Add the ability to show logged-in users in Specify 7

[grantfitzsimmons]

This feature is available in S6, from the top menu option 'System' > 'Schema Configuration':
A popup menu appears, titled 'Other users are logged on'

For context, we are trying to troubleshoot a long-running query. In order to better understand how this operation is starting, it would be helpful to know which users are logged onto the system at the time.

Requested by: Garth at the University of Michigan

There must be an issue already for this, so please close it as a duplicate if/when you find the original.

[maxpatiiuk]

I don't think we have an issue for this. I also don't think we can do this without a schema change.

Also, unlike in sp6, where there is only one instance open at one point, and it explicitly tells the database when it disconnects, there could be multiple browser tabs open. There is a way to execute code (like a network request to the back-end API) the moment before the tab is closed, but that is not working reliably in all cases (i.e, imagine closing the browser on ios, or loosing network connection) and would require additional logic for when there are multiple tabs, or multiple browsers or multiple devices logged in to same user.

The simplest solution would be to have back-end update some sort of "Last online" column any time front-end requests notifications (since that request is sent regularly, and only while the tab is open). Then, we could say if "Last online" column value is within the last 5 minutes, then consider the user to be online

[grantfitzsimmons]

The simplest solution would be to have back-end update some sort of "Last online" column any time front-end requests notifications (since that request is sent regularly, and only while the tab is open). Then, we could say if "Last online" column value is within the last 5 minutes, then consider the user to be online

I think that's a wonderful idea.

[grantfitzsimmons]

Thanks for looking into this one for us. This would be a useful feature to have for troubleshooting.
Otherwise, we're left polling the users and searching the audit logs when things go wrong and trying to figure out what happened.

[specifysoftware]

This issue has been mentioned on Specify Community Forum. There might be relevant details there:

https://discourse.specifysoftware.org/t/online-user-status-in-specify-7/2093/2

[grantfitzsimmons]

From Philippe Verley at IRD:

I still have a limited understanding of the Specify-7 server architecture 👶

❓ would it be possible to show in Security and Accounts page, next to the users, who is:

🟢 logged-in and active
🟡 logged-in but inactive
⚫ logged-off
Related to the Maintenance mode request, I would find it useful as an Institution admin to know at a glance the activity on the system (for instance whether it is a good time to launch an update, a backup, a clean-up, etc.)

+1 from Heryk as well