Having recently purchased User 1.3 I am now reviewing the documentation and looking to put it to work.

One thing that I could use some help with is a better overview of the general functionality of this module.

My understanding is that it provides the functionality of the built-in member functions (register, login, modify your profile, etc.). What I need to understand better is this:

Does the code from this module simply leverage the member functions within whichever page the code is properly placed? If so, will users receive the standard notifications “you are being redirected”, etc., as they click submit? In my mind I see this as an overlay of the member system that simply allows bringing the functions into whatever interface you have created.

Thanks in advance for any guidance on this.

Forrest

fanderson - 22 April 2008 12:49 PM

My understanding is that it provides the functionality of the built-in member functions (register, login, modify your profile, etc.). What I need to understand better is this:

Does the code from this module simply leverage the member functions within whichever page the code is properly placed? If so, will users receive the standard notifications “you are being redirected”, etc., as they click submit? In my mind I see this as an overlay of the member system that simply allows bringing the functions into whatever interface you have created.

That is correct.
It’s primary purpose is to allow you the flexibility of placing Member Template functionality OUTSIDE of the Member Templates.
The native EE Member Templates are pretty clunky, and don’t allow you to use many simple “Global” variables. If you’ve every tried to build a neat and tidy, “flowing” Member Control Panel, you’ll know exactly what I mean. There’s more to it than that as well… now you can use this code where ever you like… with weblog:entries, favorite:entries, etc, etc.

And of course, that’s only the beginning of the module…

- It enhances Member Searching (and allows it from anywhere)
- It allows you to assign Members to native Categories.... so you can easily have different “groups” within one Member Group
- It allows you to switch the registration to setting the Email to be the member’s Username
- I’m sure I’ve missed a few other features…

In the future, we plan to set all of the Redirects to be customizable (avoiding the native EE ”You are being redirected...” message page)

Glad to know I am thinking along the right track.

As always, thanks for the prompt and helpful reply.

Forrest

I am also just starting with this module and I have yet to get my head around the big concepts.

Is there full-template code for an out-of-the-box implementation?

Specifically, using the standard member profile fields, what would a basic implementation look like?

Are there any tutorials?

Seajay,

Hopefully Pie Man will come back with a response, but perhaps I can point you in the right direction for a start.

Expression Engine has an entire Member zone with templates and functionality built in for registration, login, member information, etc. This Module leverages that functionality without your visitors having to go to the standard forms. If you look through the documentation on this module, you will find sample code that gives you an idea of what you can do. You can copy and paste this code, modifying as you like, and you will be able to give your viewers the option to register or modify their profile without having to go to those nasty purple pages.

I would recommend starting with something simple to get a feel for it and then expand out.

That being said, I agree that a tutorial or three or four would be very helpful on all these fine tools.

seajay - 28 April 2008 05:04 PM

I am also just starting with this module and I have yet to get my head around the big concepts.

Is there full-template code for an out-of-the-box implementation?

Specifically, using the standard member profile fields, what would a basic implementation look like?

Are there any tutorials?

Haha, yeah… the User Module still blows my mind a bit.... it’s pretty powerful, and there’s SO MANY different ways you can go about anything, or as little or as much as you want to go, etc, etc, etc

Have a look at the User Module Documentation… in your case, more specifically, the User Stats Documentation
User:Stats loops is the comparative Member Profile…

You could go really simple with this one, and use the following code:

You get the idea of how that works… but that’s not really fun, and you wont get much control over the styling, format…

So, and keep and mind that you can go as much or as little as you want:

There’s a few more powerful things you can do with that, but that will get you started
And remember, you can stuff this code wherever you want.... it could be along side weblog entries, etc

I’ll also admit the Documentation for the User Module is not the greatest… we will eventually get to making it much easier to use

Thank you, this is very helpful. Here are a few questions:

- Do I have to create a new Weblog to hold custom user fields?
- How do I show lists of members, broken down by member group?
- I’d like to relate weblog entries to members. If I have a large number of each, what is the best method?

seajay - 29 April 2008 08:17 AM

Do I have to create a new Weblog to hold custom user fields?

Nope.. not at all… the User Module bases itself off of the native EE Member Module, so custom member fields are created through the native EE Member Module, like normal. That data is shared with the User Module.

seajay - 29 April 2008 08:17 AM

How do I show lists of members, broken down by member group?

The comparative User loop for the EE Memberlist is User:Users
Have a look at the documentation because there’s a couple ways you can approach this, depending on what you’re after. But here’s a basic sample code:

seajay - 29 April 2008 08:17 AM

I’d like to relate weblog entries to members. If I have a large number of each, what is the best method?

This is possible, but only since recently.
We’ve created an additional Extension called User Authors
It allows you to assign multiple authors to entries, though it may or may not “work” for your method. It’ll work, but it may require a lot of time… maybe not though

Ah, so I must work with the limitations of the members database? I notice there are only three types of custom fields available out of the box.

Am I correct, then, that I cannot use multi-relation, TinyMCE or other custom field type extensions for members?

I’ll check out User Author ...

seajay - 30 April 2008 01:19 PM

Ah, so I must work with the limitations of the members database?

In a way, yes. Though there are certain additions, such as assigning a member to a Weblog Category, Assigning Multiple Authors/Members to Weblog Entries, configuring Registration for “Email as Username”, etc

seajay - 30 April 2008 01:19 PM

I notice there are only three types of custom fields available out of the box.

When creating them in the CP, yes, but you can easily manipulate these on the front end… Dropmenu’s, etc

seajay - 30 April 2008 01:19 PM

Am I correct, then, that I cannot use multi-relation, TinyMCE or other custom field type extensions for members?

I’m not quite sure what you’re after exactly, but theortically, using something like TinyMCE on a Text Area in the User:Edit loop would work

Thanks for guiding me on my next steps!