[geeklog-modules] Re: Forum Opinion Requested

[Blaine Lang]

Tony,

Well, we are designing and will be for sometime for GL 1.3.x so we still
need to keep our focus. Albeit, we need more discussion on GL 2 - agreed.

We are adding user preferences to the Forum for a few user definable
features but can see the list of user options growing and as a good plugin,
these options should be able to be edited online. The forum also has a
number of other user specific features that Matthew outlined -
Notifications, Stats and yes - a hook into the PM feature that Chatterblock.

The question was two fold:
  1) Whats the better UI option
  2) GL Plugin / Forum best method

Currenty, if the user is signed in - the Top NAVBAR has the user options to
Notifications and PM etc ..

We now want to add the user settings admin screen (program) ..  and were
discussing
 1) Rolling those other user features and the user admin into a Forum User
Control Panel (CP)
 2) Leave the NAVBar as it is and use the Plugin API to add the UserSetting
Admin to the User Block

Matthew has an example of the Forum Control Panel written and setup on his
site - if your logged in to see.

The question is what is your opinion on these two approaches.

Blaine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Bibbs" <tony at tonybibbs.com>
To: <geeklog-modules at lists.geeklog.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 12:47 PM
Subject: [geeklog-modules] Re: Forum Opinion Requested


> First, be sure to send these kind of request to
> geeklog-modules at lists.geeklog.net so we have a running history.
>
> Well, I my opinions is GL-native modules like this should count on GL to
> provide the glue for integrating process flow down to the plugins.  For
> example, GL should provide a user control panel interface that centralizes
> all module-specifc stuff into a common UI.  As a visual, imaging clicking
> on a link named "My Account" where the first page you see will be core GL
> settings and then there could be tabs for each installed modules that the
> user could navigate to to set module-specific setting.
>
> Also, after much thought, I think GL needs a system for private messages.
> This is already designed into GL-2 but there is a good argument for
> integrating this into the 1.3.x.  There are already a couple of non-GL
> hacks that use a PM system and, IMHO, this is best managed by GL.  That
> way all modules have a common way to do PM.  Just a thought, work with
> dhaun on assessing the value and assigning a priority for completion as it
> relates to 1.3.x
>
> Notifications can be looked on similar to PM's.  GL2 will support
> 'watches' where a user can watch a user, or any 'item' supported by a
> plug-in.  GL2 should manage watches for the plugins.
>
> --Tony
>
>  On Wed, 15 Jan
> 2003, Matthew DeWyer wrote:
>
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > Blaine and I were discussing our opinions of having a user control panel
> > for the forums.
> > We could not come to any great decision by ourselves, so I would like to
> > know what your opinion(s) are on this subject.
> >
> > Here is just a little background on our discussions:
> >
> > Some of the pros to having a User CP for the forum would be that it
> > would centralize the user forum stats, the private messages,
> > notifications, and user specific settings, all in one area. Also, many
> > forums have a User CP, so people would be more familiar with using one.
> >
> > Some of the cons to having a User CP is that this forum is not a stand
> > alone forum. So there may not be a need for such a place. Also, using a
> > CP may break the Geeklog integration feeling by having some settings
> > available for change in the forum, instead of straight through Geeklog.
> >
> > Both of us agree that we should have a link under the User Menu to point
> > to the forum settings. Where the settings reside we have not decided on
> > yet.
> >
> > To get an idea of what the User CP would be like, you can go to:
> > http://www.cweb.ws/forum/cp.php. It is not finished yet, but should give
> > you an idea of what it would be like.
> >
> > So, the questions are:
> > What is your thought about having a User CP for the forum?
> > If so, what should be in it?
> > If not, where should the user specific settings go?
> >
> > Plus any other suggestions / opinions you may have.
> >
> > Thank you for your time and aid in helping us come to a decision.
> >
> > Matthew & Blaine
> >
> >
>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------|
> Tony Bibbs         | "I guess you have to remember that those who don't |
> tony at tonybibbs.com | hunt or fish often see those of us who do as       |
>                    | harmlessly strange and sort of amusing. When you   |
>                    | think about it, that might be a fair assessment."  |
>                    | --Unknown                                          |
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------|
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> geeklog-modules mailing list
> geeklog-modules at lists.geeklog.net
> http://lists.geeklog.net/listinfo/geeklog-modules
>