vB Affiliate Linking System (Multi-Purpose & Flash-based)

[syrus.xl]

vB Flash Affiliate Linking System (Multi-Purpose)

http://www.digitalport.co.uk/images/screenshot_affiliate.jpg

Important: No longer supported on vbulletin.org - advice and support only available from Digital Port UK (http://www.digitalport.co.uk)
Another creative idea brought to you by Syrus XL Media.
Free and Pro versions available from ? http://www.digitalport.co.uk
LIVE DEMO: http://www.shedevils-ld.com
Released: 15th April 2007
Version: 1.0.0
Documentation: Download packaged with .txt and .pdf formats.
Color Variations: See end of this post for other available colors.

Description
Even though we have called this an ?Affiliate Linking System?, it could serve many other purposes, depending on configuration. Basically, it will rotate any image, along with a title and an active url. You can also rename the modification name (currently the text on the bottom left) by editing the content.txt file.

Some suggested uses of this modification:

Display forum Administrators and Moderators photos.
Use as a miniature gallery.
Use to display your affiliates.
Display latest store items for sale.



The modification uses no database queries and is totally XML driven, maybe in the future we will change this to a database driven modification.

Usage
Windows users can benefit from using the scroll-wheel to flick through the various links. By double-clicking on any image, the url will be opened in a new window. A single click on any image will bring it to the front.

Adding new links with thumbnails is just a case of creating the thumbnail and editing the XML file. There?s no need to know anything about Flash, everything is controlled externally. If you find that after adding a certain number of links they fail to load, or show - Make sure you are not viewing a cached version in your browser. You should clear your Temporary Internet Files to fix this problem.

vBulletin Installation
Please read this carefully, these instructions will place the modification display on your forum homepage (if you wish to put this on the vBadvanced CMPS please view below). These instructions assume you are using the vBulletin default style.

In all installations upload all the files within the UPLOAD folder to your forum root directory.

Directory structure:
adls_data.xml
adls_content.txt
vbadlsystem.swf
/adls_images
/clientscript/flashobject.js

Note: If you have installed previous modifications by us, you may find that the flashobject.js file is already in your vbulletin installation. This file is used for fixing compatibility issues when embedding flash files, with some browsers.

Template Edits:
AdminCP -> Styles & Templates -> Style Manager -> Default Style -> Edit Templates

In the headinclude template
FIND:
<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/vbulletin_global.js?v=$vboptions[simpleversion]"></script>

Above add this:
<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/flashobject.js"></script>

In Forum Home Templates > FORUMHOME template
FIND:
$navbar

BELOW ADD:
<div align="center" width="100%" id="link_display">
Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash!
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var fo = new FlashObject("vbadlsystem.swf", "link_display", "700", "230", "8,0,0,0", "#E9E9F2");
fo.addParam("quality", "high");
fo.write("link_display");
</script>
<!-- js flashobject -->

Change the "#E9E9F2" to suit the background color of your forum.

End of Template edits to Display modification on vBulletin homepage.

Configuring the adls_content.txt file
This file only contains the text which you want to display along the bottom of the display. When editing this file do not add spaces before the main variable.

EXAMPLE:
content=Whatever you want goes here

Configuring the adls_data.xml file
This file needs very little explanation, however here?s what 3 variables you can change per image url.

The file contents:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<photos path="adls_images/"> This path can be changed, just a default we have set for the images.

<photo name="Digital Port UK" url="image1.jpg" link="http://www.digitalport.co.uk/"></photo>

</photos>

The ?photo name? is the text you would like under the image when displayed.
The ?url? is the path to your image (note the directory is not required).
The ?link? is for your image when double-clicked on.

Creating your thumbnails
Each thumbnails image is 200x150 pixels and a non-progressive jpeg format. The flash file will resize thumbnails when they are the incorrect size, but this may lead to distortion.



vBadvanced Installation
The installation is pretty much the same apart from one template edit. These instructions assume you have installed the CMPS inside your forum ROOT, not outside.

If you have installed the vBadvanced CMPS outside the forum ROOT you will need to prepend the urls of the edits required with the flashobject.js and the vbadlsystem.swf with the full url path.

You will need to upload all files as previously mentioned for the vBulletin installation and also do the headinclude template edit.

On top of this you will need to do the following edit:
In the vBadvanced CMPS Templates -> adv_portal
FIND:
<table align="center" class="page" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

BELOW ADD:
<div align="center" width="100%" id="link_display">
Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash!
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var fo = new FlashObject("vbadlsystem.swf", "link_display", "700", "230", "8,0,0,0", "#E9E9F2");
fo.addParam("quality", "high");
fo.write("link_display");
</script>
<!-- js flashobject -->
<br />

Change the "#E9E9F2" to suit the background color of your forum.

End of CMPS Template edits

Enjoy!

[syrus.xl]

Reserved...

[MissKalunji]

woohoo first installed :)

[Allan]

Very nice, great job ;)

It's possible to create a flash the color to my forum ?

[almightyone]

on the demo you have to click several times on a image before it will actually goto the link maybe it is just me

[syrus.xl]

Very nice, great job ;)

It's possible to create a flash the color to my forum ?

Do you mean the background color? That can be changed by altering the HEX value, which I documented.

woohoo first installed :)

Thanks!:)

[syrus.xl]

on the demo you have to click several times on a image before it will actually goto the link maybe it is just me

It uses a double-click on an image, that is how it is designed. A single-click moves to the selected image. Or if you are using any version of Windows you can use the mouse-scroll wheel.

The flashobject.js file eliminates the need to do multiple-clicking within the Flash movie itself.

Unless, your browser isn't supported, but I've not seen one yet - I didn't try this mod in Opera though.

[Smoothie]

on the demo you have to click several times on a image before it will actually goto the link maybe it is just me

It's there, in the 1st post: ;)

By double-clicking on any image, the url will be opened in a new window. A single click on any image will bring it to the front.

[Shazz]

Creatvie, Unique
5 Star

[Allan]

Do you mean the background color? That can be changed by altering the HEX value, which I documented.



Thanks!:)
Look my profil (style element) ;)

[syrus.xl]

Look my profil (style element) ;)

Replied via PM..:)

[Mecho]

wow .. looks so great .. thanks :)

[MissKalunji]

figured my bug out?

[wizardan]

Syrus.xl=god

Installed:)

[syrus.xl]

figured my bug out?

Working on it...:)

[rjmjr69]

WOW nice will be installing this very soon....

[projectego]

Awesome! :)

[MissKalunji]

Working on it...:)

i figured it out...when i added the xml and the other content file in the root (not forum root) it started working:-/ i don't see how much sense that does but yeah working now

[DiSpy]

Any way to get rid of the border so that it blends nicely into the site?

EDIT: marked as installed now.

[syrus.xl]

Any way to get rid of the border so that it blends nicely into the site?

Please click 'Mark as Installed' for support. Thx

[syrus.xl]

Any way to get rid of the border so that it blends nicely into the site?

EDIT: marked as installed now.

Thanks!:)

I'll release a few other versions soon, with background and border removed. You will need to change the HEX value to the background colour you use though.

:)

[syrus.xl]

Updated with new color variations to suit a wider range of forums. Other variations will follow.

:)

[TOGUIMASTER]

Thanks for this colors syrus.xl

Live Demo Here (http://www.masterentertainment.org/forums/index1.php)

[Allan]

Updated with new color variations to suit a wider range of forums. Other variations will follow.

:)
Thank you very much for the blue color ;)

[Snake]

Great, I have been waiting for this. Thanks!

[syrus.xl]

Thanks for this colors syrus.xl

Live Demo Here (http://www.masterentertainment.org/forums/index1.php)

Works well with your style! :)

Thank you very much for the blue color ;)

You're welcome.

I'll be adding a few more later today. :)

[es-league.com]

I have it installed and working ...
Is there a limit set to how many images I can upload ?
I have got to 12 and it doesnt want to display anymore ?

I was hoping to display about 20 If possible...

still a great mod I love it....

[syrus.xl]

I have it installed and working ...
Is there a limit set to how many images I can upload ?
I have got to 12 and it doesnt want to display anymore ?

I was hoping to display about 20 If possible...

still a great mod I love it....

I have just tried this with 56 images/links and it still works fine. You maybe seeing a cached version of it in your browser, try deleting temporary internet files.

The flash movie file, will just take more time to display more images when you add more. After awhile it may slow down, but I can't say when this would happen.

[es-league.com]

thanks Buddy I will try that now...:)

[es-league.com]

sorted that thanks :)

I have a small problem now though... my quicklinks drop
down behind the affiliate linking system ?

anyway to adjust this ?

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/8264/homepagedb7.gif

[YabbaDabba]

Can I change the default image size?

Perhaps there could be a third text string that includes instructions for viewers (e.g., "double click image for more info")

[syrus.xl]

Can I change the default image size?

Perhaps there could be a third text string that includes instructions for viewers (e.g., "double click image for more info")

The image size is fixed within the flash file itself, therefore it cannot be changed dynamically from outside. Maybe a future addition.

As for another text field, this could be done very easily, however with the current layout I'm a bit unsure where this would actually go. Comments always welcome... :)

[syrus.xl]

sorted that thanks :)

I have a small problem now though... my quicklinks drop
down behind the affiliate linking system ?

anyway to adjust this ?

This is a problem with DHTML and flash, but its not only just these issues. I could fix it to work on one browser, but the problem would be evident in another browser, I've yet to find a way around this issue, that is cross-browser compatible.

Apart from changing the vBulletin default drop to horizontal, instead of vertical there isn't much that can be done.

A temporary fix would be to add a further parameter to the embed code, and recompiling the flash file. I will see if I can find a way around this problem.

[YabbaDabba]

As for another text field, this could be done very easily, however with the current layout I'm a bit unsure where this would actually go. Comments always welcome... :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
content_string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instruction_string . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dev_string
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be up to the indiviudal to make sure the strings all fit in the allotted space.

[YabbaDabba]

Support for BB code or html in the adls_content.txt file would be nice.

Continuous loop option would be nice.

[YabbaDabba]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image Title
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
content_string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instruction_string . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dev_string
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be up to the indiviudal to make sure the strings all fit in the allotted space.
I ended up putting "double click image" instructions in the adls_content file.

[YabbaDabba]

I think there might be a bug in the user interface.

I have 18 images loaded.

When the app is displaying the beginning (or end) of the image series, there is bit of empty space off to one side (inside the flash app). OK so far.

If I click in that empty space, and then mouse wheel scroll all the way to the other end of the image list, the images start rapidly scrolling back and forth between the first and last image. It is like the app is stuck in a mouse wheel loop.

Clicking on an image pulls it out of the loop.

Using IE7 and a Logitech laser mouse.

[Ophelia]

Is there a reason why it is a double click and not a single click? Double clicking really isn't the norm when it comes to links, and unless there are instructions in the title to double click, folks are only going to click it once (everyone I've shown has). I would really like it to be a single click. Also, adding the ability to have square image 150x150 or 200x200 would be wonderful.

Otherwise this is EXACTLY what we need. Thank you.

[syrus.xl]

Well, I added a double-click on the images, so it would not be confused with single-clicking to move through images.

I may change the design a little in respect to the actual image sizes, but I would need to recompile the file.

I'll see what I can come up with.:)

[syrus.xl]

I think there might be a bug in the user interface.

I have 18 images loaded.

When the app is displaying the beginning (or end) of the image series, there is bit of empty space off to one side (inside the flash app). OK so far.

If I click in that empty space, and then mouse wheel scroll all the way to the other end of the image list, the images start rapidly scrolling back and forth between the first and last image. It is like the app is stuck in a mouse wheel loop.

Clicking on an image pulls it out of the loop.

Using IE7 and a Logitech laser mouse.

I'll look into this problem, and see if I can see what you mean.

[Ophelia]

I'm not able to get this to work on the vbAdvanced page.
http://www.gottapixel.net/

It's working just fine in the forums, just not on the home page. Ideas?

[MissKalunji]

because ur using vbadvanced out of the forum root...you gon have to play with the edits like forumhome template = that you probably put in vbadvanced template make sure that vbadlsystem.swf put the whole http://www.domain.com/forum/vbadlsystem.swf

thats what i had to do to get it to work

[ThePimp]

Can you release the FLA file?

[Ophelia]

Just got this from a member..

just wondering if it's possible to make your flashplayer kit showcase thingy on the homepage into a rollover feature... its really bogging down my internet connection. my animation disabler plugin for my browser doesn't work with flash applications and its taking a long time for the homepage to load :(

Any ideas on how to fix this?

[syrus.xl]

Just got this from a member..



Any ideas on how to fix this?

The flash file itself is relatively small in file size - however the more images and links added will cause problems over slow internet connections.

When creating the images try and reduce the output quality, this will decrease the overall download time.

I will be releasing some updated flash files very soon, that work in a different way - instead of the auto-scroll, there will be a scroll-bar and a fix with a small bug some people have noticed.

[syrus.xl]

Can you release the FLA file?

Sorry, we don't release any .fla files for copyright reasons.

[YabbaDabba]

Requests:

Admin-defined Height/Width of app
Admin-defined Height/Width of images (or at least some calculation of how app size affects image size)
Admin-defined scroll-direction (I'm thinking it would be cool in a skyscraper layout)
Admin-select for continuous loop
Admin-select for frame/background colors/transparency (use vB css even better)
Admin-select for single-click on front image (instead of current two)
BB/html in the adls_content file (text is so small now, it is quite hard to read)
BB/html in the adls_data file (name string only) or maybe via an admin config page
Brand-free version (for a fee of course)

[jagari]

Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash!

I have it enabled..<_<

[syrus.xl]

I have it enabled..<_<

This usually happens if you've missed the headinclude template edit. It's part of the coding, left in for debugging purposes and to sort out peoples problems.

Check this first...

[syrus.xl]

Requests:

Admin-defined Height/Width of app
Admin-defined Height/Width of images (or at least some calculation of how app size affects image size) <-- this could be done, and maybe tied in with the first suggestion.
Admin-defined scroll-direction (I'm thinking it would be cool in a skyscraper layout) <-- This would require, the mod to have 2 versions of the movie, and very different template edits. Might be considered if we use 2 different product.xml files.
Admin-select for continuous loop <-- This would be an AdminCP setting
Admin-select for frame/background colors/transparency (use vB css even better) <-- This is being looked into, and maybe released shortly - incorporating a transparency mode.
Admin-select for single-click on front image (instead of current two) <-- An option is a good idea, since we already have an a single-click option set as default.
BB/html in the adls_content file (text is so small now, it is quite hard to read) <-- We could implement HTML code into the movie, but not BBcode.
BB/html in the adls_data file (name string only) or maybe via an admin config page <-- This would be done via a PHP XML version fed via MySQL and using the AdminCP.
Brand-free version (for a fee of course)<-- Always available on all our products.

At the moment we don't have the time to change this to a full working dynamic modification, since we are concentrating on a few 'high-end' commercial modifications.

But, we will keep these ideas in mind when updating it.:)

[moonmoth]

I'm getting the same : Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash! Both are enabled.
Have done all the edits, even tried on a different theme but same thing. IE and Firefox same. Any ideas?

Sussed, I'm a numpty of the first order. :s I'd installed to root not forum root.

[pixel2528]

cool mod !! is there a way i can move up the side blocks so it won't look like its missing something. i just don't like the gap on the sides . you can see it here

www.pixelinsanities.com

[pixel2528]

I'm getting the same : Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash! Both are enabled.
Have done all the edits, even tried on a different theme but same thing. IE and Firefox same. Any ideas?

Sussed, I'm a numpty of the first order. :s I'd installed to root not forum root.are you installing on the index or portal ?

[syrus.xl]

cool mod !! is there a way i can move up the side blocks so it won't look like its missing something. i just don't like the gap on the sides . you can see it here

www.pixelinsanities.com

I can see what you mean - It really needs some kind of liquid table around the actual swf file, so it doesn't look out of place. It was designed for a minimum resolution of 800x600 pixels, so it wouldn't cause 'side-scroll' on some peoples browsers with low-resolution displays.

[syrus.xl]

I can no longer support this modification on here, due to alot of custom work undertaken. Therefore, support will only be available from www.digitalport.co.uk

Regards,

Syrus XL

[syrus.xl]

This mod has been updated to a commercial cross-platform release, therefore to keep within the guidelines of vBulletin.org it will not be released upon here. It has been renamed to FALS Pro.

Click Here for details (http://www.digitalport.co.uk/Products/p13_sectionid/4/p13_fileid/5)

It now features background image import, improved navigation, mouse-wheel scroll 'bug' fixed (Windows Only), extended dynamic text field, new font embeded, and much more.

[Brandon Sheley]

I don't know how I missed this one, nice hack :)

[ArchangelX]

Just out of curiosity, does this work with 3.5? Thanks!

[syrus.xl]

Just out of curiosity, does this work with 3.5? Thanks!

Yes - it will function on any version of vBulletin. There's also a Pro version available of this modification from our website www.digitalport.co.uk

:)

[masterweb]

Nice mod, installed and working. Now i need someone to make me those tumbs on non progressive jpeg format to upload on it (not for free of course :D)

[syrus.xl]

Nice mod, installed and working. Now i need someone to make me those tumbs on non progressive jpeg format to upload on it (not for free of course :D)

Just looked at your website :) You can delete the vb Affiliate Linking System text from the content.txt file - which will give you more room. I would offer to do the images for you, but I've got a lot of custom work on at present.

[masterweb]

Just looked at your website :) You can delete the vb Affiliate Linking System text from the content.txt file - which will give you more room. I would offer to do the images for you, but I've got a lot of custom work on at present.

Np about the images, just a question: I would put the Box of the linking system at the end of the board (on the footer) what i must to do?, changes on templates?; pls help me.-

Thanks in advance

[masterweb]

Done, i found the box code and i moved to the end of the forum...

[SuperTaz]

Very nice. Installed. :)

[syrus.xl]

UPDATE:
A bug with this modification has been brought to my attention, regarding when used with the vBulletin DHTML dropdown menu system which causes the menu to drop behind the flash file. I'll release a fix for this, and also add a new feature so you add target tags within the XML file, this will allow you to specify if you want the links to open within the same window, new window, etc.

Regards.

[thunder_sti]

I have done everything by the book. When I go to the forums to view.

This is what i get:

Warning!!! To view this please enable JavaScript and Flash!

Where/What i do for this ?

[syrus.xl]

There's a trap code line that will cause that to show for debugging purposes, and doesn't mean this is a client-side error.

Normally, it refers to the flashobject.js isn't uploaded, or the javascript routine call is missing from the vBulletin template headinclude. If this isn't the case then prepend all file calls with absolute urls, sometimes it can be a server configuration issue.

[thunder_sti]

I have corrected the issue.

Now All I have is a blank white box, with the credits on bottom left. No pictures.

PM sent.

[thunder_sti]

bump

[sebil]

if i add this hack,,,
is there any chance of slowing down my site...

please help me,,,
i loved it a lottt

[MissKalunji]

unless u had millions of images i doubt it'll ever slow the main page

[syrus.xl]

if i add this hack,,,
is there any chance of slowing down my site...

please help me,,,
i loved it a lottt

Hi,

It shouldn't affect page rendering, no database queries are used at all with this mod.

Regards,

[thunder_sti]

Working Like a charm. Thanks

[GTX2]

how can i set this to open always on new window and not just on double-click?
thanks

[se_p800]

This is cool, added to customizepsp.co.uk/forums

[garza]

Does it work on the latest version of VBulletin (3.7) ?

[syrus.xl]

Does it work on the latest version of VBulletin (3.7) ?

Yes, this is compatible with all versions of vBulletin - it's not script dependent, and uses no database queries.

[Spybot S&D]

Hmm.. I'm getting EPIC lag when I try to view my site..

I'm running the stable release of 3.7

[syrus.xl]

Hmm.. I'm getting EPIC lag when I try to view my site..

I'm running the stable release of 3.7

Are you referring to this modification that is causing this issue? If so, please PM me the url.

[Spybot S&D]

Are you referring to this modification that is causing this issue? If so, please PM me the url.

Yes. Pm sent.

Please respond asap :D:D

[syrus.xl]

Yes. Pm sent.

Please respond asap :D:D

PM received and replied too... :)

[se_p800]

Hi. Everything works great except when double clicked it opens in the same window and not a new window. Any ideas why?

customizepsp.co.uk/forums , bottom of the page

Thanks alot for your hard work on this!

[syrus.xl]

The reason why it doesn't open in a new window is because it was never coded to use the 'target tag'. This has been requested a few times now, along with some other features - but most of these will be in the pro version.

[se_p800]

Made $35 alredy selling spots on this thanks a lot :D

[UNFAITHFUL]

This is a great mod. i am having some problems. now. After a day of it being up i tried to remove and add new affiliates and they wont go on or go away. Any reasons or problems anyone else is having and how do we or i fix this.

Thank you

[syrus.xl]

This is a great mod. i am having some problems. now. After a day of it being up i tried to remove and add new affiliates and they wont go on or go away. Any reasons or problems anyone else is having and how do we or i fix this.

Thank you

Have you cleared your browser cache while attempting this? Flash is always cached by your browser, unless its coded not to do so - this typical modification uses caching of Flash, therefore if you update it in anyway, you should always clear your cache to see the changes.

See if that helps.

[se_p800]

This is a great mod. i am having some problems. now. After a day of it being up i tried to remove and add new affiliates and they wont go on or go away. Any reasons or problems anyone else is having and how do we or i fix this.

Thank you

I had and still do have this problem. I dont really know how I over came it. But now I know to clear the cache :)

[mystic10]

i know i have to add the image via ftp but do i need to make the link via ftp as well..is their anything to upload via the plugins

[syrus.xl]

i know i have to add the image via ftp but do i need to make the link via ftp as well..is their anything to upload via the plugins

No plugins are used in this modification. It uses no database queries, its all setup via the XML file only.

:)