Add-On Releases - Topic (incl. Blog) of the Week/Fortnight/Month Nomination v1.636

On my board (USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D), we get many comments daily or weekly on many different topics and there are so many topics in the community that to be honest, we had a tough time remembering the topic being reviewed to offer a timely comment or response. Obviously, we needed a weekly/monthly topic nomination system with which we could get our community to commit to one topic as a group and then comment on it during the course of the week/month.

Cruising vB.org at warp speed, I failed to find a nomination system readily available. Hence, I quickly wrote this mod (on my way to the bridge).

Acknowledgement:
This release would not have been quickly possible without the existence of most hacks released at vB.org, especially the "Thank You" hack by Abe1, which provided this mod basis structure. Our thanks and all the merit goes to Abe1.

A nice set of button and awards images have also been kindly provided by PrinceEdward to whom we also extend our thanks.

Many constructive feedbacks have been given by those members at the vB.org community who downloaded the first releases of this Mod, the implementation of which has led to an improved version of the Mod. We extend our thanks to those members.

What this mod does

It adds a "Topic Of The Week/Month" nomination system to your community.

What is Topic Of The Week/Month?

Topic of the Week/Month is a contest that select posts on which your community can commit to as a group and then comment/discuss on them during the course of the selected week/month. Any listed topic (post, thread) is eligible for the Topic of the Week/Month selection.

What determines a Topic Of The Week/Month?

Topic Of The Week/Month is based on a simple nomination system. Throughout the selected forums, members with adequate permissions can nominate their favorite topic by clicking on the award nomination button below the post.

The five topics with the most votes during the course of the week/month are automatically displayed on a nomination thread including a poll feature. At the end of the week/month, the first three topics with the most votes are the award winners of the contest.

Features:

1. Uses AJAX technology.
2. Uses one query per show thread page
3. Fully phrased to allow (language translation) (addition v 1.3)
4. Places an easy to use "Nominate Post" button next to the edit button
5. Automatically create a nomination thread for discussions on nominees
6. Displays a varying nomination stamps on posts that have been nominated for the contest. The color of the nomination stamps varies depending on how many users have nominated the post. (addition v 1.2)
7. Displays an award winner stamp op award winner posts at the end of the Topic Of The Week/Month contest. (addition v 1.2)
8. Via postbit pop-up, displays link to find all nominations or nominees made by a user (addition v 1.35)
9. Via postbit pop-up, allows selected usergroups (e.g. Moderators or SuperModerators) can withdraw all user?s nominees from all posts (addition v 1.2) or to remove all current nominations on a given user (addition v 1.35)
10. Option to select the maximum number of topics that must be displayed in the poll (addition v 1.2)
11. Option to take or not into account for nomination only posts made during the month preceding the nomination cycle time (addition v 1.2)
12. Option to consider the maximum number of posts a user can nominate per cycle time (addition v 1.2)
13. Nominated posts titles hot linked in the poll to actual thread/post of the forum. Links displaying on the same page (No. popups) (addition v 1.3)
14. Automatically closes the nomination thread at end of the contest cycle time (weekly/monthly)
15. Quick link to nomination thread via the "Quick Navigation" menu
16. Quick link to award winners page via the "Quick Navigation" menu (addition v.1.1)
17. Automatically update the nomination poll whenever a post is nominated or withdraw from the contest.
18. Separate looks for postbit and postbit_legacy
19. Places all post nominees in one small box
20. Displays award winners in one small box
21. Quick link to nomination thread via the "small box" on the thread page
22. Option to allow award winners to re-enter the contest after X days
23. Users cannot nominate the same post twice
24. Option to not allow users to nominate their own post
25. Counts nominees submitted by a user
26. Counts how many times a nominee is submitted
27. Shows how many nominees a user submitted in every post of his
28. Shows info in member's profile
29. Option to search for posts nominated by a user
30. Option to search for all nominated posts
31. Administrator can withdraw all nominees of a single post
32. Selected usergroups (e.g. Moderators or SuperModerators) can withdraw all nominees of a single post (addition v 1.10)
33. Users can withdraw their own nominee
34. Option to disable the mod on selected forums
35. Option to disable the mod on all but the first post of a thread
36. Option to disable the mod on all but the first post of a thread in specific forums
37. Option to enable/disable view of nomination date on specific or all forums
38. Option to add to post count when someone nominate a post.
39. Option to give reputation points to the user whose post is nominated.
40. Option to ban selected usergroups from using the mod
41. Option to ban selected users from using the mod
42. Option to display user?s nomination statistics on postbit (addition v 1.10)
43. Option not to display nomination statistics on postbit for selected users (addition v 1.10)
44. Option not to display nomination statistics on postbit for selected usergroups (addition v 1.50)
45. Option to display or not the hall of fame link in Quick-Links (addition v 1.3)
46. Option to select forums on which nominations must be considered (addition v 1.35)
47. Hall of fame re-designed to handle a Top 10 award winners, all time cumulated (addition v 1.3)
48. Option to refresh the poll thread if for some reason a post referenced in the poll came to be deleted (addition v 1.3)
49. Option to use the current week number or month, or the next week number or month, in the contest title (addition v 1.3)
50. Option for archiving nominations in the "Nomination Thread" automatically whenever a user nominate a post. (addition v 1.35)
51. Option to automatically send a PM to award winners at the end of the contest (addition v 1.4)
52. Option to automatically add points to award winners? reputation at the end of the contest (addition v 1.4)
53. If the current ?Nomination Thread? is deleted for whatever reason, a single manual run of the cron file will suffice to create a new thread, avoiding a clean install of the product.
54. Option to nominate blog entries (addition v 1.6)
55. Option to have award winners or nominated posts icons displayed on posts, so that nominated posts can be easily identified when listing posts.
56. Option to close current nomination thread and create a new one directly from the ACP

Installation instructions

Version 1.63

1. Uncompress the archive
2. Upload the content of the "upload" folder into your forum root directory
3. Import the "product_nominate_topic.xml" product via your ACP:
   ACP -> Plugins & Products -> Manage Product -> Add/Import Product (Allow Overwrite if you are upgrading)
4. Adjust the mod settings as you see fit.
   Specify the Forum ID that will receive nomination threads. Also specify the User ID of the nomination thread owner.
   ACP -> vBulletin Options -> vBulletin Options -> Nominate Topic Mod
5. Save the specified settings
6. ACP -> Scheduled Tasks -> Scheduled Task Manager
   Nominate Weekly Or Monthly Topic Mod -> Run Now

Enjoy

Update in version 1.01
Nominated posts titles hot linked in the poll to actual thread/post of the forum

Update in version 1.1

1. Postbit_legacy fixed
2. Quick link to award winners page via the "Quick Navigation" menu
3. Selected usergroups (e.g. Moderators or SuperModerators) can withdraw all nominees of a single post
4. Option to display user?s nomination statistics on postbit
5. Option not to display nomination statistics on postbit for selected users
6. Small bugs fixed
7. Tested on vB 3.7.0 and vB 3.7.2
8. Working on vB 3.6.8 and above

Update in version 1.2

1. Displays a varying nomination stamps on posts that have been nominated for the contest. The color of the nomination stamps varies depending on how many users have nominated the post. (addition v 1.2)
2. Displays an award winner stamp op award winner posts at the end of the Topic Of The Week/Month contest. (addition v 1.2)
3. Via postbit pop-up, displays link to find all nominations made by a user (addition v 1.2)
4. Via postbit pop-up, allows selected usergroups (e.g. Moderators or SuperModerators) can withdraw all user?s nominees from all posts (addition v 1.2)
5. Option to select the maximum number of topics that must be displayed in the poll (addition v 1.2)
6. Option to take or not into account for nomination only posts made during the month preceding the nomination cycle time (addition v 1.2)
7. Option to consider the maximum number of posts a user can nominate per cycle time (addition v 1.2)

Update in version 1.21

1. Fix for transition to Week 28 on cron file
2. Fix Unknown column error when adding a nomination.
3. Few bugs on withdraw nomination

Feedback are welcome and implementation of constructive suggestions will likely be carried out during weekends only, as I am kept busy with other matters during working days.

Update in version 1.22

1. Fix Duplicate entry issue.
2. Clean cron file
3. Full phrasing for those who wish to translate it.

Update in version 1.3

1. Nominated posts titles hot linked in the poll to actual thread/post of the forum. Links displaying on the same page (No. popups) (addition v 1.3)
2. Option to display or not the hall of fame link in Quick-Links (addition v 1.3)
3. Option to select only one forum on which nominations must be considered (addition v 1.3)
4. Hall of fame re-designed to handle a Top 10 award winners, all time cumulated (addition v 1.3)
5. Option to refresh the poll thread if for some reason a post referenced in the poll came to be deleted (addition v 1.3)
6. Option to use the current week number or month, or the next week number or month, in the contest title (addition v 1.3)
7. Fully phrased to allow language translation (addition v 1.3)
8. Cron file up-to-date

Update in version 1.35

1. Option to select forums on which nominations must be considered
2. Option for archiving nominations in the ?Nomination Thread? automatically.
3. Fortnightly cycle time added
4. Fully phrased to allow language translation (addition v 1.35)
5. Few reported bugs fixed

Update 14/07/2008 in cron file
I noticed that some code instructions fail to work properly depending on the PhP version been used.

If you are running the v 1.35 and TOTW on a weekly basis and if for some reason, your cron file failed to work and create a new nomination thread on Sunday 13, July 2008, please use the attachment "updated-cron-14-07-2008.zip". The instructions are given in there.

Update in version 1.40

1. Option to automatically send a PM to award winners at the end of the contest (addition v 1.4)
2. Option to automatically add points to award winners? reputation at the end of the contest (addition v 1.4)
3. If the current ?Nomination Thread? is deleted for whatever reason, a single manual run of the cron file will suffice to create a new thread, avoiding a clean install of the product.

Update in version 1.50

1. Option not to display nomination statistics on postbit for selected usergroups (addition v 1.50)
2. Few display titles fixed
3. Additions made for users who had problems displaying the nomination button and stamp on their styles. Checkout the "Readme and installation" file.
4. Cron file completely rewritten. Why?
   The previous cron file worked fine only when they were activated manually from the Run button in the Admin CP, but they were failing to run on their own as a scheduled task. I noticed that vbulletin global variables were no longer been passed to the cron file. Why??? I have actually getting the values of vbulletin global variables needed for the cron directly from the database.
   If you noticed that the "Nomination Thread" of the past week did not closed properly, proceed as follow:
   1. Open the cron file (upload/included/cron/
   2. Search for "// $createNewThread = 1;"
   3. Replace it by: "$createNewThread = 1;"
   4. Upload the cron file and run it manually (only once), just to close the previous thread and open a new one.
   5. Upload the original cron file back (the one with "// $createNewThread = 1;")

Update in version 1.51

1. For weekly nominations, Cron file set to create a new "Nomination Thread" every MONDAY's (00:10AM) as the week numbering starts on Monday's and not on Sunday's (as set in v 1.50)

If you are running v 1.50 with weekly cycle time and noticed that a new nomination thread has been created but the display title is still that of the previous thread (week 30), then this is for you. Do not delete the newly created nomination thread (with title week 30). On Monday 21st July, 2008, after 00:10AM, proceed as follow:

1. Refresh your poll from the ACP -> Nominate Topic -> Refresh Poll (This will update the display title of both the poll and the nomination thread)
2. Upload the content of the attachment v 1.51 to your root directory. (DO NOT MANUALLY RUN THE CRON FILE)

Topic of the Week-Month Nomination v1.51 Updated Prod and Cron

1. Automatic PM subject phrase moved from "<phrasetype name="Email Subject Text" fieldname="emailsubject">" to "<phrasetype name="GLOBAL" fieldname="global">"
2. For monthly nominations, Cron file set to create a new "Nomination Thread" every 1st day of the month (00:10AM) and not on the last day of the month.

Topic of the Week-Month Nomination v1.51 Updated function

1. Function updated (see attachment) as a result of exchanges with Kevil via TeamViewer.

Update in version 1.60

1. Option to nominate blog entries (addition v 1.6)
2. Option to have award winners or nominated posts icons displayed on posts, so that nominated posts can be easily identified when listing posts.
3. Option to close current nomination thread and create a new one directly from the ACP (NOT VIA THE CRON)

Update in version 1.61

1. Typing mistake fixed in the "nominate_topic_admin.php". nominate_topic_amount instead of nominated_topic_amount.
2. Fix for "Could not find phrase 'This is an automatic message to inform you that your post ..." message.

Update in version 1.62

1. Typing mistake fixed in the "nominate_topic_admin.php". nominate_topic_amount instead of nominated_topic_amount.
2. Fix for http:"//... occurring in the poll while listing blog entries.
3. Display of nomination stamps while listing blog entries from the blog.
4. Fix for displaying of blog entries in poll when a post is nominated from the non blog board.

Update in version 1.621

1. Fixed "Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}' in /includes/cron/nominate_topic_cron.php on line 584"
2. Fixed ": syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /home/nascartr/public_html/community/admincp/nominate_topic_admin.php on line 435"

Update in version 1.63

1. Fixed link call, requested by TsirhCitna
2. Fixed "Hall of fame" display.

Update in version 1.635

1. Bug Fix by vbboarder implemented ? ?can?t find phrase? error in PM subject

Update in version 1.636

1. Default value for "cycle time header" set to use the current cycle time (current week/fortnight/month instead of next week/fortnight)
2. Option to nominate own post activated by default.

Feedback are welcome and implementation of constructive suggestions will likely be carried out during weekends only, as I am kept busy with other matters during working days. Also, feel free to add improvements in those files and post them.

To other coders: feel free to add improvements to the Mod (files) and post them. I will directly use your updated files for the next version of the mod.

[TsirhCitna]

I think the issue with the blogs might be the fact that not everyone has the blog addon. I know in my case I don't have it so it's trying to alter a table that doesn't exist.

[gag girl]

I can't figure this one out. I don't understand the editing of the product to add the // in front of some lines.

I get the poll post on my forum, but I am not getting the button that actually nominates the threads. I'm confused!

Anyone willing to help?

[J98680Bxxxxx]

Originally Posted by TsirhCitna

An error occurred while attempting to execute your query. The following information was returned.
error number: 1064
error desc: You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'ALTER TABLE `vb3_blog` ADD `nominate_topic_amount` INT( 10 ) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' at line 2

Hi TsirhCitna,

If you still have the is_blog column does not exist issue, please send me an invitation at:

ID: 51427565
PW: vborg

Originally Posted by gag girl

I can't figure this one out. I don't understand the editing of the product to add the // in front of some lines.

I get the poll post on my forum, but I am not getting the button that actually nominates the threads. I'm confused!

Anyone willing to help?

Let?s take a look at your site if you wish. Check your PM.

[gag girl]

When I click on "update Posts Icons" in the ACP, I get this:

Update Posts Icons

Database error
The GrabAss Girls database has encountered a problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please try the following:
Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.
Open the www.grabassgirls.com home page, then try to open another page.
Click the Back button to try another link.

The www.grabassgirls.com forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.2:

Invalid SQL:
SELECT postid, threadid FROM post WHERE visible = '1' AND nominated_topic_amount > 0 AND nominate_topic_award > 0;

MySQL Error : Unknown column 'nominated_topic_amount' in 'where clause'
Error Number : 1054
Request Date : Monday, September 8th 2008 @ 10:38:39 AM
Error Date : Monday, September 8th 2008 @ 10:38:39 AM
Script : http://www.grabassgirls.com/forums/a...atedpostsicons
Referrer : http://www.grabassgirls.com/forums/a...dex.php?do=nav
IP Address :
Username :
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version : 5.0.51a-community

[nascartr]

I get the same database error when clicking on "Update Post Icons"

Database error in vBulletin 3.7.3:
Invalid SQL:
SELECT postid, threadid FROM post WHERE visible = '1' AND nominated_topic_amount > 0 AND nominate_topic_award > 0;
MySQL Error : Unknown column 'nominated_topic_amount' in 'where clause'
Error Number : 1054
Request Date : Monday, September 8th 2008 @ 12:06:13 PM
Error Date : Monday, September 8th 2008 @ 12:06:14 PM
Script : http://www.diecastnuts.com/community...atedpostsicons
Referrer : http://www.diecastnuts.com/community...dex.php?do=nav
IP Address : 98.26.218.116
Username : racersimage
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version : 5.0.51a-community

[TsirhCitna]

Originally Posted by J98680B2423E

Hi TsirhCitna,

If you still have the is_blog column does not exist issue, please send me an invitation at:

ID: 51427565
PW: vborg

Yes we still get the same error when removing a nomination.

I will be home around 6 PM EST if you will be awake.

[MrEyes]

Heres a minor bug with 1.61

When a blog is nominated and this is listed in the poll, the poll entry has a href link to the actual blog entry (like it does with threads/post) however the markup for it is incorrect so it points to:

http://"http//www.mysite.com/blog.php?b=29234

Probably a simple template issue but I can't find it

Also, it would be really good if there was a hook around the winner notification. This would be useful to do extra things like giving a Casino or Credits bonus to the users. I have hacked the cron file to do this but I hook is a better solution

EDIT: Found it I think:

The following line

$nominatedposttitle[$j] = "[URL=\"$site_URL/blog.php?$session[sessionurl]b=".$blog_id."]Blog: ".$blog_title."[/url]";

Does not need the \" part after URL=, it should be

$nominatedposttitle[$j] = "[URL=".$site_URL."/blog.php?$session[sessionurl]b=".$blog_id."]Blog: ".$blog_title."[/url]";

[Marc Peters]

Originally Posted by SuperDave71

Is anyone else getting a "Parse error when you run the task from Scheduled Task Manager: /cron/nominate_topic_cron.php on line 391

I get the same error. When I insert a ; at the end of this line, I then get the following:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE, expecting T_STRING or T_VARIABLE or T_NUM_STRING in /var/www/html/includes/cron/nominate_topic_cron.php on line 533

[Marc Peters]

Originally Posted by Marc Peters

I get the same error. When I insert a ; at the end of this line, I then get the following:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE, expecting T_STRING or T_VARIABLE or T_NUM_STRING in /var/www/html/includes/cron/nominate_topic_cron.php on line 533

Ok, now fixed this line by changing 'postid' to postid on line 533 and removing a extra } on line 583

[MrEyes]

Originally Posted by Marc Peters

Ok, now fixed this line by changing 'postid' to postid on line 533 and removing a extra } on line 583

Also getting these issues, thanks for the fixes

Heres another, the title of the PM sent to winners is:

Could not find phrase 'This is an automatic message to inform you that your post on [post={1}]{2}[/post] is amongst the winners of this cycle time topic nomination contest.'.

Interesting I had this same problem with earlier versions 1.5 and 1.51 and ending up hacking the cron php file to hardcoded PM title and message. In addition to this the reputation comments are included in the PM even though the reputation system is off in the mod and finally I simply can not get the product to use my translated phrases. Don't get me wrong this is a great mod, but the language used in some of the phrases is a bit "odd"