Automatically Close Old Threads After X Days

[echamberlain]

This product will automatically close threads. Administrators have the option of setting the number of days until a thread closes, including or excluding sticky threads, and including or excluding forums by ID.

Threads can be closed X days after the thread was created or X days after the last post.

See this product in action on the Voxilla Forums (http://forum.voxilla.com/).

Installation

Close Old Threads installs from a single XML file, no other file uploads are necessary.

The installation process automatically creates a php file in the cron folder, therefor the cron folder must be writeable by vBulletin.

You may need to chmod the includes/cron folder to 777 before installation and back (note your settings) after installation is complete.

The installer then creates a daily cron job.

Close Old Threads is inactive upon installation and must be configured and enabled from the vBulletin Options menu. See the attached screen shot for a sample.


Update

1.1 Administrators can now select all forums, or a subset of forums for inclusion or exclusion. The previous version only had options for all forums and an exclusion list.

[CompuJonathan]

When trying to install, all I get is:

Error opening file to writing

Also, will this work with 3.6.1?

[CompuJonathan]

I was able to fix the error by CHMOD includes/cron/ to 777 - I am testing it with 3.6.1 now. :)

[redstaing.net]

hi i have installa it but ican not found it under my admincp ?

[CompuJonathan]

*Update: Seems to be working fine with 3.6.1

Thanks!

[redstaing.net]

i have installa it and change many style in the my vb helleo man

[echamberlain]

It should work on 3.6.1. I'm using 3.6.2, so I didn't want to make any claims without knowing it would work.

[Nobi]

can we let it work only for certain forums ?

[EasyTarget]

/me installs

[TheComputerGuy]

Nobi...awesome idea!

I like this in general too!

[radarhunter]

can u please add sumthing else to it

like posts in a particular section being closed

not every section`s posts

[echamberlain]

What do you mean by section?

If you want to limit Close Old Threads to a subset of forums, enter the forum ID's to exclude in the control panel settings page.

[radarhunter]

i mean for people who have around 20 sections and in one section around 2-4 sub-sections
for them it`s hard to exclude everything

[lazyseller]

if u have 100 forums and u only want to close 1. You have to input 9 forumid's

[radarhunter]

heh heh not 9 , 99

so it`s kindda though can`t we have sumthin` like in choosing wtever we want and whatever we don`t want to close that

i have attached a pic of what i mean .........

[echamberlain]

Good point.

I've got some other work to do today, but if I get some time tonight or tomorrow, I will modify the hack to: include the listed forum IDs, exclude the listed forum IDs, or All forums.

[radarhunter]

thanks in advance

[nasser71]

gr8 jop m8
thanks alot

[echamberlain]

I released version 1.1 with support for including a subset of forums.

[PIKenPIK]

I released version 1.1 with support for including a subset of forums.

TY .. was really waiting for this one ..

but with importing from my C-drive i get in 3.6.2 the message

Error opening file to writing

[echamberlain]

vBulletin needs to be able to write the close_old_threads.php file to the includes/cron directory.

[ymy]

if I change cron permission directory.

There is any problem with Vb secure?

thanks

[transitbus]

This is a great mod.

I would suggest to include in the documentation the need to chmod the cron folder to 777 before installation and back (755) after. This will avoid confusion.

I would also like to suggest a listing like what radarhunter suggested. Certain CMPS modules have this for example. You have a list of forums and can ctrl click to select multiple ones. Would make it a lot easier than having to find forum id's.

[ymy]

This is a great mod.

I would suggest to include in the documentation the need to chmod the cron folder to 777 before installation and back (755) after. This will avoid confusion.

Thanks transitbus :knockedout:

[Greek Wizard]

Strange not to see this as a feature already built into vB.

The RSS function allows for those posts to be locked after a time set by an Admin so i can't understand why it was not expanded to regular posts.

I will try this out later I guess.

thanks.

[radarhunter]

thanks a lot man

[Capper5016]

Working on 3.6.3

[aquariumpros]

Installed and working great on security patched 3.6.2

Thanks - really needed this!! :)

[redstaing.net]

working with 3.6.3.
????????????????????????????

[eclectica]

Maybe you should add a feature where people can reopen those closed threads in case the admin changes his/her mind about the settings.

[echamberlain]

Close Theads works with 3.6.3.

@eclectica - Since Close Threads doesn't track what threads it cloeses, it would be significant work to add that capability. I either use the vBulletin thread management tools or update the database records directly to bulk unclose threads.

[misticjeff]

Hi,

Great work...

I need to be able to close a thread after the first post is made. Can this be implemented into this mod easily or is there another mod out there that will do what I need??

Thanks

Jeff

[Cheertobi]

Hi,

is there a way that threads are not closed, but deleted in some forums?!

Regards,

Tobi

[EdQ]

Is there a way to make the thread close by the amount of posts instead of time?

[misticjeff]

bumpity, bump... sorry mods/admins but need an answer on this one

[projectego]

* projectego clicks install ;)

[echamberlain]

This mod will not delete posts or close after so many posts.

Closing threads after x posts, would take significant changes to the operation and flow of this mod.

I also have a need for a mod to delete threads after so many days and will probably write a new mod, if I can't find one.

[EdQ]

This mod will not delete posts or close after so many posts.

Closing threads after x posts, would take significant changes to the operation and flow of this mod.



I would be interested in one. Some threads grow faster than others. Thanks.

[marsauae.com]

its not working on 3.6.4

Importing Product, Please Wait...

[:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::]

Error opening

[Cocko]

after users replied to years old threads while thinking its actual

hack installed (vb 3.6.4).
running. thanx a lot!

[Xoligy]

Great idea. I noticed a request to unsticky topics after X days. If you're looking to expand it, that's something you could consider ;)

[The Finman]

I also have a need for a mod to delete threads after so many days and will probably write a new mod, if I can't find one.

Yeah!...that's the one I'm looking for! http://www.ronaldreagan.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbs_up.gif

I like my RSS bots, but the clutter of the threads they post is annoying to me and my members.

I know that there already is a feature that will close the threads posted by the bots after so many days, but having them deleted if not reponded to would be awesome! http://www.ronaldreagan.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Amenadiel]

Installed, this was perfect for a couple of trolls that used to revive old threads just for fun.

[dilbert]

Did 1.0 work with 3.6.0?
I see now I need to be at least 3.6.1, I don't want to upgrade at this point.

[TrIn@dOr]

all ok with 3.6.4, thanks.

[Red Spider]

IM having a problem running this script:

vB 3.6.4

MySQL Error : You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near ') AND lastpost <= 1164632039' at line 3
Error Number : 1064
Date : Wednesday, December 27th 2006 @ 12:53:59 PM

[Spiffware]

heres a suggestion for upcomming releases. add a user option when the user creats the thread they have the option to have it close afterX days. instead of having it done by admin.

[Smoothie]

heres a suggestion for upcomming releases. add a user option when the user creats the thread they have the option to have it close afterX days. instead of having it done by admin.
Negative on that idea.....

[R M 4 E V E R]

that's a great product dude

but i keep getting this error when trying to import it

Error opening file to writing

using 3.6.4 :)

i've opened the xml file and found the php files in cron

if i copied that code and created the file manually and removed the code from xml

would it work ?

[echamberlain]

that's a great product dude

but i keep getting this error when trying to import it

Error opening file to writing

using 3.6.4 :)

i've opened the xml file and found the php files in cron

if i copied that code and created the file manually and removed the code from xml

would it work ?

vBulletin (apache) needs permission to write to the vBulletin directory.

[R M 4 E V E R]

hmmm

so just chmod that dir with 777

i'll try

thanks for fast support ;)

[R M 4 E V E R]

that worked very well :)

i'll translate this product to arabic and post it in arabic vBulletin web sites with ur copyright not removed

installed hit and product nominated for MOTM

thanks again :)

[KURTZ]

reserved for future use by new developmets :)

only a question:

it's possible make that an admin or a (category) mod post automatically with a default message that to inform the reason of the lock? i think this is a better way than "only" lock a thread ...

take this with a suggestion :) always if it is possible to make this ;)

[michael_S]

Working great on 3.6.4 for me... This is exactly what I needed!

[osso12]

Working great on 3.6.4 for me... This is exactly what I needed!

Not working with 3.6.4 for me...:confused:
I cmod every file and folder in both includes, and cron directory...
error uploading file to writing......
so...as far as vb being able to write to the "vb directory" not sure what that is..
Unless he was talking about the root...where the forum is installed, in that case, all folders are cmod 777..
nothing works....error uploading file to writing......
even if you try to manually import the file from /includes/xml/vox_close_old_threads_1[1].1.xml
what next? :confused:

[osso12]

anyone??

[michael_S]

You need to chmod 777 the cron directory as it needs to write to it. Once installation is complete, you can chmod the cron directory back to 755 or 644...

[osso12]

You need to chmod 777 the cron directory as it needs to write to it. Once installation is complete, you can chmod the cron directory back to 755 or 644...

Thanks...
but as I already stated above " cmod every file and folder in both includes, and cron directory...
error uploading file to writing......"

[osso12]

*Bump*
this is odd...
I did chmod everything using CPANEL in the file manager..
everything to 777...
still did not work..
so I thought "what the hell?"
so i went back with a ftp client, (wsftp) and did a chmod 777 and for some strange reason it worked that way...
usually if you try to cmod with an ftp tool it wont work or its temporal..
so thanks guys...
just remember that one if yall have the same issue, use and ftp tool direct to the folder in question to chmod.
Problem finally solved.

[osso12]

i say its solved..but does not appear to be working..
its intalled now, but when I checked the options in acp..
set to close threads 90 after last post...
went back to the forum for review, and the mod does not appear to be working...
No threads are closed at all.
any clue?
Thanks

[taydu]

Great mod,

can I make a few requests :)

1. different close period for different group users
i.e. All non stick post, posted by Admin in assigned forum (1, 2, 5, 10 ..) will be be close after X day after first post or last replỵ

............ by Super Mod ........ will be close after Y ....

............ by Mod ........ after Z day ........

............ by all other groups .... after XY day ....

2. Send notify PM/E-mail to the thread creator X day prior to closing. In the body should include the link to the thread.

That's all,

Thanks, once again great hack

[michael_S]

Thanks...
but as I already stated above " cmod every file and folder in both includes, and cron directory...
error uploading file to writing......"

That means you didn't really chmod to 777.

You should never use a web based file manager to modify permissions. It runs as a different user and will not have privileges to modify your files. That is why it never worked for you.

Using an ftp client or ssh client to change the permissions is the only way you should do it.

Next, in order for the threads to be closed, you have to run the scheduled job in the admin either by letting the cron run, or by manually running it.

[osso12]

it all works now, and finally started working finally.
Thanks...

[MissKalunji]

this doesnt work for 3.6.0?

[osso12]

this doesnt work for 3.6.0?

This works for 3.6.4

[marsauae.com]

If allowed for the issuance want 3.6.4

[flindersredclaw]

This works for 3.6.4

Did nothing at first then I went into scheduled tasks and run the cron and all is great

Works on 3.6.4 no doubt

Thank you.

[Silverstangs]

I installed it, but as some else said....

This is a great mod.
I would suggest to include in the documentation the need to chmod the cron folder to 777 before installation and back (755) after. This will avoid confusion.


So please update your instructions uptop. It will avoid unexpected issue.
I am running vb 3.6.4 with vBadvanced CMPS v2.2.1 (vB 3.6) installed, just incase someone wanted to know...>> http://www.talkchite.com

[echamberlain]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've updated the instructions.

I thought having one xml file would be easier, but maybe I should repackage the mod as a zip file with a manual upload.

[Smoothie]

Lesson for today kids, read the thread before you install. :)

[echamberlain]

I figured that when I said, "[t]he installation process automatically creates a php file in the cron folder...". People would know that that folder needs to be writeable by the web server process.

[redspider]

I need something like this for one of my forum section but any way to make it work by minutes and not days?

thanks for any reply

[echamberlain]

Yes, it's possible to change the code and the scheduled task to use minutes, instead of days.

[redspider]

Yes, it's possible to change the code and the scheduled task to use minutes, instead of days.

thank you for reply this solve a big problem in forum thanks

[mat.knott]

on my site i have a "daily topics" board where a new topic is made each day. would i be able to use this to close the topics at midnight so that no new posts could be added on the wrong days topic.

i understnd there is the option for close after 1 day but would that close it at 9am if it was started at 9am?

[echamberlain]

Yes, it would close the thread at 9am the following day.

You would need to modify this line:
. ' AND ' . \$timestamp . ' <= ' . intval(TIMENOW - (60 * 60 * 24 * \$vbulletin->options['setting_vox_cot_days']))

to have threads close when you want, but then you run into timezone issues and when a day starts and ends for the server may differ from the visitors.

[mat.knott]

what would i edit it to to have them close at midnight GMT? my server is in uk and is on gmt time

[alawee.blawee]

checked...
Worked with 3.6.4 ...
But problem solved by CMOD for cron with 777 and after installing got the CMOD back normal

thanks man

keep on

[nureeves]

hai

Would you make "Undo" feature in this hack?

[Dannyloski]

Awesome, installed and working perfectly on vB 3.6.7 PL1 :up: ... I had some Permission Errors, when the cron job ran, but it was because I had to CHMOD some files, all was fixed and running now perfectly ...

[EricR]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU!

[BBF]

thanks for this mod :)

[Rapscallion]

Anyone able to confirm this works fine on 3.6.8?

Do I read this thread right in that it closes based on the date of the last post in the thread, and not the first post? If so, this is going to be very useful.

Rapscallion

[mhackl]

I've been wondering if this was the same modification as the one that cgsociety.org has on their site. If you look at the last post in the linked thread you'll see that it seems to automatically post to the thread with a notification of the topics closure.

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=43&t=211527&page=5&pp=15




.

[echamberlain]

Anyone able to confirm this works fine on 3.6.8?

Do I read this thread right in that it closes based on the date of the last post in the thread, and not the first post? If so, this is going to be very useful.

Rapscallion

It works on 3.6.8 and it will close threads based on either the thread creation date or the last post date.

[echamberlain]

I've been wondering if this was the same modification as the one that cgsociety.org has on their site. If you look at the last post in the linked thread you'll see that it seems to automatically post to the thread with a notification of the topics closure.

.

This mod doesn't add a post to the closed thread. I figured the fact that the thread says that it is closed was sufficient notice.

[Fungsten]

It seems I can't unlock any of the threads that were closed. I uninstalled it and the threads were still locked. Tried changing the amount of time before closing and it still didn't work.

[carlosacgj]

this mod can close threads after X number of post?

[Desesperao]

Hi,

Sorry for my little English

I have installed this hack: "Automatically Close Old Threads After X Days" in a vBulletin 3.6.8 and doesn?t work.

I?m sure that y have installed correctly the hack but doesn?t work.

I have done what here is commented:
You may need to chmod the includes/cron folder to 777 before installation and back (note your settings) after installation is complete.
... but this hack doesn?t work. Please, I need your help. I have tried everything :(

Also I have verified that the file: "close_old_threads.php" has been created in the folder cron correctly

Thank?s

[Rapscallion]

Hmm - it works fine for me, and it's awesome! Just wish I'd done it before some thread necromancy that occurred of late.

Rapscallion

[Desesperao]

That?s incredible!!. :eek:

I tried to install this hack and at the beginning doesn?t work but surprisingly, after a day, the hack works fine.

Now, I disabled this hack but the threads are still closed

Have you got any idea to solve it?

[Fungsten]

That?s incredible!!. :eek:

I tried to install this hack and at the beginning doesn?t work but surprisingly, after a day, the hack works fine.

Now, I disabled this hack but the threads are still closed

Have you got any idea to solve it?

That happened to me too! The threads are closed after uninstall!

[Desesperao]

After 36 hours, the threads are still closed.

Please, I need help urgently

[echamberlain]

As stated in the instructions, this mod creates a cron job that by default runs once a day and closes the tickets that meet the closure criteria.

The tickets are closed by changing their status in the database.

There is no closure tracking or roll-back functionality on uninstall.

If you need to re-open closed threads, you would need to use the vBulletin web interface or create a sql script to change the thread status.

[Desesperao]

Thank you very much, Eric :up:

[3DSJFH]

Any ideas if this will work on a vBulletin 3.5.x forum?
Or if there's an alternative to this for that version of the boards?

Thank you.

[Mrdby]

3.6.8?

[Arachnophiles]

3.6.8?

Yup, installed and running fine here on 3.6.8 ;)

[Mrdby]

Thanks!!!

[kennethsia]

Does this run on v3.6.5 ???

[PoetJA-1975]

Installed AND Thanx for the sharing ;)

Jacquii.

[Saviour]

I'm thinking about installing this mod, but my Moderators are looking for this to be added...

They want a post to be added at the end of the thread explaining why the thread was closed.

Now...it's a "gimme" as to why the thread is being closed...it's self-explanatory to those who install it, or to those who are informed about it...however, simply closing the thread after x amount of days doesn't fully explain to the original poster as to why the thread was closed. A simple post following the below script could be used for this, giving the user a reason:

"Due to inactivity, this thread has been closed. If you are the original poster of this thread, you can contact a Moderator to have it re-opened, or simply start a new thread."

Having the above script listed as the last post within that thread would eliminate the need of constantly explaining why the thread was closed in the first place...see my point?

To be perfectly honest, someone should create a mod for staff and Administrators, that could be used for the following reasons:

Inactivity
Unnecessary arguing
Flaming
Language
Bigotry
Etc., etc.


If any of the above pertain to a certain thread, the staff could simply use Thread Tools to close the thread and select one of the above reasons...the hack would close the thread and post a generic reply to the thread, within the last post, explaining why the thread was closed.

To me...this would be the perfect addition to this, or a similar mod.

Thanks for listening...

[PinkDaisy]

Installed. Thanks!

[Desesperao]

X echamberlain: This mod. only works if I mark the option: "Include all forums". :(

If I don't include all forums and I list some of them, the mod doesn?t work.

Please, help me.

vBulletin 3.6.8 patch 2

[echamberlain]

The code just takes what you enter in the forums field and puts it into a SQL statement:


// include some forums
\$forums = ' AND forumid IN ('.\$vbulletin->options['setting_vox_cot_forums'].')';


The include or exclude list needs to be a comma delimited list of forum ID's.

[Desesperao]

Hi Eric

I have done it as you say, but it doesn't work. I have separated each forum by comma but, the only way it works is if I include all forums.

I have tried everything. :(

Any idea?

[Subah]

Any update for 3.7 ??

[boy tigas]

sorry for this dumb query...

but where to find include/cron directory????

im at lost...well just a newbie....

[boy tigas]

got it .... thanks :D

[orok]

it's work .. good product

[aisais]

Thank you. This is just what I need!
does it work for 3.7.0?

[AtoZ]

Anyone have this working with 3.7/are there plans to update? Thanks.

[thewebhostingdi]

Is it working on 3.7 ? I need this hack desperately.

[z3r0]

Working on 3.7.2

[stwilson]

Confirmed. Working for me on 3.7.2 too.

[g0dfather1984]

Works well on VBulletin 3.8 Beta 4.

Thanks!

[Peejay]

Just what I was looking for, many thanks :D

[fengwu]

3.7.3, 3.8 rc2

at chinese forum no work

[Arrogant-One]

<font face="Georgia">Why bother closing old threads? </font>

[joe1989]

Does this mod work well in the current vb version, 3.8?

[dreck]

Works on 3.8.1, thanks!

[Jalo]

Installed on 3.8.2.

Should I wait a while before it starts closing threads?

Jan

[alrasm]

hello

nice hack
i suggest to add new Feature, a simple message before quick reply tell why this topic closed

like:

Hello [username]
this topic closed because it's marked as old topic ....etc

[z0diac]

ERROR: Error opening file to writing

Can't install it!

[z0diac]

If anyone knows how to install this on 3.6.8 it would help.

Error opening file to writing is all I'm getting.

[z0diac]

ok, I had to shell in, then cd into my 'includes' directory, then [/B]chmod 0777 cron

THEN I installed it and the error writing to file was no longer happening, it installed fine.

I force-ran the scheduled task and it successfully locked all threads with last post 30 days or older.

Great mod! (just wish it was in big bold letters that we have to chmod the cron directory before it would install)

[diosrl]

Great plugin, but in additon how can I automatically move closed threads to a "closed" forum?

[Brittany]

works for vb4.0 RC2

[Speedy2000]

works on 3.8.2 Patch Level 2. Thanks :)

[ToNetU]

works on 4.0.1
thanks

[DannyITR]

Simply stopped working for me on 3.8.4 patch level 2. Uninstalled then re-installed and stillnothing. Any ideas?

[gutelaune]

works on 4.0.3
thanks!

[RedPoint]

vBulletin 4.0.4 Patch Level 1 : Error opening file to writing :(

[georgedd]

I'm also getting the problem of the plugin not closing old threads if I specify just a particular forum in which the plugin to act upon. I have the following settings:

Filter Forums: Only include the forums listed below
Forum List: 64

For the forum list value, I've entered the forum id of a parent forum, and assume the setting will be applied to all the child forum categories. Is this correct, or do I have to actually enter the forum ids of each child category individually?

thanks,

[echamberlain]

I'm also getting the problem of the plugin not closing old threads if I specify just a particular forum in which the plugin to act upon. I have the following settings:

Filter Forums: Only include the forums listed below
Forum List: 64

For the forum list value, I've entered the forum id of a parent forum, and assume the setting will be applied to all the child forum categories. Is this correct, or do I have to actually enter the forum ids of each child category individually?

thanks,

You have to enter the id of each forum individually.

[the_ace]

works perfectly on 3.8.6 PL 1.
Thanks for the great mod.

[mgurain]

Can we have this useful mod in 4.0.x ?
Thanks,,

[kh99]

FWIW, I tried this briefly with vb4.1.4 and it seems to work.

[trifive]

I installed on vb 3.7

After instalation I added the forum that I want threads to close.

I then went to run cron job to see if it works and the cron job will only run if the
Close all threads is set to no.

So shouldn't this be set to yes for the code to work if I turn it to yes the cron job gives me error.

when i set it to no and ran the cron it closed threads, but I want the script to work automatically.

Close Old Threads Active?
Turn Close Old Threads on or off. Yes No

Thanks

otis

[whitey92lx]

This is awesome! Thanks for the plugin!

[vBNinja]

Does this work on vb 4.1.10?

[New Joe]

Does this work on vb 4.1.10?

Who knows as it's not for vB3, why not just install a vB 4 Mod; https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=243402&highlight=Automatically+Close+Old+Threads&page=4

[st.charles]

Hate to ZOMBIE a plugin that prevents ZOMBIE posts, but this is working on 3.8.7 PL3 for me.
Saved a massive headache of recent ZOMBIE threads. The Chron is working, but if for whatever reason it acts up I'll post back here.

[Digital Jedi]

No such thing as zombie threads in the modification forum. This is the only place you can get support for a particular modification. Thanks for the heads up. As far as I can tell, it's been working fine on 3.8.5, as well. I don't think it uses anything exclusively inherent to the 3.7 series.