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

[mawby]

On my site my members know that if they create a 'complaint' thread outside of the disputes forum it will just get closed. We have a lot of traders so over the years we've had to deal with a lot a problems and the fallout that happens when people who know half the facts decide to jump in and have their say, so we have zero tolerance for it. That said, in our club rules we do state that our members are expected to reply to any dispute they are involved in within a reasonable time frame; failure to do so will result in their membership being cancelled. We state very clearly that this is the limit to which the club will get involved in disputes and most people seem happy with that. It might not get them their money back, but the fact the problematic person is no longer apart of the club does mean they cannot cause issues for others.

With regards to moving threads, I'll be honest and say I've never tried it. However, once moved you should find anyone can reply to it until a moderator edits the thread to include the names of those involved in the dispute.

[sevenmix]

Up.

Is this still working on newer versions?

I think this is a great mod

[sticky]

Epic mod! Will this work with 4.0.2?

[LuMiS!]

SURE It's an EPIC MOD!...

Nominated! i used to love private debates!!!! MAAAAAN! this is awesome .... Installed ... SURE INSTALLED!...

[BadgerDog]

Installed with thanks on 4.04 for testing ... :up:

When looking at any forum under forum manager, I don't see the prefixes you show in your demo screenshot below. I only see the last line option to turn it ON or OFF for that forum?



Regards,
Doug

Edit: When a user creates a dispute thread and enters the names, does he enter his own name as part of the dispute, or is that automatic because he started the thread?

Another edit: Not sure how you handle this, but once this mod is installed and because the new Dispute Resolution radio button now appears in ALL forums, if any Admin or Mod accidentally clicks on and uses that Administrative function on any thread that is NOT one created using this mod, then it crashes the site with a database error as shown below.

Database error in vBulletin 4.0.4:
Invalid SQL:
SELECT username FROM user AS user WHERE userid IN ();

MySQL Error : You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near ')' at line 1
Error Number : 1064
Request Date : Wednesday, March 23rd 2011 @ 10:17:53 AM
Error Date : Wednesday, March 23rd 2011 @ 10:17:54 AM
Script : http://www.xxxxxx.com/postings.php
Referrer : http://www.xxxxxx.com/showthread.php?t=29312
IP Address : xx.xx.xx.xx
Username : Tester
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version : 5.0.77

[mawby]

Hi Doug. The prefixes are just what I have on my forum and not related to this mod.

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with this mod. Just so I'm sure I understand the problem; the option to edit the dispute resolution on the Administrative drop down is appearing on threads not in forums with the option turned on and, if edited, the thread then causes an error when viewed?

Due to work commitments I won't have time to look at this until Friday but if I have as much information by then I should hopefully be able to fix it quickly.

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by mawby

Hi Doug. The prefixes are just what I have on my forum and not related to this mod.

Understood now ...

Originally Posted by mawby

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with this mod. Just so I'm sure I understand the problem; the option to edit the dispute resolution on the Administrative drop down is appearing on threads not in forums with the option turned on and, if edited, the thread then causes an error when viewed?

Due to work commitments I won't have time to look at this until Friday but if I have as much information by then I should hopefully be able to fix it quickly.

No problem ....

For clarity, the option to edit the dispute resolution from the Administrative drop down is appearing in ALL forums, not just ones where the mod is turned ON for. Also, if someone tries to use that option being displayed on a thread that WAS NOT created with your mod installed, it crashes with an SQL error.

Regards,
Doug

[mawby]

Excellent... well obviously not excellent but at least I should be able to replicate this easily enough on Friday to fix it.

[venom2124]

Okay installed on 4.1.2 and I'm not seeing the option to enable the product for a forum.

I see the require prefix option and then there isn't the option to enable.



Any help to get this working would be great.

[Welshy2008]

Lovely job Mawby. Tagged for possible future use.