Granting Access to a Private Forum

[MadStatus]

I'm looking for quicker/easier ways for unauthorized users to get approved for private forums. I'd like this process to be as convenient for my mods and members as possible. Are there any VB functions or hacks to:

- Set password entry for unregistered users

- Request membership to private group directly from the page blocking forum entry

- Allow basic mods to look up and approve members

- Create a secret password that would instantly promote members to private group

It'd be awesome to have a hack for this. If not, would these be difficult functions to have my development team build???

- Much thanks!