Make admins 'invisible' to users.

Credits
The code edits in this hack are soley the work of FireFly. Only the idea was mine, I just thought this might become useful to others as well as myself.

What does this hack do?
This hack removes the identity of the admins from public viewing [eg. they won't show as bold and italic on your Who's Online] - while retaining the status of the Moderators in both Who's Online and Forum Leaders. If like on my board, you wish to run your forums while appearing as a 'regular' user, this will come in useful. Personally I don't want to draw attention to myself or try to be of higher status than the rest of my users, for example I host forums for others and don't want to 'steal the thunder' from the moderators - this is the solution.

How hard is this hack to install?
This hack should be easy for anyone to install. If you can point, click, cut and paste - you're sorted.

Installation instructions...
Log into your Control Panel...

:: Click vBulletin Options.
Click 'FORUMS HOME PAGE OPTIONS'.
Set Highlight Admin to ON.

:: Click Modify under User Groups.
Edit your Administrators User Group.
Change User Status to "Registered".
Set Viewable on Show Groups? to NO.

:: Code edits.

In index.php, replace both...

PHP Code:

if ($loggedin['usergroupid'] == 6 and $highlightadmin) { 

...with...

PHP Code:

if ($loggedin['usergroupid'] == 6 and $highlightadmin and 'foo' == 'bar') { 

In online.php, replace...

PHP Code:

        if ($user['usergroupid'] == 6 and $highlightadmin) {
          $userinfo["$key"]['username'] = "<b><i>$user[username]</i></b>";
        } else if (($mod["$key"] or $user['usergroupid'] == 5)and $highlightadmin) { 

...with...

PHP Code:

        if (($mod["$key"] or $user['usergroupid'] == 5)and $highlightadmin) { 

That's all there is to it. I know this works in all 2.2.x versions and version 2.3.0.

There is a version of this hack here for users of the Who was on-line today hack.

Please click Install and leave comments if you've used this hack, it'd be nice to know if anyone else found this useful apart from me. I know this isn't for everyone, but if it is, enjoy! Again, thanks to FireFly.

[FleaBag]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I can't really show you a demo, because obviously any on-line admins would appear as regular users. This hack is though, running on www.dragonninja.co.uk/forums.php .

[Xenon]

hmm i think be invisible is easier and that is nearly the same effect

[FleaBag]

I know, but I specifically wanted Mods to show up and Admins to appear as regular users, I like playing god, but I don't like being worshipped. Like I said, this isn't for everyone, only a select few.

[MrBojangle1]

nice hack, good job

[FleaBag]

Glad some people are actualy finding it useful.

[sphinx]

yep good one m8 using now

[FleaBag]

Good good!

/me wonders why his thread subscription didn't work...

[pHAZE_1]

isnt there an option in cp options, to not make admins highlihted?

[FleaBag]

Yes there is, but this hack removes the identity of your admins completely from every aspect of your board, while keeping moderators highlighted in Who's Online.