It would be a good feature if members them selfs could close or delete there account.

just an idea?

under the userCP

Sorry, no, I dislike this idea.

Spammers would have a field day with this as they could join, spam, delete account.

Someone could hack someone elses account and close/delete it and would cause more frustration for the admin in trying to fix things.

I just don't see it having any benefits as a pre-included feature. Better off as an application to add in later.

Sorry, no, I dislike this idea.

Spammers would have a field day with this as they could join, spam, delete account.

Someone could hack someone elses account and close/delete it and would cause more frustration for the admin in trying to fix things.

I just don't see it having any benefits as a pre-included feature. Better off as an application to add in later.

Your right never thought of that! >_<

I want this as a pre-included feature. I would like my members to be able to submit a close account request that per admin CP will allow either auto-deletion, or admin by drop down menu (like validating) approve or disaprove the request.

I think this option should allow for check boxes that request all posts by member be deleted, and a box that states reason. All submitted and email sent to admin very similar to registration emails.

Possibly even a section in members for "retired" accounts or something similar where members who request account closure can have (if desired) goodbye messages or private messages to be sent to their email address. The "retired" accounts can be located in the members section.

I want this as a pre-included feature. I would like my members to be able to submit a close account request that per admin CP will allow either auto-deletion, or admin by drop down menu (like validating) approve or disaprove the request.

I can't think of many sites that would make use of this. I seriously doubt that NBC or Nvidia would use it, as it would open their boards up for abuse and there are many sites that keep all posts (except possibly spam), even if they have had to ban a member. Most places that keep all posts are going to keep the member account associated with it to be able to easily find other posts, etc.

It's better off as an add-on application. I'm not against the concept being made available, just thinking of the big picture. On the unlikely chance that it were to get included, obviously I'd hope that it's completely optional (ie, admin decides if it's available for use or not). I doubt that it'll be added though.

Right, completely configurable in the admin cp, by no means do I think it should be mandatory.

Maybe its an idea for them to set the account completely from the front end. While admins can still trace it in the admincp or view the orginal owner/logs of the post. I find the ability for members to become delete required however it may not has any unwanted consequences to delete traces so I guess this is a nice compromise :)

Isn't it easier, if someone doesn't want to be a member of the community anymore, to just ... stop visiting?

Maybe for some Charles, but I prefer the ability to close an account that I will not be using, and I prefer my members to be able to do the same.

I guess in my world "closing" an account is as simple as me logging out and never logging back into it again.

I still think this would be better as an add-on, because then for the few boards that want to support such a feature, they could allow a member to either delete their account, put in a deletion request, put in a request to disable/deactivate their account, etc.

The benefit of disabling/deactivating is that it could be reinstated at a later time, in the meanwhile, it's protected from unauthorized use. However, I for the few boards that would actually have it, I doubt many will return to the site to delete/disable/deactivate/close their account as opposed to just not returning at all.

Remember that everyone has different needs.

Isn't it easier, if someone doesn't want to be a member of the community anymore, to just ... stop visiting?

There is a law in my country to give the users the right to delete their account information. I get several emails from members to close their accounts.

there are many sites that keep all posts (except possibly spam), even if they have had to ban a member. Most places that keep all posts are going to keep the member account associated with it to be able to easily find other posts, etc.

One of our members was just banned and requests that his account is closed and all his posts deleted. I have no problem with deleting the account (tho as Wolfie says it helps when finding posts) but I don't see why posts should be deleted. What you've posted stays, or don't post in the first place. Discussions will become incoherent if posts are missing and there would be quotes in other ppl's posts anyway.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone have specific rules on their forum about this?

One of our members was just banned and requests that his account is closed and all his posts deleted. I have no problem with deleting the account (tho as Wolfie says it helps when finding posts) but I don't see why posts should be deleted. What you've posted stays, or don't post in the first place. Discussions will become incoherent if posts are missing and there would be quotes in other ppl's posts anyway.

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone have specific rules on their forum about this?

On my sites, when someone joins, the Terms of Service basically associate me as being 'god' of my site. Not that I abuse any power, but up front it lets the person know that they are guests on my site, not owners, and to not act like a-holes. As far as memberships are concerned, if there's even 1 post, the account is never deleted. All spam posts are put into the trashcan and kept there as a record. If ever needed, I can look at all the posts, etc and get a collection of IP's that have only produced spam if I feel that some n00b is trying to join my board just to spam it. If it's a long time member (before my board had a DB crash) then I keep their account even if it says 0 posts. But after that, if someone has an account with 0 posts and their email starts bouncing, it gets deleted.