Links and Files Database

The VB3.0 version is no longer supported although there have been no reported problems for some time

See here for the VB 3.6 version of this hack, which is now the supported version. This version currently also works with VB 3.5
See here for the VB 3.5 thread for this hack.

What's new in v1.60?

Option to display associated thumbnail images
Option to accept/not accept new entries if these already exists in database
Code for mass edits (accessed via admincp) tidied up
VB phrasing completed
Includes a full French and a partial German translation (thanks to cclaerhout, Allan and LeeWicKeD), handled properly by installation script.
Various bugs fixed and tested against php4 and php5:
Better database validation (on startup/in admincp: links with invalid associated forumids, categories with invalid parentids)
Alternative linkbit templates provided (default uses a fieldset, the other is the old-style table row)
Alternative category selection templates (pull down menu/list of checkboxes),
Star rating displayed using standard VB stars rather than in text form
Series of minor bug fixes
See file change.txt in zip file

What it is/does

- Provides a searchable database of weblinks and/or downloadable files, for example manuals, music files, pictures, etc.
- Integrates within VBulletin, without requiring any code changes.
- Transparently handles links and file downloads. (If you want to provide downloads from your own site, you need a separate tool to upload these files. This hack does not and will not include a file uploader.)
- Provides unlimited nested categories.
- Each link/file can be a member of multiple categories.
- Link and category title and descriptions can use all BBCODEs, giving the possibility to add images, colouring, etc, as you wish
- Viewing/access permissions controlled using VBulletin forum system
- Users can rate links, in a similar manner to VB thread rating.
- File downloads are semi-leechproof, i.e. the user does not see where the file is stored and can only access the link if she has access to the associated forum.
- Audio files playable via Windows Media Player can be offered as a jukebox .
- Tracks who downloads what
- Validates links on entry/editing, and provides admin facility to validate the entire database.

Installation/upgrading instructions

Read instructions.txt in the zip file. Installation script works out whether to install or upgrade.

To upgrade from an earlier release of this hack, simply re-run the installation script. If you modified the templates in the top styles, you will lose these modifications unless you back up and re-edit.

PLEASE BACK UP YOUR DATABASE

See also

For screen shots, see attachments.

Tested with

VBulletin 3.0 and higher
PHP 4.1.1 and 4.3.4, should work with all 4.x versions, seems ok with 5.0.4
MySQL 4.0.
Reported ok with MySQL 4.1 but not exhaustively tested

Credits

Initially inspired by drkFusion's vb2 hack "vb Link Directory" v.2 and discussion about v.3 on Vbulletin.org. This is a complete rewrite with many more features. Every credit to the VBulletin folks for providing the infrastructure and to those on vbulletin.org who have helped with testing.

Integrations/Conversions

Natch has written extensions to integrate this hack with VBindex and VBAdvanced.

For convenience, this hack includes fully integrates with, but does not install, his VBIndex hack - i.e. the required template and code are provided, and the admin panel handles the configuration settings. Please refer to his thread for instructions.

Integration with VBadvanced is described in thread 1319 at vbadvanced.com.

The zip file includes a script and instructions for converting from vbLinks v2 (see thread 44551

[Slave]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Ouch!

I've not seen this happen before - as you say, it looks like a corrupt database table.

I've found that it's worthwhile doing regular optimize/repair checks on your database - the VB admin page permits this, or phpmyadmin can do it also.

Yeah .. I found the repair option .. didn't even know it was there.

Lucky I did before I did something stupid and overwrote the db with a backup .. it doesn't look like I've lost anything ..

[CHIngs]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you mean:

- When a user enters a link/file, she specifies the first time at which it can be accessed? (e.g. at 15:00 on the 1st June)

or

- The administrator can set up the database for that people can only make multiple downloads at certain times of day? (e.g. between 09:00 and 12:00)

or something else?

Both the ideas you just said seem good to be included as well.

But what I mean is that, say a user clicks on a link, the script should LOG the exact second/minute/hour/day (and other info) in the database. In the ADMIN PANEL, I will specify the intervals between each download, say 60 seconds. So if a user tries to download another file within 60 seconds, it will give him/her an error message saying they have to wait 60 seconds until the NEXT download.

The code may look something similar to this:

PHP Code:

if ($time_of_download >= $current_time - 60)
{
echo ("Please wait 60 seconds until next download");
} 


And you can make this feature GLOBAL (easy) or for individual category where the admin can specify individual times (a little more work). Its your choice.

But all I am asking is that, somehow, please try your best to include this feature in the next release, or a mini release .

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by CHIngs

But what I mean is that, say a user clicks on a link, the script should LOG the exact second/minute/hour/day (and other info) in the database. In the ADMIN PANEL, I will specify the intervals between each download, say 60 seconds. So if a user tries to download another file within 60 seconds, it will give him/her an error message saying they have to wait 60 seconds until the NEXT download.

This feature is already coded as a global setting. You set the parameter timeout_hit_allow on the admin panel to the number of seconds between successive downloads. Let me know if you have problems with it.

[CHIngs]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

This feature is already coded as a global setting. You set the parameter timeout_hit_allow on the admin panel to the number of seconds between successive downloads. Let me know if you have problems with it.

Do you have it in version 1.55? cause I cannot see it

[Lizard King]

Originally Posted by CHIngs

Do you have it in version 1.55? cause I cannot see it

The supported version is 1.60c I advise you to upgrade to the latest version.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Lizard King

The supported version is 1.60c I advise you to upgrade to the latest version.

Indeed. This feature was added by request in version 1.56.

When upgrading, remember to check all the steps. It's important to upload/install the latest phrases and templates as well as code.

[CHIngs]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Indeed. This feature was added by request in version 1.56.

When upgrading, remember to check all the steps. It's important to upload/install the latest phrases and templates as well as code.

I know this is a stupid question but I just want to be sure. I can upgrade from 1.55 to 1.60c directly right? or do I first have to upgrade to 1.56 and then to 1.60c?

Because to make sure the script fits my template, I had to do some modifications. I dont want to lose anything in my database. I backed up everything tho, so thats cool.

[Lizard King]

Originally Posted by CHIngs

I know this is a stupid question but I just want to be sure. I can upgrade from 1.55 to 1.60c directly right? or do I first have to upgrade to 1.56 and then to 1.60c?

Because to make sure the script fits my template, I had to do some modifications. I dont want to lose anything in my database. I backed up everything tho, so thats cool.

Yes you can upgrade from 1.55 to 160c without upgrading to 1.56. Just download the file and follow the instructions in Readme.txt
It wont take you more then 3-4 minutes to upgrade.

[playstation]

Working great.

Thank you.

*clicks install*

[Bhuwan]

I am using this as a way to hide my links for downloads and unfortunately i've found a major bug that defeats the purpose of the this hack