Image Cache

Y2K Software Image Cache

Compatible at least with vBulletin 3.5.4 and 3.6.4

Please click here for the product Import External Images for vBulletin 4

This product caches images from external sites to a local board folder (including signatures) located at:

http://www.domain.tld/[forum/]imgcache

Installation

1. Please create at your vBulletin board directory a folder called: imgcache and give it the following access rights: CHMOD 777 (read/write/modify to all users)
2. Create an empty index.html file in this folder to avoid file exploring and direct download on some systems.
3. Copy the y2kswimgcache.php file to your vBulletin board (forum home) directory.
4. Close your forum temporarily to the public.
5. Install the product product-y2kswimagecache.xml to your board (allow overwrite if already present).
   The installer will add a table called '[prefix]y2ksw_imgcache' with one field (int ID AUTOINCREMENT) to your board database.
   Please note: Although the uninstaller is provided, it is commented out. By removing the table, and reinstalling the plugin later, the cached images would be overwritten, because of the field counter restarting from 1.
   By leaving the table in your database, you may reinstall the plugin later without collision problems.
6. Test the product: New thread, reply, edit. If errors occur (or white pages), make sure your imgcache/ folder has the required access rights.
7. Reopen your forum to the public.
8. DONE!

How it works

When a board user opens a new thread or message, or edits an existing one (all advanced, quick-reply and ajax), and pastes an image from all but the local cache directory (or by copy and paste, or by specifying [IMG] tags), upon submission the image is read from the external url and written to the local (server) image cache folder.
This avoids to show a placeholder image when the source link is dead or temporarily unavailable.

The link to the image is accordingly replaced.

The script scans first all image references and creates a table of unique images in the current message. It creates a new database table entry in y2ksw_imgcache for each image, reads the new ID and creates a sequence of new images for each url it happens to be readable, and creates for each successful read an imgcache/<id>.png file.

After this sequence, the files are cached locally and may disappear from their sources without leaving an unreferenced image pointer at the local board.

Known bugs

When an image link contains dynamic data, vBulletin would show the image in preview, but change also the IMG tags to URL.
This causes to loose the reference and the plugin will not attempt to recover. A possible solution is to allow dynamic contents for IMG tags on your board.

Version history

1.0.3.0 2007-08-19 Repaired browser (IE 7) issue for images of a different file extension than the officially recognized types. For this issue, newly cached files have now the *.png extension.
1.0.2.0 2006-08-27 Image caching of signatures ([IMG] tags for signatures must be enabled); added a donation button inside readme.htm for specific user requests, which will help us to keep this product always up-to-date.
1.0.1.2 2006-08-07 Release changes for vbulletin.org
1.0.1.1 2006-08-06 Image size verification to avoid caching of invalid images
1.0.1.0 2006-07-17 Collision-free unique cache ID's
1.0.0.0 2006-07-17 Product creation

[y2ksw]

Originally Posted by home9000

Is it possible to put the userId or member name part of the file name of the image

I don't believe so ... in theory yes, but it would add more problems than it solves, since images (links) could be copied and then they would not match the users.

[home9000]

Originally Posted by y2ksw

I don't believe so ... in theory yes, but it would add more problems than it solves, since images (links) could be copied and then they would not match the users.

Yes but I can ignore any link inside the domain so if any one use the image then the original member id will be the same


If you can help I will be appreciated

[Baitona]

script working 100%
however, i have a little question,

if there was an artilce in my forum, which contanis images
all images are hyperlinked to external sites/threads

when the image is imported it will still have the url after the import...

my question is there any chance to strip the forign url, in the thread?

regards

[Baitona]

is it also possible to import the images to other domain?

[y2ksw]

Originally Posted by Baitona

script working 100%
however, i have a little question,

if there was an artilce in my forum, which contanis images
all images are hyperlinked to external sites/threads

when the image is imported it will still have the url after the import...

my question is there any chance to strip the forign url, in the thread?

regards

"Wrapping" URL's are not removed yet and maybe never will.

[y2ksw]

Originally Posted by Baitona

is it also possible to import the images to other domain?

Short answer: no

You would like to store the images to a media server which would need a lot of more operations. However, if you have Linux, you can use the fsftp file system in order to move imported files into another server, or a symbolic link to move it on the same server to another domain. Together with the Forum URL Replacement option, you may achieve then the desired effect. This applies however only to the newer version, here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=253309

[Manoel J?nior]

My bro',

Please this version update:

- update all equal to Import External Image (vb4)
- a scan and remove of unused images
- a scan and update of images
- Watermark
- Integrate automatically with iMG Cache

Is it possible?

Congratulations, you're a great developer.

[y2ksw]

You may watermark your pictures with external tools (e.g. download - watermark - upload). I will not add this feature for copyright reasons.

All the other requests may be possible, I'll think about it

[Manoel J?nior]

Originally Posted by y2ksw

You may watermark your pictures with external tools (e.g. download - watermark - upload). I will not add this feature for copyright reasons.

All the other requests may be possible, I'll think about it

Again, thank you for all the help. Many people still have version 3.8, an update would be very good this product to these people.

Thanks again.

[Manoel J?nior]

Originally Posted by y2ksw

You may watermark your pictures with external tools (e.g. download - watermark - upload). I will not add this feature for copyright reasons.

All the other requests may be possible, I'll think about it

Do not forget us (vb3.8​​) please my friend.