[ABD] Topics Only Visible to topic starter/moderators

[Danielx64]

Based on viewtopic.php?f=434&t=543859#p2979921

MOD Title: Topics Only Visible to topic starter/moderators
MOD Description: This modification will allow board administrators to turn on an "Topics Only Visible to OP" setting for each individual forum. When enabled, each topic in the forum can only be seen by the author who created it. Users given the new "Can see OP view only topics" permission can also see every topic in an topics only visible to original poster enabled forum.
MOD Version: coming soon

MOD Download: coming soon
Last Stable version: coming soon

Demo Board: coming soon

[Master_Cylinder]

I saw a request for this before but I still can't figure out where this would be useful other than maybe a complaint forum but we already have PMs and a report post button that's private. What other scenarios would people want to use this?

[Danielx64]

I saw a request for this before but I still can't figure out where this would be useful other than maybe a complaint forum but we already have a report post button that's private. What other scenarios would people want to use this?

One forum I been on have this setup and instead of sending a PM to the mods or the admins, you would post in that forum. And I found that it worked really well because any of the staff who know the answer, or can help you out can do so and it would be much quicker.

[Master_Cylinder]

I saw a request for this before but I still can't figure out where this would be useful other than maybe a complaint forum but we already have a report post button that's private. What other scenarios would people want to use this?

One forum I been on have this setup and instead of sending a PM to the mods or the admins, you would post in that forum. And I found that it worked really well because any of the staff who know the answer, or can help you out can do so and it would be much quicker.

I guess that does make sense for forums with many moderators/support staff depending on the topic. Can you give an example of what kind of topics/questions that forum covered? Abuse reports could be handled by the first staff member that reads the report in the MCP so I doubt that's it. I'm still confused...

I wouldn't want members asking "how do I do x" in private though. I'd rather they ask in public so others can learn too. That prevents many users asking the same private question.

[Danielx64]

One question I had for the team was about logging in from public networks, school and so on where I could end up with the same IP as someone else and may be mistaken for having more than one account. Or things like I can't upload my AV (it happens).

Even if you have a question about the forum rules, you can ask there.

[Master_Cylinder]

OK, for me that would fall into the category of public questions where the answer might help others with the same questions but maybe others feel differently.

I did come up with one possible use. A client portal. That way clients could all post in the same forum and upload/attach documents, contracts, etc. without the other clients (or members) seeing what they were doing. I'll have to think about that since I *was* looking for a client portal for one of my Wordpress sites. That might be a solution. It would be a little bit of a pain to manage accounts on both but...maybe.

Does the OP only forum also hide topics or just the posts?

[Danielx64]

Does the OP only forum also hide topics or just the posts?

It will hide the topics as far I'm aware (will check on that though as I just picked it up out of the rubbish bin )

[Jessica]

Thanks for picking this up, Daniel. One suggestion I would make that I would have done so in the original topic is to make it compatible with the latest topic title mod (and also https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/mod/ ... pic_title/ for people using that one)...topic titles are hidden for forums that have the option enabled

Oh, and I'm using the now-abandoned version - have been for a long time; if you're making any major changes please indicate that - I want to be able to apply them without having to completely re-install. Thanks

[Danielx64]

I'll look into it

Thanks for picking this up, Daniel. One suggestion I would make that I would have done so in the original topic is to make it compatible with the latest topic title mod (and also https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/mod/ ... pic_title/ for people using that one)...topic titles are hidden for forums that have the option enabled

Oh, and I'm using the now-abandoned version - have been for a long time; if you're making any major changes please indicate that - I want to be able to apply them without having to completely re-install. Thanks

[Master_Cylinder]

Does the OP only forum also hide topics or just the posts?

It will hide the topics as far I'm aware (will check on that though as I just picked it up out of the rubbish bin )

Yeah, that would work as a client portal if it does. If it only hides the posts inside the topic, not so much. That would be like having a hidden forum for each client but all in one place. hmmm..maybe a hidden forum for each client *is* better though. That way it can be customized for each client and they'd only see their own. Now I have to think about it more...

Oh, and I'm using the now-abandoned version - have been for a long time; if you're making any major changes please indicate that - I want to be able to apply them without having to completely re-install. Thanks

Can I ask what kind of topics that *you* use this for? The client portal was all I could come up with.

[Jessica]

Mainly private issues that members what to discuss with me (and they can post instead of sending PMs)

[Danielx64]

Does the OP only forum also hide topics or just the posts?

It will hide the topics as far I'm aware (will check on that though as I just picked it up out of the rubbish bin )

Yeah, that would work as a client portal if it does. If it only hides the posts inside the topic, not so much. That would be like having a hidden forum for each client but all in one place. hmmm..maybe a hidden forum for each client *is* better though. That way it can be customized for each client and they'd only see their own. Now I have to think about it more...

Oh, and I'm using the now-abandoned version - have been for a long time; if you're making any major changes please indicate that - I want to be able to apply them without having to completely re-install. Thanks

Can I ask what kind of topics that *you* use this for? The client portal was all I could come up with.

Just check it out and it does hide the topic and if you use a direct url it will protect that too.

[Danielx64]

Oh, and I'm using the now-abandoned version - have been for a long time; if you're making any major changes please indicate that - I want to be able to apply them without having to completely re-install. Thanks

Just letting you know, when you install the next version and run the installer, you will run into issues because of the fact that the installer will now be UMIL and not just pure SQL statements.

[Mess]

I'm using the old version on our main forum.
We use it for join request together with Sajaki's app form.

The application is posted in the topic starter only forum, where our full members and staff have access also.
That way our members can discuss applications and the applicant can reply, without the applicant being able to see any of the other join requests.

Stickys / announcements are view able be everyone.

[Pony99CA]

Mainly private issues that members what to discuss with me (and they can post instead of sending PMs)

Yeah, there are lots of uses. Here are three.

1. A medical forum where you're discussing specific patient information covered by HIPAA (in the U.S.).

2. Financial forums where you're discussing detailed financial history (possibly including account numbers).

3. Paid tech support where you don't want people to avoid paying the tech support charges by being able to read solutions to similar problems posted by others. (More as a sucker bet for people who can't use Google well. ) (Or, for that matter, regular tech support where license keys are discussed.)

Steve