Send default PM to all new users

Small hack to automatically send PM to new users
after they have activated account.

Requested by Xelation
Tested on 2.2.5

UPDATED - v2.1 - 2002-05-02

Version 2.1 only fixes some problems with installation. Now it checks to see if the settings are already present in the DB, it has an option to remove the settings if you wish to uninstall and it has an option to remove any surplus settings you may have as a result of running the old install file.

If you have version 2.0 up and running problem-free, there is absolutely no need to upgrade.

You should uninstall version 1.0 before installing this one.
This version facilitates vB's built in setting system, and no longer requires a writable file on the server.

It also supports popup on PM.

Follow the instructions in install.txt

-- If you are running MySQL 3.22.xx, you might need to use this installfile instead.

[FWC]

Originally posted by FireFly
Nice hack, just installed this here (another good way to tell people to enter their license).

LOL!!!!!

[Admin]

Ok works a treat, I did make one change though, to use the username of the user in the message:

			$PM_content = str_replace('$username',$username,fread($fp, 50000));

[Lesane]

Great feature, gonna install this hack later. Thnx

[Sparkz]

Originally posted by FireFly
Ok works a treat, I did make one change though, to use the username of the user in the message:

			$PM_content = str_replace('$username',$username,fread($fp, 50000));

Thx for the idea - I uploaded an updated zip with this feature for both the title and the content.

I also changed

PHP Code:

fread($fp, 50000) 


to

PHP Code:

fread($fp, filesize ($PM_file)) 


(where the variable $PM_file contains the filename, of course)

Just in case someone wants an incredibly long default PM

[Admin]

Why not store it in the database, as a setting?

[Sparkz]

Originally posted by FireFly
Why not store it in the database, as a setting?

Mainly because I haven't touched that part of the system before.
This was kind of a quick&dirty done in the wee hours.

But I guess by saying that you just gave me a reason to play some more with the DB

[aldamon]

Hey,

How do I change who the PM comes from? I have two identities, my Administrator ID and my anonymous "Moderator" ID. I'd like the welcome PM to come from moderator and it's coming from my Administrator ID.

Thanks!

[Admin]

Originally posted by Sparkz
All messages will originate from userid 1 - this can be changed by assigning $originating_user another userid in register.php

[aldamon]

LOL.

OK, here's another one. I have "pmpopup" and PM e-mail notification set to YES to during registration. However, I have created a new ID to test the system, and when I clicked the activation link there was no popup or E-mail notification of the new PM when I returned to the main menu.

What could cause that? It's almost like vB is not recognizing the automated PM as a "new" message.

This concerns me because my users are very computer illiterate and I want them to have a reason to go into the user cp. If there is no popup, then most people won't even notice the first new message. Heck, most of my users don't even know PMs exist, so the popup, or at the very least E-mail notification, on the first message would be really sweet.

Thanks!

[Sparkz]

I'd have to look in to this when I get back home from this business trip.

I'll change it so it uses the settings table as well, in stead of storing the default message in a file.
Have had a lot to do at work lately, so I haven't had time to implement this yet...