On Jun 21, 2018, at 12:24 PM, Bruce Bowman <bruce.bowman@...> wrote:
There is already a Directory on/off setting. I think what you're asking for is a three-way decision: Completely Off, Forced On, and User Opt In. And in your [proposed] Forced On version, everyone would have an entry in the Directory, whether they establish a profile or not. This notion kinda violates the "spirit" of the Directory as an index of user profiles, but I can see no obvious reason why this third option shouldn't be made available.
Assuming we're still on the same page, keep in mind that both the Display Name and the User Name are optional fields, along with everything else in the profile. If was possible to force people into the Directory and nothing is populated, it will display their email address. Since this is not much different from the existing Members List, you might want to consider making that available to subscribers instead. See Admin->Settings->Privacy->Members Visible.
I believe every member should be in the Directory, and that every member should be able to send a direct message to anyone through the Directory. The sender's email address will be revealed, but the receiver's will not. Receivers should then be able to block future messages from any sender of a Directory-sent message as an option in that message and the Blocked sender should receive a Blocked notification so that they know their message was received but no future messages will be accepted.
There could be a field (displaying their email address) in the joining process with the instruction that it will be their Group Members' only Directory listing unless the prospective member changes it to their "First and Last Name", "Display Name", or "User Name" (group Owner's choice); and if not changed that will be their email address. The word ¡°Directory¡± would be a clickable link that would explain what the Directory is and how it works, with a picture what the Directory looks like.
Michael Pavan