Links and Downloads Manager

LDM extends VBulletin to manage a library of documents, files and links to other web sites. Documents can be stored on your own web site, stored on your server separate from the web site, uploaded by your user community, or held somewhere else altogether. So you can use LDM to provide your user community with access to your own files and allow them to share files with each other.

12/08/06 - Versions that work with vb36 are available and supported in the VB36 thread. Version 2.2.1, which works with VB 3.5 but not with VB 3.6, remains available here.

Thanks to everyone who has helped with all the design, testing, etc.
Translations are provided (thanks dLutt and LeeWicked) into German, (thanks to Allan) into French, and (thanks to Hugo) into Spanish. Harry1951 has handled the Dutch translation.

Screenshots, Instructions and How to Install

Full details and instructions are available as a Wiki at http://www.eirma.org/wikis/index.php...nloads_Manager

LDM installs as a VBulletin product. There are no modifications required to standard VB code.

Basically - upload php files and run the installer through VB's Product installer. No changes needed to VB code. Remember to BACKUP YOUR DATABASE. By default, LDM prefixes its database tables 'local_'. Edit the configuration file, local_links_init.php, if you need/wish to change this.

LDM can handle an essentially unlimited number of categories and nested subcategories, and an unlimited number of entries (hyperlinks or downloadable files). Each entry can be placed in one or several categories. Categories can have styles. Descriptions and titles can optionally include BBcodes, smilies, images and html, giving the possibility to add images, colouring, etc. File types can be flagged using icons and individual entries can also have associated thumbnail images.

Standards templates are provided for libraries of links, files, documents, and photographs.

Users can offer comments and rate the links/downloads. Each user is allowed one rating and many comments per entry, and can freely edit these if they change their mind.

Permission to use specific features is established via the product's admin page, where the administrator specifies which usergroups can add and edit entries, comment and rate these entries, moderate, etc.

By default, all entries are visible to all users. You can restrict visibility/access to links and categories by using the permissions masks from your board's forums.

Moderation of new entries is available but turned off by default.

Users can report bad links to the relevant moderators/administrators.

Each user can flag links as his/her "Favourites".

Modules are provided for VBAdvanced.

Hooks are provided in suitable places in LDM and sample plugins are included in the release (see extras directory), for example to integrate with ID3 tags in mp3 files, for slideshows, to autocreate new threads in your forums, etc.

Plus much more.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by |oR|Greg

I'll try with the code you mentioned. However I'm curious as to what you mean about a new style? How do I add a new style to LDM?

You add a new style to VBulletin (admincp/styles and templates/style manager/add new style). It will pick up all the standard templates, including all those for LDM.

Then in LDM, either per category on the add/edit category, display settings tab, (or globally on the admin/settings if you want the change everywhere), set default_style to the new style you've created. That way you can customise the standard LDM templates for just part of your database.

[|oR|Greg]

Oh, I get it, so it's just a much easier way of adding a new "template" really, but sort of cheating by adding a new style, then editing the templates in that new style. I like that, but I prefer just adding 1 template and updating the .php file. It's not hard, and has less clutter on the site in my opinion. I've done what you suggested with the .php file, works great! Thanks... Once I get some new templates up and running I'll shoot them up here, and if you like them, use them. Thanks again for a great hack/support.

[|oR|Greg]

Well, I got my new template up and running, very simple and linked to our vBPicGallery now! Only for 4 of my guys that have updated the vBPicGallery, but it's a start!

If you want to try it, click on either GTOOOOOH, HolyJerex212, GTGeo96, or StangMan86's links.



http://www.limmac.org/vb/local_links.php?catid=4


Here is the VERY BASIC template I made...

<tr id="linkid$linkid">

<td width="105" align="$stylevar[left]">$linkimgjump</td>

<td align="left">
$linkurljump <if condition="$linknew">$linknew</if>
</td>

<td width="15%">
<span class="smallfont">
$linkeditbit
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_names]"><a href="member.php?u=$linkuserid">$linkusername</a></if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_set_display_order]">[$thisorder]</if><br />
$linkdate
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_hits]">$vbphrase[ll_hits] $linkhits</if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_moderate_links] and $linkstatus==$LINK_HIDDEN"><br />[$vbphrase[ll_hidden]]</if>
</span>
</td>

</tr>

[GrendelKhan{TSU]

Woot! LOVE the new additions!!


but for doing my part...
I think I found some Bugs and/or minor issues in 2.1.6rc2.
(some of these may not be due to LDM, I realize...but I don't know program stuff well enough to tell the difference. so apologies if so.)

1. If you have a title with "quotes" in it....the title gets chopped off at the quote when you go back and edit the link.
   
   
2. if bbcode in title... profile bit of "recent hits" ...just show the code not the actual bbcode output (ie: [ b ] instead of actually showing bold type. )
   
   
3. Auto thread creation in forums bugs:
   • the LINK (that goes to the file/link that was uploaded) that is generated from the auto-thread creation plugin..... results in a "Unfortunately, you do not have sufficient permission to access this entry, as it is reserved for another usergroup. Please contact us for more information if necessary". this is either a bug or I just can't find out where to change the permissions (I'm Admin and all the permissions are set correctly as far as I can tell ). edit: ahh it only seems to happen when change category. see next.
     
     
   • I think it related to this bug: The link is wrong. It lists the wrong category! eg: add link from "whatever" category >> changed category when filling out form (parent category) >> result is that it upload to correct category...but link in new thread created shows file in the original whatever category.
     
     
   • need some kind of explanation for users. Like update explanation text for choosing a "Parent Forum" when this plugin is install.
     
     Since there is no text or explanation of what is happening from a user perspective.... Users will have NO IDEA where or how the thread is being created when adding links. took me a bit to figure it out actually (granted...I'm a dope a lot of the times but.... so are most users. ).
4. an image on the links_linkbit is now broken. dunno why and it wasn't broken before 2.1.6rc2. problem is I can't fix it because I dunno what the image is supposed to be cause the path is weird:
   

   htt p:/ /www.MYSITE.net/image.php?u=2&dateline=1142819619

   what is that? ugh! to broken images. see attached image.
   
   
5. Featured sites need to display same as the template_linkbit format chosen. Don't know if this is intentional, but seems like a bug (forgot to add) kinda thing. I was gunna use the table format, but when I do the featured sites still come out as default linkbit, so it looks weird/inconsistent on the page.
   
   
6. edit link >> expand/collapse buttons in Parent Categories are... misplaced? or not working right? eitherway...when you actually click the expand collapse button...you get craziness. see attached pics.
   
   
7. edit link >> highlight should UNhighlight when choosing new category. it doesn't. makes it seem like both are chosen or the new chosen category "doesn't take". see attached pic
   
   
8. is it just me?..... or does LDM get majorly stuck at 100% for like ...eternity....before finishing when upload larger files? Mine sits at 100% for literally a full few minutes most of the time when uploading anything but the smallest of files.

hmmmm... I think that's it for now. hope that is clear and actually helps.
(and not just create more work for you. )

again this hack and Andrew pwn!

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by GrendelKhan{TSU

Woot! LOVE the new additions!!


but for doing my part...
I think I found some Bugs and/or minor issues in 2.1.6rc2.
(some of these may not be due to LDM, I realize...but I don't know program stuff well enough to tell the difference. so apologies if so.)

1. If you have a title with "quotes" in it....the title gets chopped off at the quote when you go back and edit the link.
   
   
2. if bbcode in title... profile bit of "recent hits" ...just show the code not the actual bbcode output (ie: [ b ] instead of actually showing bold type. )
   
   
3. Auto thread creation in forums bugs:
   • the LINK (that goes to the file/link that was uploaded) that is generated from the auto-thread creation plugin..... results in a "Unfortunately, you do not have sufficient permission to access this entry, as it is reserved for another usergroup. Please contact us for more information if necessary". this is either a bug or I just can't find out where to change the permissions (I'm Admin and all the permissions are set correctly as far as I can tell ). edit: ahh it only seems to happen when change category. see next.
     
     
   • I think it related to this bug: The link is wrong. It lists the wrong category! eg: add link from "whatever" category >> changed category when filling out form (parent category) >> result is that it upload to correct category...but link in new thread created shows file in the original whatever category.
     
     
   • need some kind of explanation for users. Like update explanation text for choosing a "Parent Forum" when this plugin is install.
     
     Since there is no text or explanation of what is happening from a user perspective.... Users will have NO IDEA where or how the thread is being created when adding links. took me a bit to figure it out actually (granted...I'm a dope a lot of the times but.... so are most users. ).
4. an image on the links_linkbit is now broken. dunno why and it wasn't broken before 2.1.6rc2. problem is I can't fix it because I dunno what the image is supposed to be cause the path is weird:
   what is that? ugh! to broken images. see attached image.
   
   
5. Featured sites need to display same as the template_linkbit format chosen. Don't know if this is intentional, but seems like a bug (forgot to add) kinda thing. I was gunna use the table format, but when I do the featured sites still come out as default linkbit, so it looks weird/inconsistent on the page.
   
   
6. edit link >> expand/collapse buttons in Parent Categories are... misplaced? or not working right? eitherway...when you actually click the expand collapse button...you get craziness. see attached pics.
   
   
7. edit link >> highlight should UNhighlight when choosing new category. it doesn't. makes it seem like both are chosen or the new chosen category "doesn't take". see attached pic
   
   
8. is it just me?..... or does LDM get majorly stuck at 100% for like ...eternity....before finishing when upload larger files? Mine sits at 100% for literally a full few minutes most of the time when uploading anything but the smallest of files.

hmmmm... I think that's it for now. hope that is clear and actually helps.
(and not just create more work for you. )

again this hack and Andrew pwn!

THanks - that's really helpful.

On the 'stuck at 100%' - are you uploading large images and creating thumbnails - the php routine that does that cleanly is a REAL cpu hog.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by |oR|Greg

Well, I got my new template up and running, very simple and linked to our vBPicGallery now! Only for 4 of my guys that have updated the vBPicGallery, but it's a start!

If you want to try it, click on either GTOOOOOH, HolyJerex212, GTGeo96, or StangMan86's links.



http://www.limmac.org/vb/local_links.php?catid=4


Here is the VERY BASIC template I made...

<tr id="linkid$linkid">

<td width="105" align="$stylevar[left]">$linkimgjump</td>

<td align="left">
$linkurljump <if condition="$linknew">$linknew</if>
</td>

<td width="15%">
<span class="smallfont">
$linkeditbit
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_names]"><a href="member.php?u=$linkuserid">$linkusername</a></if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_set_display_order]">[$thisorder]</if><br />
$linkdate
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_hits]">$vbphrase[ll_hits] $linkhits</if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_moderate_links] and $linkstatus==$LINK_HIDDEN"><br />[$vbphrase[ll_hidden]]</if>
</span>
</td>

</tr>

Well done, man!

[|oR|Greg]

Thanks Andrew, wouldn't have been possible without you.

Hey, maybe you want to try and tackle this other idea I had, maybe not.

A checkbox to the right of a threads title when you're creating a new thread. The checkbox, if checked, disabled/Hides EVERYTHING other then the Submit New Thread button.

The purpose of the checkbox would be to turn the title of the new thread into a link. So for example, if in the title I made it www.eirma.org, in the Forum Display, it would get a different statusicon, and the title would be parsed as <a href, etc...

Essentially allowing any forum to have links embedded amongst the threads. An edit button would have to be added because you wouldn't be able to go inside the thread to edit it, since the link went off-site. Maybe even add an extra column to the forumdisplay for click tracking. Put dashes in the Replies and Views columns, or maybe change Views to Views/Clicks and track it that way.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by |oR|Greg

Thanks Andrew, wouldn't have been possible without you.

Hey, maybe you want to try and tackle this other idea I had, maybe not.

A checkbox to the right of a threads title when you're creating a new thread. The checkbox, if checked, disabled/Hides EVERYTHING other then the Submit New Thread button.

The purpose of the checkbox would be to turn the title of the new thread into a link. So for example, if in the title I made it www.eirma.org, in the Forum Display, it would get a different statusicon, and the title would be parsed as <a href, etc...

Essentially allowing any forum to have links embedded amongst the threads. An edit button would have to be added because you wouldn't be able to go inside the thread to edit it, since the link went off-site. Maybe even add an extra column to the forumdisplay for click tracking. Put dashes in the Replies and Views columns, or maybe change Views to Views/Clicks and track it that way.

Let me think about it ... I've got eight hours on aircraft tomorrow...

[|oR|Greg]

Enjoy your flight, think about the wonders of AJAX and making threads into links. Think even about making it so veratile that you can charge for it! Except me of course

[GrendelKhan{TSU]

Is there any way to control the column widths for the Title, Description, and number of entries?

My title is all smooshed up while the description takes up waaaaaaay too much width unneccessarily.


I don't want to change the templates either just to have it wiped out with next update. (but I will cause it looks fugly as is. ) where would I go to change that anyway?

(along the same line: is there a way or how would go about controlling how the subforum categories links are displayed?)

Originally Posted by |oR|Greg

Well, I got my new template up and running, very simple and linked to our vBPicGallery now! Only for 4 of my guys that have updated the vBPicGallery, but it's a start!

If you want to try it, click on either GTOOOOOH, HolyJerex212, GTGeo96, or StangMan86's links.



http://www.limmac.org/vb/local_links.php?catid=4


Here is the VERY BASIC template I made...

 
<tr id="linkid$linkid">
 
<td width="105" align="$stylevar[left]">$linkimgjump</td>
 
<td align="left">
$linkurljump <if condition="$linknew">$linknew</if>
</td>
 
<td width="15%">
<span class="smallfont">
$linkeditbit
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_names]"><a href="member.php?u=$linkuserid">$linkusername</a></if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_set_display_order]">[$thisorder]</if><br />
$linkdate
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_view_hits]">$vbphrase[ll_hits] $linkhits</if>
<if condition="$links_permissions[can_moderate_links] and $linkstatus==$LINK_HIDDEN"><br />[$vbphrase[ll_hidden]]</if>
</span>
</td>
 
</tr>

seems cool...but honestly.. I don't really know what I'm looking at.
you simplied the template so it has less information right?

Originally Posted by AndrewD

THanks - that's really helpful.



On the 'stuck at 100%' - are you uploading large images and creating thumbnails - the php routine that does that cleanly is a REAL cpu hog.

hmmm... yah... creating thumbnail at same time. next time I'll try with JUST the upload and see if makes a difference. (add thumbnail after).