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!

[dancue]

Originally Posted by bbcentral

That wouldn't work.
For example in Australia they could enter '0412345678' as their phone number
But the script would have no idea what their SMS email address is.
It could be:
0412345678@three.com.au
0412345678@optus.com.au
0412345678@virginmobile.com.au
0412345678@telstra.com.au
0412345678@vodafone.com.au
The numbers can't be matched to a particular carrier based on the prefix either, because it's possible to transfer the number between carriers (I've had the same number with 4 companies personally).

The only way around that would be to have a list of every single mobile carrier in the world, and have the user choose their mobile network when they enter their number, ie:
Number: (Enter Number)
Carrier: (Select)

But the advantage of doing it this way is that because they can specify an email address, they could also put in their Blackberry address and get short notifications sent there. Or if they have a mobile email account, they could enter that instead.

It's a great idea for a mod! I like it

That would be great. We could create another profile field to ask what mobile carrier they have.

[Trek]

I'll look into this. The only problem I really have with making it so that someone can select a carrier is that if that it puts the burden of getting things correct on the mod, not the end users. While normally that's what you'd want, in this case I think it has more room for error than end users not knowing their address.

However, what might be good is just some text in that field with the most common examples. Which should hopefully allow people to figure out what their email address might be.

[mykkal]

question... do you have a list of domain email addresses built in to this mod? How does a person specify the carrier they use? Do they have to put in the email address?

It would be easiest if the person could select their carrier from a drop down and if we could add carriers easily.

I haven't used it yet. is this there? I can't just install a mod into production without knowing everything or using a demo.

[mykkal]

Originally Posted by dancue

That would be great. We could create another profile field to ask what mobile carrier they have.

There are carrier lookup services you can easily tap into. It just needs to be written. This mod has potential but sounds like it hasn't "come of age" yet.

It's not worth it yet if only my more technical users can figure it out.

[vbreal]

is there anything like this for private messages

[Trek]

Originally Posted by mykkal

There are carrier lookup services you can easily tap into. It just needs to be written. This mod has potential but sounds like it hasn't "come of age" yet.

It's not worth it yet if only my more technical users can figure it out.

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.

Originally Posted by vbreal

is there anything like this for private messages

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.

[instruite]

hey trekk thanks alot... would be doing this work today and check with my site..

[JTS2005]

does this work for 3.8.4?

[Trek]

Originally Posted by JTS2005

does this work for 3.8.4?

No reason why not, but I haven't specifically tested it on 3.8.4

[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.