Add-On Releases - Advanced Application Forms

THIS ADD-ON IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND IS NOT SUPPORTED

* General Information *
------------------------------
This is an add-on that is designed for vBulletin 4.1.1 or later. It may not work on earlier versions of vBulletin.


Nominated twice for MOTM (October 2011, January 2012)


Features

• Unlimited Application Types*
• Unlimited Application Positions*
• Unlimited Questions*
• Different Application Positions for each Application Type
• Different Questions for each Application Position.
• Allow others to add/edit Application Types by permissions.
• Allow others to edit Positions/Questions by permissions.
• Edit Application Types, Positions and Questions in either ACP or from board.
• Show Multiple Application Types in Community Menu or direct link to them.
• Control Application Type access by Usergroup, Postcount
• Control Application Position access by Usergroup, Postcount
• Notification of an application via Forum Thread and/or Email and/or Private Message
• Specify Different Forums for Reports by Application Position.
• Define a default question set that can be included on all applications.
• Much, much more!

* Limited only if you are limited in database size and/or free disk space.


* INSTALLATION *
-------------------
1) Upload the contents of the 'upload' folder to your forum's root.
(If your forum's location is http://www.example.com/forums/, the root is /forums/)

2) Depending on your server configuration, you will need to change the permissions of the advappfiles folder to either 775 or 777

3) Import the product XML file (product-advapp.xml) into the Product Manager in AdminCP.

4) Take some time to set the options, application types and application postions in the new Application Forms area of AdminCP.
(It's really not that hard!)

5) Make sure this modification is marked as 'Installed' on vBulletin.org!
(If you want to get notices from me about updates for this modification.)

* UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS *
-----------------------------
1) Upload the contents of the 'upload' folder to your forum's root.
(If your forum's location is http://www.example.com/forums/, the root is /forums/)

2) Import the product XML file (product-advapp.xml) into the Product Manager in AdminCP and be sure "Allow Overwrite" is set to 'Yes'.

3) vB 4.2.x ONLY - Go to ACP->Settings->Options->Application Form Settings and set 'vB 4.2 Community Menu Update' to 'Yes'.

UPGRADING TO VERSION 1.3.8 or HiGHER
Depending on your server configuration, you will need to change the permissions of the advappfiles folder to either 775 or 777

If you have edited the advapp_application template, you need to revert the template before upgrading to 1.3.8 or higher.
Once the upgrade is complete, you can re-apply your changes to that template.


* History (Changelog) *
-------------------------
1.4.7 (September 7, 2015)
- Fix Certain characters not being stored/displayed properly.

1.4.6 (January 2, 2014)
- Fix Certain non-english characters not being stored/displayed properly.

1.4.5 (October 11, 2013) (not released vB.org)
- Fix No thread status showing in new threads when Thread Status Pro version 1.0.3 is installed.

1.4.4 (August 5, 2013)
- Fix Change single MySQL call to vB database call for systems that don't play well with direct MySQL calls.

1.4.3 (July 15, 2013)
- Fix Extra tabs in first response line in email notificactions.

1.4.2 (June 18, 2013)
- Fix Applications still able to be submitted after member logs out when unusual usergroup settings are used.

1.4.1 (June 8, 2013)
- Fix regex error missing from query.

1.4.0 (June 4, 2013) (not released on vB.org)
- Fix community menu not updating properly with vB 4.2.1

1.3.9 (May 2, 2013)
- Fix thread starter not showing when new thread is created and using actual userid to post new thread.

1.3.8 (May 2, 2013) (not released on vB.org)
- Add file upload option to application questions.(Available from ACP ONLY)

1.3.7 (May 1, 2013)
- Add error field in question editor for validation failure.

1.3.6 (May 1, 2013) (not released on vB.org)
- Fix moderated threads not showing as moderated in ACP.
- Change regex validated fields are now optional if no error message is defined for the field.
- Change streamline code for displaying applications forms.

1.3.5 (April 29, 2013)
- Change question save routine to prevent misnumbering of question order.
- Add single line text answers now allow regular expression matching.(Editing regex available from ACP ONLY)
- Add flood check for new threads
- Add flood check for new posts.

1.3.4 (April 22, 2013) (not released on vB.org)
- Fix header/title phrase input on application type screen not showing properly on forum application screens.
- Fix several typographical errors in phrases.

1.3.3 (March 2, 2013)
- Fix database error if Thread Status Pro is not installed.
(NO NEED TO IMPORT XML IF YOU WERE RUNNING v1.3.2 JUST UPLOAD FILES TO YOUR SERVER)

1.3.2 (February 28, 2013) (not released on vB.org)
- Add support for default forum thread status from Thread Status PRO
(NO NEED TO IMPORT XML IF YOU WERE RUNNING v1.3.1 JUST UPLOAD FILES TO YOUR SERVER)

1.3.1 (November 20, 2012)
- Fix database error when saving application type with some punctuated admin usernames.
(NO NEED TO IMPORT XML IF YOU WERE RUNNING v1.3.0 JUST UPLOAD FILES TO YOUR SERVER)

1.3.0 (November 19, 2012) (never released on vB.org)
- Fix item selection problems with Firefox browser
(NO NEED TO IMPORT XML IF YOU WERE RUNNING v1.2.9 JUST UPLOAD FILES TO YOUR SERVER)

1.2.9 (July 30, 2012)
- Fix error when editing application types in board (was not happening in ACP edit)
(NO NEED TO IMPORT XML IF YOU WERE RUNNING v1.2.8 JUST UPLOAD application-types.php to your server)

1.2.8 (May 23, 2012)
- Improved work around for vB 4.2 bug pertaining to navigation menu items (JIRA VBIV-14959).

1.2.7 (May 21, 2012)
- Work around for vB 4.2 bug pertaining to navigation menu items (JIRA VBIV-14959).

1.2.6 (May 20, 2012) (never released on vB.org)
- Made system compatible with vB 4.2.0

1.2.5 (February 27, 2012)
- Fix IP address not being displayed when answer color option is used.
- Fix overlap of nav tab with nav menu.

1.2.4 (January 17, 2012)
- Fix URL not being parsed when answer color is defined and URL is the only thing in the answer.

1.2.3 (January 11, 2012)
- Add replacement variables to PM after submitting application.
- Add answer color option to main settings.
- Add multiple choice answers in column format option to main settings.
- Add 'All of the above' Multiple Choice question type.

1.2.2 (December 16, 2011) (NO NEED TO IMPORT XML WHEN UPGRADING FROM 1.2.1, JUST UPLOAD FILES TO SERVER)
- Fix UTF-8 character display for expected answers.
- Fix sorting problem with first application questions.

1.2.1 (December 15, 2011) (not uploaded on vBulletin.org)
- Add option to PM a member after submitting an application.
- Add numeric ordering to edit position questions in ACP ONLY. (NOTE: Numbering MUST stay as 1,2,3.. NEVER use 10, 20, 30...)

1.2.0 (December 7, 2011)
- Fix database error when single quote is used in expected responses. (NO NEED TO IMPORT XML WHEN UPGRADING FROM 1.1.9, JUST UPLOAD FILES TO SERVER)

1.1.9 (December 5, 2011) (Not uploaded on vBulletin.org)
- Fix quote character not being displayed properly in posts. (NO NEED TO IMPORT XML WHEN UPGRADING FROM 1.1.8, JUST UPLOAD FILES TO SERVER)

1.1.8 (December 2, 2011)
- Fix 'not enough posts' now displays when it should. (NO NEED TO IMPORT XML WHEN UPGRADING FROM 1.1.7, JUST UPLOAD FILES TO SERVER)

1.1.7 (November 5, 2011)
- Added single selection dropdown box for questions.

1.1.6 (October 13, 2011) (Not uploaded on vBulletin.org)
- Code enhancements for future expansion.

1.1.5 (September 4, 2011)
- Repair forum based application group type editor. (NO NEED TO IMPORT XML WHEN UPDATING FROM 1.1.4 to 1.1.5, JUST UPLOAD FILES TO SERVER - NO NEED TO UPDATE IF YOU DON'T USE THE FORUM BASED EDITOR)

1.1.4 (August 27, 2011)
- Change hard coded Yes/No answers to standard vBulletin Yes/No phrases (thanks to Ellendway for testing).

1.1.3 (August 15, 2011)
- Corrected post format problems.
- Changed human verify portion of template.
- Changed hard coded Yes/No questions to standard vBulletin Yes/No Phrases.

1.1.2 (July 30, 2011)
- Code enhancements to allow for future expansion.

1.1.1 (July 6, 2011)
- Fix human verification. (problem found while converting mod to vB 3.8.7)

1.1.0 (June 29, 2011)
- Installation script change to correct installation problem where plugin was not importing completely for some people.

1.0.9 (June 21, 2011)
- Removed odd credit line for skin.

1.0.8 (June 14, 2011)
- Changed URL parse option so URLs are now parsed in all text fields.
- Changed 'Use First Text Answer As Subject' to subject replacement variable.
- Added option to remove member name from first line of reports.
- Added option to post application reports in an existing thread.
- Moved 'Start Application' button label to advapp vBulletin Phrase.
- Moved 'I am applying for the postion of' text from template to advapp vBulletin Phrase.
- Changed template so 'Member Name' now uses advapp vBulletin Phrase.
- Changed CSS so 'Start Application' button is centered on page.
- Removed remnant heading phrase from application form template.

1.0.7 (June 8, 2011)
- Fix minor bug where multi-line text was being cut into smaller sections.
- Added option to parse URLs. (it is in the position editor)

1.0.6 (June 6, 2011)
- Added option to use first single line text answer as report subject.
- Added option to require approval of the thread created when a member submits an application.
- Added options to redirect member to different locations after submitting an application.

1.0.5 (June 4, 2011)
- Fix default questions were carrying over their display positions causing answers to record improperly.
- Added option to show applications in navbar tabs.

1.0.4 (June 1, 2011)
- Database table creation change to make it compatible with MySQL 5.5.8
(NO NEED TO UPDATE IF YOU ARE ALREADY RUNNING VERSION 1.0.3)

1.0.3 (May 23, 2011)
- Added note about default email/pm user ids to position editors.
- Added Delete All Questions to ACP question editor.
- Added the ability to use a Thread Prefix for report threads.

1.0.2 (May 20, 2011)
- Fix rewind error.

1.0.1 (May 20, 2011)
- Changed database creation method for those that might be having problems.

1.0.0 (May 20, 2011)
- Initial Release

[Alan_SP]

Originally Posted by nhawk

If that ever happens again and you have access to phpMyAdmin, I'd appreciate it if you could immediately export the 3 advapp tables so I can see what might be causing the problem.

I still have all of your requests, but haven't had enough time to work on them. I haven't forgotten about them.

Please try to reproduce bug on your installation, if you couldn't I'll post you tables. Bug is very easy to reproduce.

About requests, thanks, you really made excellent mod. :up: If I can suggest, making one (or even more than one) answer variable that we can use for thread (or PM) title is number one on my list. Even ability to use only first answer as variable is enough, but if you could make filed in answers that gets "promoted" to variable would add flexibility.

And one more request. If you could make your mod appear as navtab button (with Home, Forum, Blog, What's new buttons) with all application types and positions in one place. This is to be an option on global level. Of course, each application type still could be placed in Community drop down menu and to have it's own link.

I'd like to make applications more prominent and have one central place for different applications. User than would choose what they want using descriptions of application types. And on different places I too would like to use direct link to certain applications.

[Jeremy8]

Originally Posted by Alan_SP

This could be cause of problem. I remember that I did something stupid when I was testing mod. I added default questions when there already were default questions. Then I deleted duplicate questions, so everything looked normal to outside, but when I started answering only first answer was recorded and repeated as answer for all questions.

As I wrote, deleting all questions and using default ones from beginning solved problem.

Obviously there's a problem with order of questions when using default ones after there are questions already.

From what Jeremy8 said, some answers are paired with wrong questions. Something like that could happened in my case too.

Important: I just repeated bug. It's very easy to do.

First create some questions, I think that even one is enough for bug to get triggered. In any case I had 6 questions before bug was triggered. Then insert default questions. And that is it, bug is there.

In my case last 6 (as I had 6 questions) default questions as they are last couldn't be entered. I'm sure that if I remove that they are not optional answer would be repeted.

I tested repositioning questions before this and everything worked fine. The problem is with putting default questions after there are questions already. It seems like they are hardcoded in their positions or something like that.

Yeah because I just redid the application and now it's fine.

Speaking of the default questions, it might work better if you don't insert them into an application, but instead you enable them for an application. And when you make a change to the default questions, it affects all of the applications they are enabled in. The way it works now is kind of like a template where you add them in. But if you change a default question, you'd have to change it in the application it's used in as well.

[nhawk]

Thank you for your very descriptive method of reproducing the problem.

This helps me (and any other coder) go straight to the problem and correct it. I should have a fix out sometime today. If not, it will be out Monday.

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by Alan_SP

....
About requests, thanks, you really made excellent mod. :up: If I can suggest, making one (or even more than one) answer variable that we can use for thread (or PM) title is number one on my list. Even ability to use only first answer as variable is enough, but if you could make filed in answers that gets "promoted" to variable would add flexibility.

And one more request. If you could make your mod appear as navtab button (with Home, Forum, Blog, What's new buttons) with all application types and positions in one place. This is to be an option on global level. Of course, each application type still could be placed in Community drop down menu and to have it's own link.

I'd like to make applications more prominent and have one central place for different applications. User than would choose what they want using descriptions of application types. And on different places I too would like to use direct link to certain applications.

I was able to incorporate placing the applications types in the navbar tabs along with the fix for the answer problem today.

All of your other requests will come. Just time is not my friend today.

A note about the navbar tab option... You have to turn on "show in navbar tab" in both the main settings and in the application type for the application type to show there.

[Alan_SP]

Originally Posted by nhawk

A note about the navbar tab option... You have to turn on "show in navbar tab" in both the main settings and in the application type for the application type to show there.

You are really fast. :up:

The way you incorporated the mod in navbar is excellent, I like option to decide which application types are shown there, much better than my suggestion to have them all listed automatically. :up:

I also tested fix for the bug and it's fixed. Only thing to do is delete old questions as they still carry bug within themselves. But when you create them from start everything works great. :up:

And yes, I have one more suggestion (I'm a bit shameless ). After completing application, could user be redirected to somewhere we want them? Now they go again to application type they just filled up. For example, if they could go to thread that's created if it is public one (this couldn't be fixed link as thread don't exist when we set application position), or to redirect them to forum home, or to any other existing link on our website (possibly thread we created to explain them why we want them to apply to position they just applied, or whatever else).

So we would have three options:

a) as it is now, to the application type they just filled up
b) link thread that is just created (we need to take in account if it is visible to user, if not visible he'll receive error message that he doesn't have permission to view thread and this is not your problem)
c) some fixed link we supply

Of course, this is settable for every application position we create

[Alan_SP]

Originally Posted by Jeremy8

Speaking of the default questions, it might work better if you don't insert them into an application, but instead you enable them for an application. And when you make a change to the default questions, it affects all of the applications they are enabled in. The way it works now is kind of like a template where you add them in. But if you change a default question, you'd have to change it in the application it's used in as well.

Yes, your suggestion has it's own merits. But I think that system as it's now is better. Now we can delete some default questions and reposition them, also mix them with custom questions etc.

If we would be able to make our own default question sets (and nhawk said he'd try to make it so) then it would be easy to create different positions with similar question sets.

[Ellendway]

Can I do "custom thread name"?

I mean that user can do his own name of thread.

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by Ellendway

Can I do "custom thread name"?

I mean that user can do his own name of thread.

At this point in time the thread name is set in the Application Position setting by whoever makes the position application. It can not be selected or changed by the person filling out the application.

[Ellendway]

Originally Posted by nhawk

At this point in time the thread name is set in the Application Position setting by whoever makes the position application. It can not be selected or changed by the person filling out the application.

Oh... Is there any chance to do it in future?

[nhawk]

Originally Posted by Ellendway

Oh... Is there any chance to do it in future?

That is similar to one of the requests already made. Where a certain answer would become the topic of the thread that's created. So, yes it will eventually happen.