[buddypress-trac] [BuddyPress Trac] #8139: Network Invitations and Membership Requests

[buddypress-trac]

#8139: Network Invitations and Membership Requests
--------------------------+----------------------
 Reporter:  dcavins       |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement   |     Status:  assigned
 Priority:  normal        |  Milestone:  6.0.0
Component:  Registration  |    Version:  5.0.0
 Severity:  normal        |   Keywords:
--------------------------+----------------------
 I’ve been thinking about how to make network invitations work smoothly,
 and also what opportunities network invitations and requests offer for
 sites generally. One of the big improvements we could offer is helping to
 cut down on spam signups. I’m thinking that if the registration order is
 changed somewhat, we could prevent non-verified users from adding
 themselves to the site to have to be removed later.

 Possible change to the registration process
 1. Enter your email address and we'll send you a verification code. (This
 will essentially create a membership request or self-invitation in the
 invitations table, depending on the registration settings.)
 2. Follow email link (use email address and verification code) to access
 registration form.
 - Will need to add `verification_code` field to invitations table. Maybe
 add a `verified` column as well (that would be marked `true` when user
 completes verification step)?
 - Also maybe need to add a `meta` column or similar, for follow-on
 actions, like site or group membership invitations that would be extended
 upon successful network invitation acceptance.
 - Registration form email address will be `readonly` so that it is locked
 to the verified address.

 Site invites & requests options for site admin to choose from:
 * Anyone can sign up. Email form will create a “self-invitation” that
 needs no approval, just verification.
 * Potential users may request membership and be approved by site admins.
 Email form will create a membership request that requires verification
 then approval (maybe approval converts the request into an invitation?).
 * Network members can invite people to join. Invitation will be created
 that requires verification, but is already “approved”

 These modes can be mixed and matched, for example:
 * Create a public site - Allow anyone to sign up and also allow
 invitations to be sent by network members.
 * Create a somewhat private site - New members may request membership and
 also allow invitations to be sent by network members.
 * Create a pretty private site - Only way to join is by being invited by a
 current member.

 Please share any thoughts you have about other ways we can improve the
 registration process or other things to think about while designing
 network requests and invitations.

 Thanks!

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://buddypress.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/8139>
BuddyPress Trac <http://buddypress.org/>
BuddyPress Trac