[SOLVED] Common method for 'already read' topics/files for multiple users

[xtopolis]

I was wondering what the most common method is for marking something as read for things such as forum threads.

 

I will be doing a file-cms which will have files that can be seen by multiple users.  They will have the option to mark 'read' so that it doesn't show up again afterwards, unless they manually change the filter to show read.  However, since this file is shared by many users, it has to be user based.

 

My idea was a lookup table, file_id <-> user_id , where I would add an entry when a file is marked read.

 

Is this a good way to approach this topic?

[JasonLewis]

I had the same similar problem. It's a hard subject. But have a read of this topic. It explains a few different methods.

[xtopolis]

excellent reference, that puts things in perspective.

 

Thanks PF