Add-On Releases - vBISpy - AJAX real-time feed of new posts/threads

After seeing the http://www.digg.com/spy application; I wondered if this could be done for vBulletin as well. I came across this webpage which had a "how to" on how they built a similiar application to do the same thing. Taking a page from their book (i.e. the code), I modified it for use with vBulletin.

During development, I also came across this post here on vBulletin.Org where the very subject had already been discussed.

So I put this together; a simple ZIP file with a single PHP script, three javascript files and 4 images.

Installation

. UNZIP the file into your forums directory
. That's it!

Virtually all the code to customize the page is in the vaispy.php script; there are no plugins, no templates and no phrases. You do not need to do anything further; this should work right out of the box.

In your browser, open the URL:

http://www.yourforum.com/forum/vaispy.php

You can see examples of this at:

http://www.viperalley.com/forum/vaispy.php
http://www.extremefitness.com/forum/vaispy.php

Note: I claim no ownership of this code except for the file vaispy.php - the rest of the files were using 'freely distributable' sources. As such, you may use these files as you wish, but please do not remove the copyrights.

This modification is for vBulletin 3.6 only, if you are running vBulletin 3.5 you will need to see this thread.

JOIN THE vBIspy Network!
Once you have this mod installed, you can join the vBIspy network to have your threads appear on this site; the vBIspy Network is a great way for people to see what's going on in various vBulletin communities and for forum owners to promote their sites and generate new traffic.

Optional add-ons

Who's Online mod for this: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=126209

vBAdvanced Module: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=126421

UPDATES
1.0.4
Added buro9's code from here

1.0.5 - 9.9.06
Modified some JavaScript in va_spy.js to remove split strings

1.0.6 - 9.10.06
Added date cuffoff code from here and changed init() to spyinit() - changed vaispy.php and va_spy.js files.

1.0.7 - 9.12.06
va_spy.js: Added a forum url variable to allow for integration with portals or other products outside the forum directory
va_spy.js: Added xmldelay variable at top of script for easier configuration or repolling
Updated files: vaispy.php, vb_spy.js

1.0.8 - 9.13.06
vaispy.php - changed code for checking for forum permissions to include password protected forums, added javascript tag for script code

1.0.9 - 9.16.06
vaispy.php
va_spy.js
va_effects.js
- modified to allow for proper display in Opera browsers and moved more html into vaispy.php to allow for stylevars, trimmed va_effects.js to remove unused code (ForumDog's suggestions, except not using templates yet), changed way threads are parsed (removes html as well)

1.0.10 - 9.17.06
va_prototype.js - removed 20kb of unused code

1.1.11 - 9.25.2006
vaispy.php
va_spy.js
- added SirAdrian's mods for thread status icons and alternating row colors
- added code to prepopulate the first 10 rows with existing threads allowing for 5 new ones to be added in scrolling mode (versus scrolling starting from the first thread).
- added option to display subscribed threads only

1.1.12 - 9.26.2006
vaispy.php
- added code to add empty rows if initial pull has less than 20 rows.

[G_Man]

Originally Posted by MPDev

I take it you use html in your Forum titles?

Some. Makes them all colorful and pretty... and from the sound of it a pain the arse!! LOL

Actually though, it works GREAT with your hack. Like all my Staff forum titles are read, so they really stand out when they pop-up on ispy!!

Its only since you changed it and had first threads pop up instantly that there is a problem. As the feed one at a time they look as they should.

[MPDev]

In vaispy.php, line 166, change:

    $thread['forum'] = htmlspecialchars_uni($vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title']);

to:

    $thread['forum'] = $vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title'];

[Daruka]

Hi MPDev, I gotta say that your mod is incredible. We run a very busy forum (132,000+ members, 1.5+ million posts) and this is a real life saver for our moderator. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us!

My only question: Is it possible to support colored user names? We have it set up so our staff members show up in a bright blue color so people can quickly distinguish them from normal users. We are using the "Username HTML Markup" fields in the Usergroup Manager to apply the color. If not, no big deal, but it would help to see that info.

Thanks again,
-Daruka

[MPDev]

I assume the query would have to be modified to pull in the user table properties of the lastposter (lastposterid) and then fetch_musername() would have to be called; but I don't have the time to write it out just now.

[nymyth]

^^i have a question MPDev. Is there anyway that posts from a particular forum NOT show up. I have one area where people posts links to their OWN MUSIC. It's a forum cat. whereby you need to be added to a usergroup that allows you to see it.

Right now, that forum and its post contents are visible. Can this be done?

Thank.s

[MPDev]

Sure, look in the vaispy.php script in the configuration area at the $blockforums variable; just put forum ids sperated by commas in that variable.

[G_Man]

Originally Posted by MPDev

In vaispy.php, line 166, change:

    $thread['forum'] = htmlspecialchars_uni($vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title']);

to:

    $thread['forum'] = $vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title'];

Works... but...

After the change the CMPS module quit working.

Changed it back and CMPS module started working again.

[MPDev]

Well, how about:

$thread['forum'] = htmlspecialchars_uni(strip_tags($vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title']));

until I can look at it closer.

[G_Man]

Originally Posted by MPDev

Well, how about:

$thread['forum'] = htmlspecialchars_uni(strip_tags($vbulletin->forumcache["$tforumid"]['title']));

until I can look at it closer.

You Rock. That seems to be working just fine on both CMPS and the ispy.php page.

[Firestar.chkn]

Any idea why mine won't pick up new posts? I have to refresh the page for it to be picked up. It worked previously, but for some weird reason it won't work now.

Here it is.

Any help would be appreciated.