Custom Avatars as Files (updated for vBulletin 2.2.2)

Updated for vBulletin 2.2.2, 5th February 2002

Since there has been so much demand for this, I wrote a hack that will allow you to store all your custom avatars as files, rather than in the mySQL database.



Doing this will have the following benefits:

• Avatars folder can be protected by .htaccess (Apache only) to prevent bandwidth stealing
• No SQL queries or PHP code required to display custom avatars - server load decreases
• No cacheing issues with Internet Explorer 5.5, so server bandwidth use should decrease

The install script will make the necessary modifications to your database, install a control panel option to switch the file-based avatars on, and convert your existing custom avatars from the database into files.

All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present, and users will not notice a difference in the interface.

Full instructions for altering your PHP files are included in the zip file.

Once you have made the necessary modifications to the PHP scripts, you should run the enclosed install_favatar.php script from your admin/ folder.

**BUMP**

[Dakota]

Here's how to get it working in 2.0.3

In admin/functions/php, announcement.php and private.php

Find:

PHP Code:

    if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
      $avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]&dateline=$post[avatardateline]"; 


and replace it with:

PHP Code:

      if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
        if ($usefileavatar) $avatarurl="custom_avatars/avatar$post[userid]_$post[avatarrevision].gif";
        else $avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]"; 


[Christian]

Do you have to run the install again after upgrading?

If so, which one did you use?
The original or the one of the modified hack?

[Castel]

Dakota, that's the exact same code as the original hack. I am aware that the showthread.php changes are now in functions.php but this doesn't make it work.

Look at the source code of a thread with a custom avatar and you will see the avatar is still img src=avatar.php.... while on other pages that display the avatar it does indeed come for the custum_avatars folder.

Keir, buddy. Please rerelease an update for your hack!!! It is needed.

[dost]

Yes please I also want to use this hack with vB 2.0.3

[centris]

Would someone PLEASE start a new thread for 2.03 hacks. I ran the install script and then found that the code did not match, now I have to wait for an update.

[Sven]

Mhmm, if just Kier would look into here and post something like:

Yes, I'm going to update, be patient

or at least

No, I'm too busy, sorry

Any news yet ? My forum needs this mod to work!
thanks for your great feature

pier

[tamarian]

I have a guess why Kier didn't update the hack.

It's already done on the vB 2.0.4 waiting for release!