Disable posting and/or PM all members

[Ian GSD]

We are doing an OS upgrade that is going to involve moving to a new server and running the old and new server in parallel while DNS, etc. propagates.

Since we can't control which server a user is touching during the changeover, I'd like to turn off the ability of any member (but not admin) to post while it's going on so they don't inadvertently post to the old server.  My research has turned up a big goose egg, so I'm guessing this is a dead end.

Likewise, I'd like to use the PM system to PM all members to advise them that a)this thing has started, don't post until further notice and b)the changeover is complete, go ahead and post. I can't seem to find this capability either.

I'll be putting a BIG banner on the main page, but who knows who might miss that.

Any help is appreciated.

[Kindred]

I mean, you can turn those both off in the permissions settings for each group

[Illori]

or enable maintenance mode for the whole forum?

[Ian GSD]

I mean, you can turn those both off in the permissions settings for each group

D'oh!

OK, found Post new topics and Post replies to topics in permissions.  Not sure how I missed something I was specifically looking for but I guess that's a personal problem.

I don't see how to send a PM (or an email) to all members, however.

[Ian GSD]

or enable maintenance mode for the whole forum?

I'd like users to be able to see posts while this is going on, so that's kind of a last resort.  Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[Illori]

I don't see how to send a PM (or an email) to all members, however.

use the newsletter feature in the admin panel.

[Ian GSD]

I don't see how to send a PM (or an email) to all members, however.

use the newsletter feature in the admin panel.

Awesome. Thank you.