Major Additions - Links and Downloads Manager

What this is and does

Version 3.0.2-PL1 uploaded 15th March 2010.

LDM is a general-purpose tool for managing libraries of links and files, and handling uploads and downloads in a flexible way, while tracking and controlling user access. It also has a range of integrated media players and a large library of 'plugin' extras. It has been developed steadily since the release of vb 3.0 some six years ago, based on extensive feedback from users at vb.org.

I think the 3.0.x releases have been tested enough and are no longer considered beta. However, I still want feedback on features that do not work at all or do not work properly.

Translations in Spanish, French, Chinese, German and Dutch are available as phrase files and are more or less complete.

Installation and Usage Explained in the on-line Wiki, with a brief explanation in the file instructions.txt in the release zip.

The installer will either create a new LDM database, or recognise that you already have an earlier version installed and update it.

Unlike earlier versions of LDM, this version automatically adds a link to the product on the main vb navbar.

Please do not blindly install on a live forum without being sure that you have tested it adequately. Use carefully and always backup your database before upgrading. Post reports of problems and suggestions for enhancements in this thread. You can find extensive discussion of this mod in the VB3.7 mods and VB3.8 mods sections.

Staff Note: Sadly, Andrew D, the developer of the Links and Downloads Manager has passed away after a long period of illness.

[AndrewD]

There's been a change in the latest version of vb, 4.0.2, which breaks the layout of LDM pages. This will be corrected for in the forthcoming new release of LDM (3.0.2) which I will get out just as soon as I've tested it properly with vb 4.0.2. In the meantime, fixing the layout problem involves simple edits to these templates:

a) links_header
b) links_iframed
c) links_play_naked
d) links_play_standalone

In each case, you need to find *all* occurrences of {vb:var vbcsspath} and replace this by {vb:raw vbcsspath}, i.e. change vb:var to vb:raw

[Quirin]

Thanks that has worked wonderfully

[obmob]

Hmm... and they said vb4 was a gold version, will wait for your release before upgrading, thanks!

[Dadoo]

Hi,

Andrew, we have updated french xml translations files to 3.0.1.

Sorry, i forgot to send you :-(

Btw, i'm waiting for 3.0.2 link for updating again.. (at this moment, only 3.0.1 and translation files are available)

[AndrewD]

I've uploaded LDM 3.0.2, which fixes a number of bugs (including the problem created by vb 4.0.2) and adds some new features:

+ vbCMS

vbCMS modules provided, equivalent to those for forumhome and LDM sidebar (hot/new/random, thumb/text)

+ Admin/bandwidth
Extended the bandwidth controls to allow admins to specify per-usergroup maximum transfer rates for downloads

+ Extras
Patch to forumbit construction has become an 'extra' because of need for template edit in vb4
New 'admin-chart-logjumps' extra adds graphics to hits analysis

+ Bug fixes
Fixed patch-forumhome-newlinks extra
Fixed patch-forumhome-recententries extra
Fixed sql error with special searches when 'can_view_hidden/expiry days' apply
Fixed vanishing images (workaround for change in vb code)
Fixed subcategory indenting in catbits

+ Other
Moved 'extras' directory up a level and out of 'release'
More minor tweaks to templates
Tweaks to php code to speed page rendering
Fixed code to work correctly with vb 4.0.2

I've also made the location of the Links/Download menu item a configurable option (but you have to edit the file includes/local_links_defns.php to change this option).

If there are no serious problems reported in the next week, we'll take this mod out of Beta status.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by finereader

Hi,

Andrew, we have updated french xml translations files to 3.0.1.

Sorry, i forgot to send you :-(

Btw, i'm waiting for 3.0.2 link for updating again.. (at this moment, only 3.0.1 and translation files are available)

Thanks - and sorry - we just overlapped with each other.

[Dadoo]

No problem :-)

Translation in progress..

EDIT :

Done !

[Trek]

I just installed the new version, it's working very well, thanks!

I do have one problem though.

I cleared out the display of the navbar link as I have a manual link to it through a submenu. However, when doing this, it clears out the subnav links as well, so there's no way to add new files, get to the admin, etc.

All I wanted to do was remove the primary navbar link to save some space there, but keep the subnav. Is this possible?

[ShawnV]

Thanks Andrew, great update.

[obmob]

Nice, will test upgrading now