UBB.Developers Forums UBB.threads 6 V6 Modifications V6 Mod Ideas Improved Private Messages

I recently added a simple mod to display the first 100 characters of a PM under the title. Now I'm looking to tackle the ability to send a PM to multiple users - anyone done anything for this?

I figure people could enter ids seperated by commas, or use some kind of list selection.

There was a discussion about that some months ago and if I remember correctly someone started a mod.

The problem with multiple users pm is:
You'll have to store several pms with the same content in the database to acchieve it with the current database structure.

Using a list to store multiple recipients will cause problems. Think of the pm status (new, read, replied, etc). You'll have to store it for each user seperately. Sure, you can use lists for that also, but it clutters up the database scheme.

I coded a read quick and easy mod which sends multiple PMs to a list of users seperated by ,'s. Considering a user would have to copy-and-paste the message multiple times to send it anyways, I don't see how this is any more of a resource issue than allowing them to send it once and generating multiple messages. Your suggestion of additional clutter assumes that users would forgo sending a message to multiple users simply because its a hassle to do so individually.

To make it work, I added a small loop around the sending code and change the error messages to append any errors to a string (along with success messages). If there any any errors, then the user is told which messages were sent and which failed (any why).

I'll probably code up the ability to see who else got the message and allow for a group reply, but thats a little more involved as we would have to do more work.

You're right. Most users would send the same messages to several users anyway.
I mentioned the resources, cause several people wanted to do a mass-pm to all board members instead of sending out a mass-mails.
If you have the resources to store the additional message, that's the way to go.

As you mentioned, it could be advanced with a group reply or setting up pm-lists in your addressbook.

I wasn't thinking of "mass" PMs so much as just users sending PMs to a few other users. Lots of room to make it better, but had to start somewhere.

I did the PM mod which allowed admin to send PMs to groups.

Wasn't that an Admin feature, Josh?

Yes.

Okay, I thought so. My users wanted to be able to send PM's to a couple of people versus once at a time, so a little different focus.

I know that some of my users are asking for the same thing

you can use the PM to GROUPS from admin mod for anyone taking out the check to see if admin.. I made it an admin/moderator by adding moderator to the check but you can just take it out completely or change it so the user at least has to have a username. you can then just add it to the pm page.