Allow users to message each other without being trusted contacts

I'd suggest using the core contact form if you wish for people to contact each other. The trusted contacts system is basically meant to replicate facebook's friends system, where a two-way stream of information can be formed.

If all you need is email, then you can disable trusted contacts. Additionally, i think it'd be cool if there was a message button where it says to add a trusted contact.

Thanks for the feature request, BetaTheta!

Re-titling the issue to more closely match what it seems like you're asking for. This isn't something we're explicitly currently planning to develop within the Acquia roadmap, but it's a feature that we'd be happy to see integrated (eg, by reviewing someone's patch to make it happen).

If you're interested in filing a patch, we'd be happy to help by reviewing and providing feedback.

One short-term option would be to disable the Commons Trusted Contacts module and enable only the Privatemsg module. I'm not sure how much of the themeing it would inherit for from the Trusted Contacts module, but it's worth trying and sharing your results here.

Attached patch adds a configurable boolean option 'commons_trusted_contacts_restrict_messaging' (default to TRUE/1). If set to FALSE (or 0), Commons will no longer restrict messaging and always show the "Message" link, unless the user has been blocked (relevant: #2053957: No place in the UI to un-ignore ignored trusted contact requests, no warning of this).

I haven't yet added a UI for toggling the option yet, but it can be done so using Drush or a module like variable_admin.

Looks good to me! I did a re-roll to add the setting to the Account Settings page where we have some other trusted contacts options. Perhaps Ezra or Devin can verify before we put it in.

Also reverse the variable to be an optional added feature instead of something you'd have to explicitly turn off to disable.

Marking on the 3.12 radar ready to be reviewed to commit!

Committed!

I just had to post a huge thank you for this feature add before the issue gets closed. We're going to use Commons for our volunteer group, and I wanted exactly this - to be able to message other authenticated users regardless of "trusted" status. +1000!!

Quick note: I'm patching up my Commons install to the latest releases and noticed that hook_uninstall() still references my variable name commons_trusted_contacts_global_messaging but the current one is commons_trusted_contacts_global_messaging... I can start a new issue if you'd prefer to handle it there.