Add-On Releases - Duckways: Shoutbox | Realtime using NodeJS & Socket.io

Duckways: Shoutbox | Realtime using NodeJS & Socket.io



What is this mod all about?

A lot of forums come with a shoutbox. However, we've seen so many resource eating shoutbox versions that we thought it would be cool to release one based on NodeJS and Socket.io.
This shoutbox does not refresh it's content every X seconds for every user. Instead, it pushes the new message to all users using a websocket. Blazing fast with less resource consumption.

(!!) To use this plugin you need to have NodeJS/NPM installed on your webserver. This requires some server knowledge, so if you can't do it yourself please contact your hosting company or use our installation service (Email us at quack@duckways.com).(!!)

(!!) We now also offer a hosted node version, which you can run right away without installing anything server-side. This comes at the price of $4,95 a month. Contact us on quack@duckways.com for more info or to buy.(!!)



Features free version
- Parses bbcode/smiley's
- Set usergroup permissions to view the shoutbox
- Set usergroup permissions to post in the shoutbox
- Users can edit their own shouts

Features pro version
- Parses bbcode/smiley's
- Set amount of shouts to display
- Set usergroup permissions to view the shoutbox
- Set usergroup permissions to post in the shoutbox
- Set usergroup permissions to edit shouts (moderator)
- Set usergroup permissions to delete shouts (moderator)
- Users can edit their own shouts
- Shoutbox archive in AdminCP to read back (including deleted shouts & who deleted them!)



Buy the pro version

• Lifetime license for 1 website ( $24,95 )
• Lifetime license for unlimited website ( $74,95 )
• Installation service ( $65 )
• We now also offer a hosted node version, which you can run right away without installing anything server-side. This comes at the price of $4,95 a month. Contact us on quack@duckways.com for more info or to buy.

About Duckways

We're a company with a team of developers who have been working a lot on a vBulletin 4 system for two of our customers. The largest one with over 200,000 users and 4 million posts.
This one migrated to vBulletin 5 recently and we've faced quite some issues in vBulletin 5 which we'll fix by writing custom modifications. Some of those, which are worth sharing, will be added here on vBulletin.org. If you're missing a feature or add-on, please feel free to contact us.



How to install:

1. Upload all files from the "upload" folder to your forums directory.
2. Log in on SSH and navigate to the folder {forumroot}/core/packages/duckwaysshout/node
3. Run the command "npm install" (Make sure you have NodeJS / NPM installed on your server!
4. Start your node server using the command "node server.js", it should now start listening on the port that is set in the server.js file. Please make sure your firewall doesn't block this port. If you want to keep the server running while you leave the terminal, please use one of the many solutions written on StackOverflow:
5. In AdminCP -> Plugins & Products -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product in the "OR import the XML file from your server" and fill in: ./core/packages/duckwaysshout/xml/product_duckwaysshout.xml
6. Go change every usergroup you have and set the permissions for the shoutbox.
7. Final step: Go to your homepage and open de website editor. You'll find a new widget you can drag onto your page: Duckways Shoutbox. Save the page after you gave the shoutbox a nice spot and you're ready to go!

Version history

• 1.0.0 - BETA release
• 1.0.1 - Fixed a few bugs, updated node and changed ports. Added setting for socket URL. Added new features in PRO version.

Support

Please use this thread to ask questions or to report bugs. PRO version users can email us at quack@duckways.com for quick support.

[Gamerboy59]

Originally Posted by voyger

bought and install the shoutbox on my test forum look is working very well
the only snag haven't the auto refresh , is there any chance to implement on near future

thanks for the nice job

Indeed, you needa reload the side to refresh. This is not very useful. Any update on this @Jorandh ?

Also why adding own jQuery Version? vB5 already includes jQuery, doesn't it?

[Gamerboy59]

Also, I noticed some format issues with latest release (5.5.4).

Screenshot: https://imgur.com/7WN68Xr

[Enter7ainer]

Great release, I purchased pro right off the bat as this looks like a perfect solution to what I had in mind... I'm just installing it now - I'll let you know how I get along. Thanks very much for your hard work!

UPDATE #1

Works perfectly, thanks very much. Rated 4/5.

[LuckyRiver]

Hi,

Thanks for the cool add-on.

I try to install it latest version 5.6.5 to test it out, followed instructions, but whatever I entered text, nothing shows up in the shoutbox.

I tried to edit the shoutbox module , but I don't see anything listed in there to configure.

Did I overlook something?

My node server.js is correctly running.

I also configure user group for permissions to shoutbox.

Any help i appreciated!

[Jorandh]

Hello all,

We get a load of requests for an updated version by email. Honestly, we've kinda left vBulletin because they kept on bringing updates at the beginning of v5 which broke the add ons every single time. We kinda left the scene, focussed on other forum software development.

Due to the many requests we're probably going to give this one an update. But, I'm curious on how active this community still is. Please comment here to either show your interest in an update or request other add-ons.

Best,
Joran // Owner @ Duckways

[mp3president]

Hi Jorandh,

Yes Pleaaaaassssseeeee.
A good working "updated" shoutbox would be such a relief!!!
Altough they got DBtech shout working again, and Yilmaz has updated some things, it would be good to see a full updated shoutbox.

Maybe a couple of options to add on the shout:

- send private messages
- add rooms for specific usergroups
- text markup (color/font/size)
- auto refresh


A lot of developers have left Vbulletin 5, and here it is a little quiet on the forum.
But on multiple forums there is a call for a good shoutbox, and other plugins.
However everybody needs different plugins for their forum, and everybody was a little spoiled with Vbulletin 4 and all the plugins.

So, i believe there are a lot of people who want new updated plugins for vbulletin 5.
They just need to know there is someone / a company that is making them adm has them for sale like DBtech in the past
And i think when word get's around, it will sell.

As far as new mods, there are a lot of mods i personally want to see step over from Vbulletin 4 to 5.

This one : https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=231666 Combined with https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=282328

(post thank you and "hide" hack)

This one : https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=253309 ( pictures getting parsed to own server, so you never have broken links on your forum)

This one : https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=269048 (Alphabetical list thread) There is one for VB5 but is not working.


These are a couple, i personally would like to see.
But when you ask everybodym i think there will be dozens of mods we all want to see for Vbulletin 5.

I realy hope you guys will do some mod making, i would defenitly buy them and bring my Vbulletin 5 to the next level like Vbulletin 4.

[migratoria]

I would be interested if this mod was updated

[broduer]

Please do an update, We are still here just developers continue leaving making those who have put money into this project feel like we've paid for scrap without it's needed modifications from wonderful developers such as yourself.

[funhaven]

My members really want the shoutbox back as well, We just upgraded to VB5 from 4, didn't think it would be this hard to replace the few hacks we had

Is there anything that works with VB 5.72?

Thank you

[Aristide]

Hi funhaven,
Try this one:
https://vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=329498

It works perfectly.