I've read the threads on why email is not allowed

[Brian]

I think it was more of a suggestion than a scolding.

I don't agree that people need to provide their emails or any information whatsoever. It's only a necessity by subjective means. I personally would feel very uncomfortable providing some of the information a lot of forum admins come to us requesting be mandatory of their members.

But I do agree with at least giving them the option to do so of their own will if they desire, which is why you get the option to use Custom Profile Fields in V5.

[swissunite]

Since I have made it clear that I communicate with my members, it seems that it was a petty thing to bring up - as if I didn't know (gasp) to share my email address with them - lol - and treating me like I don't instruct or have FAQ's in my forum to begin with!! Seriously, I am not a flaming idiot here, even though I may not know proboards code! hahaha

Thank you again, Brian for the code. I do feel that the privacy issue could have been handled better as I do work with government regulations today on privacy matters, but at least you gave me the flexibility that I needed for my members (who were asking what happened to the email addresses, btw - it wasn't just me, but them as well)

It is called the user experience and if something that they have counted on to be there is taken away, it does sour them to the board. I would rather they had the option to share with members or just with the staff, but since that isn't going to happen, it now has become an all or nothing option. Yes, I know about the options in the custom field - but I meant that the user has the choice to display to other members or just to the staff. Not that the admin panel makes that decision for you.

again, thank you - you can lock this thread as my request has been fulfilled.

[baz657]

Mar 31, 2013 10:06:07 GMT -8 Brian said:

But I do agree with at least giving them the option to do so of their own will if they desire, which is why you get the option to use Custom Profile Fields in V5.

Thanks for this - I agree with the option as well so I've added it to our forum. I've added mine and it's entirely up to the members if they want to add theirs or not.

[moonbeam]

Mar 31, 2013 9:49:11 GMT -8 swissunite said:

I do send out emails and I do give our my email address to all of the members.

You never stated that you had done so.

Mar 31, 2013 9:49:11 GMT -8 swissunite said:

and yes, I do give them instructions for here. They just prefer to get emails and notifications from me.

Again, you didn't say that you had done so.

Therefore, I made suggestions based on that.

Mar 31, 2013 9:49:11 GMT -8 swissunite said:

Don't make ME out to be the bad guy when these options are currently available in V4.

I'm not making anyone out to be the bad guy. You, however, came in with a chip on your shoulder, saying 'what a crock' and 'thanks a bunch'. The reasons that the email addresses are no longer always visible by default are valid, and based on laws elsewhere that may be coming here.

Mar 31, 2013 9:49:11 GMT -8 swissunite said:

at least PB understands the need for publishing email addresses, as brian was able to give me custom code.  That is the "control over my situation" that I was looking for, not someone just chiming in to try and belittle my request.    Please don't SCOLD me for requesting a feature that was available in V4.   Not sure why you felt the need to chime in when you obviously could not help me with my request, other than to scold.

Incorrect. They recognize it as a WANT. And that's why template mods and custom profile fields are available. I was never trying to belittle your request. I think it's fine if people wish to share their addresses. And I'm glad that there is a solution to your problem. But, the fact is, the same options are *not* available in v5, so all I was intending was mention other things that you could do in addition to what you were requesting.

[- TuGs]

i agree with Brian's comment here.... but you do also have to take into consideration some forums could be affected worse than others as they may rely on heavier emailing for information resource's also members normally assume you can see their email addresses from the time they sign up. (as this is what most people are used too)... and maybe the custom field won't cut it...

for example:
i bumped into a problem where one of my member's had asked me to change their password... i said "i can't do that anymore and told them to hit "forgot password" then he returned to me asking him for his email address he had before... so i returned with "i don't know your email address i cant see that anymore either sorry to disappoint!" so he had to re-register again with a different email address and i had to change his no of post's move his avatar and signature over, change his previous accounts name... then download the plugin to change his registered date...

i can get used to these changes but it makes it that little harder for old members to return! i'm not complaining or anything but i'm just telling you my experience. i'm sitting on the fence for this one lol

i think i have made a nice password suggestion tho here that might help a little... here

[moonbeam]

Mar 31, 2013 20:22:20 GMT -8 - TuGs said:

i agree with Brian's comment here.... but you do also have to take into consideration some forums could be affected worse than others as they may rely on heavier emailing for information resource's also members normally assume you can see their email addresses from the time they sign up. (as this is what most people are used too)... and maybe the custom field won't cut it...

for example:
i bumped into a problem where one of my member's had asked me to change their password... i said "i can't do that anymore and told them to hit "forgot password" then he returned to me asking him for his email address he had before... so i returned with "i don't know your email address i cant see that anymore either sorry to disappoint!" so he had to re-register again with a different email address and i had to change his no of post's move his avatar and signature over, change his previous accounts name... then download the plugin to change his registered date...

i can get used to these changes but it makes it that little harder for old members to return! i'm not complaining or anything but i'm just telling you my experience. i'm sitting on the fence for this one lol

i think i have made a nice password suggestion tho here that might help a little... here

I've run into the issue you describe too, where a member needs a reset but doesn't remember the email they used. But, that's really rare.

As far as reliance on email, there has been no change in the ability to do so. You can mail through the admin panel. You do not need to know the actual addresses the mails go to for that.

[horsehandler]

Brian I'm one of the people who have been feeling put out about the change to the email address situation - although I've got registrations marked as needing approval, without being able to see their email it's a bit of a waste of time and I might as well just let anybody and their auntie join.

Anyway, I've just noticed that on Profile/Edit Profile/Personal there's already an Email field. Thought I'd put a sticky on the forum asking members to put their addy in there if they could foresee an occasion when I needed to know it in order to be able to help them - but when I login with a non-staff account I can see the addresses - is there a way of setting it so that only staff can see please?

[Brian]

Apr 1, 2013 7:33:20 GMT -8 horsehandler said:

Brian I'm one of the people who have been feeling put out about the change to the email address situation - although I've got registrations marked as needing approval, without being able to see their email it's a bit of a waste of time and I might as well just let anybody and their auntie join.

Anyway, I've just noticed that on Profile/Edit Profile/Personal there's already an Email field. Thought I'd put a sticky on the forum asking members to put their addy in there if they could foresee an occasion when I needed to know it in order to be able to help them - but when I login with a non-staff account I can see the addresses - is there a way of setting it so that only staff can see please?

You have the powers to get rid of them after they join.

Can you check your Custom Profile Fields page? There's no email field on the forum by default unless you or one of your staff members added it in yourself.

[horsehandler]

Sorry Brian - yes it had already been added as a custom field. Can it be hidden from non-staff?

[Brian]

Apr 1, 2013 8:13:46 GMT -8 horsehandler said:

Sorry Brian - yes it had already been added as a custom field. Can it be hidden from non-staff?

Not without editing the layout templates for all of your themes.

[horsehandler]

Only going to be using one theme - is it very complicated or can you tell me how to do it please?

[Brian]

Apr 1, 2013 10:42:02 GMT -8 horsehandler said:

Only going to be using one theme - is it very complicated or can you tell me how to do it please?

Just need to know one thing: Is the email displayed in user profiles only, mini-profiles only, or both?

[horsehandler]

Just in user profiles Brian - or whichever is easiest to hide - it doesn't matter.

[Brian]

Structure > Layout Templates > User Profile > Summary

Find this section:

{foreach $[user.custom_field]}
<tr class="$[user.custom_field.content_class]">
<td class="headings">
$[user.custom_field.name]:
</td>
<td>
$[user.custom_field.value]
</td>
</tr>
{/foreach}

And change it to this, substituting the text in red with the name you gave your Email custom profile field.

{foreach $[user.custom_field]}
{if $[user.custom_field.name] == "Email"}
{if $[current_user.is_staff]}
<tr class="$[user.custom_field.content_class]">
<td class="headings">
$[user.custom_field.name]:
</td>
<td>
<a href="mailto:$[user.custom_field.value]">$[user.custom_field.value]</a>
</td>
</tr>
{/if}
{else}
<tr class="$[user.custom_field.content_class]">
<td class="headings">
$[user.custom_field.name]:
</td>
<td>
$[user.custom_field.value]
</td>
</tr>
{/if}
{/foreach}

This will tell it to not only display for staff only, but change the email to a link that opens your computer's preferred email client to send an email.

[horsehandler]

Thank you Brian - I've put it in, put my email address in my profile and at the moment when I use another browser and sign in to a non-staff account I can still see it. I've left a message on the shoutbox asking members to check and see if they can see it.