A real vB-integrated link directory

[kira]

Hi everyone. I'm looking for a way to integrate a link directory with my soon-to-be-powered-by-vB site. This seems like such an important part of communities and portals that I'm surprised there aren't more people clamoring for this. Maybe they're all using In-Link or Index-U. But IMHO, the integrations of those scripts with vB aren't as robust as a true vB hack/major addon would be. And while I've seen vBLinks, I think it's good but again, not all that feature-rich.

"So," you're undoubtedly muttering, "stop telling us what you don't want and tell us just what the heck you do want, Miss Hard-to-Please!" Okay, first of all, don't be a hurter. Second, here's my list, assuming we're in the best of all possible worlds. My ideal vB-integrated link script would include:

- the usual link listing options, such as categories and subcategories, ratings, hits, and descriptions.

- option to allow registered or unregistered to submit links

- option to require moderator approval before accepting link submissions or simply having links appear instantly upon submission

- image upload for listings (for example, an award graphic)

- option to show "links submitted" in user profile (not that important but nice)

- options of showing any or all of the following on forumhome or nonVB pages:

--- random link
--- 10 newest links (last day, week, month, etc.)
--- 10 most popular links
--- 10 top rated links
--- and the ability for the admin to filter all of the above by specific categories

I know this is expecting an awful lot out of a hack, but some of you guys are so amazing and have done such wondrous things with vBulletin (arcades, quizzes, Lesane's famous store) that you've completely spoiled know-nothing people like me.

I've looked around for a hack that could possibly be used as the basis for a future link addon. To me, the one that seems closest is actually not intended as a real link directory, per se: it's the terrific hack MyBookmarks, by bad_madman. It already contains some of the options listed above, but the links are displayed only in the users' profiles. But it's sooo close!

Whew! Sorry for the length of this. Am I crazy and asking too much, or is this something that some brilliant vB hacker might be interested in? And would others find such a thing useful? I'd love to hear feedback from anyone on this idea, e.g., whether it seems possible or not.

Note: though I'm poor and have no moolah to pay for this, I'm a pretty good web designer and an excellent writer/editor, so a barter option might work well if one of the great hackers here thinks s/he can create such a hack for me, and s/he has need of such services.

Many, many thanks in advance, folks!