BuddyPress.org

I guess you are talking about this:

https://trac.buddypress.org/ticket/2166

Currently, I think that it is not wise to use Private-Groups as those are not working really perfect yet….

I think what you’re saying is that, for example, in Forum posts: if you’re a logged in member of a private/hidden group, you should see private/hidden posts in the overall Forum Index, and obviously, nonmembers would see the same Index minus the private posts. I agree that this seems like it should be the logical default in BP. On my site, keeping private/hidden posts it creates a “parallel universe” effect where users of private/hidden forums have to visit a special place to see that protected content. As a result, private/hidden forums get less usage than they should.

I have no idea if this is planned for BuddyPress, but I would put in a strong vote for it. In the meantime, it could be handled by a plugin or rewrite of code.

It really depends what you mean by “customization”. If you mean that each group should be able to load its own background/header/color scheme, then it’s definitely possible. I don’t know of a plugin that does it, but it wouldn’t be all that hard to write something that allowed group admins to switch between a number of admin-selected color schemes, or to upload images in addition to the avatar.

Is there some other meaning of “custom network” that I’m missing out on here? Something that “private/hidden” doesn’t already cover?

I mean it’s not possible to have totally separate BP networks running on separate subdomains but using the same installation of BuddyPress.

If you take my suggestion, you can make groups either Private or Hidden. If a group is private, the only people who are able to read or contribute to the group are those who have either had a membership request accepted, or those who have been invited. Hidden groups are the same, but they don’t show up in group directories, and thus it’s impossible to request membership to them – you can only join by being invited.

In this way, the activity that happens in a hidden group is only viewable by members of that group. Users of the site, however, could be members of multiple groups, and could interact with each other outside of those groups, through the profile pages and private messaging (assuming that you enable these features). From my point of view, this is the best of both worlds.

Progress is good. There are two more bugs to figure out and then a little new CSS to add and then I’ll set it free for testing. I don’t want to say when that will be as I’ve missed a few of my self-imposed deadlines, but I do look to get it out very soon so that it can be tested with BP 1.2.4 in anticipation of the big impending WP 3.0 / BP 1.3 release.

I appreciate the offer of assistance. Several people have graciously done so. Once this version is out, I would love to see a group of people begin to help support and update it. It is too important of a component to let a single person control. At that point, I’ll convert my private repository over to an Open Source repository for those involved.

You could probably use this snippet in your theme’s functions.php file:

https://buddypress.org/forums/topic/how-to-make-a-private-community/page/2#post-44729

If you attempt to access the site and you’re not logged in, you will be redirected to the register page.

@Mike, thought my post was deleted. Just edited. Sorry Andy!

FYI – I really respect all the work you put into BP Andy and others. I submit patches whenever I find something. I can’t speak for WPMU DEV but our members are very happy to have the instant support we provide and always updated plugins/themes.

People who are trying to put together a professional site see the worth in paying a relatively small fee (compared to hiring a private dev) to get support and plugins they can depend on not to break with each WP/BP update. Professional work costs money, and people who want it know that. Nothing wrong with giving people that options.

It furthers BP and it’s popularity even more!

Here’s what I’m thinking in terms of user stories, assuming 2 groups (A and :

“I’m a user of Group A, so on the main blog, I see all Posts tagged A. I don’t see Posts tagged B.”

“I’m a user of Group B, so on the main blog, I see all Posts tagged B. I don’t see Posts tagged A.”

“I’m a user of Groups A and B, so on the main blog, I see all Posts tagged A and B.”

It will use blog tags, not blog categories.

It will support normal, private, and hidden forum types.

Assuming a post is tagged with A and B, the permissions are as expected:

“I’m a member of group A. I can see the post tagged A and B.”

“I’m a member of group B. I can see the post tagged A and B.”

I never said you shouldn’t optimize your site for SEO purposes. I just meant, that on most social sites it’s less important. Obviously there are exceptions. Now, when you add privacy control into the mix, basically making portions of your site private or semi-private, SEO will be even less important. That’s why I said you should mainly concentrate on the public pages (which will be the blog pages for most setups).

I’m not able to reproduce this. Did either of you create a child theme, or did you just customize the default theme?

Having same problem with http://our.windowfarms.org

Seems like a serious bug

So following the plugin bunny trail that we’re on I’m going to throw my shoe out there.

BP is/was a group of plugins. When I install BP I’m not actually installing one plugin. I’m actually installing 7: Activity, Blog Tracking, bbPress Forums, Friends, Groups, Private Messaging, and Extended Profiles.

If BP can provide the best, fastest, most extensible core hooks and loops, then let the plugin developers code and extend to their hearts desire.

if (BP Core == diving board)

     plugin authors = the bells and whistles of BP

The way I see it, there should be 3 classes of plugins.

1. The Core BP plugins (i.e. currently the 7 components… this list will increase, such as Basic Privacy).

If you’re not running all or most of these, then you’re not really running BP.

The BP is officially “in charge” of keeping these plugins updated.

2. The Senior Plugins (e.g. Media-Albums, Oembed for Activity Streams, BP SEO, Enhanced Privacy etc.)

These are plugins that almost 65% (or some other number) of sites will end up using but we’re not sure that they will.

BP officially endorses and most likely will use their paid developers to keep these plugins functional.

3. The Normal Plugins (e.g. GEO Locations, Extended Profiles, Gifts, etc.)

Plugins that authors create for different purposes. While many sites use them, they don’t have the same widespread use and support as the Senior Plugins.

BP has no official position with respect to these plugins.

Currently only category 1 and 3 exist. There is no category 2.

2. I know you use the FB metaphor about creating an album first but I’d make the media add process a logical next step. Right now you create the album and the process just kinda stalls.

3. The member tags field will cause my folks to do nothing. I’d suggest making it more FB like. You click a button that says “tag this photo” and a list pops up of your friends to tag with. Now, I know there isn’t yet the ability to tag faces, but it needs to be clear that you can tag your friends in pics (maybe something along the lines of the auto suggest in the private message area?

@Mike Pratt

I like those ideas.

testing v 0.1.9.2 Excellent progress so far. I have not been able to break this build (yea!) but I have a bunch of usability comments to add and, hopefully, help with.

1. I’d consider giving admins the ability to decide what users are presented with when they upload media e.g. whether they have to deal with visibility options at such a granularity. My site is behind a wall so “public” will only throw them off. This is minor, I know.

2. I know you use the FB metaphor about creating an album first but I’d make the media add process a logical next step. Right now you create the album and the process just kinda stalls.

3. The member tags field will cause my folks to do nothing. I’d suggest making it more FB like. You click a button that says “tag this photo” and a list pops up of your friends to tag with. Now, I know there isn’t yet the ability to tag faces, but it needs to be clear that you can tag your friends in pics (maybe something along the lines of the auto suggest in the private message area?

Will send more feedback as I go thru. Many Thanks so far.

What is BuddyPress?

An open source script for blog-centric private social networks.

Potentially a next-generation social network, starting from the best elements of Facebook and Twitter, but more suited to content (blogs) and collaboration (groups).

Less is more! I don’t expect social networking in a box. There are already several commercial products that serve that need better. I’d like to see a solid, stripped down core with a flexible API that a developer community can build on.

General Site Tips:

1. Try private testing with a focus group (not your designers or developers).

2. Don’t add too many features, determine the level of request and see if they fit with the spirit of the site.

3. Don’t be afraid to make the site live. Just get the site out there and let users provide you feedback. I know clients that test, refine, etc. and it never makes it out the door.

Social Network Tips:

1. Facebook, Twitter, and social networking integration is important. Please love to login with other accounts.

2. Create a way for users or even visitors to easily locate interesting people straight from the homepage.

3. Make sure search is simple, easy to use, and as powerful as possible. Finding connections should be a no-brainer.

4. Social networks grow the best when people can invite other non-users into the network.

5. Social networks also grow quickly when members can share links, media, etc. with those within and outside the network.

6. Give incentives for people to come back to the network. Awarding users for actions (like Foursquare) is an interesting way to do this, although there are plenty of other examples that can fit your particular network.

7. Avoid long registration forms at all costs.

Try visiting your private group and then click on the “Forum” sub-tab to add a new forum post.