I have groups that are public, but require approval to join. Everyone can see the full detail and members etc. but you have to be approved or invited to join. Currently a Closed type group only lets non-members see the group info in the list page and not the full group info (unless I have configured it wrong, which is possible - this is just an extension of that really.

Here is an example- PokerDIY Advertisers or The Administrators of PokerDIY (http://www.pokerdiy.com/poker-group/id/295/pokerdiy-administrators.aspx) - it's invite only but fully public. There are some scenarios where you want to entice users to join a group by showing them the full group but they application has to be approved or invited.

Thoughts?

Got a similar scenario here too.

Would like to have a group for admins and staff that is publicly viewable for contact methods by users, but not the option to join.

Ideally:

1. Open: Anyone Can join and view
2. Public: Anyone can view all aspects of the group but have to be invited to join.
3. Closed: Profile page visible with only standard group information. IE: contact, status, members and how to join. Discussions hidden.
4. Private: group is hidded and members can join by invitation only.

This would allow for further refinement by admins with multiple group roles that would appreciate additional realestate and exposure but locked down. Such as advsertisers, realtors, merchants, auto dealers, etc. A way for users to centrally locate a group of users and initiate contact to a specific member, yet allow for secure and hidden discussions amoung those specific users.

Very good topic. We have been considering making the options even more flexible and allow you to define your own group access options. I was hoping to have this ready for 1.7, but looks like 1.8. Basically we have defined various visibility, availability, participation and management options that you will be able to define. Think of the three options you have now being default group configurations that you define. You can remove and add your own at any time. You can also change the configuration after the group is created.

Between 1.7 and 1.8 you can expect to see some really nice and useful enhancements for groups.

Sounds very flexible, thanks Will.

Between 1.7 and 1.8 you can expect to see some really nice and useful enhancements for groups.

Might that include Group custom fields?
That means custom fields that can be assigned to a specific group type.

E.g. Group Type = Customer - Custom field = CustomerID

Group Type = Supplier - Custom field = SupplierID

etc..

Is there a timeframe for 1.7?

Thanks

Posted By fatgeorge on 16 Jun 2010 06:51 AM

Between 1.7 and 1.8 you can expect to see some really nice and useful enhancements for groups.

Might that include Group custom fields?
That means custom fields that can be assigned to a specific group type.

E.g. Group Type = Customer - Custom field = CustomerID

Group Type = Supplier - Custom field = SupplierID

etc..

Custom fields would be the (good) nail on the extensibility head (for any type - group, events etc.).

Custom fields for groups would allow some huge improvements for my site. We use groups for teams and it would be great to be able to assign the team IDs and other custom meta-information to the groups!

So, is it possible to create an invite only group, with full public visibility?

No. Invite only groups are private and only visible to the membership. Closed groups are visible, registered users can request to join and the group admin approved them. Open groups are open, any registered user can join.

I'm hoping we can add some additional group security options in the next patch release. What I would like to do is separate the visibility permissions and the join permissions which should give even greater flexibility.