BuddyPress
BuddyPress is a suite of WordPress plugins and themes, each adding a distinct new feature. BuddyPress contains all the features you’d expect from WordPress but aims to let members socially interact.
All BuddyPress plugins can be themed to match your own style, in just the same way as a WordPress blog. The BuddyPress plugins are bundled with a default theme to get you going out of the box.
As all BuddyPress plugins are independant, they can be used in two different ways. All of the plugins could be used to create a complete social network from scratch, or you could use specific plugins to add desirable features to your existing blog network.
Features
- Extended Profiles – The extended profile component allows site admins to create specific profile fields for site members to fill in. The type of field can be set (such as text box, date selector, radio buttons etc) and profile fields can then be grouped. When BuddyPress is first installed, a “Basic” group is created with “First Name”, “Last Name” and a profile picture upload option. These fields cannot be modified or removed as they make up the base of a member’s profile. The site admin can add fields to this Basic group. Any fields that are in this group will appear on the signup page when a member registers. By doing this, new members can partially fill in their profile and be ready to go upon first login.
- Private Messaging – BuddyPress private messaging works like internal site email. Members can message people on their friends list as well as forward and reply to received messages.
- Friends – Members of a BuddyPress enabled installation can be connected together by one member adding another as a “friend” and then the other member accepting the friendship request. Each member has a visible list of their friends on the site. Friends lists are browsable and members can click on each friend to see more information – or add them as their own friend. Profiles are not restricted as a whole.
- Groups – Groups in BuddyPress are a gathering of members, blog posts, photos and any other user generated content. Any member can create a group in BuddyPress. They then become the group administrator giving them heightened privileges within that group.
- The Wire – The wire is a place where friends and other members can come along and post messages to a specific piece of content within a BuddyPress installation. The wire will work with any component within BuddyPress, custom or official. For example, within the official components explained on this page – profiles and groups use the wire component. This allows members to post on other members profiles or leave messages for other group members.
- Activity Streams – Allowing multiple blogs and multiple users per blog is a key feature to WordPress MU. BuddyPress preserves this functionality. The blogs component will aggregate all blogs, blog posts and comments for a member across the entire installation. This means other members can easily find all blogs that a member belongs to or owns, as well as their recent posts and comments.
- Forums – The forums component allows groups to create and manage their own bbPress forum. Group members can post and reply to topics all from within the group’s page. Forums are not specifically tied to groups, they are generic, just like the wire. Forums can be attached to any content within an installation. This means third party plugins and new components can make use of the forums component in the future.