If you chdir once to grab a file, you need to chdir back to the vbulletin working directory.

If you are putting this in a plugin, you don't need to include any vBulletin files. The vBulletin back-end is already included when you are inside a plugin...

Also the $db variable is already set too.

Just imagine it as though you've copied and pasted the code directly into the vBulletin file in where the hook is located. So it just runs normally.

Unless you need this as a standalone file?

(Note: You will need to remove the echo()'s or use output buffering functions to grab any output)

I'd like to keep it as a standalone file, as it is pulling information from my probid installation which is using a different database than vB. Plus, I can make it modular for other applications (i.e. outside of vB if needed).

the $db variable in cats.php is calling up the probid database, not the vB database.

--------------- Added [DATE]1217071152[/DATE] at [TIME]1217071152[/TIME] ---------------

Oh my lord! I finally got it working! Thank you to everyone for the help. Here is what I think was the problem...

My file was using the variable $db... so, i think that was one problem.

Second, I didnt use the chdir()...

Thank you all for the help! I love this place. Now... I can finally finish this plugin :)