Trader Ratings v1.2.0

Trader Ratings - A user feedback hack
Copyright ?2004 Jason Rabel, All Rights Reserved.
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Latest TR Verson: 1.2.0
vB Versions: 3.0.0 - 3.0.9
Author: Jason Rabel
Contact: PM me here, I'll respond.
Site: EXTREME Overclocking
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Updates:
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1.2.0 - September 4, 2004
- Added Trader Ratings Stats Page (finally!)
- Added PM notification when someone receives feedback
- Changed how positive feedback percentage score is calculated (bugfix)
- Ability to "close" the Trader Ratings pages (for maintainence or whatever) - TRATING_CLOSED
- Ability to set the URL field when submitting feedback to required or optional - TRATING_REQ_URL

1.1.0 - June 7, 2004
- Added time-based user edit/delete abilities, set via TRATING_UEDIT constant in traderratings.php file
- Userdate field is now an int field to be consistent with vBulletin
- Userrating field changed to tinyint to save space
- Fixed timeframes for showing historical ratings
- Made some various code consolidation
- Added missing ".TABLE_PREFIX." statement
- Templates.txt file shows code for postbit & MEMBERINFO, with conditional examples
- All 3 templates changed heavily
- Added some more phrases & fixed missing phrases

1.0.1 - June 2, 2004
- Fixed a "divide by zero" display error
- Postbit template fixed so guests do not have a trader rating

1.0.0 - June 1, 2004
- Initial Public Release

Description:
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Trader Ratings has evolved from my vB2 Buy/Sell/Trade User Rating System. This is a rating system for when members buy / sell / trade items from each other (presumably on a FS section of your forum). It is based on the honor system since there is no way to truly tell if they did engage in a transaction. (But I'm working on a way to fix that.) Trader Ratings came about because it was a pain to try and maintain a single thread listing good / bad traders and so far has worked out quite well.

Features:
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? Rate another member: Positive / Negative / Neutral
? Specify Buyer, Seller, or Trade
? Leave comments about the deal
? Records date when rating created
? Specify a URL to the deal
? Display ratings over time
? Filter based on Buyer/Seller/Trade/or feedback they left for others
? Users can edit/delete ratings left for others (time based limitation)
? Admins & Mods can edit/delete anyone's ratings (just incase)
? Stats page showing best & worst rated members, and recent ratings
? PM notification when a person is rated

Basic Info:
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I haven't written a FAQ or any real documentation yet, but the way the system works is very simple. The only part that might confuse someone is that the Feedback Score is based only on UNIQUE members. Also, there are simple checks in place to make sure they actually do select proper info and enter a comment. A user is not able to rate themself (obviously). Permissions for viewing / rating are similar to standard forum viewing / posting permissions. Also it checks to make sure users exist and all that good stuff.

Installation Info:
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This hack is very simply to implement requiring only:
? 1 new file
? 5 new templates / 2-3 template changes (navbar, posbit/postbit_legacy, MEMBERINFO, memberlist_resultsbit)
? 52 new phrases
? 1 new DB table / 1 table DB change & index

An install/upgrade PHP file is included to do all the template/phrase/DB stuff, so basically you run that, upload the file, and edit your postbit template. BAM!

Screen Shots / Demos:
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See Screenshots below, or you can view them on my forums: My Trader Rating Page

Standard Disclaimer:
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BACKUP YOUR DATABASE & FILES BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THIS HACK!!!

Forums Using This Hack:
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EXTREME Overclocking Forums
i-Club -- Forums
Accord Tuner
NSX Prime
Honda-Acura.net
Guns Network
PimpRig

(PM me your forum if you want me to add you to the list)

Donations:
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This hack will always be free, however your donations are kindly accepted and will help towards further development. If you donate, please leave me some info (either your forum site or username at vB.org) so that I can thank you.


Plans For Future Releases:
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? rebuttal / followup comments
? item description (possibly instead of thread url)
? button on thread that buyer/seller clicks to tie the transaction to two people

[eoc_Jason]

Sorry guys, yesterday was a complete bust. I had to do some emergency home repairs, and my back is still aching today like a son of a gun from having to crawl around the attic.

Anyhow, yes there are a few minor bugs that were discovered which I need to fix this morning, then I should be able to get the release out this afternoon.

To answer a previous question, yes there is an upgrade script from 1.2.0 (3.0.x) to 2.0.0 (3.5.x). Basically you do a regular install of iTrader, then run the upgrade script. It imports / converts all existing data, and optionally can attempt to auto-link all existing deals, delete old phrases & templates, and lastly delete the old table & fields.

My suggestion is if you are upgrading to run the script up to the point of removing the phrases & templates, but leave the old table data until you are 100% sure you new data is correct.

[hanna]

I think when everyones done telling Jason how great he is...

We should acknowledge that Jason has done a horrible job supporting this product that is listed as a major addition.

When a developer chooses to develop a product and string people along with phony release dates its called overcommitting and under delivering.

As forum owners, I am sure many of you have quite a few angry forum members waiting and waiting for this hack. I stopped giving dates out about 2 weeks ago and I am glad I did. We were met with many reasons for this hack not being put out the last 4 times he promised to deliver but the bottom line is it never came out.

If you are going to have a hack under major additions on this board, I think there should be some committment to act responsibly and set a realistic release date and not dangle carrots in front of everyone here day after day like bugs bunny teasing us.

Even when you release a hack for nothing out of the kindness of your heart, this still stinks. From reading this string, I and many other would pay for this and other hacks if they were released in a timely fashion.

[ryansmith]

Well, I am not the most patient person in the world, but I know what it's like when things don't go according to plan. I can wait a few days while Jason works things out on his end. I don't see any reason to criticize -- the mod will be done when it's done. I haven't even told anyone on my forum about the new feature because I realize that nothing is ever set in stone.

Ryan

[dsotmoon]

Originally Posted by hanna

Even when you release a hack for nothing out of the kindness of your heart, this still stinks.

no, just your post and attitude stink, go away, thanks for the update Jason, sorry about the back

[Noonster]

Originally Posted by ryansmith

Well, I am not the most patient person in the world, but I know what it's like when things don't go according to plan. I can wait a few days while Jason works things out on his end. I don't see any reason to criticize -- the mod will be done when it's done. I haven't even told anyone on my forum about the new feature because I realize that nothing is ever set in stone.

Ryan

I agree with that

Hes done great work.... and I appreciate the update - I have just told the members of my forum it will return too and when they moan i just say unlucky it will be back as soon as possible and please be patient!

Darren

[coolgus]

Did anyone told you to upgrade to 3.5 without this mod being finished ?

Maybe you ought to your members to act more clever and don't procced with the upgrades until you are absolutely sure that everything works fine and so they will be happy. The fault my friend is all yours and your way to blaim Jason is pathetic and shows that you are just ungrateful.

Originally Posted by hanna

I think when everyones done telling Jason how great he is...

We should acknowledge that Jason has done a horrible job supporting this product that is listed as a major addition.

When a developer chooses to develop a product and string people along with phony release dates its called overcommitting and under delivering.

As forum owners, I am sure many of you have quite a few angry forum members waiting and waiting for this hack. I stopped giving dates out about 2 weeks ago and I am glad I did. We were met with many reasons for this hack not being put out the last 4 times he promised to deliver but the bottom line is it never came out.

If you are going to have a hack under major additions on this board, I think there should be some committment to act responsibly and set a realistic release date and not dangle carrots in front of everyone here day after day like bugs bunny teasing us.

Even when you release a hack for nothing out of the kindness of your heart, this still stinks. From reading this string, I and many other would pay for this and other hacks if they were released in a timely fashion.

[Damian]

Originally Posted by hanna

I think when everyones done telling Jason how great he is...

We should acknowledge that Jason has done a horrible job supporting this product that is listed as a major addition.

You have no right to complain.
You want a Trader Rating system finished on your time table...go hire a coder and pay to have it done to your expectations.

[grimmer]

Originally Posted by Damian

You have no right to complain.
You want a Trader Rating system finished on your time table...go hire a coder and pay to have it done to your expectations.

Agreed. He has no obligation to complete and furnish this to us at all. If he wanted to turn his back he could walk and guess what.. You would be SOL.. Be happy that he is taking the time (no matter how long that might be) to give it the community FREE I might add.. becuase you know what? If he decided to charge how many would pay for it? EVERYONE would becuase everyone wants it... So hush and be patient..

[eoc_Jason]

Considering I provide this for free, I don't think you have any room to complain. If you needed something like this so bad, you can always pay a professional developer or do it yourself. This entire site is made up of users being nice to others sharing their work for free, they are not commercial products, nobody charges for their use.

I am not just some monkey locked in a closet that codes 24/7. I do have a job, and run several websites, and try to have somewhat of a life on top of all the work.

If you do not like it, then don't use it. Simple as that...

Originally Posted by hanna

...We should acknowledge that Jason has done a horrible job supporting this product that is listed as a major addition.

When a developer chooses to develop a product and string people along with phony release dates its called overcommitting and under delivering....

[Kidswap]

I upgraded to 3.5 and lost the ability to use the TR, but I am not complaining! I'm just glad that it will be an option again in the future.