Allow guests to view but not access Threads?

[smashwords2]

Is there a way to code a template so Guests can View Board but not the Threads in the Board?

Lately I've been seeing more and more sites - Facebook and Twitter are two well-known sites - that don't allow guests to view/create content unless they are a member.

Although this isn't something I'd use, but might in the future if it were available, there may be other Admins who would like this function on some parts of their forum.

It would allow guests to see Threads so they can get an idea if the site is what they are looking for, but require membership to view or post.

When a guest clicks on a displayed thread a notice would appear advising guest that free membership is required to access this portion of the site (or something like that).

[Speed33]

Try setting your permissions in structures / categories and boards

[smashwords2]

Dec 10, 2012 18:49:55 GMT -8 Speed33 said:

Try setting your permissions in structures / categories and boards

Thanks, Speed33, but I tried that before posting. I couldn't find a combination for restricting guests viewing actual Threads using the current Permission system

Admins can restrict/grant permissions to view the board, access the board, create threads on the board, reply to threads on the board, or create polls on the board, but there is no setting to restrict/grant permission to view threads.

If an admin set View the board to Everyone, then sets Access the board to Members and Staff, then visitors/guests can view that board's threads - which is not what I want.

I thought some admins might like the ability to have guests access a board and view the board and the threads in that board, but set the Permissions so guests/visitors can't click on a thread and see what additional content is contained therein. The way the Permissions system is designed now doesn't allow that to happen.

[pawl]

I would imagine that this is possible using the templates, in a manner similar to hiding profiles from guests.
I'll have a play after work tomorrow, don't think it should be too hard at all. Posting here so that I don't forget. =]

[smashwords2]

Dec 13, 2012 15:05:30 GMT -8 pawl said:

Okay, so having a play now. Got it most of the way there, just playing with the formatting for your custom message and we're good. =]

Thanks, Paul. When do you find time to relax?

[pawl]

edit; sorry, deleted post so I wasn't treble posting, looks like you caught me. =P



Okay, here we go;

Thread Template.

Add the following at the very top, before anything else;
{if $[current_user.is_member]}

Then, after the $[quick_reply], add the following;
{else}
<div class="container posts">
<div class="title-bar">
<h1>ERROR MESSAGE TITLE</h1>
</div>
<div class="content cap-bottom">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div style="padding: 10px;">Your error message goes in here. =]</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
{/if}


I think you can probably work out which bits you need to change. =P

[smashwords2]

Works great, Paul. Thanks.

Now an admin has another level of access control.

When (if?) you have a free moment, is there a simple way to assign which Boards have this level of control?

[pawl]

If there is, I don't know how to do it, sorry. =P

[smashwords2]

Paul, the code doesn't work now. I don't know when it stopped working as I just checked it again this morning and guests could view the content of threads. I removed your code for the time being.

[smashwords2]

Hi Paul,

I'm using the VPester plugin now.

Thanks. Ted

[pawl]

Not sure why the mod would stop working, but if I'm around after work tomorrow then I'll take a look, just for my own interest. =]

[smashwords2]

Thanks, Paul

[pawl]

I've just tested the code on one of my forums, and it still worked exactly as it should. Not sure what went wrong - if you're still looking to add it, please try again and see if you have any problems. =]

[smashwords2]

Thanks, Paul. I'll try vpester for a few months first before making a decision.