Add-On Releases - SMS Notify

Mod Version: 0.1 BETA
vB Version: 3.8.0 or higher (probably works on lower versions, but untested)

Description:

When users subscribe to threads in a forum you specify, they can be automatically SMS'd when there is an update. Only sends the most recent post.

Let me try and explain how this works. It uses the forums for it's integration, there are no custom pages, etc. This allows you to use all of vBulletins usergroup/forum settings to manage the access and whatnot.

I have a category called "SMS Notifications" Under that I have two forums. In the mod options, you set the PARENT forum ID. Basically any forums with this parent ID will be processed. This is the structure that I use.

SMS Notifications (category)

• Commanders (forum)
  • SMS - We're meeting reminder! (Thread)

• Members (forum)
  • SMS - We're under attack! (Thread)
  • SMS - We're all safe now! (Thread)
  • SMS - Servers status update (Thread)

I then set permissions for who can post and who can reply, etc on the forums as you normally would. Just in this case when you're doing it, think about who can send and SMS message. So basically only a few people have POST/REPLY and various people have READ.

The mod will hook events for replies only.

So, I create a separate thread for each "event" that people might need to be alerted about. The members then subscribe to the threads they would like to get a text message about.

Anytime a thread is replied to, all subscribers will get only the latest reply's text sent to them. The way it's setup with the forums also allows you to keep track of who is doing the paging, for what, etc. This doesn't interrupt the standard subscription emails from going out either. That way those without SMS can still get whatever updates if say they have email alerts on their phones or simply just want email subscriptions like normal.

Installation:

Create a new user profile field, this field will be used to contain your members SMS email address.

Import the product as normal.

Edit the options for the mod (Under vBulletin Options -> SMS Notify) in the Admin CP.

Make sure it's on.

Set the parent forum ID

Set the full variable name that you created earlier that holds the SMS email addresses.

Please note, this *IS BETA*. I use it currently, but there may be issues, etc. Please kindly report them here and I'll do my best to correct them. This is only my second vB mod and the other one was just a tweak of someone else's. I'm still learning and if you have tips/pointers, please feel free to suggest things!

[Trek]

Originally Posted by JTS2005

when subscribing to a forum is there an option that should say SMS subscription or do you just use the get daily updates email? Anyways, I subscribed to the forum where the threads are and did a test new thread and nothing happened. i know the sms address works as i sent a test messege from my email account. I checked all my settings and nothing happened. I did notice that when i went to subscribe to a FORUM it only had 3 options, one was no email notifications, daily email notifications, and weekly notifications. When i go to a specific thread under the category i have another option that says instant notification.

You'll need to subscribe to the threads you want, with instant notification and it should work fine.

[JTS2005]

Ahh i was hoping for more of a notification for a thread posted in a forum.

[JTS2005]

for instance I post sporting wagers in my VIP forums and wanted the tthreads sent to sent to my members.

[vbreal]

Originally Posted by Trek

I haven't added anything specific carrier wise into the mod, not sure if I'll get around to it or not though. Shouldn't be too difficult, I just need to find the extra time to mess around with it.



Not that I am aware of, although I'm not entirely sure what you want it to do in a PM anyway? Just text someone the contents of a PM when they get a PM? It probably exists, but as a PM can be more than 160 characters, etc... it's probably not the greatest idea.

Yes, a forum post can be of whatever size as well, but if it's specifically for SMS messages, people know that and will write short messages, unlike open ended PMs.

guess im a little late but i meant just a text message notifying the users they received a private message from such an such user.

[testbot]

vb4.0 development?

[Trek]

Originally Posted by testbot

vb4.0 development?

Yeah, I'll get it done shortly for 4.0, should be a quick update. I just haven't gotten to it yet myself and since no one has mentioned it, it's been on the back burner. I'll get it updated now that I know someone is looking for it. =)

[testbot]

very cool! thank you!

[hotrod122]

wanting this for vb4 also...

[Trek]

Originally Posted by hotrod122

wanting this for vb4 also...

I apologize, but I'd completely forgotten about this mod. As I've moved to XenForo, I no longer use vB and this mod (and any others I've done), won't be updated. I've changed the settings of the mod to reflect that and also have flagged the code for reuse if someone else wants to pick it up.

[ChiNa]

Originally Posted by Trek

I apologize, but I'd completely forgotten about this mod. As I've moved to XenForo, I no longer use vB and this mod (and any others I've done), won't be updated. I've changed the settings of the mod to reflect that and also have flagged the code for reuse if someone else wants to pick it up.

Waste of time on Xenforo booooo... Joking...

Well hope you will come back..