[Forum] Usergroup set up confusion

[forumbust]

Hi guys,

i just installed my forum and i am confused with the usergroups.

There seems to be a public user group and a non-public one.

I go to the admincp and i can create a usergroup in usergroup>add new usergroup.. so is this a public or non-public usergroup?

There is also a group link at the forum where users can create a group. Is that a public usergroup?

How do users get to join the public and non-public usergroup? please advise.

[Trevor Hannant]

You can decide when setting it up. There's a setting when you click on Add New Usergroup - Public (Joinable) Custom Usergroups

If you set this to yes, a user can request that they join this group. Otherwise, they need to buy a Subscription or be moved manually to join that group

[forumbust]

You can decide when setting it up. There's a setting when you click on Add New Usergroup - Public (Joinable) Custom Usergroups

If you set this to yes, a user can request that they join this group. Otherwise, they need to buy a Subscription or be moved manually to join that group

Ahh.. got it..

What about the one that any users can create the group. I am referring to the link at the top of the forum call groups and a user can create his own group. What is that for and why is there a need for a user to create his own group? And i did try that out and i have difficulty creating a category. There seems to be no way to create a category.


Ps: Apologize for so many questions as this is a new forum type for me and i really go nuts now and it is so different from 3.5.x as i have used it 3 to 4 years ago.

[Trevor Hannant]

That's Social Groups, not usergroups. This allows users to be able to setup a group for discussions and posting images away from the main forum. These can either be publis or invite only.

[forumbust]

That's Social Groups, not usergroups. This allows users to be able to setup a group for discussions and posting images away from the main forum. These can either be publis or invite only.

oh ok.. got it...ha ha cool... but how do you create a category for the social group? I only see options to select a category but no way to create a category.

[Trevor Hannant]

Under Posting Options > Act as Forum, set that to 'No'

[forumbust]

Under Posting Options > Act as Forum, set that to 'No'

errr.. sorry.. where is the Posting Options?

Oh... i found where i can create social group category. It is at the Group>Add new group category...

[forumbust]

I have another question regarding usergroup.

I plan to create a usergroup that allow 1000 registered users to enjoy my forum at the elite level for 1 year.

After that they will have to be a paid member to get the most out of my forum. After 1 year, do i have to move these 1000 users to the normal user status or just delete that user group?

[Trevor Hannant]

If they use the Paid Subscriptions system, it will move them back to their original usergroup automatically.

[forumbust]

If they use the Paid Subscriptions system, it will move them back to their original usergroup automatically.

Yes, i do understand.

What if they do not wish to subscribe? How can i "move" them out from this temporary <1000 registered users 1 year free subscription ( free for 1 year)> group when the time is up? Do i need to move them out manually or just delete away this temporary usergroup and they will fall back to the normal registered usergroup automatically.

For the start of my forum, i do not wish to use the paid subscription system ( you mean $0 for the first 1000 users, right?). I just want to create a temporary usergroup for the first 1000 subscribers to use it free.

If i want to use the paid subscription system, i got to install paypal or other merchant account in it first in order for it to work, is that right?

[Trevor Hannant]

You would need to move them maually or setup a promotion to move them based on time since their join date:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/usergroup_promotions

[forumbust]

You would need to move them maually or setup a promotion to move them based on time since their join date:

http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/usergroup_promotions

I have checked out the promotion function. Unfortunately, i still do not know how to use it for my specific purpose. I select the join date as the criteria for this promotion. However, there is no way that i can make this promotion expired in 365 days and subsequently move them out from this promotion group when their time is expired automatically.

[forumbust]

I have studied it more closely.

Please tell me if i am doing this correctly. I will created a usergroup called "1000freeuser"

USer who register in my forum will fall into the default registered usergroup which i will set promotion to move them to the "1000freeuser" usergroup once they have registered themselves in.

For this "1000freeuser" group, i will set promotion for 365 days under days registered. At the end of the 365 days, they will be moved to the registered usergroup and by then, i have already removed any promotion that is set up in the registered usergroup.

Is this the way to do it. It seems logical. I am not really 100% familiar with this new system yet so i am asking you if i am doing this correctly. THanks, please advise.

[Trevor Hannant]

Yes, that should work OK. If you're going to allow them to purchase the premium membership during that period, make sure the Paid Subscription changes their Primary Usergroup so that they don't' get moved back to the Registered group in error...

[forumbust]

Yes, that should work OK. If you're going to allow them to purchase the premium membership during that period, make sure the Paid Subscription changes their Primary Usergroup so that they don't' get moved back to the Registered group in error...

Is there a way to test the paid subscription process without actually paying it?