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

[zerinS4]

Installed 1.30, so far so good.

[Warlord]

Nice Hack..

*clicks install*

How can I enable html in the descriptions?

vb code seems to work though..

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Warlord

Nice Hack..

*clicks install*

How can I enable html in the descriptions?

vb code seems to work though..

HTML in descriptions and titles is deliberately disabled. vb code works properly. Is this a big issue? - it's not that hard to modify

[AndrewD]

Version 1.35 uploaded for beta test

new:
- what's hot/what's new added to search code and header template
- jump syntax extended to allow action=jump&link="catname/linkname" for direct lookup and jump
- fix to pagination bug with multiple category assignments
- option to display file type icon in linkbit
- included code to build forum list (in case user has opted to turn this off)
- added admin options to force a redirect rather than read/rewrite (lower bandwidth/cpu at cost of exposing link source and no control over headers)

Reports please

[SandsUSA]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Version 1.35 uploaded for beta test

new:
- what's hot/what's new added to search code and header template
- jump syntax extended to allow action=jump&link="catname/linkname" for direct lookup and jump
- fix to pagination bug with multiple category assignments
- option to display file type icon in linkbit
- included code to build forum list (in case user has opted to turn this off)
- added admin options to force a redirect rather than read/rewrite (lower bandwidth/cpu at cost of exposing link source and no control over headers)

Reports please

Wow, this is looking really good! Can't wait for the next "stable" release....

[Code Monkey]

Great addition to my site. Thanks a bunch. It would be nice if it showed as a proper destination in "who's online." Instead of "Unknown Location."

Anyway, keep up the good work.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by JumpD

Great addition to my site. Thanks a bunch. It would be nice if it showed as a proper destination in "who's online." Instead of "Unknown Location."

Anyway, keep up the good work.

Thanks.

To achieve this, you have to modify includes/functions_online.

See https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....10&postcount=1 for instructions. I do mention this in the instructions

[dethfire]

1.35 works great on 3.0.3, no problems yet

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

To achieve this, you have to modify includes/functions_online.

See https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....10&postcount=1 for instructions. I do mention this in the instructions

Thanks. I am new to VB and had been wondering how to do this.

[sinclac]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Version 1.35 uploaded for beta test

new:
- what's hot/what's new added to search code and header template
- jump syntax extended to allow action=jump&link="catname/linkname" for direct lookup and jump
- fix to pagination bug with multiple category assignments
- option to display file type icon in linkbit
- included code to build forum list (in case user has opted to turn this off)
- added admin options to force a redirect rather than read/rewrite (lower bandwidth/cpu at cost of exposing link source and no control over headers)

Reports please

When i try to upgrade it says it can't find the tables in the database but they are there.