Add-On Releases - vBISpy - AJAX real-time feed of new posts/threads

After seeing the http://www.digg.com/spy application; I wondered if this could be done for vBulletin as well. I came across this webpage which had a "how to" on how they built a similiar application to do the same thing. Taking a page from their book (i.e. the code), I modified it for use with vBulletin.

During development, I also came across this post here on vBulletin.Org where the very subject had already been discussed.

So I put this together; a simple ZIP file with a single PHP script, three javascript files and 4 images.

Installation

. UNZIP the file into your forums directory
. That's it!

Virtually all the code to customize the page is in the vaispy.php script; there are no plugins, no templates and no phrases. You do not need to do anything further; this should work right out of the box.

In your browser, open the URL:

http://www.yourforum.com/forum/vaispy.php

You can see examples of this at:

http://www.viperalley.com/forum/vaispy.php
http://www.extremefitness.com/forum/vaispy.php

Note: I claim no ownership of this code except for the file vaispy.php - the rest of the files were using 'freely distributable' sources. As such, you may use these files as you wish, but please do not remove the copyrights.

This modification is for vBulletin 3.6 only, if you are running vBulletin 3.5 you will need to see this thread.

JOIN THE vBIspy Network!
Once you have this mod installed, you can join the vBIspy network to have your threads appear on this site; the vBIspy Network is a great way for people to see what's going on in various vBulletin communities and for forum owners to promote their sites and generate new traffic.

Optional add-ons

Who's Online mod for this: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=126209

vBAdvanced Module: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=126421

UPDATES
1.0.4
Added buro9's code from here

1.0.5 - 9.9.06
Modified some JavaScript in va_spy.js to remove split strings

1.0.6 - 9.10.06
Added date cuffoff code from here and changed init() to spyinit() - changed vaispy.php and va_spy.js files.

1.0.7 - 9.12.06
va_spy.js: Added a forum url variable to allow for integration with portals or other products outside the forum directory
va_spy.js: Added xmldelay variable at top of script for easier configuration or repolling
Updated files: vaispy.php, vb_spy.js

1.0.8 - 9.13.06
vaispy.php - changed code for checking for forum permissions to include password protected forums, added javascript tag for script code

1.0.9 - 9.16.06
vaispy.php
va_spy.js
va_effects.js
- modified to allow for proper display in Opera browsers and moved more html into vaispy.php to allow for stylevars, trimmed va_effects.js to remove unused code (ForumDog's suggestions, except not using templates yet), changed way threads are parsed (removes html as well)

1.0.10 - 9.17.06
va_prototype.js - removed 20kb of unused code

1.1.11 - 9.25.2006
vaispy.php
va_spy.js
- added SirAdrian's mods for thread status icons and alternating row colors
- added code to prepopulate the first 10 rows with existing threads allowing for 5 new ones to be added in scrolling mode (versus scrolling starting from the first thread).
- added option to display subscribed threads only

1.1.12 - 9.26.2006
vaispy.php
- added code to add empty rows if initial pull has less than 20 rows.

[ConqSoft]

Originally Posted by MPDev

Just curious about adding that to the query; does that speed up the query or is it to just make sure you only grab something from the past day?

It prevents full table scans which can bring huge sites to their knees.

[MPDev]

Sounds fair enough; although running on a 1m post forum I'm not seeing any kind of problem, it's worth adding anyways. Thanks!

[ConqSoft]

Off-Topic: Michael, did you get my PM on PhotoPost.com? The issue still exists, and it's possible it's not limited to only me.

[Floris]

I have installed this and using the free option. Thank you. But I felt quite surprised to read that more URLs would mean I have to buy a package, ranging from $20 a month to $1500 a year. But I kind of feel bad now knowing my site content won't get the priority like others, unless I put money down; and therefor show up later or less frequent. I also don't see why someone would like to pay $20 to get their content listed for a few seconds until it is being replaced by someone else their content. Is it being indexed too, is there an archive link or osmething to listed content that you paid for?

Good luck with your business, and I am going to consider keeping this installed or not.

[DementedMindz]

Originally Posted by Floris

I have installed this and using the free option. Thank you. But I felt quite surprised to read that more URLs would mean I have to buy a package, ranging from $20 a month to $1500 a year. But I kind of feel bad now knowing my site content won't get the priority like others, unless I put money down; and therefor show up later or less frequent.

Good luck with your business, and I am going to consider keeping this installed or not.

lol thats a joke I guess just another way for someone to make money. Ashame when they truely didnt even write the script.

[MPDev]

Thanks, Floris; your account is already active and posting. Right now everyone is in a rotation for every 3 minute updates; however, my ability to scale this to hundreds of sites means being able to offer a "minimium" level of priority. Of course you are quoting a wide range of spectrum that covers upwards of a years service.

Assuming every site scan takes about a half second to process, then you can see how this will add up over time. By being up front from the start I feel that I am being honest from the start and will hopefully avoid the pitfalls of having to scale the system as it grows.

[MPDev]

Originally Posted by DementedMindz

lol thats a joke I guess just another way for someone to make money. Ashame when they truely didnt even write the script.

As I just posted setting the bar at a reasonable level from the start means being upfront enough to say that I can offer some level of service reliably as the system grows.

I didn't write all of the script; but I did write alot of code to support this kind of setup.

[bashy]

Hi

I have just updated and now, it dont work, I then tried to update all the files and still dont work, It just does not pull posts at all

Any ideas please?

http://www.bashys-place.com/forums/vaispy.php

[MPDev]

Originally Posted by Floris

But I kind of feel bad now knowing my site content won't get the priority like others

It's only two days old; I've made some changes to allow up to 10 URLs and no paid options at this time, we'll see how the polling times are effected as the network grows; but how would you suggest one manage a growing number of sites and people's desire to have more frequent updates?

I think this is a fun way to get people to see a network of sites with common interests and drive traffic to member sites.

[MPDev]

Bashy, it's working for me when I click on your link.