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

[ashley53680]

Okay for some reason this isn't in my SHOWTHREAD template:

PHP Code:

<tr>
  <td class="vbmenu_option"><img class="inlineimg" src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/collapse_tcat_collapsed.gif" alt="$vbphrase[email_this_page]" /> <a href="sendmessage.php?$session[sessionurl]do=sendtofriend&amp;t=$threadid">$vbphrase[email_this_page]</a></td>
 </tr> 


And that means I don't know where to add the next one... lol Anyone know where I add these two things so that I may have a proper working board. lol Also what does the above code do? (I am wondering why I didn't have it on there....)

Thanks in advance!

Ashley

[dstruct2k]

Ashley:

Just search for "email_this_page" in the SHOWTHREAD template, and add the new code after the </tr>


I had the same problem, I think this template was updated in 3.0.1 and the phrasing isn't identical.

[ashley53680]

Thank you, that worked perfectly!!!!

**clicks install**

[Logician]

Originally Posted by dndog

Logician, my forum tables have the prefix vB3_. Your hack assumes there is no prefix and can't find the post table. I sifted through the code but can't figure out what I need to change to fix this. What should I do?

Sorry about it. I've just updated dt.php in the first post to support prefixed table names. I also added there support for weird thread titles with '"&? etc.

Replace your dt.php with the new file and you'll be fine.

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by Logician

Sorry about it. I've just updated dt.php in the first post to support prefixed table names. I also added there support for weird thread titles with '"&? etc.

Replace your dt.php with the new file and you'll be fine.

Did you get my pm on the filename and the quotes problem?

[Logician]

Originally Posted by Boofo

Did you get my pm on the filename and the quotes problem?

yes ty.. update includes this fix too.

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by Logician

yes ty.. update includes this fix too.

Just tried it. The filename defaults to dt for threads like that.

You might want to unhtmlchars the post title too as it will look defunct on the first post.

[SteveK]

Nice... Installed. I hope they add this to vb.com & vb.org!

I notice it doesn't include posts that are "hidden" as a result of the hack by Xenon "Staff can Post hidden Posts " located here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=64860

Any way to include these (if you have permission to view those hidden posts)?

Thanks,

Steve K.

[pjdaley]

im just wondering, i noticed it saves the txt file of the thread with the name of the thread.... is it posssible you can add your site's name in front of it so it'll be called VBulletin.org - Thread name.txt? anyone have any ideas?

[gmarik]

great solution for the old problem...