Question concerning post-count groups

[css_script_writer]

Hi everyone

First of all, I'm using SMF v1.1.7 + the latest Oxygen theme.

Yesterday I went to Admin>Permissions>Settings and checked the "Enable permissions for post count based groups" box, set permissions for each group (Newbie, Jr. Member, Full Member, etc) and then un-checked ALL permissions for "Regular" members to allow the post-count groups to control the permissions. As a footnote, I have not created any new or extra membergroups because I'm using the default ones that are already there to keep things simple. I also have "Enable advanced by-board permissions" turned on.

Everything works fine except that when, for example, I disable searching for the "Newbie" group, and then try to do a search under a new test account, I get something like "You are not allowed to use the search function" when I would prefer to have this membergroup see something like "you must have at least 50 posts to use the search function" so that at least they know WHY they can't search and what they need to do in order to be ABLE to search. Is there any way of changing this default message?.

Another example...I disable PM's for the "Newbie" group and using a test account, visit a profile and the PM link is completely missing. What I'd actually prefer is to have the link visible but when they click on it it say's something like "You must have at least 50 posts in order to use this function". Again, is there any way to customize these messages so that the member at least knows WHY he or she can't use a particular function?.

Finally, I was thinking of creating a completely new membergroup called "Just Joined!" and setting the post-count to 5 in order to protect the site against PM spammers, members who "lurk and leech" without contributing anything etc. However, the "Newbie" membergroup would override the 5 post-count membergroup (wouldn't it?) since it allows posting even if you have a zero post-count and there is no way to edit the "Newbie" membergroup to change this.

I guess thats about it for now. If anyone could provide me with some help and guidance I'd sure appreciate it (just as long as I don't have to install any more MODS).

- Thank you, css_script_writer

[JimM]

"You are not allowed to use the search function" when I would prefer to have this membergroup see something like "you must have at least 50 posts to use the search function" so that at least they know WHY they can't search and what they need to do in order to be ABLE to search. Is there any way of changing this default message?.

Yes.  That error string is located in /Themes/default/languages/Errors.english.php

Find

Code Select Expand

$txt['cannot_search_posts'] = 'You are not allowed to search for posts in this forum.';

Replace

Code Select Expand

$txt['cannot_search_posts'] = 'You are not allowed to search for posts in this forum until you have 50 post.';

Keep in mind that by customizing that message, it will be displayed to everyone that is not allowed to search if at sometime in the future you change the way your membergroups are set up.

Another example...I disable PM's for the "Newbie" group and using a test account, visit a profile and the PM link is completely missing. What I'd actually prefer is to have the link visible but when they click on it it say's something like "You must have at least 50 posts in order to use this function". Again, is there any way to customize these messages so that the member at least knows WHY he or she can't use a particular function?.

This one would be easy enough to explain in your forum rules.  It's a bit more than just customizing a message.

Finally, I was thinking of creating a completely new membergroup called "Just Joined!" and setting the post-count to 5 in order to protect the site against PM spammers, members who "lurk and leech" without contributing anything etc. However, the "Newbie" membergroup would override the 5 post-count membergroup (wouldn't it?) since it allows posting even if you have a zero post-count and there is no way to edit the "Newbie" membergroup to change this.

Change the post-count on your Just Joined group to 0 and then you can change your Newbie group to 5.

[css_script_writer]

Thanks for that (I really appreciate it!).

One more question if I may (well, two actually)...right now the "Guest" membergroup has only 2 permissions (view and search - I think) but I can't find anything that would prevent guests from searching. Could you please tell me where I need to go and what I need to change to prevent guests from using the search function?.

Also, if I change certain permissions in the "Guest" memebrgroup does that affect search engines (since technically the robots are "guests")?

- Thanks again, css_script_writer

[JimM]

Admin > Members > Permissions

Click on Modify to the far right of Guest.

General

Uncheck Search for posts and topics

Yes, you must allow guest in order for the search engines to index your forum.

[css_script_writer]

Thanks again...I just want to clarify something here. Will search engines still be able to fully index the forum and all of it's content if I disable search for guests?.

- Thanks, css_script_writer

[JimM]

Yes, that function has noting to do with the search engines. 

[css_script_writer]

Change the post-count on your Just Joined group to 0 and then you can change your Newbie group to 5.

I did this but it allows you to change the post-count in every group except the "Newbie" one. It seems to me I read yesterday that the "Newbie" group could not be changed because it was the "default" group or something. Any advice here?.

The other thing is, what "Permission Profile" should I select when creating this "Just Joined!" group?. I see two drop-down menus with various options but I don't have a clue which one to use.

- Thanks, cssScript_writer

[JimM]

You have to have at least one post based group.  The one with a 0 post count can not be deleted.  That is group number 4.  In you admin panel if you mouseover the group name you should see the group number.  Make sure number 4 is your 0 post count group and you can name it anything you want.

[css_script_writer]

Thank you very much. You have been incredibly helpful and it works now!.

- css_script_writer

[css_script_writer]

Forgot to ask...is there also a quick and simple way to prevent new members from posting links until they have at least x number of posts?.

Again, many thanks for all the help!.

-
css_script_writer

[css_script_writer]

Bump...sorry, this ended up on the third page

[JimM]

You can try this mod.  It should do what you are wanting.  You don't have to bump the topics.  Once I reply to it, it is on a list that I check when I come on the next time.

http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=1095

[css_script_writer]

Brilliant, thanks again for this!. I had to modify the code just a bit but it's perfect and works very well :-).

- css_script_writer

[JimM]

Great, glad you got it working.