Would you like / use 'private groups' please read and vote.

[admin (Simon W)]

Would you be interested in a 'Groups' section on the PMC? 

The Social Groups application allows for the creation of special interest oriented groups on your website. The basic idea behind the app is very similar to the groups system on Facebook, but it expands upon the idea to provide more features than a simple Facebook group page.

Noteworthy Features:

Unlimited Extensibility - With the complete rewrite of the application software, groups can now leverage and import 3rd party addon functions, providing an unlimited choice of unique group functions.  

Addon Page Feature - This new functionality allows groups to use their main landing page as a dashboard or portal and offer additional pages for FAQ’s, About Us, Game Score Summaries, Blogging, and Galleries, as just a few ideas. The possibilities are endless through the Addon system.

Page Layout Tools - Every page in a group has extensive layout possibilities, with the ability to add an unlimited number of rows using 6 different layout configurations.

Member Created - Group creation and administration is done by fully paid members, so there is no need for site admin to constantly intervene to keep the groups running smoothly.

Group Visibility - There are two different privacy levels (Public and Hidden) which let the groups be used for a range of activities. From a public group for your own personal fan club to a maximum-security hidden group for your evil plot to take over the world, the choice is yours!

Group Customization - Allows groups extensive unique customization by providing the ability to feature customized layouts with self-selected functions, individual logos, themes, and banners.

Invitations - Want to show off your fancy new group to all of your friends? You can send them all an invite to make sure that they don't miss out! 

Social Sharing - Share your groups using a variety of social media share buttons.

Mass Messaging - Need to get a message out to all of the members of your group quickly? Well, you now can send them all a Mass Private Message to ensure that they are aware of all of the happenings within your group.

Unique Forum with Sub-forum Functionality - Each time a group is added, a matching forum is also created. Group Admins have the ability to control permissions for this forum based on whether or not people are a member of the group. You can also create separate, private access sub-forums for group ranks such as staff members. You can control how group forums appear in the forum index. Each group forum features the group's sidebar navigation and personalized header.

Group News - Groups are able to add news topics to their group portal to make sure the latest happenings are always visible to their members.

Member Control - Group admins are able to control and create an unlimited number of group member ranks to provide tailored functionality for different features of the group. A robust banning feature helps to ban those pesky troublemakers from a group to keep things civilized. 

Please use the vote to give me an idea of the response to this option. 

Many Thanks

Simon W.