Integrated Download Program
 

I know that we have Downloads 1.0e by Ron1n and Downloads Area 1.2 by another author but both programs have a number of issues and are very low priorities by the authors. We really need a solid download program that's integrated with VB, uses the VB permission systems but is something more than a forum where people add attachments. The Downloads 1.0e is a good looking program but just really lacks any serious functionality. What it does do, it does well. But if someone could make a (as I call it) Download Manager akin to VBAdvanced's Gallery product, in terms of integration and features, I'm sure it's something ppl would pay for.

What I'm thinking about is another php program that gives admins a whole new dynamic. We could have categories and sub-categories (and so on). Users could leave feedback and ratings, we could provide security on a per-category (or sub category) basis. Screenshots could be attached (if screenshots were needed) and a detailed description could be left by the admin. Additionally, there could be the possibility of users uploading new files and then admins could (or disable if they didn't want to) moderate the files to cover their rear end from copyrighted material.

I was thinking that if someone could make something similar to Ron1n's program, give it the abilities and style of cinq's VBArticles 2.0 and then polish it and give it the features of VBA's Gallery...wow. I'd pay $50 for that, easily. And I'm sure there are quite a few others who would as well. I haven't touced code in 10 years and when I did, it required the use of a compiler and used the 3rd letter of the alphabet as it's name. While I can fix minor issues w/ PHP, I couldn't even being to do something like this on my own. So I'm appealing to the community so that someone might make this. If it's free, you're a good person but it's a lot of work and probably a lot of support so $$$ isn't a bad thing.

edit: Also, Andrew's Link's and Files 1.55 is a GREAT program but a perfect example of using the forums, something that would be nice to avoid. Don't get me wrong, Andrew has written an incredibly program but it wasn't intended for downloads and was modded to support them but again, it requires the use of a forum, not really clean in my opinion.

edit2: One very big thing that is missing from existing programs is the ability to read a directory on the server and let the admin create downloads from that. Yes, it's a manual process and yes, that's a function I would want. Say that someone was hosting large video files (no, not porn in my case but that's a valid application for this). Most of these other applications require you to upload it to the server via the forums but with PHP's limitations (and yes, I have my upload and max_post set to 16M) you can't upload files in the 100+ MB range. It's just not practical.

We're also missing anti-leeching technology. Granted, storing files on the filesystem means you might be vulnerable to that (mod_rewrite???? I dunno, I'm a dummy who barely remembers C much less PHP/Apache) but Andrew added a URL hiding function that if could be expanded upon and put into a seperate system (i.e. not the forums but an integrated application), how powerful would that be? Storing 100MB+ files in the database just isn't practical.

I don't personally need this but I'm sure sites that deal in file trading (which I'm sure are all legit :classic: ) would like things like upload/download ratios, just like the old dial-up BBS days: 4MB down for every 1MB up or whatever.

I can go on and make a sick laundry list of features and functions but I think those who *could* do this have an idea of what I'm getting at. Again, I know I'm not the only user who wants something like this and yes, paying for something like this is 100% reasonable assuming the price is also reasonable.

It could be done, but it would probably require someone with an already running site, which is trusted... (kinda like vbadvanced).

I could create this hack, but I currently have loads of other ideas which come first, so it could be 6 months before I actually start creating it...

$$$ doesn't motivate you? :) heh, I'm just ribbing you. I'm telling you though, this would be a HUGE contribution to the community, paid or not. Bigger than VBArcade, bigger than Geek Articles, bigger than VBGarage, etc. This is the one "big thing" that VB lacks. I mean sure, I *could* create my own html page with categories and what not and then use a simple login system but integrated would be SOOOOO much better.

$$$ does motivate me, my other projects planned also include $$$ ;).

This would be a huge mod, if you wanna do it right, so you'll need lots of time.

Time is something I don't have, atleast not these days :ermm:

I'm hoping other ppl reply and do the little MMO "/sign" to indicate that they too want/need something like this. The threads of the above mentioned hacks are full of ppl really needing said product. Now if they just come over here and
a) support the idea
b) give other ideas
that would be great. I agree 100% with you that what I've asked for isn't easy and will take time to create if you want it done in a way that's right, that scales, that someone can support and something that lasts longer than 3 months before it needs to be replaced.

I believe that the more people request the hack, the more people will be motivated to code it ;)

to everyone else:

I know I'm not the only one looking for such a program/hack/script. If you could drop a word of support AND/OR add some features you would like to see along w/ those that I've mentioned. I've received 5 PMs from ppl saying that if there is enough public support, they'd be willing to create such a monster. That means it won't be a free mod but I think those that create it would be reasonable w/ pricing such a creation.

thanks

I'd love to see something like this!

Here's what I'd like to see:

• Track downloads
• Rate & comment (using vBulletin member database)
• Allow meta data:
  • Title
  • Software author/company
  • URL for software home
  • Description
  • Version number
  • License (GPL, shareware, commercial, etc.)
• Allow linked files (URLs from other sites, rather than uploaded to your server, or files already stored on your server)
• User uploads (subject to review & approval)
• Permissions (by category, using vBulletin usergroups to manage)
  • Can see category?
  • Can download?
  • Can upload?
  • Can approve/edit uploaded files?
• Top downloads
• Top rated
• New downloads
• RSS feeds for all three lists (top/new downloads)
• Uses vBulletin phrases
• Uses vBulletin templates

Personally, I don't care about automatically adding files found in adirectory (which a number of download scripts do)... mainly because Ithink the meta data is important and you can't get most of thatautomatically.

And yes, I'd definitely be willing to pay for something like this.

its not about auto-adding files in a directory, but it would be nice as an admin to upload those 100MB+ files and then be able to point to a file on the filesystem rather than pray that PHP will allow for an upload of "x" MB. Setting the max_post_size and upload to 100MB+ isn't a reasonable item I think. So the ability to use a directory is a nice alternative.

Yay...one supporter. :)

Yes,that I TOTALLY agree with. Which reminds me of another nice feature...limiting file upload size by usergroup (i.e. Admin group can uploadlarger files than regular members).