Better signature limiting options

[msimplay]

hey
i was wondering if someone could make a hack with more comprehensive signature options via usergroups

ie check the gif below its a hack from phpbb however it has the best signature size and limiting options i've ever seen on any forum

and an improvement to this could be the ability to set it via usergroups

i know vbulletin 3 has some signature limiting options and there is a hack to limit size and width of signature

however this would be more comprehensive by far

[Indy]

I agree! This is starting to become a problem at my forums. I'm still running vB2.3 but should be up on vb3 very shortly. Would be nice to have a hack to do this! Heck, I'd even consider kicking in some $$ to help in the effort.

I'm surprised this wasn't incorporated into vB3, but maybe it's on the back burner or something.

[msimplay]

I agree! This is starting to become a problem at my forums. I'm still running vB2.3 but should be up on vb3 very shortly. Would be nice to have a hack to do this! Heck, I'd even consider kicking in some $$ to help in the effort.

I'm surprised this wasn't incorporated into vB3, but maybe it's on the back burner or something.
its been a while since i put in this request i am extremely suprised no one has replied or even bothered to code it , i know this a common problem on a lot of forums , it should have been vb3 standard but the feature set on vb3 gold is final now, i'm hoping something will come about by vb3.1 . As none of the Developers seem interested

[blue_chi]

That would be a great feature to have, I think that alot of people compain about the stationary status of the signature options, hope we get some updates.

[Edmund]

That would be a great feature to have, I think that alot of people compain about the stationary status of the signature options, hope we get some updates.
Agreed with this being a fairly missed feature that would be great to have. Anyone has a solution so far?

[fridayweb]

Holy cow. I really wish that hack were available for vB (or included).

[msimplay]

Holy cow. I really wish that hack were available for vB (or included).
as long as this thread is kept alive we got a chance :)

[Aurous]

I am interested in this hack as well.

[idwf]

I am interested in this hack as well.
send in idwf...he'll fix nothing...but he'll demand EVERYTHING! me wants me wants!!!! *whines and cries*

[chrisvonc]

This would be real sweet. I too would love to see someone release a more robust way to handle sig's.

Chris

[monstergamer]

i would like to see more options for sigs as well

i got a hack already to limit the size of the sigs (H x W) and it works great :D

[msimplay]

i would like to see more options for sigs as well

i got a hack already to limit the size of the sigs (H x W) and it works great :D
yep am using that one also but i posted this suggestion because its very comprehensive in comparison

[WebMasterAJ]

Something such as this should come with vB... plain and simple...

[sheila]

I would love something like this!

[MetalAges]

Maybe it could be a CSS based hack that would have a fixed height DIV tag, with overflow set to OFF so anything that fell outside the DIV height would simply not be displayed? Thoughts?

[msimplay]

Maybe it could be a CSS based hack that would have a fixed height DIV tag, with overflow set to OFF so anything that fell outside the DIV height would simply not be displayed? Thoughts?
i already know of this method however what about page loading ?
images that are too large will slow down page load

also i don't like the way i can't bottom align it all when i did that method it
seemed to float inside the div overflow area

[TCB]

This is a fantastic hack request. I have the same problems (people using too big images in their signaure, linked from other websites).

Hope someone can make this hack someday ;)

[ChessMess]

Somebody give the author of the phpbb mod a free copy of VB and maybe he'll port the hack? Surely someone can port it over... it is something that would be a fantastic addition (wish it was in base VB).

[tHe Rk]

I can't believe something like this isn't already in place. SOMEBODY MAKE THIS HACK! PLEASE!

[SnitchSeeker]

I just want to officially "sign" this petition. There is obvsiouly a dire need for this hack.

My problem (same as most) is that my members are putting HUGE images (like 400 kb animated gifs) in their siggies. This really slows down page load time and is ANNOYING! :(

[cyclical]

another vote for more comprehensive sig options...

[indie]

I have also been looking for more signature settings, need to give images to pay members only.... usergroup settings is needed... thanks

[msimplay]

hmm wondering why no ones picked it up yet

[cashpath]

Must be to hard

[indie]

Hopefully soneone can make a hack soon :)

[SupraT]

Yes this is a much needed option. Sigs are always an issue and having this much control would be awesome.

Can we offer money to the guy that puts it together?

[j_86]

Agreed.

[SirJonathan]

I'd like to see this one as well :)

[Titus]

Ditto, I'd like to see this one too. Idealy, as a feature in 3.1

[RCA]

Yes, this one is needed

[mels]

Oh I need this as well, this is exactly what I am looking for, and I would also like to be able to change these settings for each usergroup...

I'm a bit shocked by the fact that it's not included in VB :(

[SupraT]

Somebody give the author of the phpbb mod a free copy of VB and maybe he'll port the hack? Surely someone can port it over... it is something that would be a fantastic addition (wish it was in base VB).
I will give a Leased License for him if he does hack.

If you know him, have him contact me.

[mcyates]

I will give a Leased License for him if he does hack.

If you know him, have him contact me.
yeah this hack HAS TO BE A MUST!!!! I need something like this

[wfp]

I need it too!

[Andreas]

@SupraT
If you want to spend money for this you should post a service request. Thank you.

I think this hack is useful, in fact I already applied some additional limits to may board (max. 4 lines, max. font-size 2, no external URLs allowed).

[sully02]

I think everybody needs this. I'm surprised none of the coders (Read: Not me yet) have jumped at the chance to do this... IMO, it would be a shoe-in for HOTM.

Edit - Looks like it has already been done for vb2:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=45310

[deb0]

Well, I want to make sure this horse is sufficiently beaten:

I need the following sig management abilities:

1. Control of sig graphics dimensions and sizes.
2. Control of sig graphics per usergroup.
3. Sig moderation capability. As soon as a user sets, or changes one, an admin or moderator gets a notified so they can mod the sig for content complience.

[aussiev8]

yep i need it too!
the petition is now 3 pages long, someone do something please!

[BubbleHead]

I'll join this request.

I have my sigs limited to text only. If I could put limits in place, I be more then happy to allow images into my members signatures. I just wish I had a clue to coding something like this.

[Mokster]

i'll join in also :)

[Jaxx]

I would love this also.

[msimplay]

keep the signatures coming into this thread maybe someone might do something :P

[Silverstangs]

I want in on this request too, I'm getting a little tired of asking members to shrink their signatures, and editing them is also annoying.....

[mcyates]

is anyone going to act upon this request?

[SupraT]

Don't think so, I even posted in the pay for services forum (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=72366) and received no interest. Which is odd considering the the interest in this thread alone, it is obviously the community wants it.

[mcyates]

Don't think so, I even posted in the pay for services forum (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=72366) and received no interest. Which is odd considering the the interest in this thread alone, it is obviously the community wants it.
Yes, i have a lot of problems with the sizes of signatures and the amount which people posses. This would be fantastic, honestly if a free boards has is phpbb then I think vBulletin should have it, we are paying customers, our comments must heard and something done about it.

Then again, they might be already doing it but keeping is quiet. (I hope)

[Khaine]

I'll add my name to the list of thinking this would be very useful for our board, some of the people keep on changing their images to 2 meg animated gifs, or an image that 600x800, and I don't have the time to go and edit them over and over again

[cinq]

I am for this too. Should be default features in vb3 :)

[kyrnel]

The problem with sig limit hacks is there are too many options and never one that will do everything everyone wants.
Everyone is guessing at what limits will keep sig size under control, but I have seen this hack running on sites that still have sig size issues. It is too easy to circumvent if you just use a few criteria like this.

There is a CSS2 attribute called max-height that will allow you to restrict the height of a table or div tag. But it isnt supported in IE yet. Hopefully soon, because this is really the only way to effectively limit sigs (other than not allowing text tags or only allowing a single image and controlling its size).

If you allow vbCodes and/or images, then it is virtually impossible to restrict the sign size without a very complex hack. It would essentially need a long list of rules to determine how much space the sig will actually take. For example, number of carriage returns, size of text on each line, use of quote tags (or other tags that take more space than normal), smilies that are larger than a single line of text. Then if you allow images, the size of the image must be known and added to the approximate size of the text portion of the sig.
Then, you can probably estimate if a sig will be too large or not. So what? What are you going to do then? You can't just truncate the sig. You would need to wrap the sig in a fixed height div tag. But what if they edit thier sig to make it shorter. Now it is wrapped in a fixed height tag that makes it larger than it needs to be.
Do you just turn off thier sig if it is too large? The idea is to minimize administrative work, not add it. So I woulnt recommend this if you dont want to have a long discussion with every person who's sig is too long.

So the only really effective solutions are:
1) Some sort of tag that will contract to the contents and expand up to a set limit. As far as I know this only exists as a CSS2 attribute that is not supported in IE or Mozilla (only Opera right now). Who knows when it will be supported and then you still have no control over people with older browsers.

2) Only allow a single image with controlled max width and height and no text.

3) Find someone to create hack much more complicated than even the hack being requested here (which you are having no luck with).

One possible hybrid solution would be to make a system that made it easy to add and remove a heght limited div tag. Maybe a button that your mods could see that they click to apply the fixed height div tag. I could write that hack if anyone was interested.

[SupraT]

If it is so hard, why does PHPbb and IPB have it ? Seems to work fine there.

[kyrnel]

The hack that was referred to is not that difficult, but I have seen it running on boards that still have sig length issues. For example, people would post an image AND text. And when text was a larger point size than standard, it is not considered in this hack, so there were still very large sigs.

What would be difficult is to write a truly comprehensive hack that covers all the possibilities. The only other option is to just limit the possibilities in sigs. But if you allow images AND text and text markup, then you need a hack more complex than this one.

Admitedly this hack is better than anything that currently exsits, but I dont think it is enough. I have over 27,000 members on my site and we have to manually enforce the sig length rules. I have implemented a number of sig limit hacks and members have found ways around them within days.

[Dio]

Add me to the list of people who would like to see this Hack come to life.

[SupraT]

Why can't someone at least get the ball rolling. The first release of a hack doesn't hate to cover ever possible variable does it? Many hacks are released and developed as the community uses it and provides feedback.

What say you?

[pagekeeper]

major bump, someone make this, we all really need it !!

vbullletin should have this anyways its strange we have to make it a hack.

[SmEdD]

I will see what I can do to get the basics of having one image and have it check the size with GD, without it being stored on your server like the hack that was made for vB2.

After I get that done then I will see about more complexity.

[Protoman]

I like the idea of this hack also, I can't write it but I can give some ideas atleast

Allow control of the number of images in sigs (right now you can only control images in posts/sigs -- 1 variable for both)
be able to set max image sizes
be able to mass remove/warn of oversized sigs (maintenance)
--warnings would remove the [img] tags and add a notice at the top, but leave the content for the moment.
decrease sig dimensions based on lines of text and font size
--take the font height for each line and subtract it from the overall total for the text and image
--defined by returns or characters/line limit variable maybe?
prevent [img] followed by text causing page to stretch horizontally, or insert a return and recalculate max sig size.
some sort of quote / code box controls
basically, anything that could force the sig area larger than the set limit.

again, just ideas.. but I would really appreciate this!
anything else I'm forgetting? :rolleyes:

[Beaux]

I'd add to the list:

The ability to turn on/off image tags to usergroups (say, only donors get sigs?)

I too would like this mod.

[skinny]

I'd add to the list:

The ability to turn on/off image tags to usergroups (say, only donors get sigs?)

I too would like this mod.
You can do this now, by modifiying the usergroup settings. I dont allow sigs until members reach 50 posts, that can be changed to donators in your case..

[spence2]

I will see what I can do to get the basics of having one image and have it check the size with GD, without it being stored on your server like the hack that was made for vB2.

After I get that done then I will see about more complexity.

Any progress?

[msimplay]

My idea would be to get as many people to sign this thread as possible :d

[sully02]

I'll sign again. Looks like someone is taking it upon themselves to do it. Perhaps if we had a copy of the phpBB mod we could make some progress on it?

[Zain Jaffer]

I agree ... this is a very useful hack.

This can be done by my friend, but he has no time and I think that we should all come together and offer a financial incentive to the author..

Who's in!?

[SupraT]

I agree ... this is a very useful hack.

This can be done by my friend, but he has no time and I think that we should all come together and offer a financial incentive to the author..

Who's in!?
I did open a Paid Services ticket and got no takers.

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=72366

[msimplay]

I did open a Paid Services ticket and got no takers.

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=72366

hmm maybe one of the most requested hacks that no hacker wants to make :S

[SupraT]

hmm maybe one of the most requested hacks that no hacker wants to make :S
Yea haven't figured this one out yet. Maybe too challenging for the coders, wish I was a coder, I would certainly give it a go.

[Cassidy]

This is so strange =/ such a demanded hack and yet no one is bothering to take the time to code it. God bless whoever does seriously. This should come with VB anyway without having to hack ._.;

[msimplay]

This is so strange =/ such a demanded hack and yet noone is bothering to take the time to code it. God bless whoever doesseriously. This should come with VB anyway without having to hack._.;

I agree because it was one of the requests i made for vb3 gold :P

However no bbs includes this as standard so vb3 can be forgiven for not having it as standard also

However i'm hoping vb3.1 is something special as a lot of the requests that were not included in vb3 gold were slated for vb3.1

[Zain Jaffer]

Geez, Why don't the owners of Jelsoft take a look at this and do something about it - besides, we PAY for vbulletin - we deserve to be heard - this is no problem for the rich dudes @ JS!

Just posted a thread on vbulletin.com, let's hope it get's noticed by the top doggs @ Jelsoft.

[ludachris]

I'd love to see the Sig Settings list expand per usergroup. At the very least, it would be nice to be able to limit the:

1. Number of images
2. Size of images
3. BB and HTML tags that can be used
4. Image weight (file size)
5. Censor various text combos (like "http" or ".com") for those of us who don't want URL's posted in sigs
6. Be able to take away signature access on a per-user basis

I don't want a terribly complex hack, just one that is better than what we have now. In time, people might find ways to get around it. But it won't be as much hassle as it is right now removing the sig violations constantly. Being able to prevent users from editing their sig would be key. This way, if they get their hand slapped, you can take away their editing access if they screw up again.

[kgeronilla]

This is a simple template and CSS mod to restrict sig to a 500x120 centered box. It works for IE6 and firefox. I haven't tried any other browsers.

Go to your admincp

Styles & templates => styles manager => click [<<>>] => find Postbit Templates => double click postbit or postbit_legacy(depends on which you are using if you don't know it doesn't hurt to make modification to both)

Find code:
<!-- sig --> <div>

Replace with:
<!-- sig --> <div class="smallsig">

Push save button.

Next,
Styles & templates => styles manager => Select Main CSS and push go => Scroll to bottom.

Add this to bottom of "Additional CSS Definitions"
.smallsig {
width: 50%;
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
max-height:120px;
height:expression((document.documentElement.client Height) > 120? "120px" : "100%");
max-width:500px;
width:expression((document.body.clientWidth) > 500? "500px" : "100%");
overflow:hidden;
}

[msimplay]

This is a simple template and CSS mod to restrict sigto a 500x120 centered box. It works for IE6 and firefox. I haven'ttried any other browsers.

Go to your admincp

Styles & templates => styles manager => click[<<>>] => find Postbit Templates => double clickpostbit or postbit_legacy(depends on which you are using if you don'tknow it doesn't hurt to make modification to both)

Find code:


Replace with:


Push save button.

Next,
Styles & templates => styles manager => Select Main CSS and push go => Scroll to bottom.

Add this to bottom of "Additional CSS Definitions"

I already know of this and it has been suggested elsewhere beforehowever just because the image is over flowing doesn't mean it hasntloaded the image

[why-not]

Hi

I almost have this mod done, 1 to 3 days it will be released! I will put up some Admin Panel images by tomorrow morning so you can see what it will look like!

Options!

1. <IMG> domain blocking (access rules, don't allow images from these domains)
2. <URL> domain blocking (access rules, don't allow links pointing to these domains)
3. <IMG> max height, max width (moderate, validate before displaying [automatic], exclude these domains!)
4. sig max length
5. sig max characters per line
6. sig max (single word length) exclude URL LINKS/IMGS
7. <IMG> max allowed (non-smilies)
8. max smilies allowed
9. max bbcode allowed
10. max (single) bbcode allowed (ie: quote/all bbcode can only be used (#) times each)
11. bbcode limit (alllow bold, quote) but not any of these (size, color...)
12. URL links count as (#) this number of characters
13. IMG links count as (#) this number of characters
14. sig max lines (#)
15. sig max spacing (#) of lines!
16. master switch (turn off/on) when off will use vB(s) limited default permissions!

Database changes

Lite version ( no domain blocking );

Alter (1) table, add (1) column!

Advanced version ( lite version changes and below changes)

add (1) table to hold the extended permissions!

Extra query at run time (edit sig): NONE

// both versions, below

Script changes (5), (3) Admin related, (1) forum related, (1) include related!

Script adding: (1) include related!

templates edited: 3
templates added: NONE

vB phrases added: 47 as of now, might be more!

Sonia

[SupraT]

Hi

I almost have this mod done, 1 to 3 days it will be released! I will put up some Admin Panel images by tomorrow morning so you can see what it will look like!

Options!

1. <IMG> domain blocking (access rules, don't allow images from these domains)
2. <URL> domain blocking (access rules, don't allow links pointing to these domains)
3. <IMG> max height, max width (moderate, validate before displaying [automatic], exclude these domains!)
4. sig max length
5. sig max characters per line
6. sig max (single word length) exclude URL LINKS/IMGS
7. <IMG> max allowed (non-smilies)
8. max smilies allowed
9. max bbcode allowed
10. max (single) bbcode allowed (ie: quote/all bbcode can only be used (#) times each)
11. bbcode limit (alllow bold, quote) but not any of these (size, color...)
12. URL links count as (#) this number of characters
13. IMG links count as (#) this number of characters
14. sig max lines (#)
15. sig max spacing (#) of lines!
16. master switch (turn off/on) when off will use vB(s) limited default permissions!

Database changes

Lite version ( no domain blocking );

Alter (1) table, add (1) column!

Advanced version ( lite version changes and below changes)

add (1) table to hold the extended permissions!

Extra query at run time (edit sig): NONE

// both versions, below

Script changes (5), (3) Admin related, (1) forum related, (1) include related!

Script adding: (1) include related!

templates edited: 3
templates added: NONE

vB phrases added: 47 as of now, might be more!

Sonia

I LOVE YOU MAN!!!

If you need anything let me know~!

[why-not]

Hi all

I just figured I would update everyone on my progress!

The coding / scripting is 100% done! I have some people tesing it now, just to see how well it works on a big board! The admin panel is 90% done, I still need to build and write the help system! Tomorrow I will open a demo so you can try it out! It follows the permissions you set to a "T". It can be very strict or easy going, it really depends on how much you allow or don't allow! I had 2 reports today and both were really good because enforce signature works like it should!

Here are some images of the new signature permissions! If I have time later I will explain each permission in detail.

Notes:

1. The signature permissions are only active for groups that are allowed signatures

2, The configuration options do not contain the HELP system, I am doing that now!

C, ya...

Sonia

[msimplay]

Hi all

I just figured I would update everyone on my progress!

The coding / scripting is 100% done! I have some people tesing it now,just to see how well it works on a big board! The admin panel is 90%done, I still need to build and write the help system! Tomorrow I willopen a demo so you can try it out! It follows the permissions you setto a "T". It can be very strict or easy going, it really depends on howmuch you allow or don't allow! I had 2 reports today and both werereally good because enforce signature works like it should!

Here are some images of the new signature permissions! If I have time later I will explain each permission in detail.

Notes:

1. The signature permissions are only active for groups that are allowed signatures

2, The configuration options do not contain the HELP system, I am doing that now!


C, ya...

Sonia

I guess i'll be the first to say WOW
i love that finally something that has complete control over signatures

Erm it would also be good to have a cron script to recheck signature sizes because

If They decided to just change the linked image on their server
the image size restriction could be overidden

[why-not]

I guess i'll be the first to say WOW
i love that finally something that has complete control over signatures

Erm it would also be good to have a cron script to recheck signature sizes because

If They decided to just change the linked image on their server
the image size restriction could be overidden


I have that already covered! (cron)

+

Page scan!

Allows a Super/Mod or Admin to run a scan on any topic or thread they are viewing! What this does is it reads the page in real time looking for signature no-no(s), because like you said and I know people will try to change the image on the remote host! If it finds a different image size than what was allowed it will pull the sig (not allow it to be shown), send the user pm warning and record that warning. Admin configures the warning limit and the action to take if the warning limit is broken (life time ban signature usage for this user, day, week or month ban options also)

Also when you first set this up it will auto remove signatures that violate the new permissions, sending the user a PM telling them the new rules on signatures and why there signature was removed until they edit it to conform to the new permissions for his/her user group!

I got every thing covered, wait you will see what I mean!

c, ya...

Sonia

[msimplay]

I have that already covered! (cron)

+

Page scan!

Allows a Super/Mod or Admin to run a scan on any topic or thread theyare viewing! What this does is it reads the page in real time lookingfor signature no-no(s), because like you said and I know people willtry to change the image on the remote host! If it finds a differentimage size than what was allowed it will pull the sig (not allow it tobe shown), send the user pm warning and record that warning. Adminconfigures the warning limit and the action to take if the warninglimit is broken (life time ban signature usage for this user, day, weekor month ban options also)

Also when you first set this up it will auto remove signatures thatviolate the new permissions, sending the user a PM telling them the newrules on signatures and why there signature was removed until they editit to conform to the new permissions for his/her user group!

I got every thing covered, wait you will see what I mean!

c, ya...

Sonia

umm could be a problem since i already got the 'advanced warning system' installed :nervous:

[why-not]

umm could be a problem since i already got the 'advanced warning system' installed :nervous:

One person who is testing this mod has the AWS installed on his forum. When I installed this I did see some code that AWS uses, but I think AWS does not in anyway validate signatures! True there is a option to remove a signature if a person get so many warning points, but this will have nothing to do with signature editing control which is the only thing this mod will do! I might add it does it very well to, LoL!

Don't worry if you run into trouble I will find a way to work around it, but looking at the AWS code it will not in anyway effect it's doings or the doings of this mod!

Sonia

[Spinball]

Do you anticipate there being many problems if a lot of PMs are sent?
Don't know how many of our users have more than 4 lines in their sigs, but I would expect maybe 10% which is 4,800 pms.

[why-not]

Do you anticipate there being many problems if a lot of PMs are sent?
Don't know how many of our users have more than 4 lines in their sigs, but I would expect maybe 10% which is 4,800 pms.

You can set to how many lines you like, (4) is the default when setting up the signature permissions! As for the complete process, including PM sending, this handled on (4 queries)


1. (first query) when the scan is done, it grabs the signature, userid for all users in the group you are working on! It then runs the checking, adding the userid and the signature to the list of all bad signatures found! The ones that are OK are dumped <= unset(), when it done and it finds bad signatures...


2. (second query) it loads the userid(s) into a single column in the signature hold table (this may change), the signature hold table only contains one row with columns for each group and a column to hold the permissions for each group! It is very resource friendly this way! After loading the bad userids into the hold table it sends (1) single query loading the PMS into each user, the PM contains a special placeholder, that will be converted when the user reads the PM, the PM can not be deleted until it is read! Using a place holder you can make the message as personal as you want! You can setup a placeholder or many placeholders for any var that is contained in the bbuserinfo array!!!


3. (thrid query) send personal PM(s)...

Hi [PLACEHOLDER]

We have just implemented new rules regarding member signatures! Having
updated are forum permissions to refelct these changes we have found your
current signature does not follow our new permissions! Until you edit your
signature so that it meets our new permission guidelines it will not be displayed
in any of your posts or pms!

[PLACEHOLDER], we are sorry to have done this and hope you understand that the reason
for us to make these changes is for all our members to have a more enjoyble time
accessing the forums! You can read about the new signature permissions by using the link below!

!!!Link Here!!!

Regards

The Crew!

Final notes! this process can also be split up when a user group contains many users, there is a option for this in the configuration options! I have made a cron script that handles this and other options that can run in the background!

The most intense time will be the first time it is run, after it works one on one with each user when they add or edit a signature! There will also be a little (button/image) placed on each post where a mod/admin can just click on it if they see a image that does not look like it's following the permissions, if it is not the signature can be remove instantly!


Sonia

[Spinball]

Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into it and I hope the vB team take it onboard in the official software.
I'll certainly be installing this hack when it is done.
By the way, we don't allow images in signatures because it's such a frivolous waste of (our) bandwidth. I wouldn't advise anyone allow sig images to be honest.

[RCA]

Looks veryy good. This will be a MUST have for any vB board.

[msimplay]

I'm waiting for this mod so i don't have problems with signaturesagain, one of my new members was just argueing with me about suspendinghis signature

[apnet]

Sounds great, any idea of release date?

[why-not]

Just a update!

This will be release in just a few more days!

I was going to release it earlier, but few people want to work with groups and others want it to be just user based so I have to rewrite that part of the code over again!


I also am making changes to the "FIRST RUN" system so that everything in a signature will be tested but the "REMOTE IMAGES", if there are remote images and the rest of the signature passed the test then the signature will be allowed to be shown, but that signature will be added to the cron cache so only the images can be checked later in the "FIRST RUN CRON GROUPING" so as to keep server resources down during the first run!

Some other notes!

Added custom bbcode support! (you can them in the admin panel signature group permissions)


Someone asked me for an example off the bbcode handler, so I wrote this really quick as an example!

Before the code let me explain it!

The signature system uses a switch to turn it's self on or off, When off the original vBulletin handler is used. When the signature control is on it will fully overide the vBulletin handler!

When the signature control runs, it creates a error handler! The error handler, validates each part of the signature, it adds each error to it's value so when a signature is processed it will report every error it has found. This is so we don't get into a never ending loop of users having keep updating their signature to find they made another mistake!

The error handler, will give complete detailed information about the errors it has found! the example script below creates a error array...


Array
(
['php'] => 1
['code'] => 1
['url'] => 1
['b'] => 6
)


This is passed to the error handler that convert the errors to a nice found error output!

example...

['php'] => 1

output!

The signature contained 'PHP' bbcode which is not allowed in your signature!

['code'] => 1

output!

The signature contained 'CODE' bbcode which is not allowed in your signature!

['url'] => 1

output!

The signature contained 'URL' bbcode which is not allowed in your signature!


The last error is different, 'Bold' tags are allowed but the 'MAXIMUM' reuse bbcode allowed for a single bbcode tag is '2'! So the main error = 2 + (the total number of times the tag was found which = 4), meaning they went over the limit by (2)

['b'] => 6

The signature contained an allowed bbcode 'B' but it's usage is over the maximum allowed of (2)!

Error Notes:

Please see the detailed help related to the signatures rules !!LINK HERE!!

// end error output

Now code notes! I could use substr_count(), but holding (2) signatures and doing other str_ type functions is not worth it, because the overhead is greater in this case than using Perl Regex Power, plus I have some idea's in my head that will use the output from the preg_ functions to extend this even more (later that is!!)

Anyway here is the example script you can download! (my laptop)

http://24.91.149.80/test.php.txt


Any other question just ask!

Sonia

[trulylowcarb]

Can't wait for this hack, BLESS YOU for making it!

[why-not]

Last update

This will be the last update here, as I will be posting this into the beta forum late tomorrow night! At that time a demo will be up that you can try! Also the beta version will be there so you can test it on your forum!

I have included a image of the final Permissions Panel and Manager Panel.

The manager panel will allow you to access the edit / set permissions panel, view signatures by group panel and access the admin panel to setup or edit monitors! The beta version will not include a few admin related things that the final version will have! I will explain that when I post this tomorrow! The beta version will have the complete final permissions working 100%. I have tested this on many flavors of Unix/Linux/Mac and Windows, so everything works the same way without any trouble (ERRORS)!

I will include a limited help file for the beta version so you understand each permission, because there are over 50 options just in the permissions panel. The Image monitor will need PHP 4.0.5 or higher with the ability to set 'allow_url_fopen' in your PHP.ini file. If your on a host that has safe_mode running or can not access this setting then 'Image Size Permissions' will be disabled! There is nothing I can do to change this, as it is host and server permission related!

After I post this I will not be able to answer any questions for 1 or 2 days as I have another mod to release and 1 other to update! After that I will spend my time getting this ready for it's full release!

C, ya...

Sonia

[why-not]

Hi All

I keep adding stuff that makes it take longer to release this! I think I will stop that now! A few have emailed me asking when will it be done! Well, it is almost done. The only thing I need to do is finishes the phrases (100 to go!)! I hate that part because I never know what to write and it's boring! Give me notepad and some code to write and I am happy :ermm: !

I have some questions if people want to answer them! If you do it will help me figure what way of doing things will people like best! Anyway here are my questions!

The database layout!

The signature control adds (2) tables...

1. table (signature)

This holds each groups settings...

groupid = group the configuration belongs to
permissions = the form data for the admin panel
editor = the compiled permissions used for editing signatures
admin = the configurations (cron, monitor, mass manage users)
run = the signal that tells the cron to run
cron = a time field to track the next run time
users = holds the list of users being processed by the cron task manager
warn = holds a list of users that have more than once violated the sig perms...

2. table ( monitor )

this table keeps a list of users by userid and all the image urls that are in each users signature!

usergroupid = the user is a member of this group
userid = the id of the user
images = a serialized array of images that are in this users signature, including (date, size, type, last time checked)

We use this table for the monitor, so we don't have to do any script processing on a signature to validate images that are contained in a users signature that has already been validated! This table is updated every time the user updates their signature, if it has images the user is added to the monitor table, if they don't have images in their signature they are not added to the monitor!

The reason for adding the first (1) table, is that forum permissions are global, so adding big array that the signature control uses to the global permissions would be a waste because the only time the signature control permissions are needed is during a edit of a signature!

Having said that!

My question!

1. I can remove the first table and just add the permissions to the usergroup table, removing the one extra query that is needed when a editing request is made. But like I said the array is carried around the forum taking up memory!

2. I can leave it just the way it is, and just live with one extra query for a signature edit! But be happy because memory of a big array would not be wasted!

So what do you think, (1) or (2)

Before I go, here are two screens standard editor, advanced editor with the signature control reporting the errors it has found!

I will be taking requests in a few days for people wanting to test it on their forums, I will also put a demo up so others can try it!

One thing I will say, some of your members will not like that you add this to your forums, because they can not get by this control no matter what they do! Let me tell you some will get very mean, I am telling you this from experience!

C, ya...

Sonia

[deb0]

Dude, I wanna thank you in advance for putting alot of effort into something that should be included with VB. You are the man! (raising brew to toast)

[Spinball]

So what do you think, (1) or (2)

Definitely (2) because signatures are edited relatively rarely so who cares if there is an extra query? Whereas storing the entire stuff globally 100% of the time is going to impact performance all of the time, isn't it?
So (2) would be my preference.

[djwins]

perfect timing...i just switched to VB today!

[alexi]

I can't wait to see this released...

[Darmak]

So what do you think, (1) or (2)

Option 2

Yep, yep =D :squareeyed:

[kyzen]

LOL, I just got this PM over at vbulletin.com:

Could you please view the vBulletin Forum Rules about signatures and modify yours so it follows the posted rules:



Signature Limits



All signatures should not exceed the following size limits, and you can't have both text and images

For text signatures: 4 lines normal size, 8 lines small size and up to 90 chars per line. Font sizes above 2 are not allowed. (Blank lines count as lines.)
For images in signatures: 1 image up to 300 pixels wide, 125 pixels tall and 20k in size
Animated images in sigs are not allowed


Thanks,

Steve

So I replied:

Those rules are pretty cool and all... but if you guys would just hurry up and incorporate this https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=61239 then you wouldn't have to police it :) Just food for thought Steve ;)

[msimplay]

LOL, I just got this PM over at vbulletin.com:
So I replied:

LOL what a way to get noticed :devious:

[Julie]

I've been looking for something like this myself, so a HUGE thanks to Sonia for coding this :) Can't wait to see this released either!

[why-not]

Hi Everyone...

Thanks for the input on the database question, I will use (2) as the way of doing the edit!

One other question!

image = height / width!

Lets say a image 200 pixles in width!

My question...

What should I use as a rule to convert ( number of pixels = 1 character)

What I mean...

Say a smilies is 15X15, height/width, and the font size is 10 pixles

So if I divided ( 15 / 10 ) then that smilie would = 1.5 characters!

So that is my question... (what should be the divider? 10 or maybe the size between the minimum and maximum allowed)!

I'll give you a idea of why I am asking!

After a signature has been validated, there is a chance that a line will have image(s) and text together....

Like so.....

this was a very sunny day 100X400 and I enjoyed it very much! 100X400

The maximum line length is 120!

The example line above is ( 55 characters + ( 400/10 = 40) + (400/10 =40)

So it ends up being 135 characters, (15) over the limit, so if that happens, we do this!

reverse the string if we have more than one image, then line break it. The result!

this was a very sunny day 100X400 and I enjoyed it very much!
100X400


This way signatures never push the forum into a scroll view! Note this is a option that you can turn on or off...

Here is the function that does this!

/* this is only called to do line breaks on images with text (admin option) */

function sig_last_process ( $str, $uo )
{
/* get each line */

$lines = preg_split ( '#\r?\n#', $str );

/* get the smilies they are waiting for us, static */

$sc = sig_smilies ();

/* the maximum line length */

$line = $uo['line'];

/* all the images in this signature in a nice array */

$each = $uo['img'];

/* loop de loop, easy stuff (lines loop) */

for ( $i = 0; $i < sizeof ( $lines ); $i++ )
{
/* set are values, reset them for each line */

$lc = 0;
$it = 0;
$hold = array ();
$temp = $lines[$i];

/* check if we find a image in this line */

for ( $j = 0; $j < sizeof ( $each ); $j++ )
{
if ( ( $is = substr_count ( $lines[$i], $each[$j][0] ) ) > 0 )
{
/* found a image convert from pixels to characters */

$it += ceil ( ( ( $is * $each[$j][2] ) / 10 ) );

/* remove the image and all of it's bbcode or html if it's on */

$temp = preg_replace ( '!\[.*' . $each[$j][0] . '\[\/.*\]|\<.*' . $each[$j][0] . '.*>!is', '', $temp );

/* load the remember array with this image. (used to do the line break loop) */

$hold[] = $each[$j][0];

/* loop the smilies and count them as we go */

for ( $k = 0; $k < sizeof ( $sc['text'] ); $k++ )
{
if ( ( $ts = substr_count ( $temp, $sc['text'][$i] ) ) > 0 )
{
/* found a smile get it's height/width and convert it to total characters */

// I am going to kill this, and just add the sizes to the smiliescache

$ss = getimagesize ( './' . $sc['code'][$sc['text'][$i]][0] );

$lc += ceil ( ( ( $ss[0] * $ts ) / 10 ) );

/* remove this smilie so it does not count into the character count */

$temp = sig_remove_smilie ( $temp, $sc['text'][$i] );

}
}
}
}

/* done with this line, do we have a image? */

if ( ! empty ( $it ) )
{
/* we need to remove URL bbcode so it does not play into the character count */

$temp = preg_replace ( '!\[url=.*\]|\[\/url\]|\<a.*\>|\<\/a\>!is', '', $temp );

/* the total character in this line (images converted to characters, and real characters left in the line */

$total = ( strlen ( $temp ) + $it + $lc );

/* loop the line add the line break where it is needed */

if ( $total > $line )
{
for ( $l = 0; $l < sizeof ( $hold ); $l++ )
{
$lines[$i] = preg_replace ( "!(\[.*" . $hold[$l] . "\[\/.*\]|\<.*" . $hold[$l] . ".*\<\/a\>)!is", "\r\n\\1", $lines[$i] );
}
}
}
}

/* all done, give the signature back to the update user signature function */

// another signature that passed the test, !!YA!!

return ( implode ( "\r\n", $lines ) );
}


demo will finally be up tomorrow morning, beta release for sure sometime tomorrow!


Sonia

[Protoman]

sounds like you solved your own problem.

[BPnet]

Any chance of this being released soon? It looks like you just about got it nailed down several days ago. Thanks for coding this much-needed hack!

[why-not]

Any chance of this being released soon? It looks like you just about got it nailed down several days ago. Thanks for coding this much-needed hack!

I final have the public demo up... (you can try it!)

http://forum.ya-right.com/index.php?

you need to create an account to demo the control, no validation needed!


I will be releasing it on Sunday, I just need to finish a few minor things (more phrases) for the extra stuff I added and the (help system / Forum Facts) needs to be updated to add the information for the new options!


I think I may have went a little over board, but total control you will have!!!


c, ya...

Sonia

[Julie]

A [IMG] link, point to (36.jpg) is 79277 bytes in size, that is 58305 bytes over the allowed limit of 20972 bytes.

Is there a way to perhaps show it as kb, instead of bytes? This is just me being picky though :P

BUT! I did notice that when you had more than one "violation", it just displayed one:


[IMG]http://www.toobigimageinbyteshere.something[/img*]
gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg g

Error:
The following errors occurred when this message was submitted:

Line 2, word 1 is 101 characters long. A single word is allowed to be a maximum 30 characters.
But, when you fix the error displayed, and you click save, it'll show the other one. But it would be good to have all the errors at once :)

[why-not]

Is there a way to perhaps show it as kb, instead of bytes? This is just me being picky though :P

BUT! I did notice that when you had more than one "violation", it just displayed one:



Error:
The following errors occurred when this message was submitted:

Line 2, word 1 is 101 characters long. A single word is allowed to be a maximum 30 characters.
But, when you fix the error displayed, and you click save, it'll show the other one. But it would be good to have all the errors at once :)

Hi

The reason why it does this, is that the signature (text) is validated before any (images) are validated. There is no sense to run a (remote) system call to validate images if the signature (text) has errors! I did it this way to save resources! I could do it the way you want, but it is not the best appoach to take! I will do this though, add a option to the Admin Configuration, that does it my way and also allows for doing it your un-resource friendly way!

Sonia

[Julie]

Oh okay, I don't know much about coding and queries and such, but I just thought a user might get a little pissed for having to edit his/her sig again and again and again :P

But hey, you're the coder, you know best ;) I really appreciate you coding this! :)

[trulylowcarb]

Tried the demo, and left some feedback in the demo forum.... go Sonia, go .... ^5!

[why-not]

Someone asked about the image validation so I will explain it!

Validation on images is done using (2) passes, The first pass validates the image size allowed for the user group the member is assigned to!

If the size is below the maximum allowed, the second question is pushed to the remote server to get the other information (height, width)!

I use (2) passes, because we don't want to download a image that violates the maximum size rule, this is to make the process as system friendly as possible! This is all done using one single process, and a special (request header) that all servers understand, so we only use one remote call per image validation, talking to the remote server in a special way. I also only use one remote call if there are (1) or more images in a signature and those images are all on the same remote server!

I have put a lot of time in load tesing and trying my best to make this very system friendly! Sure I know of easier ways to deal with image validation, but they are very resource intense. Which is what I do not want and you will not want, this is one of those times that one would need to reinvent the wheel, and that is what I did!

Sonia

[BPnet]

I final have the public demo up... (you can try it!)

http://forum.ya-right.com/index.php?

you need to create an account to demo the control, no validation needed!


I will be releasing it on Sunday, I just need to finish a few minor things (more phrases) for the extra stuff I added and the (help system / Forum Facts) needs to be updated to add the information for the new options!


I think I may have went a little over board, but total control you will have!!!


c, ya...

Sonia
Excellent! I am looking forward to your final release, Sonia. I appreciate the hard work you've put into this.

[ThePimp]

There should also be a text box that allows you to put in a replacement sig if the above specs are not met. Like if the size is too large, it would be replaced by a default sig. If no sig data is input, it would still show no sig, but if there is one, and it's out of compliance, the default kicks in.

[why-not]

There should also be a text box that allows you to put in a replacement sig if the above specs are not met. Like if the size is too large, it would be replaced by a default sig. If no sig data is input, it would still show no sig, but if there is one, and it's out of compliance, the default kicks in.

What would be the point of that?

Signature validation is to make sure the signature complies to your forum rules! If there is a problem then the user will be told about the problem right at edit time! So I don't see a need for a replacement signature! Maybe I am not understanding you, if you could explain in more detail it would help me understand what you are saying!

Sonia

[trulylowcarb]

I was just coming here to say that I would prefer NOT to see a default signature, personally...
(Just my 2cents)

[007]

This hack would be great. I know how to code it but don't have any time now. I would certainly install it though!

All I really care about is a usergroup based signature:

Allow usergroup to use signatures? Yes/No

That would fix so many problems.

[Corriewf]

bump

[KidCharlemane]

bump
So how close is this? Wasnt the release supposed to have been 2 days ago? Great job on this hack, Sonia.. I think everyone is anxiously waiting for it.

[why-not]

Todays the day, sometime a little later this evening, I am writing the install right this very minute. I have most of it done, I just need to test all the pharses and database install / uninstall, just to make sure everything get loaded that should get loaded!

It will not have a installer, just a detailed step by step! The script edits are easy only 4 or 5, because the backend is contained in it's own 2 new include files, adminfunctions_signature.php and functions_signature.php and the admin script './admincp/signature.php'...

Today for sure...

Sonia

[KidCharlemane]

Today for sure...

Any updates?

[Aurous]

Todays the day, sometime a little later this evening, I am writing the install right this very minute. I have most of it done, I just need to test all the pharses and database install / uninstall, just to make sure everything get loaded that should get loaded!

It will not have a installer, just a detailed step by step! The script edits are easy only 4 or 5, because the backend is contained in it's own 2 new include files, adminfunctions_signature.php and functions_signature.php and the admin script './admincp/signature.php'...

Today for sure...

Sonia
take ur time sonia, no point listening to users who have no patience. just make sure when you release this hack, it works fine. thanks for this great work, my HOM vote is set for this one!

[Corriewf]

Todays the day, sometime a little later this evening, I am writing the install right this very minute. I have most of it done, I just need to test all the pharses and database install / uninstall, just to make sure everything get loaded that should get loaded!

It will not have a installer, just a detailed step by step! The script edits are easy only 4 or 5, because the backend is contained in it's own 2 new include files, adminfunctions_signature.php and functions_signature.php and the admin script './admincp/signature.php'...

Today for sure...

Sonia

You know this will get hack of the month right?

[msimplay]

For those of you that are impatient use this simple template mod for now

http://www.vbulletintemplates.com/mods/showthread.php?t=7851

[KidCharlemane]

For those of you that are impatient use this simple template mod for now

http://www.vbulletintemplates.com/mods/showthread.php?t=7851
Unfortunately the template mod isnt sufficient for what I need to do. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[pelukis]

well..i am waiting patiently for sonia;)

[why-not]

It has now been released...

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=79566

enjoy...

Sonia

[Julie]

Thanks Sonia! I'll definitly use when I get the time to install it :)