If the page has no title tag, only the URL will be displayed.
If the title tag does not appear within the first 1000 lines of the page, only the URL will be displayed. To keep the script from locking on URL's that go to large files or other large documents that could put a strain on the server and timeout a post, only the first 1000 lines are accepting when retrieving the page information.
Links on pages posted prior to adding this mod will not be updated.
Changelog:
Aug 22-2007: Fixed issue where functions might redeclare themselves, especially with shoutbox.
(note 49 downloads v1.0)
If you enjoy this mod, please nominate it for mod of the month (MOTM).
Ok, I've been waiting for this hack for some time... but I use another hack [AME] that parses the URLs converting them on Video, can this affect the functionality of the other hack?
One being, there is only one plugin, and it uses one hook: url_to_bbcode.
One plugin location vs two.. heh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
Second, it uses Vbulletins built in method for matching URL's, instead of the one built into this hack.
Correct, because if you use any other hacks that toy with vB's internal URL parsing routines it will most likely break this hack.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
If the user chooses not to parse links, during a reply or threadpost, then the hack won't override it as the hack you linked to appears to do.
This is true, however, because it's by design. From an Admin's perspective, this mod is a great SEO tool. It's mostly for the admin, not necessarily the users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
I have never heard of a host disabling fopen, the only thing is when it used to open FILES, and safe mode is on, it will check the UID. However, I do not believe this applies when calling a remote document via http.
Well, just to name one.. DreamHost. fopen() is generally considered a security risk on shared hosting servers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
URL on the other hand, must be installed on the system (well at least the libcurl package) whereas fopen is native.
You'd be hard pressed to find a shared hosting provider that doesn't have cURL available. And those not using shared hosting can simply install it themselves. But I digress..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
What happens with the other hack when a user say, posts a link to the latest fedora distribution that is 2.7 GB? From what I see of the other hack, the server will attempt to download this entire package before parsing out a title (that it will never find). Of course, it will time out, or give you an exhausted memory error. My mod by contrast, only downloads the first 1000 lines of any document.
Well, the first problem here is that someone is trying to download Fedora.. when obviously they should be downloading a superior distribution such as Debian . That being said, there's a nifty (.. and configurable!) timeout option. By default, if a page takes longer than 5 seconds to return a title then the process is aborted and the default URL is used.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jafo232
This also works with shoutbox or any other plugin that does not bypass the normal posting process, whereas the other only works with the newpost and and edit post hooks.
So.. I can hijack a shoutbox and cripple a server by spamming a bunch of links to 10GB ISO's and waiting for it to parse 1000 lines each time I paste it? However way this hack is implemented, by nature it's going to create additional load on the server. Why would you want to add an additional load to something that already puts a ridiculous strain on a server (re: Shoutbox)?
If you're going to provide a link in the OP to compare the differences, the least you could do is make sure the statements are factual.
Correct, because if you use any other hacks that toy with vB's internal URL parsing routines it will most likely break this hack.
That is why hacks that do not muck with the internal routines are better as opposed to the one you proposed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnus
This is true, however, because it's by design. From an Admin's perspective, this mod is a great SEO tool. It's mostly for the admin, not necessarily the users.
Well, from my prospective, it is better to worry about the users experience first, not a search engines. The ability to craft a URL without it being mucked by a hack is a requirement for many sites, especially those dealing with code. Your proposed hack limits a users experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnus
Well, just to name one.. DreamHost. fopen() is generally considered a security risk on shared hosting servers.
You'd be hard pressed to find a shared hosting provider that doesn't have cURL available. And those not using shared hosting can simply install it themselves. But I digress..
It isn't hard at all. Look how many hacks that require cURL have questions about error messages regarding unfound functions that are part of cURL. There are numerous. If it wasn't a problem, then I fail to see why you mention it in your hack.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnus
Well, the first problem here is that someone is trying to download Fedora.. when obviously they should be downloading a superior distribution such as Debian . That being said, there's a nifty (.. and configurable!) timeout option. By default, if a page takes longer than 5 seconds to return a title then the process is aborted and the default URL is used.
The timeout option does NOT stop the download. It is a timeout for a non-response. Please, let us keep it factual.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnus
So.. I can hijack a shoutbox and cripple a server by spamming a bunch of links to 10GB ISO's and waiting for it to parse 1000 lines each time I paste it? However way this hack is implemented, by nature it's going to create additional load on the server. Why would you want to add an additional load to something that already puts a ridiculous strain on a server (re: Shoutbox)?
You mean like search bombing or a million other techniques you can use to DDOS a server? At least what you are speaking of is an intentional act. Posting a link to a large file is common in a forum with no malicious intent. YOUR plugin however makes it seem that way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by magnus
If you're going to provide a link in the OP to compare the differences, the least you could do is make sure the statements are factual.
Is it the fact that your lack of understanding of the overall concept that bothers you or that this plugin already has more than half the amount of installs yours has, yet it only took less than 24 hours for a superior hack to do it?
I was just coming on to say that version 1.0 buggered up my polls (ie. users were shown a blank page when trying to post a poll) but v1.1 fixes this, so thanks!
Interesting debate. I'm using yours Jaro, not that Magnus' version wasn't working. But based on what you're saying, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Anyway, the more important point is this, we're all here to better what's currently available on a standard VB package, so thumbs up to both of you.
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08-22-2007, 07:19 PM
. That being said, there's a nifty (.. and configurable!) timeout option. By default, if a page takes longer than 5 seconds to return a title then the process is aborted and the default URL is used.
