Community Bulletin Email Generator + HTML

[christec]

First off this is Kier's hack and it's a great one. There are other contributors like tubedog.

Update 16-Nov-2001:
Include News Article(s) in bulletin
Optional - Add "Receive Community Email Bulliten" option to the admin CP. When editing a user you can turn on and off the bulletin.
Fixed lasteventdate bug

These changes are based on version 0.98
Changes/Additions
Preview includes html tags
Email is sent in an HTML format
Post to thread is HTML
Updated install to include changes for vBulletin v2.2
Private Forums marked No by default (if accessmask is ON)
Password removed - Link to Forgot your password added

Installation is still the same. If you already have commbull.php installed you can just copy this file to the same location.

(I'm not trying to take any credit for this hack. Just share the modifications that I made.)
Always backup and test.
CC

[MarkB]

It comes up with raw html when I receive it in Outlook... any ideas?:(

[|DarkManX|]

works good on my end....thanks :)

[Neo]

example? i am not sure what this does.. something with email right

[FWC]

This is great! The webmaster wanted HTML. The best part is the HTML works in Outlook Express. I tried a bunch of programs that didn't. Very nice! :D

[|DarkManX|]

Originally posted by neo
example? i am not sure what this does.. something with email right


whats your email and i'll send you a copy of what it sends...

[Neo]

twilightstar0@hotmail.com

[|DarkManX|]

ya got mail neo....btw you never got back to me on that top5 hack that you modified.........

[christec]

Originally posted by MarkB
It comes up with raw html when I receive it in Outlook... any ideas?:(

It's a setting in Outlook. Not sure where it is but Outlook will convert html to text.

[cyrus]

i dont see any install instructions anywhere. Can somene point me in the right direction ? thanks

[christec]

Copy the commbull.php file to your forums/admin directory.

Access the commbull.php file through a web browser
http://www. yoursite.com/forums/admin/commbull.php

It will show the install instructions

[cyrus]

thanks
done
like it
BUT

To unsubscribe from the Community Bulletin Email, click unsubscribe. In the user control panel change "Recive Community Bulletin Email" from yes, to no.

typo : receive

thanks

[aldamon]

WOW! Thanks! I swear we get some truly amazing results on this board when more than one person works on a hack!

[RobAC]

I received the following error when I set it to send out emails to 1000 users at a time:


Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded in /pathway/commbull.php(692) : eval()'d code on line 484


It sent out 800 emails and then quit. I have no way of emailing the rest of my members from that point on.

[christec]

1000 email at once, (:eek: )
Maximum execution time of 30 seconds exceeded
You received this error because it took longer that 30 seconds to process this script and email.

In the php.ini file there is a max_execution_time = 30 (limit in seconds).
You can increase the time limit to something higher.

[RobAC]

Yeah I realized that afterwards. I'm curious....how would AOL users receive the Community Bulletin with the HTML code in it?

[tamarian]

Great hack Christec!

Any thoughts of setting an option for Txt vs Html for members' options?

[FWC]

Originally posted by RobAC
Yeah I realized that afterwards. I'm curious....how would AOL users receive the Community Bulletin with the HTML code in it? Works fine with AOL users. I've tried it.

[Prince]

When you edit a user's profile in the CP the "Receive Community Bulletin Email?" field is not there.

[christec]

In the install instructions you will see this (add this field to the users cp)

modifyoptions template
You will need to add this code to an appropriate place in your modifyoptions template:

<tr>
<td bgcolor="{secondaltcolor}"><normalfont><b>Receive Community Bulletin Email?</b></normalfont></td>
<td bgcolor="{secondaltcolor}"><normalfont>
<input type="radio" name="receivebulletin" value="yes"$receivebulletinchecked> Yes
<input type="radio" name="receivebulletin" value="no"$receivebulletinnotchecked> No
</normalfont></td>
</tr>

[Prince]

I did that, but when you edit a user in the CP it does not show up. It only shows when you go to your own profile.

[patvdv]

Lovely extension on a great hack but why not also add the obvious? Add another selection to the USER CP to indicate whether a user wants to receive the bulletin in either TXT or HTML format? And send the email out accordingly? :)

[Prince]

Originally posted by christec
In the install instructions you will see this (add this field to the users cp)

modifyoptions template
You will need to add this code to an appropriate place in your modifyoptions template:

<tr>
<td bgcolor="#1C5780"><normalfont><b>Receive Community Bulletin Email?</b></normalfont></td>
<td bgcolor="#1C5780"><normalfont>
<input type="radio" name="receivebulletin" value="yes"$receivebulletinchecked> Yes
<input type="radio" name="receivebulletin" value="no"$receivebulletinnotchecked> No
</normalfont></td>
</tr>

Look at this screen shot of the CP:

[Prince]

I'm trying to create the e-mail to generate "most recently posted", and it is giving threads that are 2 months old.....?

[christec]

Add Receive Community Email Bulletin field to Admin CP, under "Edit User"

Here ya go :stoned:

[Prince]

okay, but what about the fact that the hack does not produce the correct dates?
It makes it quite useless. :confused:

[christec]

Originally posted by Prince
I'm trying to create the e-mail to generate "most recently posted", and it is giving threads that are 2 months old.....?

The order that you put the thread blocks in and this option -
Reuse threads gathered for this block?
Will affect the output.

[Prince]

Originally posted by christec


The order that you put the thread blocks in and this option -
Reuse threads gathered for this block?
Will affect the output.

I'm not sure what you mean....

All I am trying to do is one block (the first block) I put 10 and select "most recently posted". Using the date: 11-01-2001

It spits out threads that 2-3 months old, and I mean threads that have not been replied to for 2-3 months.

AND it is saying that some posts were posted in the year 2003!...which is what seems to be the problem.

Any ideas????

[Prince]

Save as ubbdatefix.php, upload to admin directory and run in browser.

(back-up your database first!!!)



<?
require("./global.php");
if (!isset($action)) {
echo("This script will correct the dates on threads which were imported from UBB5.4x. Make sure you backup your database before proceeding!<br>");
echo("If you have a backup, <a href=\"fixubbdate.php?action=doconvert\">click here</a> to proceed.");
}
if ($action=="doconvert") {
$threads=$DB_site->query("SELECT MIN(post.postid),post.dateline AS dateline,post.threadid AS id,thread.threadid FROM post,thread WHERE post.threadid=thread.threadid GROUP BY thread.threadid ORDER BY thread.threadid ASC");
echo("Line inserted on purpose<br>Rows in result: ");
echo(mysql_num_rows($threads));
while ($thread=$DB_site->fetch_array($threads)) {
$DB_site->query("UPDATE thread SET dateline='$thread[dateline]' WHERE threadid='$thread[id]'");
echo(mysql_affected_rows());
$i++;
if ($i==50) {
echo("Updated another 50 threads...continuing<br>");
$i = 0;
}
}
} else {
echo("Done.");
}
?>

[Steve Machol]

Did it work for you? I got:

Warning: Failed opening '/home/smachol/public_html/forums/admin/fixubbdate.php' for inclusion (include_path='') in Unknown on line 0

[Prince]

Yes, it worked perfectly for me! :)

[Steve Machol]

It was a file permission problem for me. Once I chmod'd it, it worked perfectly!

[DarkReaper]

To make excluding forums easier, would it be possible to have the forums shown in a hierarchial view, instead of a straight down list?

[Littlebit]

Installed great! But how did you get it readable for aol users in html? I'm using my aol browser and it's not converting for me. What's the trick?
Nice hack btw
Could there be an easy way to put a send as text option if I can't get it to work with aol?

[christec]

Bug:
All calendar events on the same day are not being displayed in the community bulletin email.

To fix the bug
Find This:

while ($event = $DB_site->fetch_array($events)) {
if ($event[eventdate] != $lastdate) {

Replace With this:

while ($event = $DB_site->fetch_array($events)) {
if ($event[eventdate] != $lasteventdate) {


:)

[Littlebit]

I thought I read that it worked fine for one of you guys using +html with AOL users. It's not working fine on my end and I would love to be able to just make some alterations rather then uninstall it all together.
Can anyone help me out with getting the html mailings to work with AOL? :?:
Thanks!
P.S. Christec...thanks for the bug fix!

[christec]

Can you send me a copy of the html email.
elric_red@hotmail.com

[Littlebit]

you have mail....its in need of modifications for AOL users to not see the html code...I just don't know how

[christec]

Here is a link that talks about AOL email client programs.
http://www.wilsonweb.com/wmt6/email-client-summary.htm
AOL version 4.0 and 5.0 do not support HTML
AOL version 6.0 only supports standard HTML

You can try upgrading AOL to the latest version 7.0 (I think)

The original Community Bulletin Email Generator outputs its data in text format.

You can get that here
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16290

[christec]

For those of you who need both text and html here's a thought.
You can install the original Community Bulletin Generator and the HTML version. Just rename the html version to something other the commbull.php like html_commbull.php. You will also need to modify the admin/index.php file to include a link to generate both versions. Now you can send both version by using the same input data. Of course you will have to fill out both forms.

I have not tested this yet. It's just a thought.

[Littlebit]

Thanks...I have users on Macs too and AOL hasn't updated the mac browser for any system software prior to OSX. Hopefully when they get around to it all will be better for everyone. I don't want to try to uninstall this one and then reinstall the text one...I'll mess something up..I just know it. I'll figure something out.
Thanks again

[christec]

All you need to do is overwrite the modified html "commbull.php" file with the original commbull.php file. You don't need to uninstall.

[Littlebit]

That sounds easier then making all the other changes too, I wasn't sure. Thanks :).. I'll do that then.

[FWC]

Originally posted by Littlebit
you have mail....its in need of modifications for AOL users to not see the html code...I just don't know how I'm sorry, I should clarify. It works fine in AOL 6 and 7. I've never tried it in a lower version.

[fonzerelli_79]

fantastic hack

one thing though - do i have to send the bulletin every week or does do it automatically - say every 7 or 10 days

[fonzerelli_79]

fantastic hack

one thing though - do i have to send the bulletin every week or does do it automatically - say every 7 or 10 days

[FWC]

Originally posted by fonzerelli_79
fantastic hack

one thing though - do i have to send the bulletin every week or does do it automatically - say every 7 or 10 days I don't believe it's automated. You have to do it yourself.

[fonzerelli_79]

its not that much hassle anyway

cheers

[aldamon]

When I change the value in "Number of threads to include in this block" it always generates 5 events in the e-mail. Has anyone successfully changed the value to something other than 5?

[Prince]

The hack is a little buggy! :)

Try playing around with different blocks, set the first block, leave the second one set to 0, set the third one....things like that.

[FWC]

Originally posted by aldamon
When I change the value in "Number of threads to include in this block" it always generates 5 events in the e-mail. Has anyone successfully changed the value to something other than 5? Yes. I've done 10 and 3 also with no problem. I've also changed the number of polls successfully.

[christec]

Which option(s) are you selecting/having trouble with
Most recently posted.
Most number of replies.
Most number of views.
No replies posted.

[LuBi]

Before i install this on my 2.2 forum I just want to know if the First post with the download has been updated since all these bug fixes? Also does the first post include the User CP addon that was posted a bit after the first post? Thanks!

[christec]

Nope

[LuBi]

When I run my forum bulletin generator and make it post to a forum it doesn't post the title. I also use a Show title last post thread, I don't know which one causes the problem. I also think it might be because the parent forum does not use html yet the child forum "newsletter" does. So any ideas would be great. Below is a picture of what it looks like after I send a newsletter/bulletin.

http://www.suprascene.com/temp/problem3.gif

Thanks!

*FIXED - I was using PPN's thread title script and I uninstalled it and am using another thread title script which works great and now the problem is fixed.

[LuBi]

<<up>><<up>> :(

[pdonovan]

Could someone kindly explain, in terms understandable to a more general audience, just what the Community Bulletin generator does?

I'm interested in adding an option to my registration options where a user can opt into (and out of) an ezine, preferably in either text or html format. Will this Community Bulletin Generator do that?

thanks:confused:

[LuBi]

Originally posted by pdonovan
Could someone kindly explain, in terms understandable to a more general audience, just what the Community Bulletin generator does?

I'm interested in adding an option to my registration options where a user can opt into (and out of) an ezine, preferably in either text or html format. Will this Community Bulletin Generator do that?

thanks:confused:

I'm going to use it to contact all of my members and keep more of them active. Basically it sends stats on your forum and other good information.

I wish that it had somewhere to type messages or something. (not in the prview box) :D

I also wich there was a way to save your settings.

[tamarian]

Originally posted by pdonovan
Could someone kindly explain, in terms understandable to a more general audience, just what the Community Bulletin generator does?


It sends an email to members with the lates threads, most popular threads, and list of Polls and birthdays. Kind of a "community update". It also gives you the option to post the email to a forum. To see an example, here's our last week update, posted:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25201

[Robert Basil]

I would LOVE to use this hack for our community. But I seem to be having a problem. :(

I uploaded the commbull.php to my forums admin directory. When I tried to access it I get this error:


Parse error: parse error in /home/admin/www/v2/forums/admin/commbull.php on line 800


Running VB 2.2.0

Any ideas?

[christec]

Did you make any changes to the file, it seems like you are missing a }.

[christec]

There's a new update (first post in thread), it includes Add news articles among others. Let me know what you think.
:)

[FWC]

Originally posted by christec
There's a new update (first post in thread), it includes Add news articles among others. Let me know what you think.
:) I'll install it when I get home tonight. I have to change the HTML color variables first.

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec
Did you make any changes to the file, it seems like you are missing a }.

Nope, no changes to the file at all. I re-downloaded it again, but still no luck. :(

hhhmmm...

[tamarian]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld


Nope, no changes to the file at all. I re-downloaded it again, but still no luck. :(

hhhmmm...

Same here. I got the new one with news article. It has this extra { and it gives an SQL error if you enter more than one thread id in the news field. With one thread if it works, and I can just delete the }

[christec]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld


Nope, no changes to the file at all. I re-downloaded it again, but still no luck. :(

hhhmmm...
Did you have the previous version installed? What type of browser are you using?

[christec]

Originally posted by tamarian


Same here. I got the new one with news article. It has this extra { and it gives an SQL error if you enter more than one thread id in the news field. With one thread if it works, and I can just delete the }
Where was the extra { located? You have to seperate the threadid's with a comma. Like this: 36, 122, 450
Can you post the SQL error message?

[tamarian]

Originally posted by christec

Where was the extra { located? You have to seperate the threadid's with a comma. Like this: 36, 122, 450
Can you post the SQL error message?

Just above user info:


{
USER INFO:
These are your current user details


And oops, I used a space as separator, not a comma. With a comma, it worked fine!

Great hack!

[christec]

The "extra" { and the closing } does this;

If you opted to post a copy to your board, put brackets around any parts that should not be included. For example, username and password. (Note: by default, user information has these brackets to exclude it. If you wish to change that (not recommended), remove them in the preview box below.)
Sample:
{Your username is: "$username"}

It removes text that should not be included into the bulletin post.

[SirSteve]

Excellent additions Christec! Only thing, I would like to see the:

Include Info From Forums...
Include info from the following forums:

to display if it is a category or a forum.

[LuBi]

I'd like to see a way to save the setting for bulletins, and also a way to add text or some sort of message to the bulletins which could also be saved.

Also even a custom header and footer would be great. Maybe the header and footer could include some of the oce so we can edit it to our likings and all this could be saved. ;)

[FWC]

Originally posted by christec
There's a new update (first post in thread), it includes Add news articles among others. Let me know what you think.
:) I installed the upgrade, Christec. It works great. It was really cool getting the email telling me there was an upgrade. Good work! :)

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec

Did you have the previous version installed? What type of browser are you using?

Nope, this is the first time I have used it. Are there more files than the commbull.php required?

If so I'm going to feel real dumb.

P.S. Thanks for your help!

[LuBi]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld


Nope, this is the first time I have used it. Are there more files than the commbull.php required?

If so I'm going to feel real dumb.

P.S. Thanks for your help!

I suggest you download it agian. The new version includes the admin cp hack and commbull.php. You just run commbull.php and things should be ok. I don't understand the problem as long as you didn't change anything (ie. it works right out of the box). Goodluck ;)

[christec]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld
Nope, this is the first time I have used it. Are there more files than the commbull.php required?
Try logging into the admin CP and then try and acess the commbull.php file. Also try and access it through the "Genterate Community Bulletin" link in the admin CP. OK one more, check the actual file permissions to see if they are correct.
:)

[christec]

Originally posted by SirSteve
Excellent additions Christec! Only thing, I would like to see the:
Include Info From Forums...
Include info from the following forums:
to display if it is a category or a forum.
Done! It sorts just like the admin cp modify forums section. It will be in the next release.

[SirSteve]

Originally posted by christec

Done! It sorts just like the admin cp modify forums section. It will be in the next release.

Excellent! Waiting for it impatiently...

;)

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec

Try logging into the admin CP and then try and acess the commbull.php file. Also try and access it through the "Genterate Community Bulletin" link in the admin CP. OK one more, check the actual file permissions to see if they are correct.
:)

Tried that, same error.

I though "what the hell" and tried to install the old "non-html" version.

when I try and access that one I get the error:


Parse error: parse error in /home/admin/www/v2/forums/admin/commbull.php on line 637


I have no idea what is causing the Parse errors as I have changed nothing in either the HTML and non-HTML versions of commbull.php

Oh well, thanks for trying anyway. :(

[Robert Basil]

I want this hack way too bad to give up now!

I just downloaded the latest zip (The one with the admin_commbull.txt in it).

I also added the


makenavoption("Send Community Bulletin","commbull.php?action=info","<br>");


line to my index.php in my admin directory so I can access it via my admin list.

And when I click on the link I am still getting the dreaded error


Parse error: parse error in /home/admin/www/v2/forums/admin/commbull.php on line 832


I've uploaded the combull.php file in ASCII format, and even tried it in Binary format.

AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Can someone with a line counter tell me what is on line 832 in the commbull.php file so I can take a look myself?

Thanks!

[FWC]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld
Can someone with a line counter tell me what is on line 832 in the commbull.php file so I can take a look myself?

Thanks! I only have 604 lines in combull.php. :surprised

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by FWC
I only have 604 lines in combull.php. :surprised

For some reason I don't think my commbull.php file is un-zipping correctly.

Can someone post a .txt version of it here?

Thanks for all your help everyone!

[Robert Basil]

I've been looking at the script, and it looks like it's supposed to create a receivebulletin field in my user table.

After the error I thought I would check and it is not adding the field for me.

So I thought I would try and force it with the action=install option. But still getting the same error message.

uugg..

[FWC]

Here's a copy. The HTML color variables are set for my board. You'll need to edit those:

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by FWC
Here's a copy. The HTML color variables are set for my board. You'll need to edit those:

I still get the same error with your copy.

Damn, I wish I knew what was going on, I REALLY could use this script. :(

[FWC]

Have you tried the original non-HTML version to see if that works?

Ooops, I see you already did above.

[christec]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld


I still get the same error with your copy.

Damn, I wish I knew what was going on, I REALLY could use this script. :(
Try this
Find this
if ($DB_site->query("ALTER TABLE user ADD receivebulletin SMALLINT (5) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' not null, ADD receivebulletin_html SMALLINT (5) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' not null")) {
and replace with this
if ($DB_site->query("ALTER TABLE user ADD receivebulletin SMALLINT (5) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '1' not null")) {
I was working on including the text and html option. It may be causing the problem.
Line 831 is } and line 832 is blank

[Robert Basil]

Just tried the fix....

Now getting the error:


Parse error: parse error in /home/admin/www/v2/forums/admin/commbull.php on line 831

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec
Line 831 is } and line 832 is blank

Can you post a few lines above and below this } so I can maybe take a look?

Thanks!

[christec]

Are you being prompted for the admin login page before getting the error code. It should show up first before proceeding on to the commbull install.
Try setting the full path to the require(./global.php) file

[christec]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld
Can you post a few lines above and below this } so I can maybe take a look?
Thanks!
829 <?php
830
831 }
832
833 //########################
834
835 if ($action == "changelog") {
836
837 echo "<b>Community Bulletin Email Gen....."

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec
Are you being prompted for the admin login page before getting the error code. It should show up first before proceeding on to the commbull install.
Try setting the full path to the require(./global.php) file

No, I am not being prompted for a log-in. And I tried the full path. Same error.

[christec]

Originally posted by Sportbikeworld

No, I am not being prompted for a log-in. And I tried the full path. Same error.
Try clearing your cookies before running commbull.php. It seems like it is trying to run the program and not install it.

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec

Try clearing your cookies before running commbull.php. It seems like it is trying to run the program and not install it.

I should have let you know in the last post....

I ran it from a different machine that was logged out of my VB and didn't have any cookies. :(

That was one of the first things I thought of when you told me it should be prompting me for a log-in.

I also tried forcing it to install using the "commbull.php?action=install" link. Should I try a different syntax?

[christec]

I think it's an admin permissions problem. Have you tried with a different user account that has admin permissions. Yes &action=install is correct. The other actions are info, changelog and preview

[Robert Basil]

Originally posted by christec
I think it's an admin permissions problem. Have you tried with a different user account that has admin permissions. Yes &action=install is correct. The other actions are info, changelog and preview

The problem is that I don't even get the option to log-in so I can't try it with a different admin account. :(

I have to leave for the night (dinner with the wife) But I'll pick this back up tomorrow. Thanks for all your help!

[christec]

It's what you've all been waiting for the "Text" OR "HTML" option,
and other options (of course)
:surprised

[LuBi]

Originally posted by christec
It's what you've all been waiting for the "Text" OR "HTML" option,
and other options (of course)
:surprised

Sweet! When by any chance? 2nite?? :eek: lol might it have a save feature?? ;)

[christec]

The newest news and email community bulletin release is here

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32517

[pran]

The script sends an empty e-mail if sending mails less than 300 at a time. I need someone to confirm this as my users will be annoyed if I keep on sending blank e-mails.

[FWC]

Originally posted by pran
The script sends an empty e-mail if sending mails less than 300 at a time. I need someone to confirm this as my users will be annoyed if I keep on sending blank e-mails. We have sent many bulletins with this script to less than 300 people. It has always worked fine.

[Webdork]

Sorry for whats probably a dumb question, but I did a search and couldnt find any reference...

What are the Threads Block 1 to 4 for ?

and whats the purpose of "Reuse threads gathered for this block"?

[M.C.]

hallo. i want ask where that hack hold defoult template for generation e-mail?

P.S. Anywhere it`s a super hack!!! Good Luck!
P.P.S Sorry for my english 8)

[NTLDR]

This hack doesn't use templates, all the HTML is in the PHP file.

[M.C.]

NTLDR, thanx a lot, i already got it ;)

[Schorsch]

thanks :)

[bandersen]

I have just tested this - very cool! Actually none of the testmails that I sent yesterday was received by people - BUT that was due to my host having it's own short problem with php email! This morning the hack worked just great.

One question: I altered the html that is sent out (cut and paste from Frontpage) - how do I get the images to go along with the email so they show when viewing the mail?
Imgaes that are linked only show when online.

[Dez_U]

this hack used to work great for me untill I upgaded to the latest version and now when I try to generate a newsletter it just hangs then comes up url not found ??

Any Ideas as I love this hack

[Bison]

I've been getting messages from members saying that they are getting two copies of the newsletter when I submit it.

What might cause this to happen?