AWS and vb3.5

[jluerken]

Hi,

I thinked its asked many many times but I've not seen a concrete YES or NO so far.

I started with the first AWS version and spended hours to update it everytime.
I've never thought that so many ideas will make it into the hack and no I really love it and will not miss it on my board.

Cause I will definetly upgrade to vb3.5 I started to check which hacks I use will be ported to vb3.5 and which not.
For sure I want to see things like AWS on the list of hacks that I will not miss in vb3.5.

Please rewrite it so that it works with 3.5 in the way it is working now with 3.0.7 and we learned to love it.

Regards
jluerken

[Post to Post]

I’d like to see this implemented for Vb 3.5 as well. I am currently running the latest beta and I’d like to have this hack up and running as soon as I possibly can as a warning hack is almost essential now days on open discussion communities.
What’s your expectation before a public release is available?

[sv1cec]

Folks,

I've said it before, and I'll say it again now.

I have every intention of porting AWS to vB 3.5 but it is not an easy task. There are a lot of things to learn and a lot of differences that have to be taken into consideration. I have spend about a week, porting the installation scripts to work properly with vB 3.5 and I am currently working on the rest of the files.

But, it is not an easy task. vBulletin didn't try to make this upgrade easy for us, hack coders, instead they have us chasing our tails, with endless changes of code, which could have been implemented behind the scenes, if you understand what I mean.

Add to that the new hook system, with which I need to familiarize myself, add the fact that the good old vB variables are changed and now I need to copy and paste for things I could code by heart, add the fact that AWS is a complex hack, with several files edited, add that vBulletin didn't bother coming up with a specs file, which one could read and use as a guidance (instead they relied on this site members to come up with tutorials, etc) and you understand it is not an easy task. My knowledge on the technologies used by vB is limited (I have no experience with Java or Javascript, XML is unknown to me), and I am not a young coder who can learn things easily.

On top of that, I do not have all day to work on the code. I have about 6 hours every day, during which I am free to do things I like or things I need to do. In those 6 hours, I need to pack whatever other people do during a whole day, so my time to work on AWS is limited. I can therefore not commit on any delivery time, all I can say, is what I said above, that I'll do my best to port AWS to vB 3.5. Thank God, I now have access to a test environment, without which I wouldn't be able to do anything (thanks Juan), so at least one problem is solved.

Sorry if that is not enough, but that is all I can offer to you guys at the moment.

Rgds

[Michael-DLR]

John,

I appreciate your efforts and I am sure everyone else does as well. You have one of the best hacks out there and we appreciate all the time you have spent already.

Thank you,

Michael

[beano33]

Sorry if that is not enough, but that is all I can offer to you guys at the moment.

Rgds

You've done more much than enough. Given the complexity of your hack I'm surprised you're even working on it before vB 3.5 gets to the RC (release candidate) stage.

[sv1cec]

I am working on it, but I ain't making much progress, unfortunatelly. You see, with some minor changes, the hack could work in 3.5, as is, but that would bypass the new ... standards and require you to hack the php files again. I do not want to release it like that, I prefer to spend some more time and understand the whole hooks thing, and do it properly. I am not sure if I'll succeed, but at least I'll try.

And you are right, things are not very stable with 3.5 yet, so I am not sure if the time I invest in researching its internals is worth it.

[DS MrSinister]

I hope you will bring this out for vb 3.5...

I am not going to do anything to my site until 3.5 goes gold.. got to many hacks installled......... So plz take you time and do it the right way my friend.

[sv1cec]

Well, you might be interested to know, that the basic functionality of AWS (i.e. the ability to warn a member etc.), as well as the largest part of the AdminCP part (admin_warn.php) is running fine on the test server. Of course, there are still some issues to be clarified (for example, where will the functions_warning.php contents should be? If we are to avoid editing the php files, the functions that are currently in that file, should be moved elsewhere, where?) and a lot of testing to be done, but it works!

I still haven't touched the automatic warnings issues, which relate to the censorship in posts and PMs.

Rgds

[Michael-DLR]

Awesome progress you are making. Thank you for all your efforts!

Michael

[Dennis B]

Thanks John. :up: :up:

[TosaInu]

Great sv1cec,

Is it going to be 100% plugin (hook system) or are file edits still required? As far as you can see now.

[sv1cec]

As far as I 've come, it's all plugins and XML things. I haven't touched the Automatic Warnings though, from posts and PMs. That' the worst part, I think.

[TosaInu]

As far as I 've come, it's all plugins and XML things. I haven't touched the Automatic Warnings though, from posts and PMs. That' the worst part, I think.

That's great news sv1cec,

Say the automatic stuff requires file edits. Would it be possible for me to ignore installing that part then? Our board likely won't use that anyway.

Actually, I'ld already like to install the part you have on my testboard.

[sv1cec]

Yes, that would be possible, but I have to also change the administrator script, so that it takes into account (or so that it shows) only what you have installed. But yes, typically the automated warnings thing does not affect the rest.

[timmed]

As far as I 've come, it's all plugins and XML things. I haven't touched the Automatic Warnings though, from posts and PMs. That' the worst part, I think.


That's great news sv1cec,

Say the automatic stuff requires file edits. Would it be possible for me to ignore installing that part then? Our board likely won't use that anyway.

Actually, I'ld already like to install the part you have on my testboard.

I would also like to test out what you have so far on my testboard. I am part of a forum who relies on this and I would like to assure them that this would work when we do decide to upgrade.

[Revan]

for example, where will the functions_warning.php contents should be?In the closest hook available, or to be safe just smack it in global_start ;)

[Diana Notacat]

I'd just like to mention my support for this hack! :D It's the only one left that I HAVE to have or I'm just flat out not upgrading to 3.5 (despite it's coolness) as it's probably the most useful and important Admin tool I have on my forums. I do hope you get everything worked out well, and I'm looking forward to seeing how great it looks on 3.5!

[akanevsky]

I could help you port it if you want..

[FlyBoy73]

John,
My hats off to you for a great hack and your hard work... I will be making a donation once you get it done and I get our upgrade complete to 3.5gold. This hack is most definitely deserving of that! I have over 120 staff members in our forums and for a VERY long time we have needed a hack like this. I haven't had the pleasure of using it but I hope to in the near future.
Thanks!
David

[sv1cec]

Guys and gals,

Just to inform you, that August will not be the most productive months as far as AWS is concerned. With the twins at home, some financial issues which popped up, two other projects which need to be started and finished as soon as possible (not vB related), it's hard to find time to work on the hack.

Dark Visor, if you want to help, check the changes that need to be made for the Automatic Warnings to work, from posts and PMs. This is the part that needs to be ported to vB 3.5. If you need any help, just PM me.

Any help will be appreciated, since I do not see it possible to work on AWS before September.

[SkyShadow]

Hey John,

first of all I want to thank you for your great work.
Will it be possible to port the data of your hack to 3.5 or will I have to start from scratch?
Would an update to 3.5. affect to the AWS tables?

[sv1cec]

The data should remain totally the same, no change what's so ever. This is one thing you do not have to worry about.

Rgds

[wcbryant]

Hi all,

Just wondering what the status is here? DV, are you helping port, or is the process on hold until Sept? No complaints either way, this is just the very last hack my site "needs" to move over to 3.5.0, so I'm just trying to get a fix on where it is so I can plan around it. Thanks, sv1, for all the hard work you've done on it. You've made it *so* good that many of us can't live without it. :D

[sv1cec]

Sorry, no one is helping and I haven't made much progress on this issue. I spend 5 days at the hospital last week with one of my twins being there for some infection of the tonsils, and as I explained, when they are at home, it is not easy to work on the hack.

I also have some financial issues to deal with, so you understand that life can be rough. Plus, I have a project running for my own site (testing some new toys), which takes whatever free time I have, so I do not expect any work to be done on AWS, before September.

However, the good news is that the warning/view warnings and admin things are OK, as far as I can say. If I can figure out how the hooks should be distributed, that part can soon be released as a beta version. Then, all that remains is for the Automatic Warnings from posts and PMs to be implemented, as well as the new Notes thing I added lately.

Sorry folks, it's just that my life is going downhill these days.

[wcbryant]

Without boring you with the details, I can tell you I totally understand in personal real-world terms in regards to life's downswings.

Not trying to pressure you at all, so please don't think otherwise. Wish I could help in some way, but I have zero aptitude when it comes to these coding issues. Kirby (for example) picked up vBookie and ran with it, did a great job, and maybe he (or someone like him) would be willing to back you up on the issues holding AWS back. I'd be happy to look around for someone to help, if you would find that useful, but I don't want to presume anything -- either on your end, or Kirby's, or anyone else's. So I'm also entirely content to wait as long as you need, I only spoke up and asked for a status just to see if someone had indeed stepped up to take some of the burden off of you.

I do hope things pick up and improve for you.



Sorry, no one is helping and I haven't made much progress on this issue. I spend 5 days at the hospital last week with one of my twins being there for some infection of the tonsils, and as I explained, when they are at home, it is not easy to work on the hack.

I also have some financial issues to deal with, so you understand that life can be rough. Plus, I have a project running for my own site (testing some new toys), which takes whatever free time I have, so I do not expect any work to be done on AWS, before September.

However, the good news is that the warning/view warnings and admin things are OK, as far as I can say. If I can figure out how the hooks should be distributed, that part can soon be released as a beta version. Then, all that remains is for the Automatic Warnings from posts and PMs to be implemented, as well as the new Notes thing I added lately.

Sorry folks, it's just that my life is going downhill these days.

[Andreas]

@sv1ec
If you want, I can take a look into this.

[wcbryant]

@sv1ec
If you want, I can take a look into this.


Lol, see Kirby, now I'm going to have to reference you in some obscure forum on another site to see if you show up there too. :nervous:

[sv1cec]

Folks,

Just an upgrade on this:

It looks as if the release of AWS 3.5 (AWS version for vB 3.5) will not take place at least in the foreseeable future.

I have too many things in my hands right now, even though the twins are back to school, which take every single minute of my free time (and then some). Kirby's offer to help didn't produce any results, I've emailed him the files (changes) some time ago, but haven't heard back from him, so I assume that he is occupied with other matters.

And even though the non-automatic warning things are all in place, I have no idea how to distribute the changes (all hook ups and xml), so unless someone takes over to help me out, I think AWS will remain a 3.0.x version only.

Rgds

[Andreas]

I am waiting for a Feedback from Jelsoft regarding a Bug in vBulletin.
Depending on if they change the Code or not it is possible to make a Plugin - or not.
Therefore I didn't answer back yet.

[sv1cec]

Kirby,

Nice hearing from you! At least this project is not yet dead.

Please keep me in the loop.

Kind regards

[wcbryant]

Thanks for the update, both of you.

[Andreas]

Update
I got a positive reply (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/bugs35.php?do=view&bugid=1098) from Jelsoft :)
This means it will not require any File Edits.
Currently, I got everything packaged as a Product but there are a few things (PM handling, WOL, etc.) that are not implemented yet - but should be ready today.

@sv1ec
If you want, I can take over support for the vB 3.5 Version as long as you don't have time.

[Andreas]

Update
Automatic Post warning seems to be working ... somewhat :D


You have been warned for one of your posts, which violated Testboard Rules. The reason you have been warned is because:

Warning for posting stuff like ****, ****, etc.

It's really great that the censor does censor the words so they are unreadable in the waring pm, lol :D

[TosaInu]

Kirby,

Nice hearing from you! At least this project is not yet dead.

Please keep me in the loop.

Kind regards

Hopefully fixed in RC3 KirbyDE.

[Andreas]

Update
Automatic warning stuff fully implemented, seems to work
Preapring Install Codes and Instructions

[sv1cec]

That's perfect, very good news KirbyDE, appreciated very much.!!!!

[Zachery]

Update
Automatic warning stuff fully implemented, seems to work
Preapring Install Codes and Instructions

Good to hear kirby.

[Andreas]

Update
Packaging is complete, now testing if installation does work on another system.
But I have to leave now (going to work), will test tomorrow.
On RC2 one File Edit will be necessary due to a Bug in vBulletin, RC3 should be edit-free.

[sv1cec]

KirbyDE,

Have you included all the hooks in the installation script you are preparing? Also, will the script create the tables and settings etc?

Rgds

[Zachery]

KirbyDE,

Have you included all the hooks in the installation script you are preparing? Also, will the script create the tables and settings etc?

Rgds

John have you had the time to look at how the product system works in 3.5? Its basicly an included installer routine system ;) the product takes care of everything.

[Andreas]

@sv1ec
It's packaged as a Product, eg, will install all Settings/Phrases/Templates/Tables automatically - as well as the Cronjobs.

[Michael-DLR]

Wow, a big thank you goes out to everyone helping with this. :) This is such a great add-on that maybe one day Vbulletin will consider adding this to their product.

Thanks again!

Michael

[sv1cec]

John have you had the time to look at how the product system works in 3.5? Its basicly an included installer routine system the product takes care of everything.

I am afraid I haven't Zachery. The lack of time is my problem, I sincerely hope that KirbyDE can come up with the ... packaging. And I am sure we are all going to be eternally greatful to him for his help, I couldn't have done it without him, LoL, at least not before Christmas.

If you want, I can take over support for the vB 3.5 Version as long as you don't have time.

That would be fabulous KirbyDE, since you have seen the code in its entity, I am sure you will be able to provide better support than me. I'll still do the 3.0.x support, for those who do not upgrade.

If there is anything more I can do, please let me know, even though it seems you have everything under control.

Again, many thanks.

[TosaInu]

:jumping:

[Andreas]

Test Install was succesful :)
I've sent an installation package to sv1ec, if he gives his ok it will be released soon.

[Dennis B]

This is great news Kirby. :)

[sv1cec]

Folks, here is where you can download the vB 3.5 compliant version of AWS.

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?p=770032

Please keep in mind that my board is still running at 3.0.x, so I cannot test the hack. Until I prepare a test site to test it, I'll consider it as beta, but I am pretty sure it is stable enough.

AWS 3.5 does not include the Notes feature of AWS 3.4.16, I'll pass the code along to KirbyDE to have it incorporated, as soon as possible.

You should all thank KirbyDE for his work. Without him, this version wouldn't have released.

[TosaInu]

I thank Zero Tolerance for the original hack, sv1cec for making it an advanced very powerful extension and KirbyDE for (helping) porting it to 3.5. Thanks all. :)

[mutus123]

Thanks kindly to all for their efforts. It is truly appreciated. :up:

just had a quick question about upgrading to vb 3.5 and re-installing this hack.

Do I need to rip out the old AWS templates before I upgrade to vb 3.5, and then install the new version of the hack clean into vB 3.5?

Also any changes to database tables, or can I just leave those as is.

Thanks again really for your time and effort.

[DS MrSinister]

I just tried to upgrade my test site from 3.0.8 to 3.5 rc 3.. well it did not go to well until i uninstall your hack sad to say... can any one help me to get around this.. ? NOt sure if anyone else is having this problem or its just me..

[Andreas]

Do I need to rip out the old AWS templates before I upgrade to vb 3.5, and then install the new version of the hack clean into vB 3.5?

Also any changes to database tables, or can I just leave those as is.

The Templates are compatible variable-wise, so you don't have to redo them.
The Database Schema also ahsn't changed.

[jluerken]

The Templates are compatible variable-wise, so you don't have to redo them.
The Database Schema also ahsn't changed.

I don't think that this is correct.
At least one table made a problem while upgrade 3.0.x to 3.5.
vBulletin is now using a table field which has the same name than the one AWS uses.

I tried an upgrade of my 3.0.8 board with AWS to vb 3.5 RC1 which brought up an error with a table. This was used from AWS and I had to delete it before the update went well.

I recommended weeks ago to change the AWS tables by adding them a prefix like
aws_
and the field names also
aws_

For future vB releases and other hacks I think this would be a good idea.

[Andreas]

I was speaking of Templates :)

But you are right, there was a Field in Table userban (reason) that was previously used by AWS and is now a standard Field.

I am not a big fan of prefixes, therefore I most likely will not do so.

[jluerken]

I was speaking of Templates :)

But you are right, there was a Field in Table userban (reason) that was previously used by AWS and is now a standard Field.

I am not a big fan of prefixes, therefore I most likely will not do so.

Ok but to make sure that vb 3.0.x AWS users can use AWS also in vb 3.5 the table must be renamed before upgrading.
Is AWS for 3.5 giving that field another name or how did you make it working KirbyDE?

[sv1cec]

This has been beaten to death. No, AWS does not care (during installation) if there is an error in the database, at least it didn't care at the AWS 3.4.x releases, I am not sure if this is true in AWS 3.5, KirbyDE can answer that to you, BUT:

AWS does not care if the "Reason" column is added by AWS installation script or if it already exists in the database. The column "reason" contains the reason why a person was banned. It's the same thing if this reason is added by AWS or by vB. Jelsoft finally decided that it is good to have the reason why someone was banned in the ban record, and added that column. So, there is no real conflict between AWS reason and vB reason, the column contains always the same thing. The reason a member was banned.

And please post your AWS 3.5 related questions in the appropriate thread.

Thank you.

[Andreas]

@jluerken
As said, it doesn't really matter if AWS or vBulletin itself added the Field as it contains the same Data anyway.
AWS for 3.5 just uses the Field, it does not try to create or delete it, so there is no need to rename anything or such.

[mutus123]

sv1cec, sorry if it's been beaten to death, I've been trying to follow (and have subscribed to) various threads that talk about AWS and more specifically how it will port to vb3.5, and this is one of a few threads regarding the matter that is updated daily. Since the questions I asked were not answered in the official 3.5.0b AWS release thread (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=95921) (at least not at the time I posted) I used this thread.

It's slightly confusing, but I thought a thread entitled "AWS and vb3.5" was an appropriate place to inquire about "AWS 3.5 related questions". I'll try not to let it happen again. better yet I will go and read through the thread I referenced above. I see it's up to 60+ posts since I went out of town last week, at that time it was only about 10 posts that did not address "upgrading".

Again guys, I can't say it enough, thank you all very kindly for your effort, and sorry about the misplaced questions. :)

[sv1cec]

Mutus123, I haven't answered to one of your posts. My answer quoted above, refered to jluerken who had asked the exact same thing here:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=92921

Also, support questions are not supposed to be here. They are supposed to be in the AWS 3.5 release thread, so that either me or KirbyDE know where to look for them. This thread was used only to inform members about the status of the porting.