get the privatethread and privateusers column for the forumdisplay, then for each thread check your $bbuserinfo['userid'] against the privateusers and display / not display the thread accordingly.

Maybe I could write a quick hack for it... it just won't be in the txt since I am not using that feature.

Thanks Kentaurus! I will be checking back often in hopes to see the quick hack :)

After trying a little I am actually giving up this feature... I managed to block the threads from showing in the forumlist but they can still be searched / viewed in the member profile and in the summaries. The integration for this is a far more advanced from what I am needing, I am thinking that feature would be a completely new hack, and I am leaving this one only for stopping people from replying.

VERY. nice :).

I will definetly use ;)

the ability to "auto" notify (via email/pm) privateusers would be a great enhancment to this hack

Just tell your users to subscribe to the thread. When somebody answer they would be notified.

this hack is only good if the "privateusers" are aware that there is a thread awaiting them ...
the ability to notify the "privateusers" upon submitting new thread would take this hack to the next level

just my .02¢
Other than the above, I think this is a great hack.

Updated the hack to make it work with RC4. It is not longer compatible with any version < RC4 since some vbulletin code is in different place.

Too bad, because that's exactly what I need. :(

Very nice hack. It works as described. Only one major glitch: How do you prevent people from seeing it thru the archives?

This is sooo awesome it could take the place of the unruly Private Messaging system.

Yep, I'm waiting for someone to port this to 3.5.x

Oh yes, me too. Thought there would be already the hack for 3.5 :(

I'm almost ready for beta release with my update although it does have some differences from this mod. It is 3.5.3 ready and is configured as a product although there is one manual file change required that I haven't been able to figure out a good workaround for...

The system is not based on this code although I'm sure it bears some resemblence in certain areas. The main differences between my hack and this one are:

1) mine supports completely private threads
2) mine does not support denying certain members the ability to access/post to the thread

I may develop the latter feature at some point but I don't have it as a need at the moment. It is pretty cool using the Ajax name completion stuff that vB has built-in now! Anyway, I'm going to start a new thread for the beta once it is ready, hopefully on Friday.