Users

Everyone who visits the website is considered a user, whether they log in or not.  Users that do not log in are considered anonymous users and have only limited access to the website. Anonymous users can navigate to, and read the content for most all web pages, but they cannot create any content such a articles or events, or post comments about existing content.  If an anonymous user could, then it would be quite easy for an automated program 'bot' to post advertisements or offensive material.

All other users are those that log in and have gone through a few steps to help insure that they are not such an automated program.  When you first created your account, you should have received an email requesting that you verify that you created the account.  This helps to verify the email address and that the owner identified with that email address is the one requesting the user account creation.
The main uses of a user account are:

• Provides a unique and verified login account for an individual that can be assigned to one or more roles
• Provides a contact link for others to contact you without divulging your email address

Roles & Permissions

The main use of a role is:

• Provides a container that accounts can be placed in.  Each role can then be granted different privileges.  Example roles include:
  • Unauthenticated User:  This is the default role for visitors that have not logged in.
  • Authenticated Pending:  A user who has created an account but has not acknowledged their authentication email.   The authentication email is sent to the email address you entered when you first created your account.  If you are still listed in this role, check your SPAM filter.  Contact the author of this article if you need additional help.
  • Authenticated User: A user how has acknowledged their authentication email.  Authenticated users are allowed to comment on various articles and send 'Contact' email to other users.
  • Active Member: A dues paying BFA member (including legacy and lifetime accounts).  Members have more privileges than just an authenticated user.  They can create events in the calendar and also skip that annoying CAPTCHA authentication whenever the add a comment or create other content.
  • Researcher: Advanced member role for accounts that need access to creating and modifying research related content such as the Sites Map.
  • Editor: Advanced member role for accounts that may need to create and edit articles on the website.  As BFA members become more involved with the website, it is my hope to turn over some of the editorial capabilities to them.  One possible use would be to allow each Family Group leader to have full control over their 'Group Page'.
  • Administrator: Site administrator.
• It is much easier to maintain a site by granting permissions to a few simple 'roles' then to do them individually for each and every account.

The roles listed above are just my initial attempt at providing a few granular levels of access and I may change them slightly as the website continues to mature.  When I revisit this article later this Spring, I hope to provide a more detailed explanation as well as a table of roles vs permissions that is easier to understand.

Currently assigning existing members to the Active Member role is a manual process.  Please send me (Chip)  email if you have paid your BFA membership dues for 2012 or are a legacy or lifetime member.  Please remember to include your account login and name with your request so that I can easily locate it in the account list.

Please remember to join or renew your membership with the Bolling Family Association.  Your support is greatly appreciated by all.