Feature Under Development: Vouch system

[Bud]

In parallel with Trust Levels / Circles of Trust, and following along with the same general philosophy, I have a request for development out for a more automated Verification system

Below is an excerpt of that request

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I wish to implement a system by where one user can "vouch for" another user. This is indirectly related to my request for a Trust Levels or Circles of Trust function, but only in that it's regarding some kind of system to establish a basic level of trust for a new user entering a community.

The primary purpose of this addon would be that new users, when they first register, could be vouched for by another user for one reason or another. In this specific case, the person vouching for another might personally know the new user, or has interacted with them outside of the forum in such a way that they can confirm that they are indeed a real person and/or are serious about wanting to discuss the subject of the forum (and not just jerking people around, etc).

Description of primary function:

• Each user has a numeric value variable for their status called Vouches
• User A vouches for User B. This action increases the value of User B's variable Vouches
• Upon reaching a threshold value for vouches, User B is promoted to a target User Group
• Multiple thresholds could be established, promoting users through various User Groups as they accumulate Vouches

The action of Vouching for another user can have different levels of value, establish by admin config. Configurable as radio buttons (mutually exclusive) or checkboxes (additive) with each selection having a configurable value. Negative values allowed (unvouch or devouch). An alternate could be a text field for a manual description, and a user-selected numerical value for their personal level of trust with this new user.

An example of value ranges on might set up:

• "I have seen this person on another site" +1
• "I have met this person face to face" +2
• "I can personally vouch for this person" +3
• "This person is not nice" -1
• "troublemaker"-2

Additional possible functions

Verification Record
A user's vouches value could be displayed on their profile page
A record of who vouched for a user could be created that could be displayed on a user's profile

Verification Tree
One could view what other users someone vouched for
One could view an expanding tree of the above
User A vouches for User B
Select User B and the tree expands to show who User B vouched for
And so on

Permissons
Can receive vouch
Can give vouch
Can give remove devouch
Can modify vouch
Can reset vouch
Can view others vouch value
Can view others vouch record & tree
etc

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If anyone has any further recommendation for how they might like this to function, please let me know!

 

[Bud]

I've found a developer for this.

 

[Bud]

Text field - Personal note

• Admin editable description for displayed title of this text field
• user can enter in a custom text line associated with their vouch

User Interface

• Add a vouch counter to profile page, post user info blocks, and member card
• Add a vouches tab to profile page
• When someone adds a vouch, an entry shows in this tab with a compact display of:
  • user avatar
  • username
  • value of their given vouch or vouches + text description of those vouches
  • personal note

Permissions

• Vouch for others
• Modify vouch for others (could be tough to code?)
• Remove other vouches (admin only)
• Override minimum requirements below
• Minimum things to be able to vouch (values)
  • Account age
  • Post count
  • Reaction score
  • Trophy points

Other

• User privacy settings for someone else to send you a Direct Message based on their vouch count
• Notable members - vouch count
• Deny vouch request
• User can block vouch requests from another user (after they request)
• User can disable vouch requests

One key point is that this addon will have the flexibility to allow for multiple vouches (checkboxes), and they can be of the same value.

I can imagine an instance where someone knows another person via multiple ways.
These might all be 1 point:

• Knows them from a zoom call
• Talked to them on the phone
• Active on another website or app
• Friends on social media

Then more heavily weighted values for:

• Met in person
• Purchased a course
• Met at Observer Ranch
• Personal friend/relative (heavily weighted)

Some of these could be an automatic trigger for being added to the Verified group (making moderator jobs a lot easier)

Bottom line is that this is going to be a GREAT piece of software that will most likely get heavily used here, as well as on other sites (another one of my sites in particular)

 

[Bud]

AND....it's ready for beta testing (which will be in a test environment)

I want to convey something that is critical to understand.

This forum software is powerful and flexible, and there is a pool of extremely talented developers available for custom work.

This is a highly customized piece of software, designed to my request/specs.

I dumped the requirements on the developer last night at 1030pm, with several complex additional requests throughout the day today.

In less than 24 hours, I have a beta tester, and the total cost of all of this is $200. TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. Granted, this will also be available to others for sale (otherwise it would have cost more as a private addon)

My point is, it doesn't take tens of thousands of dollars to create a highly tailored and customized experience. This is only the beginning!

This is the "Account" screen, with your Vouch Requests (other people have requested you Vouch for them)



This is your Profile page (anyone can see this, as long as they have permission)

Vouch score
Button to Vouch for this user
Buttom to Request a Vouch
Vouches Tab
View Vouches given by this user
View Vouches Received Tree



When you select someone's username, you get a "Member Card". This contains the Vouch items



Given Tree



Received Tree



Alerts



And for anyone who understands how "Permissions" work, this is the permissions set available



This will go live as soon as I test & debug it!

 

[RockyMountainHeathen]

that's cool. Would it notify WHO gave a negative vouch? Or can you do those anonymously?

 

[Bud]

that's cool. Would it notify WHO gave a negative vouch? Or can you do those anonymously?

My feeling on this was to have an option to not notify of a negative vouch, or a vouch removal. This avoids the butthurt factor, like getting unfriended