Links and Files Database

The VB3.0 version is no longer supported although there have been no reported problems for some time

See here for the VB 3.6 version of this hack, which is now the supported version. This version currently also works with VB 3.5
See here for the VB 3.5 thread for this hack.

What's new in v1.60?

Option to display associated thumbnail images
Option to accept/not accept new entries if these already exists in database
Code for mass edits (accessed via admincp) tidied up
VB phrasing completed
Includes a full French and a partial German translation (thanks to cclaerhout, Allan and LeeWicKeD), handled properly by installation script.
Various bugs fixed and tested against php4 and php5:
Better database validation (on startup/in admincp: links with invalid associated forumids, categories with invalid parentids)
Alternative linkbit templates provided (default uses a fieldset, the other is the old-style table row)
Alternative category selection templates (pull down menu/list of checkboxes),
Star rating displayed using standard VB stars rather than in text form
Series of minor bug fixes
See file change.txt in zip file

What it is/does

- Provides a searchable database of weblinks and/or downloadable files, for example manuals, music files, pictures, etc.
- Integrates within VBulletin, without requiring any code changes.
- Transparently handles links and file downloads. (If you want to provide downloads from your own site, you need a separate tool to upload these files. This hack does not and will not include a file uploader.)
- Provides unlimited nested categories.
- Each link/file can be a member of multiple categories.
- Link and category title and descriptions can use all BBCODEs, giving the possibility to add images, colouring, etc, as you wish
- Viewing/access permissions controlled using VBulletin forum system
- Users can rate links, in a similar manner to VB thread rating.
- File downloads are semi-leechproof, i.e. the user does not see where the file is stored and can only access the link if she has access to the associated forum.
- Audio files playable via Windows Media Player can be offered as a jukebox .
- Tracks who downloads what
- Validates links on entry/editing, and provides admin facility to validate the entire database.

Installation/upgrading instructions

Read instructions.txt in the zip file. Installation script works out whether to install or upgrade.

To upgrade from an earlier release of this hack, simply re-run the installation script. If you modified the templates in the top styles, you will lose these modifications unless you back up and re-edit.

PLEASE BACK UP YOUR DATABASE

See also

For screen shots, see attachments.

Tested with

VBulletin 3.0 and higher
PHP 4.1.1 and 4.3.4, should work with all 4.x versions, seems ok with 5.0.4
MySQL 4.0.
Reported ok with MySQL 4.1 but not exhaustively tested

Credits

Initially inspired by drkFusion's vb2 hack "vb Link Directory" v.2 and discussion about v.3 on Vbulletin.org. This is a complete rewrite with many more features. Every credit to the VBulletin folks for providing the infrastructure and to those on vbulletin.org who have helped with testing.

Integrations/Conversions

Natch has written extensions to integrate this hack with VBindex and VBAdvanced.

For convenience, this hack includes fully integrates with, but does not install, his VBIndex hack - i.e. the required template and code are provided, and the admin panel handles the configuration settings. Please refer to his thread for instructions.

Integration with VBadvanced is described in thread 1319 at vbadvanced.com.

The zip file includes a script and instructions for converting from vbLinks v2 (see thread 44551

[NuclioN]

-- edit -- wrong forum sorry

[Flow Fusion]

3.5?

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Flow Fusion

3.5?

Pardon?

[ChuanSE]

so, what is the latest version of this hack for vB 3.X.X and are the install instructions bugfree now?

seems like an awsome addition, but i'm not sure if it's safe to install

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by ChuanSE

so, what is the latest version of this hack for vB 3.X.X and are the install instructions bugfree now?

seems like an awsome addition, but i'm not sure if it's safe to install

Long time, no talk, my friend.

You are perfectly safe to use this. I use the 3.5 version and wouldn't be without it.

[ChuanSE]

Heya Boofo mate,

long time not seen allright. But i'm back in town
I'll swing by the bearfacts board sometime again hu

[simonsiegel]

Thanks so much for this, it's great.

I've one question though:

Is there anyway to change the title "Links and Download Manager" this is after I click the links button on the header?

Thank so much

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by simonsiegel

Thanks so much for this, it's great.

I've one question though:

Is there anyway to change the title "Links and Download Manager" this is after I click the links button on the header?

Thank so much

Hello - have you posted this in the right place? Are you using VBulletin 3.0 or 3.5? campusforum seems to be using version 3.5.3.

With the version of LDM that runs on vb 3.5, the title "Links and Download Manager" can be changed on the LDM admin/settings page, in General Settings, database_name

[aussiev8]

i'm following the install instruction, everything has been uploaded as requested, but when i try run the install file i get

nstall/Upgrade Links and Files 1.60
Checking installation status...

Fatal error: Call to a member function on a non-object in /****/local_links_install.php on line 187

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by aussiev8

i'm following the install instruction, everything has been uploaded as requested, but when i try run the install file i get

Are you trying to install this on a VB 3.5x board? This version is strictly 3.0 only