Turn clubs into Public Groups

[saxnbass]

I was wondering if it would be possible to turn the various clubs into Public Groups? This is just a curiosity as I am unsure about specifics of the public groups.

[markjazzbassist]

+1

sounds like a good idea to me too.

[spudmaster34]

I would also like to see that, unless it would be to much extra work

[Mark Latimour]

What are clubs?

[saxnbass]

Clubs like the MIA Club, MIM Club, Schecter Club (see signatures of a lot of people)

[paul]

A bit of info about Public Groups for those that don't know:

Public (joinable) groups, are user groups set up by the admin (me), who designates a member(s) to be the 'group leader(s)'. This leader receives all 'join requests' for this group, and can decide whether to accept or deny the user's request to join the group.

If accepted, the user will see themselves as a member of the group (club), via the "Group Memberships" page in My TalkBass.

So I can see that this might make things a bit easier for a group leader, instead of the current system of assigning member numbers via club thread posts.

I'm not sure what could be done, as far as tags or other distinctions on posts. Currently I have one "if" statement tag for supporting members (if user = in supporting member group then show supporting member tag), if I add a bunch more for all the clubs this might slow things down for the server, to check every user for every club on every post.

But, VBulletin has built-in support for username html markup. Currently Supporting Members (if they choose "supporting member" as their group via the Group Memberships page) show up as <b> bold. Theoretically I could set up different colors for each club, for example all Yamaha Club members could have pink usernames Not sure if this would fly though.

VBulletin also has built-in support for group-designated user titles. But with supporting members being able to choose any custom usertitle they want, I'm not sure this would have any point.

So it may be that this would simply be a way to manage join requests / club memberships.

[saxnbass]

Skip these things (take them out/don't do them):

I'm not sure what could be done, as far as tags or other distinctions on posts. Currently I have one "if" statement tag for supporting members (if user = in supporting member group then show supporting member tag), if I add a bunch more for all the clubs this might slow things down for the server, to check every user for every club on every post.

But, VBulletin has built-in support for username html markup. Currently Supporting Members (if they choose "supporting member" as their group via the Group Memberships page) show up as <b> bold. Theoretically I could set up different colors for each club, for example all Yamaha Club members could have pink usernames Not sure if this would fly though.

VBulletin also has built-in support for group-designated user titles. But with supporting members being able to choose any custom usertitle they want, I'm not sure this would have any point.

So that way, it's easier for people to join groups, and easier for group leaders to approve memberships. To find out if someone is in a group/what groups people are in, someone has to view the person's profile or the user puts it in their signature like currently. Just an idea.

[Mark Latimour]

What is the purpose of these clubs? I wasn't aware of them as I have signatures turned off for all posts.

[saxnbass]

Do a search for "Clubs" it's like the MIM club is for people who own MIMs, EBMM club is for people that own a MusicMan, etc.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Do a search for "Clubs" it's like the MIM club is for people who own MIMs, EBMM club is for people that own a MusicMan, etc.

Yes, I understand the concept of a club, but I am curious as to what the benefit of membership is? Are their get togethers for certain clubs etc? Or is it just a status thing?

[saxnbass]

There is no real benefit. It's just a status thing and to show your pride for your certain basses.

[paul]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

Skip these things (take them out/don't do them):




So that way, it's easier for people to join groups, and easier for group leaders to approve memberships. To find out if someone is in a group/what groups people are in, someone has to view the person's profile or the user puts it in their signature like currently. Just an idea.

Agreed.

Ok, so I'll probably post an announcement soon - in the meantime if you're a club owner, contact me with a link to your club's thread, club name, etc and I'll get it set up and you in as leader

Paul

[Selta]

Paul,
You could also make a buck off of this.
"If you want your club to be a public group, PayPal TB $10 and we'll get you setup."
Thoughts? Beyond it being a bit of a stretch, and well, can cause a few issues that I can already see.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

There is no real benefit. It's just a status thing and to show your pride for your certain basses.

Originally Posted by paul

Agreed.

Ok, so I'll probably post an announcement soon - in the meantime if you're a club owner, contact me with a link to your club's thread, club name, etc and I'll get it set up and you in as leader

Paul

I'm sure that this was all just a joke - like the Bob Club - for people who are called Bob.

It's just a bit of silliness and I don't think anybody ever intended it to be a serious club?

If so - I would oppose this strongly as being divisive and 'cliquey'!!!

Surely we need to be inclusive of all - not just encourage people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders to only talk to people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders !!

[Selta]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I'm sure that this was all just a joke - like the Bob Club - for people who are called Bob.

It's just a bit of silliness and I don't think anybody ever intended it to be a serious club?

If so - I would oppose this strongly as being divisive and 'cliquey'!!!

Surely we need to be inclusive of all - not just encourage people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders to only talk to people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders !!

I see it more as an easy of of getting like-minded people in-the-know for other's that share the same appreciation for something. I.e. the metal club. We all love metal, so, we chat about it. Sure, we could easily do it without being a "club" (soon to be Public Group!). But, outside of that single thread, it's harder to keep in mind who all likes the same thing, unless you take an active stance and familiarize yourself with every person in whatever thread.
That's JMO though. I like the idea, and don't see anything wrong. If you can't find a club that you fit in, make one. Not cliquey.

[paul]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I'm sure that this was all just a joke - like the Bob Club - for people who are called Bob.

It's just a bit of silliness and I don't think anybody ever intended it to be a serious club?

If so - I would oppose this strongly as being divisive and 'cliquey'!!!

Surely we need to be inclusive of all - not just encourage people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders to only talk to people who are left-handed,called Bob and play Fenders !!

I don't think this is that big of a deal, simply because this whole public group thing just adds one line on a user's profile page.

In any case, I'm afraid this trial period may be ending with the public groups being disabled. It's becoming apparent that there are just too many 'clubs' out there to set up a vbulletin usergroup for every one (every brand of bass, every type of instrument, etc). To add one line to the club member's profile page, this is a lot of overhead. It's been a learning experience for me The Vbulletin usergroups really excel when used to do things like restrict access to certain forum areas. For example the Bob Club would have it's own forum, where only Bob Club members could post.

I wonder if something like that is in our future.... Right now I don't see the benefit of it. Unless I charged a bunch to open a private club forum. Lol