If you manage a multi-user blog on WordPress, you might feel that you need a simple way for inter-user communication. I created the Acts as Group plugin for this very reason.
Acts as Group allows you to create user-groups for any purpose. For example, you can create a “Baseball Fan Group” for users who like baseball. In addition, the plugin provides a Twitter-like messaging interface for groups on the WordPress Administration Panel. Only group members can see the messages. The plugin provides your own “private twitter” for every group you join.
Installation
Using automatic plugin install is the easiest installation option.
If you would like to install it manually, download the package from the WordPress plugin directory, unzip it, and upload the entire acts-as-group folder to the wp-content/plugins directory. Then activate the Acts as Group plugin through the “Plugins” menu. Three tables (groups, group_members, and group_messages) will be created on your database automatically and you will find a “Groups” menu in your WordPress Administration Panel.
Usage
Log in to the Administration Panel and open the “Groups” menu. You will see three submenus (“Join,” “Messages,” and “Manage”) under the menu.
The “Join” submenu allows you to join groups. The “Messages” submenu allows you to post messages within your groups and lets you see other members’ messages. The “Manage” submenu allows you to manage groups and members of the groups. You can also create a new group.
Getting Started
Your first group will be automatically generated when you activate the plugin. The name of the group is the same as your blog’s name. All users of your blog have already joined the group.
Posting a Message
To post a message to the group, open the “Messages” submenu. You’ll see a link with the group name at the top of the page. Click the link then look for the text input field on the page. Write your message and press the “Send Message” button. You’ll see the message you just wrote.
Creating a New Group
To create a group, open the “Manage” submenu. You will find the “Add new group” link at the top of the page. Click the link, fill out the “Group Name” and “Description” fields, and press the “Create Group” button.
Joining Groups
To join groups, open the “Join” submenu. Search for the group you wish to join and press the “Join” button on the right side. If the status of the group is “Open,” you’ll become a member at this time. If the status of the group is “Closed,” you will become a member after the administrator of the group accepts you.
Managing Members
If you are the founder or administrator of the group, you can manage members of the group via the “Manage” submenu. If you are the founder of the group, you can promote a member to administrator and demote an administrator to member.
Do you like this plugin?
I hope you will try Acts as Group on your site. I have entered the WordPress Plugin Competition 2009 with this plugin. If you like it, please vote for it on the Competition Blog. I really appreciate your help!
iDeasilo 
21 replies on “Acts as Group”
If you have a question about this plugin, please send it to the support forum.
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great job and nice info for new blogger like me :)
can i embed it out side the Administration Panel?
Currently, no. but it’s possible that future version supports it if many users need it.
I also would like to see this plugin outside the admin area in action.
Okay, I added widget support. Try AAG 1.1.
Nice plugin! Good work.
1 question: how can I add a user to a group;
Thank you. Currenlty, only users can request to join a group. It’s not available now that an admin add/invite users to his group. It’s a to-do for the future version.
I LOVE your plugin. It makes life so much easier when you have to moderate a social network.
From my wishlist:
Please treat the option to send out invitations with high priority. :)
THANKS.
If you upgrade this plugin to operate outside the admin panel, I hope this feature is an option. I prefer to use this plugin for internal communication between authors. Thanks for the plugin. Great Work.
This looks interesting, I am installing it now, and hope it can fill a gap that I have.
great plugin,
I was wondering if able to view and send messages from dashboard
No, but it sounds interesting.
[…] Acts as Group “Acts as Group allows you to create user-groups for any purpose. The plugin provides a Twitter-like messaging interface for groups on the WordPress Administration Panel. Only group members can see the messages.” … erstellt ein eigenes “Groups” – menü in der Menüleiste ganz unten! –> boa! das schaut sehr sehr sehr vielversprechend aus! Dieser Eintrag wurde veröffentlicht in Installation, Prozessdoku, plugin. Bookmarken: Permanent-Link. Kommentieren oder ein Trackback hinterlassen: Trackback-URL. « wpmu premiums plugins – Teil VI […]
So forgive me if this is a dumb question…once you join a group, can you opt to have email notifications sent to you when someone posts a new message to the group?
@Lisa it’s not a dumb question at all. Email notifications are not supported in the current version. I have a plan for adding that.
Good Plugin
I am new to WP. How I can able to integrate in user end. I want user to access from the front end
any updates on this one?
we would the email notify ^___^
Is it possible to download “Act As A Group” on a website, and used independently as a feature for members on a website to create their own groups? Please advise? Many thanks!