Specify USER_ID range for each ROLE in wordpress

I don’t think it’s a good idea to override the WP auto-assigned user IDs. It may not even be possible. Sure, you could directly send an UPDATE query to assign a new ID, but you’d have to be sure to change all such related IDs everywhere in the DB. I’m not convinced this can be reliably done.

If you really must have sequential IDs, I recommend you maintain your own set of IDs separate from the WP user IDs. Call them “member_id” or something to prevent confusion. To determine the next available member_id in a range, query for that range, but order descending and limit 1. The member_id returned will be the highest assigned in the range, just increment by 1 for the new member_id.

Are you sure you really need ID ranges and sequential IDs? This sounds like a human sense of order which has no meaning in a SQL database. The fewer arbitrary constraints in the data, the better off you are. Why does a certain role require a certain ID range. Isn’t the fact a user has this role enough?

I do understand this would make it easier for you to list download links. If you were doing so manually, I get it. But if the list is generated by script, I don’t see the point. The script can just as easily list randomly assigned links as sequential links.

I’ll help you do what ever you want, but I think you should revisit your organization scheme, it seems more constrained than it needs to be. If you are willing to describe what you are actually trying to do, I may be able to suggest a good approach from a DB perspective, not a human perspective. Only if you’re willing though, no pressure.

(Ross, thanks for chipping in – 2 heads are better than one 🙂 )
Julie,
Manually place 1500 links?!! Oh my, that alone calls for a script. You don’t code at all, correct? That would be fine, it’s just that most people who post in this sub-forum have at least some coding aptitude. I’m just trying to assess who I’m dealing with.

I think your main organizational component should be the file resources, as you suggested, separate folders for the various levels. Additionally, the file resources should be sequentially numbered. If that’s impossible, a lookup table would be needed to keep track of what comes after what.

Then each user’s level and where they are at in the sequence (a “bookmark” let’s say) could be simply maintained in user meta. Your page template that offers the next download for any particular user can easily determine what’s next from the level and bookmark alone.

Because the downloads have intrinsic value, security is very important. It’s critical no one can access a file who does not have permission. It’s also important for those that do have permission to be able to access their resource without any glitches. The two goals are often at odds.

The download permission aspect, as well as collecting payments can be handled by some sort of e-commerce plugin. WooCommerce is very popular (not an endorsement, just saying) and it does have a download component. It’s more of a browse for what you want, then buy it sort of approach. It may be overkill for your needs. There should be other options available.

What ever plugin you decide on, there will be some aspect requiring some custom coding. You can easily hire someone to do this for you. While it’s too much to expect a freebie code out of these forums, I don’t see this being a big project either. It should be money well spent.

It’s not allowed to solicit or offer paid work in these forums, but there are other sites that are specifically for this. You could try starting with http://jobs.wordpress.net/ . Whoever you end up hiring could likely have a different approach in mind than I have. There’s a number of valid approaches. It’s best to take the advice of the person to whom you’re paying due to their expertise.

Message sent yesterday, subject is the same as this thread. If you’re not seeing it, check your spam folder. If you just haven’t gotten around to replying, don’t worry, no rush.