vBindex v3.0.0 RC5

[high]vBindex v3.0.0 RC5[/high]

I happy to announce the fith release of vBindex for vBulletin 3 here at vBulletin.org and also the first Offical vB3 Hack here . This is the 9th release of vBindex for vB3 and there are few known problems currently. This release works with vB 3.0.0 Gamma, vB 3.0.0 RC1, vB 3.0.0 RC2, vB 3.0.0 RC3, vB 3.0.0 RC4 and vB 3.0.0.

[high]Features[/high]

The following are the features that are presently avalible in vBindex, those marked [high]*NEW*[/high] have been updated since vBindex 2.1 and those marked [high]*NEW*[/high] have been updated since Pre-RC2 was released and those marked [high]*NEW*[/high] have been added since RC2 and those marked [high]*NEW*[/high] have been added since RC3.

• News:
  • News (taken from a specified news forum), with vBcode, Smilies and optional news posters avatar;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Improved avatar system for news posts;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option to have sticky threads in the news forum sticky on vBindex;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option to limit the number of characters in news posts;
• Side Blocks:
  • Easy Administration:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] All side blocks can be moved from within the ACP, no template edits needed!;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Custom blocks, add unlimited custom side blocks and control them all from the ACP;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Support for right, left and dual side blocks;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Each side block can be expanded/contracted just like the forums, QRB, post rules etc on the forum;
      [high]*NEW*[/high] Dynamic side blocks via a special PHP Include type system (vbindex_customblock_php);
  • Latest Threads:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] More functional and faster new threads and posts;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Link to first unread post if the user has not read the thread yet;
      [high]*NEW*[/high] Ability to have the latest threads under the news with more details;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Online user list, with buddies and invisible users marked:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option to show users online in the past 24 hours;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Online users block can be switched off;
  • Integrated Welcome Panel:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option for detault avatar in the Welcome Box for members without an avatar and Guests;
  • Fully integrated Shoutbox:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Scrolling shoutbox option;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Allow users to delete own shouts if option is turned on;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Select which usergroups can delete any users shouts;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] View all shouts, a full page shoutbox built it;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option to show disabled postshout area to unregistred users;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Order shouts in either direction;
      [high]*NEW*[/high] Limit the length of shouts;
  • Poll, with the option to select a random poll from a given set of forums;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Calendar:
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Links to events;
    • [high]*NEW*[/high] Option to show weekends and dynmically adjust the side bars to the correct size;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Todays birthdays;
• Templates & Phrases:
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Fully phrased, both the vBindex Options and the front end are 100% phrased;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] 100% Valid XHTML 1.0 Templates.
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Templates/Phrases installed during install/upgrade;
• General:
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Thread subscription icons for news and latest threads;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Global and user specific ignore list throughout all items;
  • Will work 100% outside of your forums directory;
  • Fully integrated into the Admin CP, change all options there!
  • Very easy to customize, just edit/add templates;
  • Capable of operating a multi-paged site; (Extra Page Tutorial)
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Dynamic PHP Driven Extra Pages via Templates; (Extra Dynamic Page Tutorial)
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Optimised code;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Use date/time option (Today/Yesterday and Detailed) specified in vB Options;
  • Only 5 queries with everything switched off, and still only 13 with all options turned on, thats 5 queries less than our nearest competitor!
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Improved install, easy onscreen instructions that even new hackers should be able to follow and have vBindex working quicky;
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Compatible with vBwar for vB3 when its released.
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Admin Help system, gives help with all the vBindex options in the ACP.
  • [high]*NEW*[/high] Uninstall/Re-Install System.

[high]Installation/Upgrade[/high]

See the README_1ST.htm file included in the zip for more detailed install instructions and details of where to upload the files. Then point your browser to http://www.mydomain.com/forums/admin/vbiupgrade.php.

Changes Since vBindex 3.0.0 RC4

vBindex 3.0.0 RC4 was released about a week ago, RC5 has just a few changes and is expected to be the last release before vBindex 3.0.0. Changes include fixing of an XHTML issue in the custom block templates; admin help system added; ability to restrict the length of shouts.

[high]Support[/high]

Support will be given here in this thread ONLY. [high]Support *WILL NOT* be given via PM/Email/IM.[/high]

[high]************************************************[/high]

vBindex is Copyright MMII - MMIV Winter Systems, you may not distribute in part or whole any portion of the source code (apart from in this thread) or any file included in the zip (Unless you are posting a language translation of vbindex_phrases.xml in this thread). Portions Copyright MM - MMIV Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Both the Jelsoft vBulletin and the Winter Systems vBindex Copyright notice in the footer must stay in place for any page powered by vBindex.

[high]************************************************[/high]

[high]vBindex is *FREE*, please have the courtesy click install if you use this hack, thank you[/high]

RC3 Build 7: 719
RC3 Build 8: 377
RC3 Build 10: 486
RC4 Build 5: 107
RC5 Build 5: 87

[NTLDR]

Admin Control Panel -> Style Manager -> All Options (for each different style) -> Image Paths

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by NTLDR

All the install/upgrade instructions are within the installer, ie, they upload the files start the installer as instructed in the first post of this thread and then the first step tells them exactly howto edit vbiconfig.php (and which templates need editing). This file only needs to be edited for vBindex to work and not the installer.

Just curious because it doesn't mention anything about the xml files and I don't have an eventcache.php...

Also wouldn't it be better and less confusing to upload the upgrade/install files to the install directory instead of mucking up the admin directory?

<edit>
Okay just went through your installation and all I got was a bunch of errors and it kept saying borked.... And this is considered the best portal front-end for vBulletin? Would hate to try anything else if the best one doesn't even work.
</edit>

[NTLDR]

You probably have an out dated zip Wayne. I've just check the latest attachment and eventcache.php is definatly there and the text file has been updated to include the XML files. I know the documentation needs some work and I do plan to do it once vB3 and vBindex 3 become final and I know I'm not going to be changing it every few days.

I'll take on board your suggestion of using the install directory, it would be more sensible thinking about it. Thanks for the feedback

--

Re your edit: You definatly have a rather old copy of the zip file, the new one shouldn't give any errors.

[Nmidia]

Originally Posted by NTLDR

Admin Control Panel -> Style Manager -> All Options (for each different style) -> Image Paths

I may be being completely useless here, but the header image path is

images/misc/vbulletin3_logo_white.gif

I have replaced this image with the one I want to show (the one on the main forum), using the same file name. The main forum picks up this image with no problems. However, it will not show it on the vbindex.php. The main forum also has the missing cascade images, which will not show on the vbindex.php.

the shady style has a heading image called hereyah_logo_clear.gif. I have replaced this with the image I want to show, and before I install vbindex this was the file shown. Do you think this could be the cause?

sorry for being a muppet, please be patient with me

[MindTrix]

If the images aint showing properly on the vbindex.php just edit the templates for it

[NTLDR]

Nmidia, in your case you should prefix (put at the front of each of the different image paths) all images paths with /Forum/ as well as the header image (also on the options page) and the background image URL in the background property of the Table Header and Table Catagory CSS sections.

[Antyrael]

This is really a great hack, but I got just one problem.

On the navigation bar on the top of the page, I miss a link to the actual forums.
Is it possible to make the name to the right of the folder icon ("Debate forums" in this case) a hyperlink to the forums?

And how do I add a button on the bar below?

http://www.debateforums.net/vbindex.php

[NTLDR]

You'll need to edit your navbar template, you'll see a set of <td>'s which contain all the links, register, user cp etc, copy one of those and edit the URL and name for a link to the forums.

Also note that the folder icons are special links to 'go back' and reload the current page. You can however change the link and text in the navbar template too.

[Nmidia]

Originally Posted by NTLDR

Nmidia, in your case you should prefix (put at the front of each of the different image paths) all images paths with /Forum/ as well as the header image (also on the options page) and the background image URL in the background property of the Table Header and Table Catagory CSS sections.

Do you know what mate? - You've only gone and fixed it The forum looks great now

The only other things I'm having issues with are getting the forum to display news - a quick walk through on this would be great.

I also want to have a custom box on the side with links in it. Is there any code for this anywhere?

finally, when a private message warning pops up, it doens't link to the correct address - I have changed all of the addresses in the nav bit. Is there something else I need to change?


I really am sorry to be such a pain

thanks in advacne

[NTLDR]

You should have edited the headinclude and pm_popup_script templates, see back a few pages for more detailed instructions on how.

Make sure you have enabled news on the vBindex Options page and have entered the forumid of your news forum (it looks like 63 from looking at your site).

Adding custom blocks is easy, enter the number 1 in the field in the options page, submit it and then once the page has reloaded you'll then be able to assign it to one of the side blocks which it seems you have already done. Just edit the vbindex_customblock_1 template and add the HTML for your links

[Nmidia]

Originally Posted by NTLDR

You should have edited the headinclude and pm_popup_script templates, see back a few pages for more detailed instructions on how.

Make sure you have enabled news on the vBindex Options page and have entered the forumid of your news forum (it looks like 63 from looking at your site).

Adding custom blocks is easy, enter the number 1 in the field in the options page, submit it and then once the page has reloaded you'll then be able to assign it to one of the side blocks which it seems you have already done. Just edit the vbindex_customblock_1 template and add the HTML for your links

yep - it seems that 63 worked, so thanks again! But, how did you come by 63?

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by NTLDR

Re your edit: You definatly have a rather old copy of the zip file, the new one shouldn't give any errors.

No errors this way though you should check to see if the file extension is already defined so it doesn't flash warnings.

Anyway, still no go. Installed everything and nothing shows on the vbindex.php page. It is totally blank.

Oh well, was just looking for something quick and easy to use on a site until the CMS from the developers was finished and released. I can live until then.

[Mellow]

Just a couple of quick questions I couldn't find in a search.

1 - Will this portal display "today's events" at the bottom of the mini-calendar?

2 - Will the news automatically be updated once a new news post is added? I had a previous portal that required I run a php file to update the news display on the index.php page.

Thanks,
Joe

[JamesFrost]

Anyway, still no go. Installed everything and nothing shows on the vbindex.php page. It is totally blank.

ntldr - I believe that the install.txt file in the RC2 zip is the issue here - the pre RC2 install had several step instructions including running the vbiupgrade.php and setting options via vbioptions.php.

I've just re-downloaded and these instructions are not in the current zip.

[NTLDR]

Originally Posted by Mellow

1 - Will this portal display "today's events" at the bottom of the mini-calendar?

It doesn't display them in a sperate block, each day in the calendar that has event(s) is hyperlinked and has a tooltip with the event(s) title(s).

2 - Will the news automatically be updated once a new news post is added? I had a previous portal that required I run a php file to update the news display on the index.php page.

As soon as you post in your specified newsforum the news appears on the front page. No file edits, no PHP files to run