Show Thread Enhancements - Basic QR Intergraton (2D Barcodes) for VB Threads (QR Pages by BOP5) VB4

Brought to you by BirdOPrey5 / Qapla.com

Note: Updated to version 1.5- added QR codes for attachments and profiles as well as threads.

This isn't a polished mod, its purpose is to bring 2D Barcode (QR Code) integration to vBulletin. I will be marking it unsupported as I do not recommend users without some basic HTML or coding experience attempt to use the mod. I will NOT be answering basic setup questions. Instructions for the manual template edits are included in the zip. you may use them if you wish but I strongly suggest you work on a custom solution.

Live Demo: Qapla.com Thread

This mod will allow a uniqe QR Code to be generated and displayed for every thread on your forum.

Users with Android, iPhone, and other advanced phones can easily scan these QR Codes and share links with friends via email, text, and other social networking platforms.

The QR generation is handled by a free open-source project called phpqrcode which has its own GNU Lesser General Public License.

I have created the vBulletin interface needed to generate codes for individal threads, attachments, and/or profile pages.

The mod will check if the QR Code has already be generated for a thread (or profile, or attachment) and if so will simply display the png file previously created. If this is the first time someone has viewed the thread (since installing this mod) it will generate and save the QR Code for future use.

All QR Codes are stored in .png format in a new folder called /images/qr/ which you must create and must be writable. (chmd 755 is usually sufficient but if you have problems go to 777).

A utility included in the Admin CP settings will allow you to delete all these images if necessary.

Other Admin CP settings include the ability to set the size, quality, and border size around the QR Code.

What isn't finished is the best way to intergrate this onto your SHOWTHREAD pages and attachment template. I have instructions for a manual template edits that will give you a basic "box" that you can mouse-over and get the full image to pop-up over the rest of your page.

I am aware this isn't an ideal setup but I am more of a coder than a designer. If anyone has some suggestions (with code) for a better implementation I am open to suggestions.

This mod could be expanded to show QR Codes on all pages, not just threads, but until a better way is found to display the code on the page I didn't bother.

Server Load- In general the mod only generates a code on the first view of the thread- this will usually be when a new thread is first submitted so in the long run I don't anticipate any major server load by this mod. However if you have a very large and very busy forum you can expect a temporary increased load after installation as members visit hundreds of threads which have never had a QR Code generated before. This increased load should decrease after the surge of new generations end.

Disk Usage - The smaller the QR Code you generate the smaller the file size per image. In my experience the average size of each QR code png file was 600 bytes. This would mean about 586 KB per 1,000 threads or 58 Megabytes for 100,000 threads. You can extrapolate from there.

Please Mark as Installed if you use this.

[BirdOPrey5]

Reserved.

[Taurus1]

Thanks for this! Works great, and using your template edit looks great too. I just moved it to the right, O, and thanks for giving the option to change the background color too.

[sulasno]

tagged and thanks

[ewebdesigner]

I can't get the mod to show for some reason.

I uploaded everything and uploaded the XML file and activated everything in the ACP setting options but still doesn't show up. I also noticed that for every thread that I view that a new image is formed in my File manger under images/qr but the image still does not show for some reason.

Can you please tell me what I have done wrong and what I can do to fix this?

Thanks in advance, it is a great mod.

[trophyrider]

Originally Posted by ewebdesigner

I can't get the mod to show for some reason.

I uploaded everything and uploaded the XML file and activated everything in the ACP setting options but still doesn't show up. I also noticed that for every thread that I view that a new image is formed in my File manger under images/qr but the image still does not show for some reason.

Can you please tell me what I have done wrong and what I can do to fix this?

Thanks in advance, it is a great mod.

Did you make the manual template edit in the showthread template? I haven't downloaded this yet, but I bet they are included in the mods zip file.

[ProFifaLeagues]

Works superb on 4.1.3 thank you

[BirdOPrey5]

Originally Posted by ewebdesigner

I can't get the mod to show for some reason.

I uploaded everything and uploaded the XML file and activated everything in the ACP setting options but still doesn't show up. I also noticed that for every thread that I view that a new image is formed in my File manger under images/qr but the image still does not show for some reason.

Can you please tell me what I have done wrong and what I can do to fix this?

Thanks in advance, it is a great mod.

As was asked, you need to make the manual template edit to your SHOWTHREAD template.

The edit is in the .txt file in the zip.

To make a template edit go to Admin CP -> Style Manager -> (Select your Style) -> Choose "Edit Templates" from the drop down box, and find/open the SHOWTHREAD template.

--

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks. :up:

[ewebdesigner]

oh sorry I did not read all of the .txt file and forgot to do that. Worked great, thanks!

[BirdOPrey5]

Originally Posted by ewebdesigner

oh sorry I did not read all of the .txt file and forgot to do that. Worked great, thanks!

Cool. Please "Mark as Installed"