Messaging: Restricting Messaging

Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Patrick Malley -
Number of replies: 8

What I want to do

I would like to create a "messenger" role in which all members of that role can message. I want to then add all site users to that role. Then, when a user sends inappropriate messages, I can boot them out of the role.

What I've tried.

I attempted the directions in the Docs to no avail.

Specifically, I

  1. Changed the site:sendmessage variable in the Authenticated User role from "Allow" to "Not set."
  2. Created a new role (without a legacy role) and set site:sendmessage to "Allow."
  3. Moved all users into that new role.
  4. Moved one student out of that role for testing.
  5. Logged in as that student and could still message.

Can you help?

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In reply to Patrick Malley

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Mike Worth -
Wouldn't it be easier to create a 'cant message' role with messaging set to 'prohibit' and then assign that to anyone using them inappropriately

Mike
Average of ratings: Useful (2)
In reply to Mike Worth

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Helen Foster -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Moodle HQ Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers Picture of Translators
Hi Patrick,

The method you describe should work fine. (I've just checked it in Moodle 1.9.2.) The only reason I can think of to explain why it doesn't work is that your test student is assigned an additional system role which does allow site:sendmessage.

Mike, thanks for suggesting an alternative method for restricting messaging. approve I've added it to the Messaging FAQ.
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In reply to Helen Foster

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Carol Booth -

I used Patrick's method and it worked first time.  I removed "can send messages to other users" from authenticated users and created a role called 'Can send messages' and added all my users to it.  This has the advantage/disadvantage that I have to consciously give the privilege to users.

I did it this way because I was  afraid that 'prohibit' messaging would prevent users from using chat within courses and I may well want to allow people to message only on particular occasions.  Am I right, or are chat and messaging separate?

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In reply to Carol Booth

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Helen Foster -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Moodle HQ Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers Picture of Translators
Carol, I'm glad to hear you were successful in restricting messaging. For future reference, I can confirm that chat and messaging are separate though.
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In reply to Mike Worth

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Patrick Malley -
Not sure what I was doing wrong before, but this seemed to work quite easily.

Thanks for the help.
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In reply to Patrick Malley

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Dan Jeffries -
Hi

I'm interested in implementing this too, however I would rather allow all students the access to use the messaging but them assign them to a new role should they abuse the privilege.

I created a new role called 'prohibit messaging', used the Legacy Role of 'Authenticated User' (is that wrong?) and then prohibited the ability to send messaging.

However, it doesn't work. Any advice on a way round this? We only have a few students who abuse the messaging, and it would be easier to do it this way.

Thanks!
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In reply to Dan Jeffries

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Helen Foster -
Picture of Core developers Picture of Documentation writers Picture of Moodle HQ Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers Picture of Plugin developers Picture of Testers Picture of Translators
Hi Dan,

There's no need to use a legacy role - it's easiest just to create a new role with site:sendmessage set to 'prohibit'. The role must be assigned in the system context i.e. via Site Administration > Users > Permissions > Assign system roles. Also, if you're using 1.8, please note that role assignments do not take effect until the next time the user logs in.
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In reply to Patrick Malley

Re: Messaging: Restricting Messaging

by Marty Watson -
My moodle site is hosted by Remote-Learner. I've been informed that the enhanced messaging system that would assign, black, gray, and white users will not work with Moodle 1.9.2, is there any other messaging feature that will allow students to message teachers and TAs only and for the teachers and TAs to message anyone?

Our students were sending personal messages during class instead of staying on task with assignments. We are a state wide k12 distance learning program and I'm worried about liabilities that we might incur should a student from one district say something inappropriate to one from another. We also need them to not message students during class instruction.

For now, we've setup gaggle email accounts, but Moodle messaging would be SO much better for our purposes than emails.
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