I like UNA, but I don't like the way 'Groups' are handled
First of all, I don't like the way content is posted to a Group. Consider the case where a user is a member of dozens of groups, The user must first select the type of content to add, then scroll through a list of 'Visibility' options with dozens of items on it. This can be complicated by the fact there are other modules based on the una groups module, that will add even more items to the visibility selector list. The result is an unwieldy content posting form that is prone to mistakes.
The solution to this is simple: Add a button to each group content page that when clicked, presents the add content form with the 'Visibility' field already filled in with the name of the Group. There should not be any other visibility selections.
The second thing I don't like about groups, is that group administrators have no control over what content items appear on the group menus. Not all groups may want all types of content in their group. The group menu gets a bit weird when you have a module like 'Recipes' installed, and all your groups have a recipies section whether you like it or not... some type of groups may love it, others may think it's downright creepy.
This problem is solved by allowing group administrators to select which types of content they want their group to host. Whether to have each type of content, should default to 'No' and group administrators should have to enable each type of content, This is because you don't want site administrators adding a recipe module, then every group on the site suddenly having a recipe section.
This makes sense as core changes, but if someone wants to implement it as a third party change, I'd settle for that.
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When you put a context-specific ”Add new...” form to a group page it preselects the group as target context and the visibility field is hidden. Does this address the first issue?
As for the second one. Good idea, though I feel like it must be an optional setting, since some sites may see that it’s best to have consistent set of content types across all groups, while others may think that giving choice to admins is preferable.
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Yes that addresses the first issue.
If I understand you correctly on the second issue it would work something like this:
In a logical place in Studio:
Allow group Admins to select content: Yes/No
Default Group Content (independent of above)
[ } Discussions
[ } Events
[ } Albums
[ } Polls
[ } Videos
[ } Files
[ } Recipes
Then, on the create/edit group page, allow the addition of content that Isn't checked off in Studio as default group content. This way, site admins could also restrict certain content form groups. by selecting default content, and disallowing Group admins the ability to change things. (In case people start creating private groups to use as a file repository)
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Alex T⚜️ please review for a feature update in v13.
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You mean I don't get it tomorrow?
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In the mean time, I'll talk to Modzzz. If I wanted to start a Group called 'The history of Cannibalism', that recipe module might feel a little awkward.
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Whatever consenting adults choose to do to each other 🤷♂️
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Houstonlively - if you wanted it ASAP , we could potentially do this as a custom mod - which might (depending on Alex T⚜️ ) be pushed into the version in UNA 13, so you would not need to pay for supported updates in the future.
If you are interested in exploring this, please send me a PM.
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Thank you for the suggestion, we'll consider it for the future:
https://github.com/unaio/una/issues/3176 -
How do I get you to read your PM?
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You mean I don't get it tomorrow?
I like your style, bet you can't but be funny in your vibes, known that from Dolphin.
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Am I missing something here, there seem not any response yet to the lack of moderation capacity for group Admin.
I had posted about Group Moderation long before now but seem not to catch the reasoning of the UNA Team.
https://una.io/page/view-discussion?id=3963
The lack of control in the Group management makes it a ground for junks where it's a group targeted to Community membership.
Every Community has the good, the bad and the ugly. Admin must be empowered to pre-manage posts before it goes live. It's even supposed to be a site-wide capability.
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I like the una framework, but there are some things that have an awkward feel. Groups definitely need more front side management features, and groups definitely need an 'add content' button that bypasses the visibility selector. Adding a new photo album to a group is clumsy... who wants to go add a photo album as usual, and hunt through what may be a long list of visibility options? It's counterintuitive.
Don't worry... things will get better, once I've pointed out all the strange behavior of una.
In the mean time, people that start a memorial group for some dead guy, will just have to wonder why they have a recipe section in their group. You could just remove recipes from all group menus, but followers of the Barbeque Cooking team group might like to have a recipe section. It's a critical need, that isn't a matter of opinion. When you've been away for a while as I have, strange design features have a tendency to jump out at you.
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I agree wholeheartedly about general need for UX revamp. We have been busy adding core features and addressing performance, which is great for the initial bulk of development, but there’s clearly need to regroup and release a more “crafted“ update focusing on better overall UX flow.
We will release v12 final on Monday and there’s also some time allocated for a service update for Dolphin. Then we’ll proceed to v13 planning and development. v13 should be an update that ”absorbs“ already developed functionality by making all modules more streamlined and user friendly.
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Glad you agree... it saves me a trip down there to straighten you guys out.
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I think making mods more user friendly along with visual tutorials would be best. Going over mods like Groups, Events, and streamlining them would be good also. Events are hard because you have the confusing buttons of "Interested and "Going" showing at the same time. I reached a testing point in an event where I couldn't even undo Going or Interested anymore. I thought we were gonna get a new mod for Picture editing? Also how about adding some new menu UI options?
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I take that back. NO, it does not address the first issue, because I have no control over the type of content that can be posted to Groups. Just because I have site content like 'Recipes' (an outstanding module by Modzzz), doesn't mean I want recipes in a sewer workers group, or my communist transvestite bird watchers group... it just doesn't belong. I can remove 'Recipes' from Group navigation menus easily enough, but placing the 'Add New.. content' block on the Group View page, there's the Recipe link big as life.
Therefore, I must change my answer to No... it does not address the first issue. Conceptually, the simplest workaround would be an "Add New..." menu item that works off the content types I have enabled on the Group menu. It's a bit sloppy, technique wise, but perhaps something that could be done quickly, until a more permanent solution is crafted
