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.

[Mr_Running]

Originally Posted by Boofo

Here's a pic of my profile with the QR code added via the profile_sidebar_first template hook.

I can't seem to find this hook?

Hey Boofo would you mind sharing what you did?

Cheers,

[Alan_SP]

Originally Posted by Mr_Running

What I mean is...
QR code only showing when logged in within the ad space.
and the ad only showing when unlogged (guest)

You add QR code to appear beside ad code, not inside ad code, making them work independently.

[Mr_Running]

Yes, I have the ad / QR all set up. Thanks

Now working on which set up?

Originally Posted by Boofo

Here's a pic of my profile with the QR code added via the profile_sidebar_first template hook.

profile_sidebar_first (which I can not find...?)
vs
MEMBERINFO


Oops, I think I just figured out what I need to do...manually change product to use the

{vb:raw template_hook.profile_sidebar_first}

is this correct?

[Boofo]

Yes, sir. And make sure to make the template with the code needed there.

[Alan_SP]

Ok, just understood what Boofo suggests.

You need to edit plugin QR Profiles and add at the very end (but before }, it should be last):

PHP Code:

$template_hook['profile_sidebar_first'] = '<center>'.$userinfo['qr'].'</center>'; 


You could also go without centering QR code, in that case just use this code:

PHP Code:

$template_hook['profile_sidebar_first'] = $userinfo['qr']; 


I started using this, as this is one manual template edit less. Thanks Boofo for idea. :up:

[Boofo]

No, I made a template with the code and rendered it in that hook.

[Alan_SP]

Ok, but this way works too, you could check it also.

But yes, I understand why making complete template could be practical. Would you share here your template?

[Boofo]

Just the same code that was suggested in the readme file, with a div added:

Template Name: memberinfo_bop5qr_profiles

Template Code:

<vb:if condition="$vboptions[bop5qr_en] AND $vboptions[bop5qr_enprofiles]">  
	<div style="text-align: center;">{vb:raw userinfo.qr}</div>
</vb:if>

In the member_execute_start hook add this at the bottom (right before the closing } )

PHP Code:

   $templater = vB_Template::create('memberinfo_bop5qr_profiles'); 
   $templater->register('userinfo', $userinfo); 
   $tab_html = $templater->render(); 
   $template_hook['profile_sidebar_first'] .= $tab_html; 


[Alan_SP]

Thanks for sharing how to make template. :up:

[Mr_Running]

Yes, I still feel like a beginner, what are the steps...
by the way I like OldSchoolDSL xml
now if Boofo's part was added...that would be awesome.