I'd give my left nut for this: Guest starting new discussions.

truthmaster · May 2007

Yes, I've seen elsewhere that this isn't in the works. But I do know that Guests can comment on discussions using an add-on that essentially logs them in, logs in their comment, and then logs them out again.

Why can't we have a plug in that does the same for discussions?

Truthmaster (my left nut is in Iraq, actually, don't ask....)

Minisweeper · May 2007

The reason I didn't extend the addon to cater for discussions as well is that there's a WHOLE lot more work involved. It's easy to let guests post comments because they already have access to the page so all you need to do is provide them with the comment box. To create a discussion means they'd already need to be logged in before they actually hit the 'post' page, remain logged in while the posted it (but also somehow logging them out automatically if they tried browsing to a different part of the site), then logging them out when the discussion had been started. I suppose this is possible but it's pretty complex and beyond what I was willing to stretch myself to for the sake of a free extension...

Also, then what do people have to gain by actually joining the community?

lech · May 2007

/me blindly grants everyone administration access without expecting anything nasty to happen...

truthmaster · May 2007

well, this is a library setting. The workers are scared shitless. We just voted in a union, but still, now is the time for them to fire people and our state is a no-guarantee state. You can be fired for any reason.

How about a button to log someone in on the left side with a preloaded name and password. The user could then start discussions and make comments anonymously. Make the button editable for text. Make it a private thing if you want. I'll pay you. Paypal good?

What about that?

Truthmaster

Minisweeper · May 2007

In that case you might aswell just publish the guest username and password and install the guest account lockdown extension...

truthmaster · May 2007

?? Okay, let me look into that..

Truthmaster

bjrn · May 2007

Couldn't you just make an account called "Anonymous" and publish the password for it?

Minisweeper · May 2007

Also, just out of interest, how do you suspect the bosses would find out who someone was based on the username of an internet community? They could call them selves donald duck if they wanted and noone would be any wiser..

truthmaster · May 2007

Yup, I could. What is the "guest account lockdown" extension? I couldn't find one by that name....

Truthmaster

WallPhone · May 2007

Guest limiter was an old extension. It hasn't been updated for Vanilla 1 yet...

I tested it and it does work--but doesn't show the friendly "not allowed" message.

Here's the code: (should be placed in /extensions/Guest/default.php)

<?php
/*
Extension Name: Guest Limiter
Extension Url: http://lussumo.com/docs/
Description: Limits any account where the username is "guest" from changing the account password
Version: 1.0
Author: Mark O'Sullivan
Author Url: http://www.markosullivan.ca/

Copyright 2003 - 2005 Mark O'Sullivan
This file is part of Vanilla.
Vanilla is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
Vanilla is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with Vanilla; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307  USA
The latest source code for Vanilla is available at www.lussumo.com
Contact Mark O'Sullivan at mark [at] lussumo [dot] com

You should cut & paste these language definitions into your
conf/your_language.php file (replace "your_language" with your chosen language,
of course):
*/

$Context->Dictionary["ErrGuestPassword"] = "Sorry, the password for the guest user account cannot be changed.";


if ($Context->SelfUrl == "account.php") {
   class GuestPasswordForm extends PostBackControl {
      var $UserManager;
      var $User;
      
      function GuestPasswordForm (&$Context, &$UserManager, $UserID) {
         $this->ValidActions = array("Password");
         $this->Constructor($Context);
      }
      
      function Render() {
         if ($this->IsPostBack) {
            $this->Context->WarningCollector->Add($this->Contex->GetDefinition("ErrGuestPassword"));
            echo '<div class="AccountForm">
               '.$this->Get_Warnings().'
            </div>';				
         }
      }
   }
   if ($Context->SelfUrl == "account.php"
      && ForceIncomingString("PostBackAction", "") == "Password"
      && $Context->Session->UserID > 0) {
         $GuestManager = $Context->ObjectFactory->NewContextObject($Context, "UserManager");
         $UnknownUser = $GuestManager->GetUserById($Context->Session->UserID);
         if (strtolower($UnknownUser->Name) == "guest") {
            $Context->ObjectFactory->SetReference("PasswordForm", "GuestPasswordForm");
         }
   }
}
?>

I'd give my left nut for this: Guest starting new discussions.

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