Perhaps this is what you're looking for...

http://umbraco.org/help-and-support/video-tutorials/umbraco-fundamentals/running-multiple-sites/users-and-permissions

Mind, you'll need an Umbraco TV registration (19€) to watch Umbraco TV tutorials... but in my opinion this is money well spent.  (No I don't get affiliate fees if you sign up.;) )

Happyfanaticsalsero thanks for the suggestion, and I have had a look, but it is not quite what I am looking for (although I am still trying all the options).

I have a customer who needs someone to be able to see what is happening with every node without the ability to change what is on each node or create new nodes.

Regards

TT

Maybe this might help a bit then:

http://our.umbraco.org/projects/backoffice-extensions/attackmonkey-tab-hider

I'm still browsing the projects as I suspect there might be another package that can help you.

/HFS

I can see someone started a project which seems to be related to your requirements... maybe you should get in touch:

http://our.umbraco.org/projects/backoffice-extensions/protected-properties

Happyfanaticsalsero Thanks once again, but this will just hide the tabs.

I need the User to be able to see the whole site, but not to be able to change (or at least save and changes) anything.

Regards

TT

I want to do the same  thing...any solution?

Nick nothing as yet.

I am still looking into this and trying different things.

Regards

TT

Resurrecting a very old thread, but I'm stuck with the same problem, and can't find a resolution. Anyone got any ideas?

Phil

Same issue here. I have experimented with various user permissions, but the only way to allow people within our organization to preview content before it is published is to grant them "Update" rights, which isn't ideal.

A "read only" permission would be a terrific addition to a future upgrade.

+1 I need this too

This issue continues to be a major painpoint in my organization.

In a nutshell, we need a large number of staff to be able to preview saved-but-unpublished content without the ability to edit or save.

Anyone know if it's addressed in the upcoming April 2013 release?

You can roll your own, something like this:

class ApplicationInitializer : ApplicationBase
{
    public ApplicationInitializer ()
    {
        Document.BeforeSave += PreventUnauthorisedChanges;
        Document.BeforePublish += PreventUnauthorisedChanges;
    }

    private void PreventUnauthorisedChanges(Document sender, CancelEventArgs e)
    {
        if (User.GetCurrent().UserType.Alias == "ReadOnly")
        {
            e.Cancel = true;
            //Note: the following does not show when cancelling publish events, instead the standard message shows
            ((BasePage)HttpContext.Current.Handler)
                .speechBubble(BasePage.speechBubbleIcon.error, "Permission Denied",
                              "You do not have permission to edit this item.");

        }
    }
}

Murray,

Thanks so much for the sample. We're going to try it out.

oh, you may need to add unpublish as well.

I need this to - and I've set up a feature request if anybody else wants to vote it up.  http://issues.umbraco.org/issue/U4-2253

is working on a reply...