Auto-notify upon replying to topic

[SimpleJoe]

Hey folks, I've been searching and unable to find a mod for 2.x that will subscribe members to topics when they reply to the topic.

I've seen this do wonders for traffic and engagement on other forums.

It seems like the mod would involve a simple trigger to enable notifications in the reply action. If anybody has any ideas where to start, I wouldn't mind taking a crack at this myself.

[Arantor]

You mean like the option in their preferences, that's opt-in so to avoid the server being hammered with emails...?

[SimpleJoe]

Yes, it would essentially toggle to the desired option in their preferences. I realize the primary concern is mail server load, however servers have come a long way and it would only email members who have actually replied to the topic upon a new reply. The traffic generated from this would pale in comparison to subscribing membergroups to entire boards, etc.

Also, the mod page could mention it's only for servers with resources equipped to handle growing traffic (not the typical oversold shared servers etc.) as the ultimate aim of the Mod would be to further increase traffic and interaction.

[SimpleJoe]

Also, why not throw in the fact that even sites like Facebook email users when someone replies to a post they interacted with. It's easier to get an email than to re-check every topic.

[Arantor]

So would 'Admin > Themes and Layout > Member Options > your theme > relevant set of options > Turn notification on when you post or reply to a topic'

Oh, as for the traffic, it would be comparable since it all goes through the same system... if everyone subscribes to a topic when they reply to it, they're just added to the list of people who already get notifications.

Also, why not throw in the fact that even sites like Facebook run their own mail servers in data centres...


EDIT: Oh, and Facebook lets you turn off those emails, I haven't seen one from them in months if not years...

[SimpleJoe]

Yes  and funny about Facebook, but of course they started with 1 server and their model (which included emailing people with updates early on) grew them to a point where they could afford datacenters.

But enough about Zuck, this would be an *optional* feature for forums to have a feature similar to what's built-in on large forums like WebHostingTalk, Bloggeries and many others.

I wouldn't recommend it is a core feature, simply because of the server load. But when you compare the server load from a person having to revisit topics for updates verses the server sending one email when there is an actual reply, then it could be close to a wash. But again, not totally relevant as it would be a Mod, which often have disclaimers.

[Arantor]

-sigh- Did you actually read what I said? It's already built in just off by default -_- Not even a mod required to do what you propose in your first post in this topic.

[SimpleJoe]

Arantor, your patience is golden. Thank you. When I saw that path to options I didn't realize that was a universal set of options that can be toggled for all. And yes there it is. Brilliant. Thanks again, the more I know about SMF, the more I'm impressed.

[PierreP_whited00r_com]

So would 'Admin > Themes and Layout > Member Options > your theme > relevant set of options > Turn notification on when you post or reply to a topic'...

Thank you, that does the trick  so in the future when users will post, Notify for that thread will be turned on by default. To be on the safe side, I did it for my theme and also for the SMF Default Theme:

Admin > Themes and Layout Settings > Members Options > Change current options for all members using this theme > drop down menu to Change > Turn notification on when you post or reply to a topic > Save.

Now is it possible to remove the option for users to opt-out of "Turn notification on when you post or reply to a topic" and also "For topics and boards I've requested notification on, notify me of" (I want "Replies & Moderation" as default for all) in their Profile > Modify Profile > Notifications?

I found this in an older SMF thread and attached my current httpdocs\forum\Sources\Subs-Members.php but does modifying that file only "apply for all new members" as the poster wrote? 

...Open Subs-Members.php (in Sources):

Code (find) Select Expand

'pm_email_notify' => 1,

Code (add after) Select Expand

'notify_send_body' => 1,
'notify_regularity' => {regularity_you_want},
'notify_types' => {type_you_want},

Then replace {regularity_you_want} with the number of the one you want from:
* 0 => Instantly
* 1 => Instantly - but only for the first unread reply
* 2 => Daily
* 3 => Weekly

and {type_you_want} with the number of the type you want from:
* 1 => Replies and moderation
* 2 => Moderation only if I started the topic
* 3 => Only replies
* 4 => Nothing at all

That will apply for all new members.

Since "Change current options..." only affects new posts, is there a way to tun on Notifications for all their older posts too?

[Arantor]

It's not possible to remove it without a code change and frankly, no-one here is going to explain how.

There are *laws* about users being able to opt out of notifications. If users want to opt out, you kind of have to let them. And no-one here is going to encourage you in doing that.

As for turning on notifications for all older posts too, there is no option for this, largely for the same reason. And the fact that if the format is even remotely busy there will be issues with the host needing to throttle emails.

[PierreP_whited00r_com]

It's not possible to remove it without a code change and frankly, no-one here is going to explain how.

There are *laws* about users being able to opt out of notifications. If users want to opt out, you kind of have to let them...

Thanks for the quick reply.

OTOH users do get a Notification email & in it they can opt out with the "Unsubscribe to this topic by using this link..." so it's not like they will be notified until the end of times if they do not want to.   

The reason why I would like to hide those options is because some newbies un-selecting the "Turn notification on when you post..." when setting up their account & then asking questions in a thread and never get notified of the replies or our requests for additional info to help troubleshooting their problems.

Our forum is in English but for a fast growing minority of users it is not their native language & some stuff gets lost in translation. 

[Arantor]

The reason why I would like to hide those options is because some newbies un-selecting the "Turn notification on when you post..." when setting up their account & then asking questions in a thread and never get notified of the replies or our requests for additional info to help troubleshooting their problems.

And you don't like them doing that even when they want to do so? I *routinely* do that on any site I visit, I get enough emails as it is without getting many more of them. Having it on by default without any apparent way to turn it off (until after getting the email) is actually bad form and actually not in compliance with some of the laws about this stuff.

[PierreP_whited00r_com]

...not in compliance with some of the laws about this stuff.

Which laws, the same ones that the NSA follows? 

And the opt out link in the Notification emails counts for beans?

Anyway, a workaround is to every now & then reset manually the users Notifications settings as you described above.

[Arantor]

I guess it wasn't entirely clear that both go through the exact same bit of code and that you can't exactly do one without affecting the other...