Automatically Start a Welcome Thread in the Forum of Your Choice

This little mod will start a new thread in the forum of your choice when somebody registers.

The thread message is contained in a template, and easily customizeable on your part.

This version posts the thread when the user registers - but before he activates his email address.

Thanks to flypaper for providing a bugfix.

Installation Instructions: Import the product. Change the welcome_thread template to suit your needs. Change the setup variables in the welcome thread plugin to suit your needs.

Amy

[dknelson]

Flypaper,
I'm having a hard time getting the location to work. Where all do I put the location tag? Here is what I am running now, without anything added for the "location". Any help would be appreciated. Sorry...I am NOT a coder.

// Backend Files
require_once('./global.php');
require_once('./includes/class_dm.php');
require_once('./includes/class_dm_threadpost.php');

// Setup Variables
$forumid = 89; // The forum id that you want the thread posted in
$postuserid = 1; // The Userid of the poster
$postusername = "Freebird"; // The username of the poster
$title = "Welcome: " . $userinfo[username]; // The thread title

// Don't change below this line

// Start thread create
$threaddm = new vB_DataManager_Thread_FirstPost($vbulletin, ERRTYPE_STANDARD);

$username = htmlspecialchars_uni($username);
$allowsmilie = '1';
$visible = '1';
eval('$pagetext .= "' . fetch_template('welcome_thread') . '";');

// Insert thread
$threaddm->do_set('forumid', $forumid);
$threaddm->do_set('postuserid', $postuserid);
$threaddm->do_set('userid', $postuserid);
$threaddm->do_set('username', $postusername);
$threaddm->do_set('pagetext', $pagetext);
$threaddm->do_set('title', $title);
$threaddm->do_set('allowsmilie', $allowsmilie);
$threaddm->do_set('visible', $visible);
$tid = $threaddm->save();

// Update last post stuff on forumdisplay
require_once('./includes/functions_databuild.php');
build_forum_counters($forumid);

[fly]

In that case, try editing the 'welcome_thread' template and use $post[field2] for location. I'd think that would work. Lemme know.

[dknelson]

Thanks...but I am looking to add it to the TITLE...Like...

Welcome: New user from wherever

[Tralala]

Originally Posted by dknelson

For those of you who want this heck to create the welcome thread AFTER a new member responds to the confirmation email. I finally figured out how to do that. Very simple.

Wow, that's great, one step closer to what I am looking for. We have user moderation turned on (small community.) All the more reason to WELCOME someone with a thread all their own, once they jump in!

And so I want this hack to create the welcome thread AFTER the new member has been moderated/accepted . If it happens before (ie: after they confirm their email) and for whatever reason they are NOT moderated/accepted, it could cause an awkward and sticky situation.

Any clues on how to make THAT happen? I'd be forever in your debt, this has stumped many great men and women who tried before you.

[dknelson]

You would have to try it but I would think that the hook: register_addmember_complete would do what you want it to. That one has been suggested before though. Have you tried it? It didn't work on my board but I think it was because I don't use moderator approval for new registrations so the approval was instant. I would think it would work in your case though.

[gizmo01]

Originally Posted by dknelson

For those of you who want this heck to create the welcome thread AFTER a new member responds to the confirmation email. I finally figured out how to do that. Very simple.

Go to your CP and then "Plugin Manager".

Beside the "Start Welcome Thread...." plugin click on "Edit".

In the second field from the top "Hook Location"...click the arrow and choose:
register_activate_process

That's all there is to it.

[snip]

Don

This change is awesome. It should be included as an option in any future updates...or at the very least mentioned in the description since it seems many of us wanted this feature.

giz

[blogtorank]

Originally Posted by dknelson

Thanks...but I am looking to add it to the TITLE...Like...

Welcome: New user from wherever

Go to the Plug-in Manager and edit the code:

PHP Code:

    $title = "This just in: " . $username . " joins YOUR Forums..."; // The thread title 


[dknelson]

Yes...I've tried that but am not getting the location to show up. I'm sure I'm adding it wrong but not sure what I'm actually doing wrong.

[fly]

Originally Posted by flypaper

In that case, try editing the 'welcome_thread' template and use $post[field2] for location. I'd think that would work. Lemme know.

Originally Posted by dknelson

Yes...I've tried that but am not getting the location to show up. I'm sure I'm adding it wrong but not sure what I'm actually doing wrong.

That doesn't work?

[dknelson]

Here is what I tried:

$title = "Welcome: " . $userinfo[username]; "From:" $post[field2]; // The thread title

When I added the $post[field2], it stops working completely. Please tell me what I' doing wrong.

[fly]

Originally Posted by dknelson

Here is what I tried:

$title = "Welcome: " . $userinfo[username]; "From:" $post[field2]; // The thread title

When I added the $post[field2], it stops working completely. Please tell me what I' doing wrong.

Then I'm sorry, its beyond my weak coding skills. I would hazard a guess that it requires a SQL query, but that is just a guess.

[dknelson]

No problem...thanks for your efforts.

[Mr. Christopher]

Is it possible to make the welcome thread's creation add to the postuserid's post count?

[fly]

Originally Posted by Mr. Christopher

Is it possible to make the welcome thread's creation add to the postuserid's post count?

Post it under their name.

[Mr. Christopher]

Originally Posted by flypaper

Post it under their name.

I think that's what I'm doing now, but April Fool's postcount doesn't increase even when the mod successfully creates new welcome threads via her account. Am I doing this wrong?

$postuserid = 3; // The Userid of the poster
$postusername = "April Fool"; // The username of the poster