vbRides ? Garage
 

vbRides is a vBulletin Garage plugin for vBulletin Suite 4 forum software. Members of your website can showcase their rides with the community. This is not a port or copy of another garage but a unique mod designed by a car guy for the car community. My intentions with vbrides is avoid the bloat of unnecessary extensions an keep a simple 'showcase' style garage.

I have wanted to build a 'garage' add-on since I first started with vbulletin an worked on something with Magnus ten years ago. It was Christeris new add-ons that had the style an layout that inspired me to create this new add-on. He has since abandon his work an given ozzy47 his code who has given me permission to use Christeris code to build a new garage add-on called "vbRides".

Due to starting with code from another project this add-on will remain free an not offered as a pro or lite edition. However there was extensive work writing vbrides an would appreciate your support.


Key Features

• User management of rides through the User Control Panel
  
• Forty fields of specifications to fill out for a detailed ride profile.
  
• Support for an audio clip embedded with the HTML5 audio player.
  
• Ride owners can add a single YouTube video.
  
• RSS feed for new rides with photo, title, an description.
  
• Searchable fields include owner, VIN, and keywords.
  
• Unlimited categories an subcategories.
  
• Lightbox presentation of ride images
  
• Create new ride thread in a specified forum showing the ride year, make, model, an it's main image with a short description.
  
• Up to 5 ride listings can be automatically generated an added to owners forum signature.
  
• Social Media block can either use AddThis account or choose Twitter, Google, Pin It, an Facebook like buttons.
  
• Owners ride listings tab can be shown on their user profile.
  
• Vehicle of the day within it's category added with cron.
  
• Extra fields can be added under the user stats block.

Under Construction

• SEO Friendly URLs has not been tested an should be considered under development.
  
• Custom Facebook Open Graph isn't working as intended.
  
• Signature hook is only showing ride for first post. To Fix Plugin Manager > Edit Plugin vbRides: Postbit, Signatures and PM's, Remove the "_once" from require_once. :erm:
  
• Missing side padding for text in side blocks with last update.

Future Plans / Wishlist

• Drag Strip stats, an extension to add drag racing information with timeslip images.
  
• Modification system, an extension to add searchable database based on the parts. So a Holley carb install would be linked to other rides who have done the same install.
  
• Add activity stream support

Installation

• Download and unzip the file 'product-vbRides_x.x.x.zip'
  
• Upload the content of upload folder to your existing vBulletin directory. If your admincp folder is renamed from default manually move vbrides_admin.php to it.
  
• CMOD 777 the directories:
  
  • vbrides/photos
    
  • vbrides/audio
    
• Goto Admincp, Plugins & Products > Manage Products > Add/Import Product and import product-vbrides.xml
  
• Set the various settings in vbRides
  
• Set Usergroup permissions See Post

YouTube Channel
vbRides Instructional & Demo Videos

Demo:
http://www.action-network.com/vbrides.php

Demo Account:

More Screenshots

Translations
Phrases are included in the install xml, the file in downloads is extra for use in translating or rephrase for different uses.

Change Log

• Version 1.0.1
  
  • Updated functions_vbrides.php to correct missing deleteDir() function
    
  • Fixed template bugs in 'vbrides_view_ride', 'vbrides_my_comments_bit'
    
  • Added post new ride button to front page in 'vbrides_rightside' template
    
  • Product xml should now install on forums without cms although template is still added
    
• Version 1.0.2
  
  • Updated vbrides.php, vbrides_modcp.php, vbrides_usercp.php to fix bugs with comments
    
  • Updated add_rides_forumhome.php to hide block if no rides to show
    
  • Changed the moderate.png from site_icon folder to a filled in comment bubble
    
• Version 1.0.3
  
  • Added hard coded avatar width in comments to avoid breaking the layout
    
  • Redesigned how thumbnail images are made, now set a fixed height an width
    
  • Reworked RSS feed, now 100% validates so should work as intended
    
  • Fixed various bugs, so reupload all files
    
• Version 1.0.4
  
  • Inserted link to "AddThis" in AddThis profile ID description
    
  • Fixed Show Empty Categories to work as intended
    
  • Removed removeslash function as it didn't work on all servers causing fatal error
    
  • Removed bbc table structure in new ride forum post template to work with TapaTalk
    
  • Added min/max character info to small description input description so users are aware
    
  • Added style variables for adjusting the rating text in view ride page
    
  • Reworked pm and new thread code an phrase template
    
  • Edited moderate.png, moderated.png, and stars.gif
    
  • Fixed broken style in member ride tab caused by last update
    
  • Rewrote vbrides_stats.php to correctly count photos and main images as total images
    
  • Fixed various bugs, reupload all files
    
• Version 1.0.5
  
  • Ride report permission should be fixed to hide from Guests
    
  • Removed dependancy on cms an blog css tags
    
  • New setting Show Create Rides Button as graphic button, link, or hide
  • Fixed bug if overwriting main photo would add to the photo count
  • Performed a spellcheck on the phrases to fix misspelling an grammar
  • Added new style variables for list header to make up for removing blog.css
    
  • Fixed various bugs, reupload all files
    
• Version 1.0.6 Thanks to Keyser Soze for his contributions regarding this version.
  
  • Changed breadcrumb nav to better use vbulletins breadcrumb-navbits
    
  • Removed dependency on cms an blog css tags
    
  • Changed how YouTube videos are added, can now enter full urls
    
  • Fixed bug with comment counter
    

Nice work @Action-N, should be a big hit around here! :)

Keen to try this out :)

But first attempt at install (I'm NOT running the CMS)..

--------------------

Database error in vBulletin 4.2.2:

Invalid SQL:
SELECT widgetid FROM cms_widget
where product = 'vbrides';

MySQL Error : Table 'xxx.cms_widget' doesn't exist
Error Number : 1146
Request Date : Wednesday, August 6th 2014 @ 09:01:33 PM
Error Date : Wednesday, August 6th 2014 @ 09:01:34 PM
Script : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Referrer : xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
IP Address : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Username : xxxxxxxxxx
Classname : vB_Database_MySQLi
MySQL Version : 5.5.35-2

Hey thanks for responding, I didn't realize that an hadn't put in a conditional for it. Going to be a few hours still before I can update it. Has anyone else with cms had a problem installing? As whether to remove the cms block from the main install or put in a conditional.

Tagging as this is right up my alley. May attempt install tomorrow with CMS and vB 4.2.1

I couldn't figure out how to check for widget table so I took the install code out for it an uploaded a file to this post. However while I was searching the code the whole add-on is designed as a cms styled page using the existing css code. Which means if you don't have vbulletin cms you won't have the css to make it look as it was designed. I checked in member area of vbulletin.com an all I have access to is the vbulletin publishing suite.

Try the product-vbrides_nocms.xml an get back to me.

Update: version 1.0.1 xml should skip widget install now for those not having CMS installed.

Yep!

That's looking better - Well done!

Next problem! :)

Works fine in the default skin - but not in the other one I have installed..

I tracked down the skin problem.. not your mod at all..

And I've had a couple emails come through like this..

Database error in vBulletin 4.2.2:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT languageid,
phrasegroup_global AS phrasegroup_global,
phrasegroup_garage AS phrasegroup_garage,
phrasegroup_user AS phrasegroup_user,
phrasegroup_postbit AS phrasegroup_postbit,
phrasegroupinfo AS lang_phrasegroupinfo,
options AS lang_options,
languagecode AS lang_code,
charset AS lang_charset,
locale AS lang_locale,
imagesoverride AS lang_imagesoverride,
dateoverride AS lang_dateoverride,
timeoverride AS lang_timeoverride,
registereddateoverride AS lang_registereddateoverride,
calformat1override AS lang_calformat1override,
calformat2override AS lang_calformat2override,
logdateoverride AS lang_logdateoverride,
decimalsep AS lang_decimalsep,
thousandsep AS lang_thousandsep
FROM language
WHERE languageid = 1;

MySQL Error : Unknown column 'phrasegroup_garage' in 'field list'
Error Number : 1054
Request Date : Saturday, August 9th 2014 @ 02:35:24 PM
Error Date : Saturday, August 9th 2014 @ 02:35:24 PM

Oh well that's a good thing in regards to the skin issue. I've been trying to find out more about vbulletin 4 without the CMS an haven't had any luck. I figured I would need to make a new install with the cms css added but thought there would be no real way to know what is or isn't included with non cms installs. I'll keep looking at support for it anyway, but hopefully your gonna be set for now. Be sure to post a link when your sites live, I'd like to include live sites in the mod post.

As for the phase group trouble that wouldn't be from this mod as it's id is 'vbrides'. What you have there is from VB Pro Garage. Did you also have that installed an not upload the separate language file?

Hi, also this look really a wonderful mod.
But i think that if it's possible to personalize the texts of the description of the "vehicle" with the descriptions of other items, like it is shown in this page https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/attachmen...6&d=1407131555

Like all "General informations" description like:

Year
Make
Model
Trim
etc.....

is it possible to personalize those descriptions???

so that they can use this mod also for other products.
This will make this mod really great and useful mod for many others forum.

All the best

Everything outside the admin should be phrased that will allow different languages. So instead of using a different language you could have the text read whatever you wanted. The inputs at the top of the edit page would still need to represent the same thing as there used for other parts of the mod. However, further down the page, almost forty of the custom fields are separate an can be customized towards any product you'd want. (Fields in this example). Then that might make the signature template screwy cause it only supports the variables I added. The only thing you'd have to live with is the php file names. So for what I think you want to do the answer is yes it should be possible to use this for things other than cars.

Very nice. I would consider it but I have no way to pull my existing garage data into this

Looking at your website you must be using vbPicGallery as a garage. Tried looking at your data page an your register popup was in the way an I couldn't close it. What I could see from the mods website your page specs are manually added as the description an not separate fields. If so then yeah not much an importer could do to separate them, only repost as a description then the owner would be responsible to cut-n-paste that into the new rides fields.

I've been waiting to make sure vbrides is installable an in stable running condition before working on importers. When I do it will take a copy of the database structure an a sample data in order to make one an I didn't see a free version of that mod. It also doesn't look to be available or in development any longer. I hope you might reconsider at some point an maybe ask your members how they'd feel about trying vbrides.

I'd be curious if people would be allowed to send me structure an a data entry from phpMyAdmin export so I could make importers. If anyone knows how that part works I'd like to hear it. The paid version of vb Pro Garage is another I don't have that would be wanted.

Hey EcoCav,
I'm adding a defualt style forum button on the front page over the right side blocks. Another is on the view ride page but the permission setting was wrong so it wasn't showing. I have the delete ride issue fixed, functions file wasn't updated with the zip. Probably fixes some other stuff now. Typo was also an easy fix an done. Ride stats are done through cron so default is updates hourly, but will check to make sure the proper file is in the install zip. The enable tab works now, had something to do with extra space in the install file. Can't seem to reproduce the problem with the sections not working as you upload new images.

For your ideas, If I understand what your asking you want to add more section to the already chassis, engine, body, and interior? Right now there is only code for the four, but I'm sure it's possible to ad more sections manually. Exhaust and suspension are spec under engine an chassis sections. By audio meaning the stereo it would go in dash specs an overflow could go in 'Other Interior'. Unless you run a audio genre garage then for now you could rename the section title in the options an edit the phrases for that section for what you need. End users won't see the variable names so other than some variables are selected to make the members signature shouldn't run into problems.

Updated: Reupload functions_vbrides.php to the includes folder. Re run the product.xml allowing overwrite. Template changes to 'vbrides_view_ride', 'vbrides_rightside', and 'vbrides_my_comments_bit'. So revert them if you've made changes, backup if you want to re add your edits.

Installed, but now getting this when entering my forums:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_FUNCTION in /home/torontos/public_html/forums/includes/functions_vbrides.php on line 1142

IMHO the input boxes for some items should NOT be free form text as shown in this image:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/attachmen...6&d=1407131555

Things like model should be from a drop down, otherwise you have someone spelling it "Camaro" while someone else spells it "Camero" etc. If a model isn't on the list then there should be a link to add a model to the list pending admin approval. This is how VBGaragePro works and is preferable to free-form fields prone to user errors which will make later searching/sorting/displaying more difficult.

Hey Gadget Guy, that error was in the delete directory function. Looked up the error an it said something about being from an older version of PHP 5.2. I actually had two different delete directory functions I left in there an the second one seems to have worked. I uploaded the vbrides_usercp file with the new function call, the function file I just deleted that other delete directory function in case your server won't work with it still in there.

KenDude, I knew that might be a concern in the future. Right now I don't depend on the make an model fields for anything, but in the future your right there might be a need for standards. I've been trying to avoid being a vb pro garage copycat, but that might be one feature I would want to implement.

I have an import script working for vb pro garage 3.0.9 with timeslips, just want to better organize I guess.

Thanks... testing now.

I'd be happy to give that importer a whirl if you want.

D.

Got it working now.

The forum home block however is not displaying.

D.

I had tried implementing something so it didn't show an empty block. Obviously that didn't work so hot. I'm posting an updated file... Go to /vbrides/hooks/ an replace add_rides_forumhome.php

Update, no longer needed as of version 1.0.3

That worked!

D.

New update fixes some issues an changes the thumbnail to use a set height an width as oppose to the previous single max variable. Other bigger changes, pm system now uses the data manger an has been tested so all intended pm's are sent. Comment avatar width is hardcoded so widths bigger than 80px didn't break the layout.

Thanks to gadget guy for letting me see the addon on his server. Let me find most of the issues fixed in this patch.

My pleasure!

Let me know when you want to start testing the import from my other garage software.

This is my only hold up from switching to your product for the production site.

D.

If there are no new issues with this release I can get back on the import. So far it's importing the data so next is images. The only thing I could see me possibly using from the paid version was the dyno part. Are your members using that? An was there another part of the paid that members are actually gonna want to keep?

I installed the product but do not see it at a navbar! How to enable it to make it work?

Hi Maxsof, You will need to set the usergroup permissions for which groups get to do an see what.

• Goto Admincp, Usergroups > Usergroup Manager > Default Usergroups and select a group

There are two sections to set, one for the main system an another for comments. An administrator would have everything checked. I'd also recommend letting Unregistered / Not Logged In have Can Enter vbRides, Can View Rides, and Can Search Rides.

I've included a screenshot for administrator and registered user permissions.

Love this program so far.

Two small issues:
When trying to delete a garage it won't, and where does the video show?

Where are you trying to delete it from? On the moderate rides page or the my rides page as the user? Was working for me last night on rides. I wonder if permissions are set to let you delete them. I don't recall if there is anything to hide the option if you didn't have permission to moderate.

The video is at the bottom of the right sideblocks on the view ride page. There hard set to like 240px wide.

I found out where to delete it at, lol. My bad. Also just saw the Video.

Why do you have a forum to post the ride in? Do you need the forum post?

One more thing. When a post is first made in the forum there is a small image that is broke. Any idea what it should be?

Why is there posting new rides in a forum? Can use it in a member introduction type forum as a notice to members of the new activity. It's not necessary at all especially if forum home block is showing new rides. To disable it you just wouldn't pick any forum, no other on off option.

I found your website an looked at the post, did you already edit the post to take out the bad image? Was curious to what it was pointing to.

Also there was a error in functions_facebook.php when viewing sub categories that I'm looking at right now... It's looking for a function from function_vbride.php that isn't being called for some reason. For now you should go to Plugin Manager, scroll to Product : vbRides an turn off 'Open Graph Description / Title Override' or update with the following code.

Thanks for the heads up. I turned off the Open Graph Description. Any idea what is going on there with that issue?

I also took the image out. It was putting it into some type of chart. The error was showing on Tapatalk and not the forum. It was doing a table of some type.

Also people are having issues creating a garage. Their getting this error below.

"Small description too long/too short. Give specific character range."

One more thing. How do you get the program to work on the home page as a widget? Not working on my end.

I don't know about why that function is not found, the other sites work the way it was. Anyway I took that function out, was using it to take off a backslash from the home an forum url. But the settings for those specifically tells admins no backslash in the description so I shouldn't have to check for it.

Ok yes I used a table bb code to format the text an image in the post. I don't have Tapatalk an never even thought about it. Guess I'll have to check that out this weekend.

There is settings in the admincp for setting a minimum an maximum characters for the small description field. I put those in because that description is used in the listing throughout the mod so it needs something an one word entries looked bad. So give them more or less in the settings. I'll update the help text under the input to specify a min an max characters will be needed.

The widget is there an would just need to be added to a layout used on your front page.

Got all them fixed. Thank you.

The next question is having a small color issue with some small items. That in your css?

There are a few colors still set in css, the others are style variables. What's not in there uses the themes colors. If the issue your referring too was the number portion of the rating bar the fonts in css an background in style variables. On the three themes of yours it's the same on two an the black background one has the issue. I should add a style variable for the whole rating to make it easier.

I see that Tapatalk was third party so probably not gonna be able to set a conditional for new ride posts. Gonna have to find a different way to format the post apparently.

...Oh an you can set a background image for the intro text in style variables too, thought that would be cool option.

Yes I was referring to that, lol.

Tapatalk is 3rd party, but used by lots of forums.

What do you mean about the background image?

Ok IGOTASTi, I've been working on the new issues an manage to take care of most of them. So far I think the permissions for admins edit icon an report ride icon permissions. Thought I had them once, but on your site unregistered could still see the report icon. Confirmed on my site so need to mess with that again. Another thing is the image count for stats doesn't look to work right.

Glad I could help. Really nice program once everything gets worked out.

Would love to help you promote it. ;)

I think the update is ready to go. Got distracted making a video presentation for install an setup. Was just coming on to get the files updated. :)

Yeah about getting everything gets worked out, this is a brand new add-on not converted from older vbulletin versions. So considering that an this was my first add-on built out of necessity it's doing pretty good.

In regards to help promoting I wanted to make sure it's bugs are worked out an I have an importer for vbgarage before I focused on promotion. But to help get the word leaving the vbRides copyright active so anyone seeing the add-on knows where to get it. It only shows on the rides pages an not the whole website.