User levels and subscriptions

Rails
1

Hi everybody,

I am working on a new project which would allow people to register as a
guest, with the option of also subscribing (paying) to get extra
features. I wondered if anyone had done something like this before?

I kindof understand the authentication part, but I am unsure how to
tie-in the option of subscribing and in effect ‘unlocking’ extra
features - for example, allowing the user to store more private messages
etc.

If you know of some tutorials or if you can offer any tips, then that
would be great.

Thanks,
Neil.

2

Hi Neil,

Check out the role-based authentication plugin.

Or you can put something together yourself pretty easy. Just create a
model called Role, add a has_one to your user model. The Role model
(heh) will hold info about permissions.

Cheers
Starr

3

Neil B. wrote:

Hi everybody,

I am working on a new project which would allow people to register as a
guest, with the option of also subscribing (paying) to get extra
features. I wondered if anyone had done something like this before?

I have used the ActiveRBAC engine (role based access controll) to do
this with my site.

My Account model has methods such as upgrade! and downgrade! (for
cancels or billing failures) which add or delete Roles from the User as
appropriate.

On the whole, ActiveRBAC is good and I have even posted a handy method
for protecting your controllers and actions without a lot of code
polluting your controllers. Search the arbac email list for it.

I found that the login functionality needs considerable modification for
a commerical site though. Usability is key.

Steven

4

Hey Steven,

Thanks for the heads up for ActiveRBAC. This looks exactly like the type
of thing I have been looking for with subscriber roles.

I will definitely have a search for your method for protecting the
controllers.

Neil.