SMF Support > phpBB
Translating phpBB2 permissions to SMF
packman:
I started to look at how to translate phpBB2 permissions into SMF, but gave up when I realised I didn't understand either phpBB permissions or SMF permissions well enough.
I've now tried to document how phpBB works, so see if anyone can help with a translation into SMF-speak. At this point I'd like to try to explore the permissions functionality as seen by a user, e.g. the administrator. Once I understand the translation, I can try to work out how this maps into the phpBB/SMF database tables/fields (which I'm sure will create hours of detailed fun!)
Here's how I understand phpBB permissions to work...
1) Each forum (SMF board) has a set of default permissions controlling which types of (non-group member) users can carry out which operations on the forum.
2) Forum operation permissions exist for: View, Read, Post, Reply, Edit, Delete, Create Sticky Message, Create Announcement, Create Poll, Vote.
3) Each Forum operation permission can be set to one of: All, Reg, Private, Mod, Admin. This defines the level of access required to do the operation.
4) Forum operation permissions can be set in Simple or Advanced mode. Simple mode is really just a pre-defined set of advanced mode permissions. For example, Simple mode 'Registered' equates to All, All, Reg, Reg, Reg, Reg, Mod, Mod, Reg, Reg (respectively for each operation listed above).
5) Groups (SMF additionalGroups) add to forum access control in two ways.
5.1) A group can be selected as Moderator/Not Moderator for each forum.
5.2) In addition if a forum has any 'Private' operation permissions set, the group can also control further levels of access (Simple/Advance mode).
5.2.1) In Simple mode, there is an Access Allowed/Disallowed option.
5.2.2) In Advanced mode, each forum operation permission that is set as 'Private' can be set on/off. So if 'Read' and 'Post' operations are set to 'Private', a Group can be set to allow (ON) reading and disallow (OFF) posting.
Translations
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In (3) I think that the access levels equate to:
All = SMF Unregistered Guests
Reg = SMF Ungrouped Members
Mod = SMF Moderator
Admin = SMF Administrator.
I'm not sure yet how Private fits into this, but I think it means access is controlled by group membership.
Comments are welcomed on my description of the permissions and also any suggested translations between phpBB-speak and SMF-speak.
[Unknown]:
View, Read = memberGroups on boards table. (all others in board_permissions...)
Post = post_new.
Reply = post_reply_any.
Edit = edit_own
Delete = delete_own and remote_own
Create Sticky Message = make sticky
Create Announcement = announce_topic. (RC2 only)
Create Poll = poll_post
Vote = poll_vote
All = every group in forum, including -1, 0, 2, 3, etc.
Reg = every group except -1, as above.
Private = not clear, I assume everything but -1 and 0.
Mod = 2,3
Admin = none at all, 1 always has access.
> A group can be selected as Moderator/Not Moderator for each forum.
Currently not an option, although it has been considered and may be again. Currently, this would mean making all members of the group to moderators individually, or giving them permissions without listing them as moderators. (in other words, creating a special group for them and giving it moderation permissions...)
So, for private it's not all groups, it's those listed....
-[Unknown]
Grudge:
I'll just chip in here that when I wrote the phpBB converter I tried *really really really* hard to do permissions. I managed it (roughly) on Invision and I spent several hours pondering phpBB. I just simply couldn't see how their permissions system translated to SMF in any comparable way, so didn't do it. I'm not saying it's not possible but just it's not easy to get your head round!
packman:
--- Quote from: Grudge on August 31, 2004, 06:15:06 PM ---I'm not saying it's not possible but just it's not easy to get your head round!
--- End quote ---
I know exactly what you mean. I keep on looking at it and then going to think about something simpler. I'm running out of simple things to do now though :'(
packman:
I'm getting there. Phase 1 is done...the converter now translates the board level permissions. It takes a lot of switch statements and INSERTs onto the smf_board_permissions table, but the end result seems to be right 8)
Phase 2 is to do the same for group level permissions. I think this should be easier as I can re-use a lot of the board level permission code/mechanisms.
Phase 3 is to consider how to handle phpBB moderators.
Finally, if anyone has an unmodded phpBB forum, can you let me know if the phpbb_forums table has a column called auth_attachments in it? I thought my forum was unmodded, but my table includes this field. I can't see anything in the standard phpBB administration section that allows this field to be set/rest though. At the moment I'm ignoring ths field, unless someone can suggest how to handle it.
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