Download Forum Thread To Your Computer (Vb3.x)

This hacks allows you to download a forum thread into your computer (desktop etc.) as a text file with one click.

The hack adds a "DOWNLOAD THREAD" link inside Thread Tools pop-up and when clicked entire thread is downloaded to your computer. (See Screenshot)

It's useful when:
a) You want to archive and save the thread,
b) Want to read it offline,
c) It's a long thread and you want to browse it faster as a text file, use better searching features of your text editor.

The hack is tested with vB3.0.0 And vB 3.0.1, it is NOT tested with versions prior to 3.0.0. (vB2.x version is here). It is very easy to install. As a matter of fact it is an add-on, not a hack so you can install to your board without modifying any vb files. Just upload dt.php to your forum directory and make a easy change in showthread template and it is installed. Simple as that.

VERSION FOR VB 3.5 is released here:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=97217

If you install it, please click INSTALL, thank you.

Note : Download function is tested with IE v.6.0, Netscape v.4.7, Mozilla 1.2a and it's working fine in these browsers. I dont know other browsers or older versions though.
27.May.2004 Bug Fix : A small bug is fixed in file dt.php which effect users with prefixed tables in database.
29.May.2004 Bug Fix : A small bug in dt.php is fixed to cure post titles with special characters ("'?&) in it. Attached dt.php file is uptodate.
12.Dec.2004 Bug Fix : A small bug which causes soft deleted posts to be included in the downloaded text is fixed. Attached dt.php file is uptodate.


Note 1: If you want to use a different download thread image, see this post.
Note 2: If you want to save threads as .rtf, instead of .txt, see this post.


Enjoy the hack,
Logician

[Silverstangs]

Works like a charm.......... now if there was a version that also downloaded the attachments it would be Perfect!

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Logician

This does not sound right. When you add the lines, it is not possible for the hack to download the thread anymore. It should post some debugging lines into the screen then give "Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by.. " error and post the entire thread into the page. (I've tested and confirmed). Its not doing it makes me think that something is wrong with your installation like script's being run from another board (test board/localhost) or smt.

How would that come about? I only installed this on one board (which, admittedly *was* the test board). Where else would the script run from?

[Logician]

Originally Posted by Ocean

How would that come about? I only installed this on one board (which, admittedly *was* the test board). Where else would the script run from?

Sorry I have no idea and no hint to give to you except trying to install from the ground.

Or try to apply to your real board. This is no hack (ie it does not modify any vb files) so you can't mass anything up. It is harmless.

[Azhrialilu]

worked like a charm... add another forum full of people to the list of those who love you!

[weitalia]

Will be very fun if the .RTF file or .DOC generated file will be a REAL file,with full bold/italic conversion [and of course hyperlinks too]
Could you do this?

P.S. No one needs a .rtf renamed file instead of a .txt

[SandsUSA]

/me clicks Install
Very nice - and very, very useful!

[bendigo-tech]

very nice. thanks alot.

*installed*

[Virtex-II]

This hack is really great but I was wondering if is it possible to save threads in a different format (not .txt) so that even images in threads can be downoladed with the text itself.


Thanks

[Sweet Evil]

looks cool, will give it a go

[ADiuM]

When trying to download a thread in Firefox 1.0 it shortens the topic to the first word if it has spaces in the topic title.. that way it doesn't actually give it an extension.

Is it possible to search for spaces in the topic title and if there is some to either take them out or replace them with underscores?