AntlerVision - FlashChat Forum Sidebar Block Mod
 

vBulletin 4.0 Version (tested with vB 4.0.1)

Note: Support will not be provided for vBulletin 4 Alpha, Beta or RC versions.
Please remember to click Mark as Installed if you use this modification.

Note: This modification is for Flashchat 6, it will not work with Flashchat 4 or Flashchat 5.

Requires FlashChat 6.0.6 from TuFat.com
Requires CURL to be enabled and usable on your site.
Suggested use with Paul M's FlashChat integration mod for vB 4.x (but is not required if edits made.)

Please make sure that FlashChat is properly configured and running before attempting to install this mod.

The main features are ;

1. It displays the list on Forum Home in a Sidebar Block
2. You can click any room to go directly to that room.
3. You can click the link below the table to go to Room 1.
4. If the chat is empty, rooms are still listed.
5. Public Rooms and User Created Public Rooms are displayed.
6. Private Rooms are not displayed.
7. Bots are displayed in the room they are active in.

General Instructions (view Readme.txt in ZIP file for more info)

Upload info_block_output.php to forum/chat directory (location of FlashChat 6.0.6)

Create Forum Block

Enter Title for block such as "Forum Chat"
Enter description for reference
Enter 0 for Cache Output
Select YES for Active
Select PHP for Content Type
Copy text from ForumBlock.txt into Content area
Make sure Template to Use is set to block_html

info_block_output.php is a slightly modified version of info_embedded.php that is distributed with FlashChat.

History:

v00.00.01 : 21-Jan-2010 : Initial Release
v00.00.02 : 21-Jan-2010 : Not Released
v00.00.03 : 21-Jan-2010 : Updated Documentation. Reduced Edits.
v00.01.00 : 21-Jan-2010 : No Edits Required.
v00.01.01 : 21-Jan-2010 : Update with proper ForumBlock.txt file


I have no connection with the Flashchat product - if you have questions about Flashchat functionality then their forums are located here.

This is my first "mod" so, please provide feedback =)

NOTE: Due to no longer having access to a vBulletin site running FlashChat, I am no longer able to continue developing this modification.

Reserved

Just when you think you have it all set something else comes up =P

I need to improve the documentation.

The edit is required on the text that is pasted into the CONTENT section.

You need to add your domain as well as any path changes.

If you do not edit that, you will probably just end up with a blank block.

The default assumes that your chat is in the "chat" directory inside of the "forum" directory. if you have installed vBulletin in another directory (such as "forums") you will need to edit that as well.

I have to see if there are other variables available within forum blocks to grab the domain/forum path automatically so you can just copy/paste the code.

Any more feedback?

OK the new version has less edits =P

If you are using Paul M's FlashChat integration, you do not need to edit the info_block_output.php file. If you are NOT, you need to edit the hyperlinks near the end of the file, so they point to the right 'page' for your FlashChat.

Once I can find out how to grab the forum and domain, this should not require any edits, just pasting some text. If there is a way to 'install" forum blocks as 'product' or 'plugins' I would like to know that as well, as I would like to make this as simple as possible to install.

OK 00.01.00 no has NO Edits =)

Just follow the directions, upload the one file, copy the text from the other and it should run OK with your setup.

As always you feedback is requested and welcomed.

UPDATE: Wrong version of ForumBlock.txt was in 00.01.00. CUrrent 00.01.01 has proper code.

Hi Radmoose,

I'm trying to install this now on 4.0.1, I have PaulM's Flashchat Integration installed. However whenever the block is made active, it turns the index page blank.

So I've tried editing the end of the info_block_output.php file as suggested (adding direct URLs to the chat folder) but still can't seem to get it to work.

Hope you can help with this :)

I'm very much interested in this mod. I'm using the PaulM mod currently on VB3.8. My users are used to and like better the old ChatView Mod I had installed when I was on Ravennuke. The ChatView mod can be seen here (Click) On the right side of the home page

Hi GamerGirl27....

The whole index page is blank as in the forum page or just the block is blank?

You shouldn't have to edit anything except maybe the last link but if it doesn't display without the edit, it won't display with the edit.

I am not sure what you are asking for. This mod just puts a list on the sidebar, it is not an integration mod for the chat itself.

Just posting to say I was interested in this. I will be upgrading to FlashChat 6.0 and VB3.8 to the new CMS 4.0 soon. (maybe)

This ChatView looks very similiar to what you're working on. It only shows users and rooms when someone is in there though. But it's much better than having Chat info stuck with the whats going on info at the bottom of the forum home. Keep up the good work:D