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

[zetetic]

Originally Posted by MooMan65

I've also thrown together a quick image for people to possibly use instead of the sortasc one as it does look a bit weird. I've attached it along with an example screenshot of the image replaced. Just replace sortasc.gif with download.gif and upload that file into the buttons directory in images.

That's a nice button, MooMan, thanks. However the sortasc.gif is a standard button used for other things, so it's probably a better idea to just upload download.gif and change sortasc.gif to download.gif in the template.

[Logician]

@Agent XY and MooMan65: thx for your contributions. I've linked your posts in the first post of this thread.

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by sabret00the

i'm interested.

also is this hardcoded with an option so it can't be used in certain forums? as i wouldn't like a disgruntled staff member downloading hacks and sending them to/posting for general members to see.

In the dt.php file

Find:

PHP Code:

$filename=preg_replace("/[.&!:\\\?\^\'\"\$]/", '', $thread[title]); 


REPLACE it with:

PHP Code:

$filename = preg_replace('#[\/|*?:"<>\']#', '', $thread[title]); 


This will strip the appropriate tags out of the thread title correctly for the filename.

[JazzleBug]

Thank you! Installed perfectly!

[SaN-DeeP]

how can i display this error message to users who are not allowed to download the thread.

<div style="color: #C60000; font: 20px; font-weight: bold">You must register to use this forum. If you are not registered you need to register <span style="text-decoration: underline"><a href="register.php?$session[sessionurl]">HERE</a></span></div>

thnx.
Sandy...

[Logician]

Originally Posted by SaN-DeeP

how can i display this error message to users who are not allowed to download the thread.

<div style="color: #C60000; font: 20px; font-weight: bold">You must register to use this forum. If you are not registered you need to register <span style="text-decoration: underline"><a href="register.php?$session[sessionurl]">HERE</a></span></div>

thnx.
Sandy...

in dt.php find:

PHP Code:

if (is_array($unallowed_downloaders) AND in_array($bbuserinfo[usergroupid],$unallowed_downloaders)) {echo standard_error("Sorry this feature is not meant for your usage!", '', 1);} 


before that add:

PHP Code:

if ($bbuserinfo['userid']==0) {eval(print_standard_error('error_guestcannotdlthread'));} 


then create a new phrase in error phrases named "guestcannotdlthread" and put your message there.

[ashley53680]

I'd like to do something like this too.... but I cannot find the error templates so I can add the new phrase.

[Logician]

Originally Posted by ashley53680

I'd like to do something like this too.... but I cannot find the error templates so I can add the new phrase.

sorry it is "phrases", not templates.

[ashley53680]

Well after making those changes, I don't see the download treat option at all in my thread tools.

[Boofo]

Originally Posted by ashley53680

Well after making those changes, I don't see the download treat option at all in my thread tools.

Here's what I did:

In dt.php, find:

PHP Code:

if (is_array($unallowed_downloaders) AND in_array($bbuserinfo[usergroupid],$unallowed_downloaders)) {echo standard_error("Sorry this feature is not meant for your usage!", '', 1);} 


REPLACE it with:

PHP Code:

if (is_array($unallowed_downloaders) AND in_array($bbuserinfo[usergroupid],$unallowed_downloaders)) {echo standard_error("<center>Sorry, you must be registered and activated to download threads.</center>", '', 1);} 


Just put whatever you need between the center tags and you don't have to make a separate phrase.