Hi All,
I have been working on reviving embargoed discussions (they nearly made it into 1.6, but for various reasons never got there). The code has been sitting in moodle from 1.6 and interesting had been updated to use the new forms library, so basically I have just 'enabled' the code and made the following changes:
* Made add_to_log() happen when the discussion start date is reached and not at the time of creation.
* Added a visible field to forum_discussions to help with performance.
* Modified forum_cron() to update the visible field based on timestart and timeend dates and also to make sure the add_to_log() call happens.
* Added a role for the ability to view embargoed discussions.
* Added a role for the creation of embargoed discussions.
* CSS and text changes to discussions that are pending or have expired.
I have merged these changes into our local 1.8 and 1.7 branches and would like to see this get into 1.9 so your feedback on the suitability of this patch for 1.9 is welcome.
The patches are located here:
http://git.catalyst.net.nz/gitweb?p=moodle-r2.git;a=shortlog;h=mdl18-embargoedannounce
Cheers,
Matt.
Embargoed forum discussions (discussion start and end dates)
by Matt Clarkson -
Number of replies: 3
In reply to Matt Clarkson
Re: Embargoed forum discussions (discussion start and end dates)
by Nicolas Martignoni -
Cool 
See also MDL-9051.
In reply to Matt Clarkson
Re: Embargoed forum discussions (discussion start and end dates)
by Martin Dougiamas -
Are you sure you mean embargo?
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=embargo
I'm interested why these are necessary. Delaying posts until a certain time makes some sense (for news, reminders etc) but why hide them afterwards?
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=embargo
I'm interested why these are necessary. Delaying posts until a certain time makes some sense (for news, reminders etc) but why hide them afterwards?
In reply to Martin Dougiamas
Re: Embargoed forum discussions (discussion start and end dates)
by Matt Clarkson -
Embargoed may not have been the best choice of word, but it has been been used at Catalyst for some time to describe timed discussions - to the users it is called timed discussions.
Allowing users to create discussion threads in advance is basically a time saving for the tutors. For example, if a tutor wants to encourage students to discuss the weekly readings, then they can set-up a discussion for each weeks readings in advance, saving them having to post a new discussion topic at the start of each week.
Justifying end dates is not as easy, however I think there are valid reasons for them to be there:
* Allows discussions to be archived without them having to be deleted.
* Allows a forum to be kept clear of clutter - in the readings example it would allow the previous week's discussion to be hidden when it is no longer relevant, keeping focus on the current discussion.
Overall I think that adding timed discussions makes life easier for the moodle users that want this feature, and since it is not enabled by default, does not have an impact on the users who will never it.
Allowing users to create discussion threads in advance is basically a time saving for the tutors. For example, if a tutor wants to encourage students to discuss the weekly readings, then they can set-up a discussion for each weeks readings in advance, saving them having to post a new discussion topic at the start of each week.
Justifying end dates is not as easy, however I think there are valid reasons for them to be there:
* Allows discussions to be archived without them having to be deleted.
* Allows a forum to be kept clear of clutter - in the readings example it would allow the previous week's discussion to be hidden when it is no longer relevant, keeping focus on the current discussion.
Overall I think that adding timed discussions makes life easier for the moodle users that want this feature, and since it is not enabled by default, does not have an impact on the users who will never it.