Xon User Upgrade Permissions 1.1.0

this is a very specific and powerful add-on from a well-known developer.

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1. What is this Add-on?​

• XenForo 1: The forum software platform (version 1.x series, now End-of-Life).
• Xon-: This is the username of the developer, Xon (Alain P). Xon is one of the most respected and skilled developers in the XenForo community, known for high-quality, stable code.
• UserUpgradePermissions: This is the name of the add-on. It bridges two core XenForo concepts:
  
  • User Upgrades: The paid subscription system (e.g., "Premium Member" upgrade for $5/month).
  • Permissions: The system that controls what users can see and do.
• Version 1.1.0: A specific, mature version of the add-on. It's not an early alpha, but it is still old and unsupported for XF1.

2. Key Features (What it does)​

This add-on solves a common limitation in XenForo 1's core software. By default, when you set up a paid "User Upgrade," it simply adds the user to a new user group. All permissions for that upgrade are managed by that single user group.

This add-on allows for much more granular control. It lets you define specific permissions that are only active while the user has an active paid subscription.

Primary Use Case:

• You have a "Premium Member" subscription.
• You want Premium Members to be able to view a "Premium Downloads" forum.
• Without this add-on: You must give the "Registered" user group permission to view that forum, and then use a "Revoke" permission in the "Premium Member" group to take it away from non-paying users. This is counter-intuitive and can get messy.
• With this add-on: You can grant the "View" permission for the "Premium Downloads" forum directly to the "Premium Member" User Upgrade itself. The permission is only active as long as the subscription is active.

3. Important Warnings & Critical Information​

Warning #1: XenForo 1 is End-of-Life (EOL)​

This is the most critical point. XenForo 1.x is unsupported and contains unpatched security vulnerabilities. Running any add-on on this platform is a risk.

Warning #2: The Add-on is Outdated for XF1, but the Developer is Active​

This is a key difference from the previous add-ons:

• The XF1 version is abandoned. Xon no longer supports or provides updates for his XenForo 1 add-ons.
• However, Xon is an active developer for XenForo 2. He has often ported his most popular and useful add-ons to the new platform.

Risk Assessment:​

This was a well-coded add-on from a top-tier developer. The risk of it having inherent, easy-to-exploit security flaws is lower than with an add-on from an unknown developer. However, the risk is not zero, as any unmaintained code can have undiscovered issues or become incompatible with other system components.

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4. The Modern Solution: Upgrading to XenForo 2​

The correct and secure path is to upgrade to XenForo 2.

1. Upgrade to XenForo 2: Purchase a license and migrate your forum.
2. Check for a XenForo 2 Version: Xon has likely released a version of this add-on for XenForo 2, possibly with a different name or as part of a larger suite. You should search the official XenForo resource manager or Xon's thread for a XF2 version.
3. XenForo 2's Native Improvements: While XF2's core still relies on user groups for upgrade permissions, the add-ons available for it (like a potential XF2 version of this one) are built on a modern, secure, and supported codebase.

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5. If You Insist on Using this Add-on on XF1​

This is highly discouraged for a live site, but if you are running a legacy test site, here is the process.

1. Source the File: You would need to find the official Xon-UserUpgradePermissions-1.1.0.zip file. Since it's from a reputable developer, it's safer than most, but you must ensure you get it from a trustworthy archive.
2. Installation:
   
   • Log in to your XenForo 1 Admin Control Panel (ACP).
   • Go to Add-ons -> Install Add-on.
   • Upload the ZIP file.
3. Configuration:
   
   • After installation, the functionality integrates directly into the existing User Upgrade and Permission systems.
   • Go to Users -> User Upgrades.
   • When you create or edit a User Upgrade, you will see new permission options directly within the upgrade configuration page.
   • You can set specific permissions (e.g., "View node: Premium Downloads") that will be granted only to users with that active upgrade.

Conclusion​

"Xon-UserUpgradePermissions-1.1.0" is a high-quality, specialized add-on from a top developer, but it is for an obsolete and unsafe platform.

• For a live site: Do not use it. The risk of running on XenForo 1 outweighs the benefits. Plan an upgrade to XenForo 2 and search for a modern equivalent.
• Key Takeaway: The reputation of the developer (Xon) matters. It suggests the code was well-written, but it does not negate the fundamental insecurity of the XenForo 1 platform it was built for. The professional solution is always to upgrade and use supported software.