Custom Avatars as Files (updated for vBulletin 2.2.2)

Updated for vBulletin 2.2.2, 5th February 2002

Since there has been so much demand for this, I wrote a hack that will allow you to store all your custom avatars as files, rather than in the mySQL database.



Doing this will have the following benefits:

• Avatars folder can be protected by .htaccess (Apache only) to prevent bandwidth stealing
• No SQL queries or PHP code required to display custom avatars - server load decreases
• No cacheing issues with Internet Explorer 5.5, so server bandwidth use should decrease

The install script will make the necessary modifications to your database, install a control panel option to switch the file-based avatars on, and convert your existing custom avatars from the database into files.

All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present, and users will not notice a difference in the interface.

Full instructions for altering your PHP files are included in the zip file.

Once you have made the necessary modifications to the PHP scripts, you should run the enclosed install_favatar.php script from your admin/ folder.

Ok, got it, thanks Kier.
I didn't considered this cause I would only allow jpg,gif, txt and zip and would use it.

Anyway, good job with this hack. Gives the webmaster the final decision.

Another wonderful hack, thanks Kier.... I already have it installed and working on Me2Be's forums.

Just one small typo, in the control panel options, it says "Store Custom Avatars in Database?", but this has to be set to "yes" to use files, "no" to use the database. It should say "Store Custom Avatars as Files?". But otherwise it works great!

Thanks

Fixed

If you have this problem and want to correct it, run this query:

UPDATE setting SET title='Store Custom Avatars as Files?' WHERE varname='usefileavatar'

I just discovered that two php files that require modifications were not mentioned in the original documentation... please revisit the docs and follow the steps to modify private.php and announcement.php if you installed this hack prior to the posting of this message.

Kier, you are great!

Are all avatars stored as GIFs? Even those uploaded as JPGs? I'm asking because you said "Avatars are always stored as xxxx.gif".

Can you please make a hack for avatars that mods and admins can use custom, but any other group can't?

Or make it to where by group you turn on/off custom setting.

Under each group add

Can use custom avatar Yes/No

If you do modify for a group you'd see where it would be nice to have that setting.

Thanks

yet another fine hack well done kier btw when does your new website open to the general public ?

Originally posted by GameGalaxy
Can you please make a hack for avatars that mods and admins can use custom, but any other group can't?

You can already do this, in a round-about-sort-of-way. Just set Custom Avatars to No (in Options) then go into User > Find > username > Edit > change avatar and you can set a custom avatar even if it's disabled for the board at large.

kool hack Kier

Are all avatars stored as GIFs? Even those uploaded as JPGs? I'm asking because you said "Avatars are always stored as xxxx.gif".

Yes, even JPG file types. Rename a .jpg file to .gif and open it in your browser. It should display just fine.