Downloading Privileges

Good morning.
Please forgive me if this query has been asked and answered previously. I am new here.

I've recently opened a new forum and can not figure out how to accomplish this ...
I would like for all visitors and members to be able to read every topic.
I would like for only members to be able to post responses.
Most importantly, I wish to set it up where only members can download the creations I offer at Sugah's Place.

Can you tell me how to accomplish this properly?
I am assuming I must go to the Admin Panel and access the Permissions section,
but I can not quite figure out how to have MEMBERS ONLY access the downloads.

Thank you, in advance, for the help.

Forumotion doesn't allow download, you may upload to a download host and give the link.

Oh, I realize that.
I'm sorry. I should have specified more clearly.
I have all of my downloads at Sugah's Place uploaded to a file host (mediafire).

Is there a way I can accomplish MEMBERS ONLY download privileges still?

Also, it has been brought to my attention that my members can not PM me, unless I PM them first.
I went to the Admin Panel > General > Messages & Email > Private Msgs > ENABLED
but the issue seems to still exist.

Am I missing something else? Thanks for your prompt response.

You can do the following code [hide ]message[/hide] till they post in that topic.

**Without the space in the hide code**

Do you have a icon on your profile that says PM?

Forgive me, Mr. Mario. I can't get my mind wrapped around what you are telling me.

You can do the following code [hide ]message[/hide] till they post in that topic.
**Without the space in the hide code**

Where do I place that hide code exactly? Can you walk me through it from start to finish? I'd truly appreciate it.

In a post you type

Code:

[hide] what ever you want here[/hide]

Oh, I see. In other words, I would put the HIDE code where my Download url/image is.
What I would have to do is put a notice in the forum, then, to let folks know they must be members in order to have the privilege of downloading (therefore SEEING the url/img to do so). This way, they know to register to access the downloads.

Correct?

Do you have a icon on your profile that says PM?

Where exactly ... what section, in other words ... of profile would that be???

They must post in that topic to be allowed to see it.

Your Profile

I don't know that I DO have a PM icon on my profile.

This is my website. Can you determine what might be amiss?
No one can send PMs, and I have that feature enabled in the Admin Panel.

I would appreciate any help you could offer, Mr. Mario.
Thanks so much.

You somehow turned your PM off.

Go to Admin Panel>>user & groups>>Search User>>Click on your username>>Go all the way down till you see PM and click yes>>Save

To see if a user has it off go to their profile>>Click on Contact and you will see a icon or no icon.

Go to Admin Panel>>user & groups>>Search User>>Click on your username>>Go all the way down till you see PM and click yes>>Save

Okay, I got as far as "Click on your username" ... then when I scrolled down,
I didn't find PM (per se). Which section is it under?
Cause I've looked under ALL of them and can not find anything that seems amiss.

Thanks!

It is under Special admin-only fields

Can send Private Messages :>>Yes>>save

I thought that's what you meant.
It was already checked YES. I hit SAVE again, just in case.

I checked my members and theirs was checked YES as well.

Could it be something else?

I see that you don't have a Icon for the PM.

You will need to request or find a button to put it in Admin Panel>>Display tab>>Pic Management>>Advanced Mode>>Buttons Tab>>Look for Private Message :Add the url>>save

Hey, maybe the missing icon is the issue.
Let me check that out and I'll get back with you.

Thanks, Mario!

[added later @ 2:20pm cst]

Okay, I've added a PM button/icon.
I've asked one of my members to go to my Profile > Contact > and then the PM icon to send me a private message.

Hopefully, this solves the problem.

Mario, thank you so much for sticking with me through all of this.

The missing button/icon for PMing, was the problem.
My friend tested PMing me, once I added the button and VOILA! Success!!!

The Profile and Email buttons were missing as well, so I went ahead and
created/added them as well, to be on the safe side.

You've been great and I appreciate all of your help.