UBB.Dev
Posted By: Galactus Anonymous poster option? - 06/11/2002 11:39 PM
I run email game forums so it is beneficial for me to verify that someone is who they are by logging in with their regular Username but then have the option - once verified as an authorized person - to click a checkbox while adding a particular post to have the author of the post appear as "Unknown" + utilize a specific avatar (instead of having that person's regular Username/Public Name appear in that post).

Is this possible to script???
Posted By: Greg Hard Re: Anonymous poster option? - 06/15/2002 5:28 PM
Almost everything is possible. wink

Yes, it is. So basically the user logs in with his/her login and password, but wants to post/reply anonymously to certain forums/topics?

Good idea.
Posted By: Galactus Re: Anonymous poster option? - 06/17/2002 1:33 AM
Hi Greg, thanks for the reply. smile

The 5x UBB series didn't have a login, so players would have to enter their Username + Password + Forum Password (if applicable) every post. While a hassle for day-to-day posting, it was nevertheless easy for players to use a special, anonymous profile "Unknown":

Username: Unknown
Password: Unknown
Forum Password: xxxx

Since I use my forums for online games, gameplay was enchanced as players could post gossip, rumors, or tattle with immunity as an anonymous poster, while still verifying (with reasonable certainty) that they belonged in the game by providing the Forum Password.

The 6.1x series added the Login feature, and now the Forum Password didn't function properly. Players would have to enter a bogus post with the Forum Password, submit, gain forum permission but losing the bogus post, and then have the ability to post with the "Unknown" profile aforementioned; a pain in the arse!

I just learned today that the 6.3x series has somewhat corrected that problem. Players without default forum permission are taken to the Forum Password page, submit, and then they can post (without having to post a "throw-away" post first). Since I found this out a day or two ago, the problem of players posting as "Unknown" isn't that pronounced now. However, it would be nice if players had an option box that said "post as anonymous" and when submitting their post, their profile details used those of a default anonymous ("Unknown") account.

I'm not sure if any other UBB owners would have a need for this or not. The problem with allowing anonymous posting is that players can say anything with relative immunity-- a potential flame/spam nightmare for other forums.

If you think there's still a general use for an anonymous poster option or just want to tackle the programming for the fun of it...

Thanks again for the response, whatever you decide. smile
© UBB.Developers