Wordpress: How do I make a login system with users having their own profile and be able to send messages to each other?

Question

I want to create a website with Wordpress with the following features:

• User can register and login
• Users have own profile (profile picture and short info)
• Users can send messages to each other
• Only registered users can post comments
• Only certain users can write posts
• Admins can manage users (delete/edit/create/give permission to post)

Any pointers or help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Most of that is straight out of the box with Wordpress. Care to expand a little bit and we can perhaps suggest some plugins or ways to extend? For example, are you trying to run a facebook style social site, shopping cart, reddit etc..

To clarify further:

User can register and login

Out of the box with Wordpress. To hide the fact that the system is running wordpress have a look at the front end logins which integrate directly with the theme you are currently using. Have a look at Theme My Login

Users have own profile (profile picture and short info)

Again, out of the box. Set "Anyone can register" to true on the Settings page of wp-admin and when a user signs up they'll be asked to fire in profile information (works well with Theme My Login).

Users can send messages to each other

Have a look at this plugin: Cartpauj PM

Only registered users can post comments

Change the "Users must be regisetered and logged in to comment" in Settings->Discussion

Only certain users can write posts

Change the role of users in the admin panel. This in conjunction with front-end editing will allow users to submit posts depending on their role without even seeing the admin panel

Admins can manage users (delete/edit/create/give permission to post)

WP-admin functionality again through users.

Answer 2

try BuddyPress. It's powerful, extensible and will suit your needs nicely.