Allow Group to Read Titles / Not Content

Tested and working in 3.0.3 - 3.0.7

This hack will enable you to DISABLE SHOWTHREAD according to USERGROUP.This will allow all your members to view titles and topic counts found within a section. Think of it as "window shopping". Your members will be able to read all topics from the forumdisplay.php page but, will not be allowed to read it's content unless they have permission

The edits below will prevent anyone from viewing the contents of a post from within showthread, printthread, showpost, and archives.

This feature can be used on a per USERGROUP and /or per FORUM basis. You, as the admin, will have complete control.

You will need to modify:

• includes/init.php
• includes/adminfunctions_forums.php
• admincp/resources.php
• admincp/usergroup.php
• showthread.php
• archive/index.php
• printthread.php
• showpost.php
• archive.css

Add 3 new phrases.
MOD VERSION 1.05

• Fixed issues concerning the archives - eg. blank page was displayed ... now, thread links are viewable but not active (if not allowed).

MOD VERSION 1.01

• now with personal NOT ALLOWED message
• Easier to install
• now add the ability to allow users to view their own posts/threads (view below code)
• archive section changed to NOT display links to content that is not READABLE
• added a message to archive section if user cannot read content

[hr=blue]4[/hr]
Allow User To View And Post Into Their Own Threads:
If you want to allow users to view and post their own threads and have access to them ... use this code in showthread, printhread, and showpost.php:

// ================================================= \\
// == [ ALLOW GROUP TO READ TITLE / NOT CONTENT - GTP BEGIN ]
                 if (!($forumperms & GTPCANREADCONTENT)AND ($thread['postuserid'] != $bbuserinfo['userid']))
                 {
                     eval(print_standard_error('gtp_cannot_read'));
                 }
// == [ 00-00-2004 - GTP END ]
// ================================================= \\

NOTE: You may have to use "$threadinfo['postuserid]" on some of the pages.

[hr=blue]4[/hr]
Disable Thread Preview
To disable thread previews on forums that user cannot read content do the following edits:
FIND in functions/forumdisplay.php:

    // format thread preview if there is one
    if ($ignore["$thread[postuserid]"])
    {
        $thread['preview'] = '';
    }
    else if (isset($thread['preview']) AND $vboptions['threadpreview'] > 0)
    {
        $thread['preview'] = strip_quotes($thread['preview']);
        $thread['preview'] = htmlspecialchars_uni(fetch_trimmed_title(strip_bbcode($thread['preview'], false, true), $vboptions['threadpreview']));
    }

REPLACE IT WITH:

// ================================================= \\
// == [ ALLOW GROUP TO READ TITLE / NOT CONTENT - GTP BEGIN ]
    $forumperms = fetch_permissions($foruminfo['forumid']);
    // format thread preview if there is one
    if ($ignore["$thread[postuserid]"] OR !($forumperms & GTPCANREADCONTENT))
    {
        $thread['preview'] = '';
    }
    else if (isset($thread['preview']) AND $vboptions['threadpreview'] > 0)
    {
        $thread['preview'] = strip_quotes($thread['preview']);
        $thread['preview'] = htmlspecialchars_uni(fetch_trimmed_title(strip_bbcode($thread['preview'], false, true), $vboptions['threadpreview']));
    }
// == [ 00-00-2004 - GTP END ]
// ================================================= \\

[hr=blue]4[/hr]
Example Of How Hack Works:
I have a forum with (sub-forums) ... however, one of the sub-forums is private (for PREMIUM members only). Here's how the settings would look like.

In USERGROUP MANAGER (this is a global setting) set "Group can read content?:
UNREGISTERED - YES
REGISTERED - YES
PREMIUM - YES

The global setting will be transferred to all forums; but, we have a sub-forum that is only for PREMIUM MEMBERS so...

In FORUM PERMISSIONS MANAGER set private forum to:
UNREGISTERED - NO
REGISTERED - NO
PREMIUM - YES

[Snatch]

Originally Posted by princeton

sorry, guys -- just got back from a hard-drive crash.

Things I have to do before I post a new version:
1. I have to download 3.03 (downloading now)
2. I have to compare new files with my current files.

Once I have this complete I will update the instructions.

Ups HDD-crash. that is not god.
Sorry for stressing you.

I pleased to get the 3.0.3 hack

Greets Snatch

[luroca]

Install in 3.0.3 Ok

[Princeton]

Instructions have been updated for version 3.03

If you have this hack installed and it's given you problems, I suggest starting from scratch.
Do not take no shortcuts as you will have problems.

This version has been tested by me and a few people with success.

For those who wanted images (couldn't understand what this hack does) --- I have uploaded a few images.

I recommend you do not remove the

     // ================================================= \\
     // == [ ALLOW GROUP TO READ TITLE / NOT CONTENT - GTP BEGIN ]
     // replaced code gets commented not removed
   
     // == [ 00-00-2004 - GTP END ]
     // ================================================= \\

comments. This will help you later when you have to upadate your files.

[wrongful]

I am sure that this part is just a template edit, but how would I make it so that if a user doesn't have permissionto view thread content, the title of the threads on showthread would only appear as text, without their hyperlinks.

[Princeton]

If they don't have permission the "user" will not be able to see the title in showthread.

You probably mean removing the link from threadbit and forumhome_lastpostby template.
If this is what you mean you can use:

 
<if condition="($forumperms & GTPCANREADCONTENT)">
{if can read}
<else />
{if cannot read}
</if>

I hope that helps.
Oh, by the way - if you do this the end-user may become confused. eg. they will probably think that something is wrong with your site

I recommend adding a cue or a short message if you decide to do this.

The default way at least gives them some kind of feedback. Thus, they know that they do not have the proper permissions.

[Noiz Pollution]

This is working great on my test forums, 1 question though (I haven't seen it asked in the thread so far), does this allow search engine bots to access threads? And if not how can I grant them access? I'd like google to be able to index the pages and the content but only allow users to read the threads if they're registered.

Cheers,
Robert

[Noiz Pollution]

*bump*

[Princeton]

it could be possible I guess...

Find a script/hack that will temporarily place "users" in usergroups by IP or user agent.

[Noiz Pollution]

Originally Posted by princeton

it could be possible I guess...

Find a script/hack that will temporarily place "users" in usergroups by IP or user agent.

I was thinking more of altering the if statements which show the no permission pages, I'm just not sure what to add to them.

[Princeton]

yes, that's possible - do a match for useragent - if (preg_match(useragent)) allow;
If you find something that works post it here ... I'm sure others may find it useful.

one thing you have to think about is that google displays "cached" pages; thus, you have to prevent google from cacheing your site.