Forum OpenACS Q&A: Bboard posting permission

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1: Bboard posting permission
Posted by Dave Bauer on 11/14/00 01:20 AM
Is it possible to allow non-registered users to post to bboards? I
checked the docs but didn't see any reference.

On my commercial site, I was potential customers to be able to ask
questions without registering. Its not very busy so I don'y forsee a
problem.

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2: Response to Bboard posting permission (response to 1)
Posted by Don Baccus on 11/14/00 02:52 PM
No, as supplied the bboard module requires a user be logged in.  There is an anonymous user created at install time.  You could provide a link on the login/registration page that automatically logs the user in as this anonymous user, then redirect them on their merry way.  I think the bboard module would work fine afterwards.

Unfortunately, the rest of the ACS is pretty clueless and will present  a workspace page for user anonymous, etc, which users might find a bit strange.  Probably no big deal for what you want to do.  Hey, if they're confused at least they're using your site! :)

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3: Response to Bboard posting permission (response to 1)
Posted by Todd Gillespie on 11/14/00 07:15 PM
If you're going to stay in the confines of bboard, you might want to allow posts (referenced to user_id = 2, anonymous) with another field where they can specify their emails without logging in. (similar to slashdot circa fall '98 [or old bboard?])

Shouldn't be too much code you need to change, but I haven't looked at the bboard internals.

If you anticipate these users coming back and signing up, you can then "update bboard set user_id = :new.user_id where email = :new.email or from_ip = :new.from_ip" or something to gently bring people into the system and preserve their earlier work.

Anyhoo, have fun. Something I've looked at earlier, but generated no code, is auto-creating users