[craighere]

Is there a mod that hides some forums from regular users but displays it to users who have paid? For example this kind of mod exists in joomla and wordpress.

This would be different from "Subscriptions" which is not what I need for my forums.

[Lynne]

How is what you are asking different from Subscriptions? With subscriptions, you pay and then can have access to parts of the site that you previously did not have access to. That sounds like what you are asking for.

[craighere]

Thanks for your help. I've looked at subscriptions and they aren't what I need. The problem is that the interface is not user friendly for a new user. I am going to have people purchase several different self help program, each of which includes access to forums specific to the program they purchase. So I need a way for them to purchase their program and gain access to the forums. Telling them they have to sign up on the forums, go to the user control panel, go to groups, and then choose the subscription, and then make the payment is not an option for a sales campaign. People are already nervous spending money online, and won't go through such a complicated process when they want to purchase a program.

I am trying to figure out how to streamline it so people can accomplish their purchase in one step, which is the only way it will work. If they have to then register for the forums after they make the purchase that is OK, but it can't be a three or four step process for them to make the purchase in the first place.

I hope that makes sense. I've been looking for about a week now and it is looking like there isn't a solution. That's why I am trying to figure out some kind of custom mod, to see if I can have someone make one for me.

[Lynne]

If you want people to have to purchase subscriptions and *then* sign up on the forums and have them set up correctly permissionwise for them, then you are going to have to custom code that. In vbulletin, you cannot purchase a subscription if you don't have an account on the site already.

[craighere]

OK thank you Lynne. That is helpful. It looks like yes I will have to hire someone to do a custom code for me.