Account mechanics#
In general1, anyone can consume (ie view) all the resources available on each Network Site without creating an account and/or logging in - this includes pages, posts, comments, profiles, channels, directory, search results, etc. However participation2 and content creation requires one to have an account, ie become a member, and log in.
1. Except those resources under Hybrid Access.
2. Certain content may allow participation without needing to create an account
An account can be created natively on this Network Site, or on another MainCross Network Site. Accounts use the MainCross Authentication System and hence are federated across all networks.
Every network has two kinds of members:
- Network members - Users who have signed up on this Network Site, and who are automatically Members of this Network Site. These members belong to this network.
- Super network members - Users who have signed up on other Networks Sites and have subsequently become Members of this Network Site. These members are loaned to this network.
There is no differentiation between these two kinds of members.
Account creation#
By default, anyone can create an account on a Network Site. The following signup mechanisms are provided:
- Email address
- Social providers - Facebook and Google
- Telegram
- Phone (SMS)
- Custom authentication
Network operators can turn off Social signup and Telegram if so desired.
Signup via phone number can be opted for as a paid add-on.
Any bespoke authentication mechanism can be provided for, as custom extensions to the system, eg a cluster of Network Sites use the Shoptype authentication mechanism. See it live.
A single identifier (email, or Telegram ID, or phone number etc) can only create 1 account, ie multiple accounts with the same ID are not possible. Further, the signup and login mechanism does not allow bots to enter the network.
Members can be viewed and managed on the Community dashboard.
Network level restrictions#
At a network level, Rules and Restrictions can be setup by the network operator, and all member accounts are thus subject to these.
Rule - Role based network
Role based networks allow Members access upon selection of a "role" - ie members must one-time select from the roles offered on that network in order to proceed.
The selected Role is attached to that account only on that network. Note that since Network Roles are defined per Network, the same account can have different roles on different networks.
Rule - Hybrid access
Hybrid access permits Members selective access to channels. Topic channels are Public by default and can be optionally be access controlled - one can choose to make the channel Restricted, Protected or Private, with increasing levels of restrictions and complexity.
Restriction - Post types
Network operators can enable/disable globally the post types that network members are allowed to post across the network. Further, post types can be enabled/disabled for each channel individually.
Restriction - Post publishing
A Topic channel may be marked as "moderated" - posts made by members to the channel are not visible to anyone else except the network team.
Account level restrictions#
A Network Hero may restrict (ie ban) any account from the network by opening that account's public profile on that network and enabling the Restrict account settings under Hero Actions:
A justification note is required - this is stored for future reference and may be required for legal reasons if the account appeals.
This is a complete restriction that takes effect immediately, only on that network, and lasts till the scheduled date/time. The member is prevented from participation, commenting, posting etc, and is also immediately logged off the network, and is unable to log back in until the ban expires. An informative message is displayed to the member when an account restriction is in effect:
In rare cases, an account may be banned across all networks. This action can be performed by the MainCross central moderation & monitoring team.
Upgrading regular accounts to Pro#
Any Network Member can be upgraded to a Pro account by the network operator. Pro accounts have access to special features.
A number of Pro accounts are bundled with each tier plan. Pro accounts can be monetized by the Network operator.
Promoting regular accounts to Hero#
Pro Accounts which can manage the network site or TOP channels are called Heroes. In other words, a Hero is a Pro Account with very special privileges.
Each Network Site starts with a superuser account - the Network Owner (NCO). The NCO can promote 1 or more existing accounts into a Network Admin (NCA), or remove them at any time. These permissions are only available to the Network Owner account.
