Miscellaneous Hacks - vbNetwork - share forums with other boards

vbNetwork

Summary
This add-on gives you the ability to share forums with other message boards without having to share any database information. The plugin uses webservices to share posts.

Release Notes
Currently the installation is easy but if you want to set up and run your own network it will help if you're familiar with XML. Joining an already existing network is fairly simple.

If you would like my help writing versions for phpBB, IPB or other message board software, please feel free to contact me.

If you are interested you can join my existing network, but please note that it is mostly a trolling-based community of boards. Feel free to start your own network with other boards.

Product Specifications

1. several plugins
2. one cron job
3. file uploads
4. new DB tables
5. several phrases

Installation
Approx 2-5 mins

See the included installation instructions.

Upgrading/Updating

1. upload all files in the upload directory, overwriting any existing files
2. re-import the XML file, setting "Overwrite" to "Yes"

Configuration

See the included documentation for details.

Support

If you encounter problems or discover any bugs, please create a new issue at: http://code.google.com/p/vbnetwork/issues/list

Sample

This is one shared forum on three different boards (WARNING: the content of these forums may be NSFW).
http://www.anothermessageboard.com/f...splay.php?f=29
http://www.juot.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50
http://www.drunkensquirrel.net/com/f...splay.php?f=28

PLEASE CLICK INSTALL!

[strudinox]

Interesting idea. I'd really like to know how this effects SEO before I make it live. I'd like to start up a gaming/tech network if this doesn't have any negative effects on my boards.

[trophyrider]

Originally Posted by goran424

This looks amazing, can't believe such thing is possible.
Anyone willing to share Network on Motorcycles? My forum deals with Thai Motorcycle Scene (English language). Tagged until someone responds.

We'll try it with you! Our group is the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association. Visit us at http://www.sporttouring.us.

PM me and I'll send you my email address.

[trophyrider]

Well, maybe best to back away from this mod at the moment until some of the bugs are worked out. I get a database error when I click on the network forum manager link...

Database error in vBulletin 4.0.4:

Invalid SQL:

SELECT DISTINCT subid FROM vb_network_sub
WHERE (network_sub.networkid = 1)
ORDER BY subid;

MySQL Error : Unknown column 'network_sub.networkid' in 'where clause'
Error Number : 1054
Request Date : Tuesday, July 6th 2010 @ 08:16:53 PM
Error Date : Tuesday, July 6th 2010 @ 08:16:53 PM
Script : http://www.sporttouring.us/admincp/networkforum.php
Referrer : http://www.sporttouring.us/admincp/index.php?do=nav
IP Address : 98.108.23.234
Username : VersysRider
Classname : vB_Database
MySQL Version : 5.0.91-community

[CrosseyedGamer]

This is rather interesting for sure. I run a social website for gamers which has unique articles and other gaming related info. If there are any gaming websites that wish to network up to share news, game reviews or whatever let me know.

Going to tag and watch to see how the bugs get worked out.

[TyPenn613]

I would be curious if you could label the guests. For instance, if I link with another forum called Forum X. If Forum X makes a post that shows up on my site as a guest, it would be nice to have it show up under a generic Forum X username, so that people on my site could find the other forum, and vice-versa. This would be particularly helpful for sites that link with 2 or more others. Just a thought.

Also, maybe I'm blind and missing something, but is there a way to decide which forums these guest posts show up in? How would a thread on another site know which forum to go into on my site?

[x626xblack]

I have a gaming site also if anyone is interested. Not touching this one though until some of the questions are answered and some bugs are worked out.

[zethon]

Originally Posted by AtomicAcidbath

A couple other omissions I found in the package:
file /network/service.php missing php declaration at top of page
Has:

<?

Should read:

<?php

File Product-network.4.0.X.xml should have these lines included to get rid of warning(s) in control panel:

			<phrase name="vbn_added_network_forum_successfully" date="1161992074" username="" version="0.1"><![CDATA[Added network forum successfully.]]></phrase>
			<phrase name="vbn_added_board_to_forum_successfully" date="1161992074" username="" version="0.1"><![CDATA[Added board to forum successfully.]]></phrase>

Seems fairly straight-forward to set up, but I can't be sure I've done it right with no connection at the other end.

I have a few bug fixes which I will post later. Thank you for logging the issues in the Google Project.

Originally Posted by sticky

Is there any way to network and share database information? For example, share the userbase and have the same log in on both?

No. But there is an option in the AdminCP to turn on email syncing (or whatever I called it). This works as follows: UserX registers with the same email address on BoardA and BoardB (assume they are also networked). If UserX then posts on BoardA, his post will show up as his user account on BoardB and not as a Guest post. This option has to be turned on in the AdminCP and the user must have the same email address on both boards.

Originally Posted by TyPenn613

Also, maybe I'm blind and missing something, but is there a way to decide which forums these guest posts show up in? How would a thread on another site know which forum to go into on my site?

In the Forum Manager at the bottom, you can select which network and network forum a particular forum is configured to. This is explained in the docs.

Originally Posted by AtomicAcidbath

Oh yes, this has wonderful possibilities.
Anyone remember FidoNet from the BBS days?

That was exactly my inspiration for writing this plugin.

[goran424]

Originally Posted by trophyrider

We'll try it with you! Our group is the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association. Visit us at http://www.sporttouring.us.

PM me and I'll send you my email address.

Ok, PM sent.

[TyPenn613]

Sorry to repost, but is there anything that can be done like this?

I would be curious if you could label the guests. For instance, if I link with another forum called Forum X. If Forum X makes a post that shows up on my site as a guest, it would be nice to have it show up under a generic Forum X username, so that people on my site could find the other forum, and vice-versa. This would be particularly helpful for sites that link with 2 or more others. Just a thought.

[zethon]

Originally Posted by TyPenn613

Sorry to repost, but is there anything that can be done like this?

I would be curious if you could label the guests. For instance, if I link with another forum called Forum X. If Forum X makes a post that shows up on my site as a guest, it would be nice to have it show up under a generic Forum X username, so that people on my site could find the other forum, and vice-versa. This would be particularly helpful for sites that link with 2 or more others. Just a thought.

Each post coming from a remote board has a message appended to it stating the originating board. For example, a post from my board to another board may look something like:

Oh my god! You guys are so lame!

__________________
Originally posted at www.anothermessageboard.com

Here is a work safe example of a post made on my board that appears on a remote board via my network plugin:

http://www.drunkensquirrel.net/com/s...00&postcount=9

This way people are able to find the remote board. But there is no (easy) way to make all posts show up under the same generic ForumX username, which is what I think you're asking for.

Actually, looking at that post reminds me of an undocumented feature of the plugin that does allows boards to grab the avatar of the remote users. I will document this tonight and upload my bug fixes as well.