How do I make articles viewable by guests in a private forum? I've searched and searched this forum and it's probably obvious solution but I am just NOT "getting" it.
The articles I want viewable by guests since that should help tell them if they "want" to be there... but I don't want them to be able to get into the forum unless they sign up since people should have a "reason" to be there... so to speak (it's a school alumni site)!
The forum is at: http://jmhs-classmates.net
I thought the info in this post (http://www.tinyportal.net/index.php?topic=15785.msg133904#msg133904 ) would help me since you can a lot of times just do the opposite to achieve the opposite result... however... I am still just NOT "getting" it. Very frustrating. I suspect it's some "little" thing I must be overlooking but... I've been working on this for days and... well... it's not working! And I can't find an answer here. ugh!
:(
Help!?! TIA!
:)
Lori
Put your guest only article into a frontpage block and use the blocks membergroup permissions to make it viewable only by guests.
doesn't seem to be working. What could I be doing wrong?
augh.
TIA! :)
Lori
Under Manage Blocks
I made both the "Welcome" article and "Who's This Group For?" viewable by Guests (only block checked, used the "one article" block).
They're both under Front page blocks and turned on.
Under the articles themselves, I've also got them set to show on the Front Page.
You can only have one article in the block and you have to specify which article the block is to display, in the dropdown menu below in the Block Manager.
If both are html articles and you want the text from both, paste it into a bbc-html block. If either contains javascript, a script block, or php into a phpblock.
sorry. Either I wasn't clear or I don't understand!
I had 2 separate blocks -- each with one article set from below in the dropdown menu, in the Block mgr. Both articles set to be viewable only by guests.
Anyway, I changed it back so there's only the one block now. sorry to confuse the issue. I need to worry with just getting the one article showing on the front page before I worry about anything else. Sorry, sorry, sorry. augh!
::)
Anyway, I removed the one article. The other still doesn't show; it is set in an html article so I haven't tried the other yet...
will go try that now...
:)
Thanks again!
Lori
OK. I set it in an html/bbc box, set it viewable only by guests on a front page block.
Under settings, for front page blocks, I had it set for Featured article and front page blocks.
I also tried it with:
Normal, frontblocks are shown alone
Frontblocks are added first
But nope. Nothing. Frustrating. (especially since you KNOW it's somehow operator-error. ugh)
Thanks for the ideas.
:)
Lori
Its the overall setting in SMF that automatically goes to login screen if you set the whole forum to be closed for guests. For the pure forum its ok to have it, but as a portal also has other sections, its a hindrance. I am however looking into making that better. The problem is not to deprive SMF of anything, ...thats to say: not making the "normal" way of the forum malfunction in any way.
so it's not just me?! LOL
::)
I've been struggling with this for days -- trying all SORTS of configurations -- and it's been driving me just INSANE!
I wouldn't care about making it a public forum so much except that the members need to feel safe about putting out personal information within a set community.
Anyway, I'm thinking I'll do a short version of the article and maybe I can set it in a sideblock since those are showing and it'll show since other ones are showing ... will try that now! Who knows!
:)
Thanks! Take care!
Lori
p.s. -- BTW -- Bloc -- I just love your work. Thank you for all you give to this community. Incredible.
Okay. It seems to "be okay" with me putting it in the center block (which I didn't want because I only want it on the front page) or in a side block but NOT on the front page block. OY!
I've got it set for viewing only by guests but it's showing even when I'm logged in. sigh. Oh well. At least it's showing! (whoohoo!) LOL
Hey. Whatever works! LOL
Again, thank you!
:)
Lori
One way which will work for now is to make the forum open to guests.. but change every boards permissions to disable Guests to view those boards.
Good idea. But that is soundin' like a lotta work at this point! LOL
(I'll admit to feeling pretty tired at the moment!)
:2funny:
Truly though, thanks for the ideas!
;)
Lori
No worries, just a suggestion :)
If you have many boards.. it will be a bit tedious checking boxes. No more tedious than setting up the overall permissions.. Which is a nightmare :uglystupid2:
Quote from: omapie on November 17, 2007, 05:35:04 PM
Good idea. But that is soundin' like a lotta work at this point! LOL
(I'll admit to feeling pretty tired at the moment!)
:2funny:
Truly though, thanks for the ideas!
;)
Lori
What works well for mine is to have the site open to the public except for selected boards/articles/blocks... that way there are only a few of the hidden ones to deal with instead of trying to do something with the entire forum.
Thats the same with my site. We have a FAQs category for one group only, a member only area, another for members with 100+ posts and then the public categories.
lol, that was a bit of a mare getting them set with different permissions.
So then, what ya'll are really saying is that it'd be better to go ahead and set it up now before I get farther into this aren't you! :laugh:
Club me over the head because subtle isn't gonna cut it! Too tired for subtle! :knuppel2:
I am familiar with forums for a while back but absolutely new to the admin & set-up side of it so please... And I really DO welcome ideas, suggestions and guidance!
---
Wow. Okay. I'm getting the message I think. LOL
:2funny:
So here's what I think I'm hearing I need to do:
1. Forget the over-all private forum.
2. (Instead) Set the boards to disable Guests... except... for certain ones that can be public
3. Set a series of permissions maybe -- like ya'll mention -- a member-only area, public categories, maybe hidden ones... that sort of thing.
;D
Now how do you set it up like that & still encourage registration for those who're your actual "target audience"? People being what they are, even when they have a vested interest, they don't always want to do the registration thing (even when it is so simple as this one!) so I want to encourage that!
I guess maybe by setting up specific (critical info) boards for members-only or members with "x" number of posts?
Lori
Lori, I've found that people are less likely to register at a site if they can't view anything.
I have a Welcome Notice in the board index:
QuoteWelcome to the LAB Radio Forums.
Many of our boards are only available to registered members who are logged in.
New members are always welcome and Registration is free and easy
You can word it however you like, there is a Block Code Snippet which will add a Welcome Notice, much like vBulletin, it will even change to a new message for a new member encouraging them to make that first post.
Once they have made their first post, it stops bothering them.
As for the permissions for Guests versus Members, you can simply switch of Guest viewing for those boards that you don't want public.. I wouldn't get too carried away at this point, theres so many variables and it's a little overwhelming at first.
If you go to:
Admin > maintenance > Generate Reports
That will give you a complete Permissions overview.. [INSERT WARNING HERE]
It's a bit lengthy, but you can print it out too.
Cool. Makes sense -- I'm that way too actually -- less likely to register for what I can't see (now that I think of it... big ol' hairy duh there!!).
::)
That's great. It IS overwhelming, you're right! TONS of variables! So much to learn! So many options!
I'm lovin' it but dadgum! :2funny:
THANK YOU! GREATLY appreciate the help & words of wisdom! Looks like I've got some work ahead of me! Take good care!
:D
Lori
Quote from: omapie on November 17, 2007, 07:08:23 PM
Cool. Makes sense -- I'm that way too actually -- less likely to register for what I can't see (now that I think of it... big ol' hairy duh there!!).
::)
lol.. You'll get there ;)
There are instructions with the Welcome Notice, I forget exactly what the topic is called.. I believe Gobo made it. You'll need to create 1 new group for it to work properly, I called the group, Not posted.
OK. So I made this board public per your wise suggestions & experience! LOL Just kept a few boards private / members-only. Your logic is solid so I thought that was a good move! TY!
;D
Also installed that Welcome Notice / message -- with it's own special board!
What I wonder now though is what about the shout box? I've got it set so only members can shout 'cuz I don't want to read the crap that just anyone might put in there! OY!
:o
But seriously now.. is that really an issue I have to worry about or am I just..... paranoid!?!
Greatly appreciate it... :)
Lori
It's entirely your choice whether to make the shoutbox public.
I certainly wouldn't let guests shout. I stopped using the shoutbox, I feel it takes posts away from the forum.
Plus I have a chatroom, and that takes far more valuable posts away from the site.. but is needed.
:)
I debated on the shoutbox for that very reason -- it taking away from the forum itself. The folks seem to like it so far though so guess I"ll leave it.
I haven't been able to determine which of the chat programs actually plays well with TP (or SMF, etc.) so I haven't gotten a chat program installed yet. Well, technically I do -- the one that Fel has modified. But I haven't figured out how to integrate the code yet into other themes and I really hate the SMF Core theme so... ;)
Anyway, appreciate the thoughts. Take good care! :)
Lori