Portal Software - vBISpy module - live AJAX feed of new threads - for vBAdvanced CMPS

This is my first module for vBAdvanced, but its a simple one, so I don't expect any installation problems.

You can see an example of this working on:

ViperAlley.Com

You must already have a working copy of the vBIspy client v1.0.7 or better in place. (vB 3.5 users need v1.06 or better)

INSTALLATION

Add the vbispyblock.module to your vBAdvance portal - keep in mind the size of the block when you choose it's placement - if you use three columns, then really only the center column will work.

To install you should have a working copy of the VBIspy client already working on your system. Once you have one of the clients working adding vBIspy blocks to other pages becomes easier.

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STEP 1

Because vBAdvanced CMPM usually resides outside of the forum directory, you will need to make one change to the clientscript/va_spy.js script that comes with vBIspy.

In va_spy.js, find:

var vburl = '';

and change this to read:

var vburl = '/forum/';

using the name of the directory your forums are in in place of "forum". This is important as otherwise the links from the vBIspy block will not resolve to the forum directory.

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STEP 2

You will need to modify the 'adv_portal' template to add a few lines:

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Find:

$headinclude

Add after:

<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_prototype.js"></script>
<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_effects.js"></script>
<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_spy.js"></script>
<script language="javascript">
    spymax = 10;
    highestid = 0;
</script>

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Find:

$footer

Add after:

<script language="javascript">
    spyinit();
</script>

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You are done. Activate the module and you should start seeing a live feed of threads on your portal page.

If you do not see an updating list of threads:

1) Double check that your vBIspy.php script is working properly!
2) Make sure you followed the above instructions.
3) If all else fails, open the JavaScript Console in Firefox and see what errors you might be getting.

1.0.1 - 9.28.06
Modified template for module to support 1.0.12 release of vBIspy (you can modify your template manually from this post; but you also need to note the changes to the spymax and addition of the highestid variable to be changed in your adv_portal template).

[cygy2k]

MPDev-

Is there a way to make this replace the latest topics module so it stays in the same relative format by showing the topic replied to instead of the post and where it shows like the last x posts rather than a longer lists?

[lexhunt]

Cannot find var vburl

Sorry I had version 1.05

[MPDev]

Originally Posted by cygy2k

MPDev-

Is there a way to make this replace the latest topics module so it stays in the same relative format by showing the topic replied to instead of the post and where it shows like the last x posts rather than a longer lists?

Only if you modified the javascript to reformat the display.

[MPDev]

I am running into what I think is a compatibility issue between the prototype AJAX code and vB's AJAX code; either you can't have two AJAX handlers on the same page or they contain objects that are overwriting one another.

For example, expand/collapse won't save to a cookie when va_prototype.js included; going to have to research further.

[MPDev]

It may not be an AJAX issue; but a cookie issue. The save_collapsed() to save expand/collapse settings on a page are not being saved.

[Tungsten]

In the module there is a hardcoded URL that needs to be modified according to where you have vBulletin installed...

<tr><td colspan="4" class="tcat" align="left"><span class="smallfont"><strong>&raquo; <a href="/forum/vaispy.php">Live Forum Updates</a></strong></span></td></tr>

The href="/forum/... portion of the code is what I am talking about.

[nix]

Yea didn't notice that before. Just fixed it on mine.

[MPDev]

Good catch; I would image that can be replaced with a vb variable; my first module and all that.

[Acido]

Originally Posted by MPDev

Good catch; I would image that can be replaced with a vb variable; my first module and all that.

Excellent Job
Thanx for share this!

[Ramsesx]

Nice idea, for your information on Opera 8 it's looking not correct (see screenshot)