Author Topic: members only page (Read 1391 times)

sheryltoo · « **on:** September 27, 2011, 03:53:04 PM »

I would like to set up a members only page on my website. My host uses Linux so I was told I need to set up a php password script but I don't know the first thing about doing this, other then I believe I have to first set up a database.
I tried to get some help from my host site and they suggested I install some software called Joomla which I can install using Fantastico from my cpanel but in reading what that software is, it sounds like they create web pages for you and I think control how my web pages look so I'm not sure that's what I want.
I had been coding my own pages using notepad and recently started using Microsoft Expression Web with much success so I'm not sure what happens if I install Joomla.
I know I can copy some codes from the internet that's suppose to set up a form people fill out for a members only page but I have no idea where to put these codes and how it all works.
Perhaps someone here can give me some guidence.

Nesa · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:38:23 PM »

You need a php script to get this to work, have you scripted in php?

sheryltoo · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:51:50 PM »

No. I have no idea how to script in any language.

bigguy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2011, 09:35:45 PM »

Well, first Joomla is a cms. (content management system) It does a bit more than just allow you to make pages. You download it and install it like SMF. You have full control over it. On that note, SMF and a portal can do the same if not more than Joomla. Are you running SMF now.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2011, 10:13:46 PM »

Yes, I am running smf.

bigguy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2011, 10:17:33 PM »

Simple portal can get you a members only page. As a matter of fact if you search the mod site you might get a single mod to make pages with membergroup permissions as well.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2011, 10:29:09 PM »

Thanks. I'll look into that.
I had Simple Portal on one of my smf sites but when I upgraded to a newer smf version, I never upgraded Simple Portal.
Sounds like I should do that.

bigguy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2011, 10:43:22 PM »

Yup, give it a shot. Just remember to backup first.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2011, 11:17:46 PM »

I will thanks.
It's late for me so I'm calling it a night. I need to have fresh head when I start this, lol.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 29, 2011, 08:37:03 PM »

I installed Simple Portal again but I'm not really seeing how I can make a members only page.
I did a search for members only at the Simple Portal site but it didn't find anything that looks like it talks about creatin a page that's for members only.

alahuin · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2011, 05:29:35 PM »

Here's a bunch of stuff that might do what you want...(or not...)

http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/User_Management/

Regards
alahuin

bigguy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2011, 10:06:43 PM »

If you make a page you can assign membergroups to it that are allowed to view the page. In this way you have a members only page.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2011, 04:23:22 PM »

Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I've been pretty busy but I tried working on this private page this afternoon and I'm not having much luck.
Maybe I just don't understand what the private page is.
I also tried to set up a board on the site that required approval and then created a new e-mail account and user so I could test it out but that didn't go well either. I have my site set up to get approval from administrator in order to join but when I tried to register under a new name and account, nothing came through at my administrator's e-mail address so I'm not approved as a member which means I can't see if my private page is working.
The e-mail address I use for this site isn't my primary e-mail address but it works. I set myself a test e-mail and that came through all right.
I don't understand why I haven't been asked to approve my new membership.
And I wonder how long this has been going on. I haven't really used this site much but wanted to get it started up again. I don't really want to turn off the option to get approval but I'm not sure how I can get notified that someone wants to join my site.
I turned off the needing approval to join and made up yet another test account to be sure people can join the site and that worked however I didn't see the private page I created so I have to try and figure out how that all works.
I think the first thing I need to do is figure out why I'm not getting the notification about someone wanting to join.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2011, 06:01:16 PM »

I guess I made some headway where the approval is concerned. I got a notificatioin that one of the accounts I created wanted to join.
Nothing on the first account. I don't know why.
In any event, now I'll have to try and figure out this private board or private page thing.

bigguy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2011, 08:00:27 PM »

Maybe this will help with setting up a private board.

http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=2873

sheryltoo · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2011, 09:10:49 PM »

Thanks. I'll see if I can figure this out.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2011, 03:37:56 PM »

I jus wanted to let you know that I figured out how to make a password protected board on smf. Thanks for all your help.

bigguy · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2011, 07:36:06 AM »

Did the mod I pointed you to help out. How did you do this.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2011, 09:05:19 AM »

Yes, I believe it did.
First I created a new group that would have access to the board I wanted private.
Then I created the board.
Both of those steps were done before I downloaded the mod so what I did in regards to the mod probably could have been done at the time I was setting up permissions.
With the group and board created, I clicked the modify board tab where I found a line asking if I wanted people to put in a password in order to view the board.
I did so I myself created the password people will need to use in order to see the board and use it.
This is not exactly what I had in mind but it's better then nothing.
I was hoping I could create a board that showed the name of the board to all members but then the only way to see the post on that board would be if they were part of a group that I gave access to.
I don't see where I can do that unless I just don't understand some of the options for creating boards and groups. It looks as if the only way people can see the board is if they can also see the post on the board. Am I missing something?
I think I finally figured out how I can put a password page on my host site. I had my host disable Front Page Extensions so I believe I can now password protect a page but I haven't tried it yet.
If I figure that out, I may direct people from SMF to that password protect page and have them sign in there.
It sounds easy, lol, but I guess that's if you know what you're doing and I don't.

bigguy · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2011, 07:55:41 PM »

The mod I remember showed a password box underneath the board name ....does this not happen. can you post a screenshot.

sheryltoo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2011, 09:06:00 PM »

There is a box for the password by the board.
Here's a screen shot of it.