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.

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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

[Willy T]

How can we get the border you have for our custom styles for the "dispute is between X & X" portion seen in your attachment: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/attachmen...1&d=1287821986

Also, can you make it an option for the thread author to be able to change who the dispute is between?

[BlessedFWI]

Willy T, that is a great idea. I would also love it if the original author could edit the thread at anytime and add/remove people as needed. Can this be done, mawby?

[S3Ponline]

Originally Posted by mawby

It's a difficult one to fix to without hacking files. It is still on my to-do list at the moment.

Would also REALLY love for this to be fixed.

Just a thought - In the default settings for VB 4.x, you can set "Can view other's threads" permissions to "No". Would it be easier/possible to make the Dispute Resolution override that setting for the individual users who are added to the dispute?

Seems to me that way you wouldn't have to mess with all the search functions... But I don't know how plausible it is to override that feature on an individual basis either.

[mawby]

Originally Posted by reddyink

When I edit the thread (Go Advanced ), I don't see how to edit the dispute member fields. Doesn't show at all.

Originally Posted by Willy T

Also, can you make it an option for the thread author to be able to change who the dispute is between?

Originally Posted by BlessedLAF

Willy T, that is a great idea. I would also love it if the original author could edit the thread at anytime and add/remove people as needed. Can this be done, mawby?

I've updated the product. You can now edit the disputed user names by doing an advanced edit on a post by the owner, or any posts as a moderator.

Upgrade Instructions

As the admin option has been removed, you'll need to edit the SHOWTHREAD and remove this...

<vb:if condition="$vboptions['LAM_DisputeResolution_GlobalEnable'] || in_array($threadinfo['forumid'], array($vboptions['LAM_DisputeResolution_DisputeForumIDs']))">
<li><label><input type="radio" name="do" value="LAM_DisputeResolution" tabindex="10" /> {vb:rawphrase LAM_DisputeResolution_Title}&hellip;</label></li>
</vb:if>

Originally Posted by BlessedLAF

I am using vb4.1.4 and I am not seeing the "Dispute Resolution" under the "Administrative" tools. Can you help me with this please?

The latest version doesn't use this menu any more, so that should fix that problem.

Originally Posted by S3Ponline

Would also REALLY love for this to be fixed.

Just a thought - In the default settings for VB 4.x, you can set "Can view other's threads" permissions to "No". Would it be easier/possible to make the Dispute Resolution override that setting for the individual users who are added to the dispute?

I will look into it tomorrow.

Oh and I still haven't forgotten about the user group request. I'll try and look into that tomorrow too. (As always - work dependant)

[Willy T]

I GREATLY appreciate this update. Thank you VERY much for such a quick turn around time!

[S3Ponline]

Great Mawby!

Also nice taste in cars.

FD owner here. Wish I had the money for an MKIV

[dmm2020]

Removing the admin options without ANY instructions to configure it is a mistake in my opinion. I originally installed this and then had to disable it because I see no way to make it work. Your instructions for installing this are now obsolete and should at least be updated. I only want disputes to be allowed in one forum only and NOT in any of the others. When I reviewed the settings to these, nothing changes from the vB defaults. What I see at my end is a product taken form good to useless. Least it's not working in lastest version of vB. Something tells you you left a few steps out of install instructions that really should be in first post without forcing members to search all the posts to find the problem resolutions.

[mawby]

Err... the admin option removed was the option to edit the disputed users that appeared on the admin drop down menu of the thread for moderators. I removed it because you can now edit the disputed list by using the advanced edit option instead, enabling the thread creator to edit the disputed list without needing to be a moderator - as requested. I also updated the install instructions to reflect this. Everything else still remains, so I'm not sure what you're on about to be honest.

[dmm2020]

Well look at post 1. That is what should be updated. You show the graphic for the admincp yet. That should be removed. The part where you remove the item from SHOWTHREAD thread should also be added to post 1. You should also explain what part of the forum setup to edit. I found it by scanning the settings when I tried again. Once I found the option on the forum configuration page, I figured out the rest. This is not in the instructions (which leads to confusion) but instead you don't see it without fishing through all the posts. With clearer instructions, this would not be so confusing. The items no longer applicable should be removed from the initial post. Just my suggestion.

I still like the idea of admin settings (which can be in the forum setup) that make threads totally invisible to those not involved (except admins). The extra privacy option for example is now no longer available. That is important to keep confidential matters private.

Originally Posted by mawby

Err... the admin option removed was the option to edit the disputed users that appeared on the admin drop down menu of the thread for moderators. I removed it because you can now edit the disputed list by using the advanced edit option instead, enabling the thread creator to edit the disputed list without needing to be a moderator - as requested. I also updated the install instructions to reflect this. Everything else still remains, so I'm not sure what you're on about to be honest.

[dmm2020]

I did some tests logging in as one of my "test users" with have registered member status. They are able to log in and view the test dispute even though they are not a party to the dispute. Is there something to be set regarding this?