
Factomize has decided to move forward with development for the protocol after receiving feedback in this thread.
Thanks to discussion with a Guide, our first modification will be "Thread by Thread Permissions". Our newly contracted developer who I have worked with extensively in the past has begun delving into Xenforo and will begin development soon. Here is a very simple specification:
Modification Name
Custom Thread Permissions
Context
Factom is a burgeoning decentralized data integrity protocol. As part of its governance, five "Guides" were elected to help oversee governance processes and the eventual full automation of all such processes, including their roles.
Guides have their own usergroup on the Factomize forum called "Guides". They do not have any moderation powers but do have a "Guide" banner under their username.
"Authority Node Operators" (ANOs) are the elected companies like Factomize that run servers to decentralize the protocol. In return for running those servers and furthering the protocol in whatever other ways we deem appropriate, we are paid FCT on a daily basis which we can sell on exchanges for normal currency to pay our bills. Each ANO has their own usergroup on the Factomize forum. In the admin panel, they are denoted as "Team [ANO]" so Factomize is "Team Factomize". ANO usergroups do not have any moderation powers but have badges under their username.
It has become necessary for Guides to be able to have private discussions within a specific forum with specific usergroups. Other users have also requested thread permissions that are not viable with the usergroup system.
Previous Pertinent Modification
Brian Gunter created an "ANO Only Poll" modification for the Factomize forum. As part of that modification, within the admincp usergroup section, for each usergroup there is an "Is an ANO" option. This sets whether a usergroup is an ANO or not and will likely be used within the new modification.
Modification Idea
We need a modification where:
1. A thread creator can specify which usergroups and/or specific users can see a thread.
2. A thread creator can specific which usergroups and/or specific users can reply to the thread whether it is private or not.
3. The means for any usergroup or person included within the thread to be alerted and emailed of its existence.
User Experiences
Admin
Via the admincp, admin can set the following:
1. What forums the modification is active in.
2. What usergroups can create a thread with thread by thread permissions.
3. What usergroups can be invited to partake in a permissioned thread.
4. The max number of users that can be invited to partake in a permissioned thread.
5. The max number of permissioned threads a user can create per day (to avoid email spam).
Thread Creator
1. The Thread Creator goes to create a thread either by selecting the "Post Thread" button or via the top of the thread list within the forum. Just below the "Thread Title" area will be a checkbox called, "Set Special Thread Permissions" which is by default not checked. If it remains unchecked, the thread is normal.
2. If the box is checked, a new area drops down with the following options with check boxes next to them.
A. [Checkbox] "Thread is private (only invitees below will be able to see this thread)"
B. [Selection box with all usergroups able to be invited as set in the admincp] "ANOs that can take part in the thread whether public or private".
C. [User selection box] "Specific users that can take part in the thread whether public or private"
3. Once the selections are made and the normal text field is populated and the thread is submitted, it is created with the permissions. If the thread is private, it will receive a "Private" thread prefix using the Xenforo thread prefix system.
4. All members of each ANO invited and the specific users who are invited receive an "alert" as well as an email. Content of the email:
[user],
You have invited to take part in a special [public / private] thread titled [Thread Title] on the Factomize forum by [Thread Creator]. Only certain groups and/or individuals may take part. Please see the thread for specific details located here: [Thread Link].
Sincerely,
David Chapman
Factomize Forum Admin
Users Included In Permissioned Thread
1. At the top of the permissioned thread will be a box in the same location as a poll box. Example: https://factomize.com/forums/threads/08-30-2018-monthly-ano-poll-1.718/
2. The title of the box will be, "This is a [private / public] thread with restricted access. Only the following may reply to this thread:
3. Below the title row will be an alphabetical list of the usergroups and specific people THAT HAVE VIEWED THE THREAD. If the usergroup is an ANO, only one member of the ANO has to view the thread for it to count as being viewed. It will say, "Viewed thread: [list of ANOs and users]
4. Below the view row will be a row with all the ANOs and users invited who have not yet viewed the thread. It will say, "Have not yet viewed thread: [list of ANOs and users who were invited but haven't viewed it yet]
5. For the Thread Creator, the thread options dropdown box will have options to "Invite additional user or usergroup". If they want to invite additional users or usergroups, they are given a screen where they can do so and those invitees are alerted and emailed.
6. For the Thread Creator, next to each usergroup and user in the list of users that were invited and taking part is an [X]. If that X is clicked on, they are promoted, "Remove [usergroup] / User from taking part in this thread?" with a yes or no prompt. If yes, that usergroup or user no longer can take part (or view the thread if it was private) and are emailed letting them know. Content of email:
[User],
[Thread Creator] has removed your ability to take part in the thread titled [Thread Title]. Please contact them privately if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David Chapman
Factomize Forum Admin
Users Not Invited To Thread
1. If the thread is private, those who were not invited cannot see it.
2. If the thread is not private, they see everything everyone else does including the list of invitees. They do not see a reply button or quick reply box.
Thanks to discussion with a Guide, our first modification will be "Thread by Thread Permissions". Our newly contracted developer who I have worked with extensively in the past has begun delving into Xenforo and will begin development soon. Here is a very simple specification:
Modification Name
Custom Thread Permissions
Context
Factom is a burgeoning decentralized data integrity protocol. As part of its governance, five "Guides" were elected to help oversee governance processes and the eventual full automation of all such processes, including their roles.
Guides have their own usergroup on the Factomize forum called "Guides". They do not have any moderation powers but do have a "Guide" banner under their username.
"Authority Node Operators" (ANOs) are the elected companies like Factomize that run servers to decentralize the protocol. In return for running those servers and furthering the protocol in whatever other ways we deem appropriate, we are paid FCT on a daily basis which we can sell on exchanges for normal currency to pay our bills. Each ANO has their own usergroup on the Factomize forum. In the admin panel, they are denoted as "Team [ANO]" so Factomize is "Team Factomize". ANO usergroups do not have any moderation powers but have badges under their username.
It has become necessary for Guides to be able to have private discussions within a specific forum with specific usergroups. Other users have also requested thread permissions that are not viable with the usergroup system.
Previous Pertinent Modification
Brian Gunter created an "ANO Only Poll" modification for the Factomize forum. As part of that modification, within the admincp usergroup section, for each usergroup there is an "Is an ANO" option. This sets whether a usergroup is an ANO or not and will likely be used within the new modification.
Modification Idea
We need a modification where:
1. A thread creator can specify which usergroups and/or specific users can see a thread.
2. A thread creator can specific which usergroups and/or specific users can reply to the thread whether it is private or not.
3. The means for any usergroup or person included within the thread to be alerted and emailed of its existence.
User Experiences
Admin
Via the admincp, admin can set the following:
1. What forums the modification is active in.
2. What usergroups can create a thread with thread by thread permissions.
3. What usergroups can be invited to partake in a permissioned thread.
4. The max number of users that can be invited to partake in a permissioned thread.
5. The max number of permissioned threads a user can create per day (to avoid email spam).
Thread Creator
1. The Thread Creator goes to create a thread either by selecting the "Post Thread" button or via the top of the thread list within the forum. Just below the "Thread Title" area will be a checkbox called, "Set Special Thread Permissions" which is by default not checked. If it remains unchecked, the thread is normal.
2. If the box is checked, a new area drops down with the following options with check boxes next to them.
A. [Checkbox] "Thread is private (only invitees below will be able to see this thread)"
B. [Selection box with all usergroups able to be invited as set in the admincp] "ANOs that can take part in the thread whether public or private".
C. [User selection box] "Specific users that can take part in the thread whether public or private"
3. Once the selections are made and the normal text field is populated and the thread is submitted, it is created with the permissions. If the thread is private, it will receive a "Private" thread prefix using the Xenforo thread prefix system.
4. All members of each ANO invited and the specific users who are invited receive an "alert" as well as an email. Content of the email:
[user],
You have invited to take part in a special [public / private] thread titled [Thread Title] on the Factomize forum by [Thread Creator]. Only certain groups and/or individuals may take part. Please see the thread for specific details located here: [Thread Link].
Sincerely,
David Chapman
Factomize Forum Admin
Users Included In Permissioned Thread
1. At the top of the permissioned thread will be a box in the same location as a poll box. Example: https://factomize.com/forums/threads/08-30-2018-monthly-ano-poll-1.718/
2. The title of the box will be, "This is a [private / public] thread with restricted access. Only the following may reply to this thread:
3. Below the title row will be an alphabetical list of the usergroups and specific people THAT HAVE VIEWED THE THREAD. If the usergroup is an ANO, only one member of the ANO has to view the thread for it to count as being viewed. It will say, "Viewed thread: [list of ANOs and users]
4. Below the view row will be a row with all the ANOs and users invited who have not yet viewed the thread. It will say, "Have not yet viewed thread: [list of ANOs and users who were invited but haven't viewed it yet]
5. For the Thread Creator, the thread options dropdown box will have options to "Invite additional user or usergroup". If they want to invite additional users or usergroups, they are given a screen where they can do so and those invitees are alerted and emailed.
6. For the Thread Creator, next to each usergroup and user in the list of users that were invited and taking part is an [X]. If that X is clicked on, they are promoted, "Remove [usergroup] / User from taking part in this thread?" with a yes or no prompt. If yes, that usergroup or user no longer can take part (or view the thread if it was private) and are emailed letting them know. Content of email:
[User],
[Thread Creator] has removed your ability to take part in the thread titled [Thread Title]. Please contact them privately if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David Chapman
Factomize Forum Admin
Users Not Invited To Thread
1. If the thread is private, those who were not invited cannot see it.
2. If the thread is not private, they see everything everyone else does including the list of invitees. They do not see a reply button or quick reply box.
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