Zoints Anonymous Posting - Improved Privacy for Members

Have you ever wanted to discuss something on a forum but never posted because you didn't want people to know it was you? To solve this problem, we created an anonymous posting hack.

Via the admin control panel, you can easily choose which forum(s) allows for anonymous posting.

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anony1.png


For anonymous enabled forums, your members then get this handly little checkbox (unchecked by default) when making a new thread or post.

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anony3.png


If they check the box, then their post is created under the account you setup and assign as the anonymous poster. I personally created an "anonymous" username, but you can create whatever you want.

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anony5.png


As forum owners, we all know that a few members will choose to screw around with this feature. Therefore we created an easy means to identify who created an anonymous thread/post should the need arise. Please be ethical and tell your members you can see who posted anonymously should the need arise. You can check the log by going here:

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anony2.png


And the log looks something like this:

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anony4.png

Official support for this modification will take place at http://network.zoints.com in this forum (http://network.zoints.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59).


Enjoy, click install, check out Zoints' other hacks, have a great day, and all that happy jive.

We always used this avatar for our anonymous account. You're welcome to use it if so desire:

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anon.png

This is a very interesting one, thanks for the release.

You're welcome :) This is one of those mods that is an absolute must if you run any sort of support forum. Members love it.

We always used this avatar for our anonymous account. You're welcome to use it if so desire:

http://img3.zoints.com/anon/anon.png


LOL! Too cute, that image.

But can Admin see who actually posted the anon?

I think that's what the anonymous log is for.

Interesting. I think I may try this at Psychlinks.

I think that's what the anonymous log is for.

I just want to be clear before I install it. This is something my community could run with if I'm not careful.

I think if it's made clear that Admins can see who "Anonymous" really is, it will also be clear that this isn't a license for trolling or flame wars.

My concern - and the reason I haven't yet installed it (still thinking about it) - is that some members might want ALL their posts to be Anonymous and that sort of defeats the purpose of a forum, doesn't it?

I just want to be clear before I install it. This is something my community could run with if I'm not careful.

Yes, you can see who posts what via the admin log.

My concern - and the reason I haven't yet installed it (still thinking about it) - is that some members might want ALL their posts to be Anonymous and that sort of defeats the purpose of a forum, doesn't it?

This system has been installed on dozens of forums and nothing like that has ever transpired. Could your forum be one community that goes against the grain? Yes. But the statistical probability is in your favor :D

My forum is a "psychotherapy/self-help" forum. Hence my concern. Several members already get a little panicky after posting.

I do NOT mean this as a criticism of the product. I'm just mulling over whether this nmight have a negative impact for my forum - which of course comes with issues re: privacy and anonymity and safety that most forums need not be concerned about.

My forum is a "psychotherapy/self-help" forum. Hence my concern. Several members already get a little panicky after posting.

*nod*

On the my forum we initially designed this for, we have a "Personal Support" subforum. Our demographic is 70%+ 16-25 year old males. You'd be amazed how many, "I'm concerned about my penis size" and like threads came out when this system was introduced. It is actually quite empowering for members as it allows them to ask questions they want to ask without fear of judgement.

I do NOT mean this as a criticism of the product. I'm just mulling over whether this nmight have a negative impact for my forum - which of course comes with issues re: privacy and anonymity and safety that most forums need not be concerned about.

I didn't take it as a criticism. :) I can understand your concerns. As i'm about as far from a mental health professional as you can get, so I shall shut up ;)