In the article about Managing comments, we introduced the basic options for managing comments in Piwigo. But there are several plugins that allow you to go further: in this article, we are going over these options.
Comment formatting options
BBCode Bar: Adding a tool bar to format comments
If you want users to be able to format their comments (bold text, italic text, bullet points...), simply install the BBCode Bar plugin.
This plugin lets you display a formatting bar in the comment window. You can choose whether or not to activate the options.
Smilies Support: Adding emotes in comments
If you want users to be able to add emotes in comments, simply install the Smilies Support plugin.
This plugin lets you choose a set of emotes to add to your gallery. When entering their comment, the user can choose an emote in the list.
Subscribe to Comments: Enable notifications for anyone when new comments are posted
If you want a user (other than an administrator) to be able to get notified when a new comment is posted, simply install the Subscribe to Comments plugin.
Once this plugin has been activated, when typing a comment, a user will be able to choose to get notified:
- When a new comment will be posted on this photo (this equals subscribing to this photo's comments);
- When a new comment will be posted on a photo from the same album
- When a new comment will be posted on the site
A user can totally subscribe to comments without typing any comment themselves: to do this, simply click on "Subscribe without commenting".
When a person is subscribed to comments, they receive an email as shown below for every new comment. From this email, it is possible to click on the image to see the photo, to unsubscribe from this photo's comments, and to manage all comment subscriptions.
Avoiding spam in the comments
Sadly, comment input areas are often popular among spam robots. Sometimes, it is therefore necessary to set up preventive actions to avoid spam.
Several plugins allow you to control comment input in Piwigo.
Comments Blacklist: Banning certain words from comments
To set a list of banned words in the comments, you can install the Comments Blacklist plugin.
This plugin lets you enter a list of banned words. If a comment containing these words is written, its publishing will either be blocked or subjected to moderation (depending on your choice).
This allows you to ban words that are often used in "spam" comments, but also to avoid rude, offensive or inappropriate comments.
Crypto Captcha: Adding a Captcha in the comment area
To add a Captcha to the comment input form, you can install the Crypto Captcha plugin.
This plugin forces users to enter a Captcha before approving a comment. This Captcha can also be added to the new user creation form, in order to avoid creating "fake accounts".
Several options are available to set up your Captcha.
RV Akismet: Monitoring comments with Akismet
You can use the Askimet online service, a reference in the field, to make sure comments that are entered in your gallery aren't spam.
To do this, simply install the RV Akismet plugin.
Once the plugin has been activated, you need to create an Akismet account: this will give you access to an API key that you will need to enter in the plugin's configuration.
The plugin gives you a choice between two options:
- Rejecting all comments flagged as spam by Akismet
- Moderating comments flagged as spam by Akismet (meaning, subjecting them to approval before posting).
Comments on Albums: Allowing comments on Album pages
By default, Piwigo manages comments on photo pages.
However, if you want, you can also activate a comment area on Album pages.
To do this, simply activate the Comments on Albums plugin.
Once this plugin has been activated, it adds a comment input window on the album pages in your gallery.
The comments on album pages are subjected to the same rules and the same settings as photo comments.
Once this plugin has been activated, an Albums tab is added:
- on the comment management page in the administration
- on the listing page that lists comments in the gallery
Article summary
- Comment formatting options
- BBCode Bar: Adding a tool bar to format comments
- Smilies Support: Adding emotes in comments
- Subscribe to Comments: Enable notifications for anyone when new comments are posted
- Avoiding spam in the comments
- Comments Blacklist: Banning certain words from comments
- Crypto Captcha: Adding a Captcha in the comment area
- RV Akismet: Monitoring comments with Akismet
- Comments on Albums: Allowing comments on Album pages
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Managing comments