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.

[DVD Plaza]

This might be a silly question (sorry!), but why isn't this a part of the official product?

[TechTalk]

Originally posted by DVD Plaza
This might be a silly question (sorry!), but why isn't this a part of the official product?

I would like to know too....

Kier, can we just make sure all of your hacks make it in the final releases? I would be a much happier man

~Chris

[Freddie Bingham]

It will be part of 2.1

Nice

[VirtueTech]

Thank you very much Kier

[TooHectic]

does this work with beta 5?

I ran the install_db2fileavatars.php, at started to edit the files, but I noticed that the files were a little different for beta 5. For instance, the first modification step adjusts the functions.php file, and one of the original lines is

PHP Code:

return "avatar.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&userid=$userid"; 


But this line looks like this in beta 5

PHP Code:

return "avatar.php?userid=$userid&dateline=$avatarinfo[dateline]"; 


Can I still proceed with the rest? In fact, I had origianlly decided to stop, but the install_db2fileavatars.php already changed some things...... so I can't even set any custom avatars as it stands right now. I get a blank screen after I submit the settings for uploading the avatar. Can I fix this, or can I just continue with the hack?

[VirtueTech]

I proceeded and it worked great with beta 5

[TooHectic]

Thanks... I'll try it tomorrow.

Arrgh.. I did this hack, entirely as instructed and when going into the Change Profile page I get this:

Parse error: parse error in /usr/local/plesk/apache/vhosts/thecitynetwork.net/httpdocs/forums/member.php on line 1042

What happened?

Thanks for this hack Kier.

We had to disable avatars on our site because the amount of people uploading to the Db crashed our server! (RaQ 4)

Have re-enabled avatars now, much thanks.

(I'm using beta 5, and I noticed no problems installing btw)