Add-on Anyone have a need for different prefix text in different forums?

[Stuart Wright]

Example.
We have 3 prefixes for the threads in our classified forums:
For Sale, For Trade and Wanted.
But when the ads are archived to our archive forum, it would be useful to give those prefixes different text:
Archived Sale, Archived Trade and Archived Wanted.
That way we can keep the forum open to the public (for google), but not bring people to the forum on false pretences.
Anyone else think this would be useful?

 

[MattW]

How are the threads archived? Are they done manually or via an add-on?

 

[Stuart Wright]

We have an addon already written (and due to be released soon) which allows thread starters and moderators to archive threads in a forum to an admin specified archive forum. It's set up in the forum admin page.
For classifieds and bargains, for example.

 

[Paul B]

If it's a manual process can't the moderator change the prefix as they archive the thread?

 

[MattW]

When they archive the threads, does it show the popup like the inline edit does when you want to move threads?

You can assign a prefix to the threads once in the new node

 

[Chris D]

Because the add-on allows for a thread starter (e.g. non-moderator) to archive the thread, it is ultimately very simple in terms of user interface. I think it shows a confirmation and then moves it accordingly.

If you want a bit of further development @Stuart Wright, it should be quite straight forward to add a bit of code that checks the existing prefix, and reapplies a corresponding prefix in the archive forum during the move process.

 

[Stuart Wright]

Easy for a man of your talents, Chris, yes. Getting an idea of interest in this as a feature as a way of gauging whether our own requirements are typical or a bit unusual.

 

[MattW]

Easy for a man of your talents, Chris, yes. Getting an idea of interest in this as a feature as a way of gauging whether our own requirements are typical or a bit unusual.

I normally just lock them when someone updated their thread with a SOLD reply. If we had the option to allow them to Archive it once it's sold, it would certainly clear out the Classified section, and only show things that are actively for sale.

Example below showing the locked threads in the middle of the stuff still for sale

 

[Stuart Wright]

I normally just lock them when someone updated their thread with a SOLD reply. If we had the option to allow them to Archive it once it's sold, it would certainly clear out the Classified section, and only show things that are actively for sale.

Example below showing the locked threads in the middle of the stuff still for sale

View attachment 52049

That's the idea. The thing is that people are expected to archive their threads whether they make a sale or whether there is no interest and they want to remove their ad, so the items are not necessarily sold. Although you have got my thought processes going now to ask them whether they made a full/partial or no sale. For selection of the correct prefix, but also for stats. hmmm...

 

[MattW]

Well count me in then

 

[Paul B]

Why is the archived prefix required?

Why not just move them to an Archive forum and don't allow editing or new replies?

 

[Stuart Wright]

Threads are locked that way in the archive forum. We sometimes need to resurrect them if a dispute later occurs.
And we require a prefix because it defines the type of ad. For Sale, For Trade or Wanted. Removing that information would cause some confusion.
As they are, there is nothing to let Google searchers know that it's not a live advert.
There are good reasons to continue as is, but we're going to annoy people who arrive under false pretences. Although that is how we've been working for years.