Links and Files Database

The VB3.0 version is no longer supported although there have been no reported problems for some time

See here for the VB 3.6 version of this hack, which is now the supported version. This version currently also works with VB 3.5
See here for the VB 3.5 thread for this hack.

What's new in v1.60?

Option to display associated thumbnail images
Option to accept/not accept new entries if these already exists in database
Code for mass edits (accessed via admincp) tidied up
VB phrasing completed
Includes a full French and a partial German translation (thanks to cclaerhout, Allan and LeeWicKeD), handled properly by installation script.
Various bugs fixed and tested against php4 and php5:
Better database validation (on startup/in admincp: links with invalid associated forumids, categories with invalid parentids)
Alternative linkbit templates provided (default uses a fieldset, the other is the old-style table row)
Alternative category selection templates (pull down menu/list of checkboxes),
Star rating displayed using standard VB stars rather than in text form
Series of minor bug fixes
See file change.txt in zip file

What it is/does

- Provides a searchable database of weblinks and/or downloadable files, for example manuals, music files, pictures, etc.
- Integrates within VBulletin, without requiring any code changes.
- Transparently handles links and file downloads. (If you want to provide downloads from your own site, you need a separate tool to upload these files. This hack does not and will not include a file uploader.)
- Provides unlimited nested categories.
- Each link/file can be a member of multiple categories.
- Link and category title and descriptions can use all BBCODEs, giving the possibility to add images, colouring, etc, as you wish
- Viewing/access permissions controlled using VBulletin forum system
- Users can rate links, in a similar manner to VB thread rating.
- File downloads are semi-leechproof, i.e. the user does not see where the file is stored and can only access the link if she has access to the associated forum.
- Audio files playable via Windows Media Player can be offered as a jukebox .
- Tracks who downloads what
- Validates links on entry/editing, and provides admin facility to validate the entire database.

Installation/upgrading instructions

Read instructions.txt in the zip file. Installation script works out whether to install or upgrade.

To upgrade from an earlier release of this hack, simply re-run the installation script. If you modified the templates in the top styles, you will lose these modifications unless you back up and re-edit.

PLEASE BACK UP YOUR DATABASE

See also

For screen shots, see attachments.

Tested with

VBulletin 3.0 and higher
PHP 4.1.1 and 4.3.4, should work with all 4.x versions, seems ok with 5.0.4
MySQL 4.0.
Reported ok with MySQL 4.1 but not exhaustively tested

Credits

Initially inspired by drkFusion's vb2 hack "vb Link Directory" v.2 and discussion about v.3 on Vbulletin.org. This is a complete rewrite with many more features. Every credit to the VBulletin folks for providing the infrastructure and to those on vbulletin.org who have helped with testing.

Integrations/Conversions

Natch has written extensions to integrate this hack with VBindex and VBAdvanced.

For convenience, this hack includes fully integrates with, but does not install, his VBIndex hack - i.e. the required template and code are provided, and the admin panel handles the configuration settings. Please refer to his thread for instructions.

Integration with VBadvanced is described in thread 1319 at vbadvanced.com.

The zip file includes a script and instructions for converting from vbLinks v2 (see thread 44551

[CERTguide]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

I don't know

I tried adding these links to my test database and they work just fine for me. The links checking process simply tries to open a connection to the specified file. Maybe you had a very busy server?

I tried several times with no luck. I wish my server was that busy.

[AlexanderT]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Thanks - I'll think about this idea. But is bandwidth to your site more expensive than my time as a programmer? (smiling)

:nervous:

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by CERTguide

I tried several times with no luck. I wish my server was that busy.

I think the code would benefit from a bit better error reporting when these problems arise. I'll have a look at it next time I have some free time (probably the weekend). Otherwise we're grappling in the dark.

What I did to get the link working was simply open your link in a new window then cut and paste from the address line into the links database. Sure you've not missed out a character somewhere?

[CERTguide]

I copied the link into the database and copied it back out after it said it was not available. Always works in a browser, never in the database.

[Konk]

A fantastic hack, I'm in the process of installing it. Thanks!

I hope that you find interest/time to continue with the:
- Integrate this with the VB attachment system to allow users to upload files
- Integrate this with the VB moderation system

I imagine it's complicated but I'm sure many would be very appreciative!

[Animension]

Hello, I recently installed this hack (along with the integration with vBAdvanced hack).

My problem is that I cannot add links. I can add categories, but when I attempt to add links it sits there and loads nothing. I've tried several different web pages but it still just sits there.

Any help is appreciated.

EDIT: I played around and found that it was the URL check that was messing it up. However now, I get this SQL database error:

Database error in vBulletin 3.0.0 Release Candidate 4:

Invalid SQL:  
                INSERT INTO local_linkslink (linkname, linkurl, linkdesc, linkhits, linkforum, linkcheck, linkstatus, linkdate, linkusername, linkuserid) 
                VALUES ( 
                'www', 
                'http://www.google.com', 
                'thedhrhetrgtgfehe', 
                0, 
                '11', 
                1081171544, 
                , 
                1081171544, 
                'Ultima Ichijouji', 
                1 
                ) 
        
mysql error: You have an error in your SQL syntax near ' 
                1081171544, 
                'Ultima Ichijouji', 
         ' at line 10

mysql error number: 1064

Date: Monday 05th of April 2004 06:25:44 AM
Script: http://www.animension.net/adrf/local_links.php
Referer: http://www.animension.net/adrf/local...ddlink&catid=1
Username: Ultima Ichijouji

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Animension

EDIT: I played around and found that it was the URL check that was messing it up. However now, I get this SQL database error:

Database error in vBulletin 3.0.0 Release Candidate 4:

Invalid SQL:  
                INSERT INTO local_linkslink (linkname, linkurl, linkdesc, linkhits, linkforum, linkcheck, linkstatus, linkdate, linkusername, linkuserid) 
                VALUES ( 
                'www', 
                'http://www.google.com', 
                'thedhrhetrgtgfehe', 
                0, 
                '11', 
                1081171544, 
                , 
                1081171544, 
                'Ultima Ichijouji', 
                1 
                ) 
        
mysql error: You have an error in your SQL syntax near ' 
                1081171544, 
                'Ultima Ichijouji', 
         ' at line 10

The SQL error is happening where the value (statuscheck) returned by check_url is inserted into the database. You said that you'd played around with check_url - perhaps you've deleted the return code by mistake?

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by CERTguide

I copied the link into the database and copied it back out after it said it was not available. Always works in a browser, never in the database.

OK - this weekend ...

[hitmanuk2k]

just installed.... but when i go to local_links.php?links (where i am told i can add categories...) there are no options at all for anything....

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by hitmanuk2k

just installed.... but when i go to local_links.php?links (where i am told i can add categories...) there are no options at all for anything....

Do you not see another tool bar across the screen? It should say Links, Search and Administer links v1.01. Click on Links and you'll get a pull down menu with the Create Category option

If not, we need to look deeper.