New Posting Features - LAM - Dispute Resolution

This product will allow you to configure a forum so that only a thread creator, their nominated list of disputed members, and moderators are able to reply to the thread. When a dispute thread is created a PM will be sent to all those involved in the dispute.

On my site we have a lot of people selling items, and occasionally something goes wrong during the process. Before we had this product a member would post up about their problem and it became a free-for-all with 'friends' of both sides posting up slating the other side for being wrong and generally turning into a slanging match until the thread eventually got locked. Now, thanks to this product, only those actually involved in the dispute can reply. This has resulted in almost all of our disputes being resolved in a way where both sides are happy.

As of version 4.0.8.1 it is now possible to configure this product to run in "Private Dispute" mode. This extends the normal functionality described above to also prevent those not in the dispute from being able to view the contents of the thread. They can still see it exists but any thread preview text, or opening the thread itself, will show a "You are not authorised to participate in this dispute" message.

As of version 4.0.8.2 it is now possible to configure this product to run in "Extra Privacy" mode. This extends the "Private Dispute" functionality described above to also prevent those not in the dispute from being able to see the thread exists. With this setting enabled dispute threads will not be shown when browsing a forum if the user is not the thread creator, on the disputed list, or a moderator.

As of version 4.1.3.0 it is now possible to make entering the disputed user names optional via the "Optional Disputes" setting. You can also enable the dispute functionality on all forums by enabling the "Globally Enabled" setting.

As of version 4.1.4.0 it is now possible for the thread creator, or a moderator, to edit the threads dispute list by performing an advanced edit on any post in the thread which they have permission to edit. Upgrade instructions for this version can be found here.

As of version 4.1.4.1 it is now possible to create a dispute against a single user group by enabling the "Enable Usergroups" setting. This will allow anyone in the user group to participate in the dispute, as well as anyone on the normal dispute list. PM notifications won't be sent to the user group. This version also fixes several bugs with the Private Dispute option where searches would still show a dispute thread even if the user wasn't allowed to participate in the dispute.

Tapatalk Users - Please see this important note about Tapatalk support.

Installation

1. Download the attached .xml file
   product-LAM_DisputeResolution.xml
2. Install the product
   AdminCP -> Plugins & Products -> Add/Import Product -> Import Product

Configuration

You need configure which forums you want this product to run in, or globally enable it to run in all forums. You can also specify if creating a "dispute" thread in a dispute forum is optional. There is a setting that lets you override who the notification PM is sent from should you prefer it to come from an admin account rather than the user's account. And finally there are the privacy and user group options as detailed above.



Example

When creating or advanced editing a thread in a disputes forum there is now an additional row where the user can edit the user names (and user group if enabled) of those they are disputing...



When the thread is created (or advanced edited) a PM is sent to those involved in the dispute (only newly disputed members are PMd when editing a thread)...



When the thread is viewed it shows at the top who the dispute is between...



An error will be shown if; the thread creator forgets to enter any names and the "Optional Disputes" option is set to No...



the thread creator enters an unrecognised name...



or someone not in the disputed list tries to reply to the thread...




Version History

4.1.4.1 - Added user group option. Stopped threads showing in searches when Private Disputes is enabled. Stopped sending PMs to users already on the disputes list when editing a thread. (2011/07/19)
4.1.4.0 - Added the disputed users to the advanced edit screen & removed the admin option (2011/07/05)
4.1.3.0 - Added optional disputes, global enable and prevented the admin option appearing in non-disputes forums (2011/05/01)
4.1.2.0 - Fixed an SQL error if the admin option was accessed in a forum that didn't have disputes turned on (2011/03/25)
4.0.8.3 - Added auto-suggest to the user names field (2010/11/01)
4.0.8.2 - Added Extra Privacy mode (2010/10/24)
4.0.8.1 - Added Private Dispute mode (2010/10/23)
4.0.8.0 - Initial release (2010/10/23)


Credits

Although I've written this product for vB 4 the original idea came from the Private Debates product written by beebi.

The code to not send PMd to users already on the disputes list when edited a thread was contributed by CheeSie

[SocialNetworkBuzz]

Originally Posted by mawby

If enabled and a user not in the dispute hovers over the thread, the preview text is changed to...

Awesome! It almost fits what I need now! Could you add an option though that if your not a admin or involved in the dispute you can't see the thread at all. Basically I need a forum unviewable but instead of viewable via usergroup permission, it is viewable on a thread by thread basis in that forum based on if your involved in that dispute.

Will for sure nominate for MotM if you can get that to do this!

[COL NIL SATIS]

This is absolutely a brilliant concept ....install tomorrow!!!! thanks Mawby another top mod this...great ...tag for tonight

[CharlieDelta]

What a brilliant idea! Brilliant work mawby!

[apokphp]

I asked for this mod about 3 years ago or so for my debate site. Good to see that it has become a reality as I knew I couldn't be the only person who could use it. However...while it is a brilliant mod and will be quite useful for many boards...it's a little late for me as I'm migrating from VB.

Kudo's on the great hack though man. About time something like this came along. IMO...it should be standard feature in vb.

If you ever make a switch to XF pm me. I'd be willing to pay for this mod.

[Devil_Dog]

Tagged and will give some feedback.

This looks like a great mod!!!

Thanks

[mawby]

Originally Posted by vidan

can admin/mod with grant permission reply in the dispute resolution thread?

Anyone with moderator rights over the forum can view/reply to the threads as normal. This is needed for my site where the moderators occasionally need to get involved in trying to progress a dispute.

Originally Posted by Stabatha

Awesome! It almost fits what I need now! Could you add an option though that if your not a admin or involved in the dispute you can't see the thread at all.

I have updated the product so it is now possible to configure it to run in "Extra Privacy" mode. This extends the "Private Dispute" functionality to also prevent those not in the dispute from being able to see the thread exists.

Originally Posted by apokphp

I asked for this mod about 3 years ago or so for my debate site.

Ironically I first wrote this for my site back in January 2007! It's only because vB4 has forced me to review/rewrite most of my site's code that I decided to put in the extra effort to do it properly as products and release them into the community.

[SocialNetworkBuzz]

Originally Posted by mawby

I have updated the product so it is now possible to configure it to run in "Extra Privacy" mode. This extends the "Private Dispute" functionality to also prevent those not in the dispute from being able to see the thread exists.

Thanks! *Clicks MotM*

[Veer]

Installed & Nominated for MOTM.

[mawby]

I have updated the product to include a new feature. Now when entering the list of users being disputed an auto-suggest pop-up will appear just the same as it does when sending a PM.

A consequence of this change means you now need to separate the names with a semi-colon instead of a comma.

Hopefully people will find it more user friendly like this.

[djr]

Interesting mod. Could be very useful for our site. Some additional questions:

• Does the complaining member need to create a thread in the dispute forum? (and if yes, how do you communicate this at your site)
• Is it possible to move an existing thread in a non-dispute forum to the special dispute forum? What happens after the move? Does an admin or mod need to update the thread to add all parties involved?

In other words, could you please give a little background how this mod currently works at your site? How do you get your members to actually use the dispute forum?