Completely private threads

This is an "upgrade" to my previous "private threads" hack. I am releasing it as a new hack because some people would not want the "completely private" functionality and because the code is different.

Special thanks go to RMS10 who sponsored this hack and decided it should be public and for everyone to test.

A private thread is either:

* A thread that some selected users/usergroups can view
* A thread that some some selected users/usergroups cannot view, everybody else can
* The thread can be hidden from other users/usergroups at the user's will

How does it work?

When the user creates a thread he will be given the option to type users or usergroups and to limit posting only to that users or for that users to be excluded from the threads.

The disallowed users cannot see the thread in the forumdisplay page, they cannot search for it, the cannot view it even if they know the direct url (a message error appears to them). It is unavailable to them.

If a thread is private guests canot see it, otherwise a user can just log off your forum to see the thread. You have to be validated in the forum with proper permissions to see the thread.

Administrators can always see private thread, even if the user selected to exclude administrators.


If you installed the previous private thread hack please uninstall it (reverse the file and template edits) to properly install this one.

Info for hackers:
You may modify, improve, upgrade, redistribute this hack, include it
in another hack or yours or translate it provided you do it free of
charge and you distribute it in www.vbulletin.org at least, there is no
need to pm me asking for permission
Some portions of the code are (c) Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

[gmarik]

How much does it takes to install it?
Could it be remade as an add-on for a shoutbox, to replace the private room system?

[Allan]

thank Kentaurus, good job

[ChuanSE]

Originally Posted by gmarik

How much does it takes to install it?
Could it be remade as an add-on for a shoutbox, to replace the private room system?

Took me 10mins, Great hack

[Hoffi]

Can I set this functionality in the Forum Permissions? I may use it, but only in some Forums.

[ChuanSE]

forum restriction are to be defined in your admincp indeed
this counts for a single post you make, even in a forum with full public access...

check it out

[Kentaurus]

Originally Posted by Hoffi

Can I set this functionality in the Forum Permissions? I may use it, but only in some Forums.

Right now any user in any forum can use completely private threads. Right now there is no way to disabled private threads in specific forums.

[bluecat]

Is it possible to only allow this option to certain usergroups?

[Bad Bunny]

Hello, and thanks for tackling this! I have wanted a system muh like this to replace PMs all together. More functionality, but you got the gist right here.

Anyway, my question is this: If USER_A only allows USER_B to view the thread, can USER_A still read it? Or if a member of GROUP_1 makes it so only GROUP_2 can read it, is it then possible for him to read it? I mean....they did write it, so it would be sort of silly to block themself.

[Giveit2u43]

One ever so slight problem I have with this is a private thread still shows on the forumhome if it is the last post in a forum.. people cannot view it but they know it is there and so I`m getting complaints, anyway to block it from the forumhome as well as everywhere else?

[Racer]

*bumping thread*
as I wonder the same question as Giveit2u43

I need to get the thread of forumhome...