Members Only Access Board

[tsptom]

Hello -

I'm looking for a way to create a board for members of my site who pay for another subscription based service we offer. I already have a public forum, but I want to set up another board that only the members who have access to the subscription area would see and have access to.

So, members who have acces to my site's members' area (ie. abc.com/members) then see a link to the "second" board to view it (ie. abc.com/members/forum) - but if a non subscribing member types in "abc.com/members/forum" I want them to see a member's area login page and not the board at all.

Can I just add a login check within the vb code to accomplish this?

 
<?php include("members/session.php"); ?>
<?php include("members/connection.php"); ?>
<?php include("members/logincheck.php"); ?>

I'm not sure if I make myself clear because when I bring this up I get responses that say to just create a password protected usergroup in my existing board. The problem I see is that it would be difficult to manage the accounts. I have a separate database that tracks the people who pay for the services on my site. I would have to make sure only these people have access to the forums where this service is being discussed.

Bottom line: I only want people who have access to my site's membership area to access the link to this separate board. The board that will be within a subscribers' only website. Does that make sense?

Any help will be much appreciated. I am also willing to compensate anyone who wishes to help me with this project.

Thanks!

[Dismounted]

In a plugin hooked at global_start, do whatever you have to do to see if they are subscribed. Then use this script (replacing whatever is necessary):

PHP Code:

// check for status
if (!$user_subscribed)
{
    // redirect user, unsubscribed
    header('Location: http://www.example.com/login_page.php', true, 301);
} 


[tsptom]

That's what I'm talking about. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'plugin hooked at global_start', but I have an idea. I will look in that direction. Thanks for the reponse.

Remember, if interested, I am willing to compensate anyone who wishes to help me with this project.

[Opserty]

He is talking about the plugin system: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/plugin_system