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).

[camoman]

Just tested it and it works fine.

[ChurchMedia]

I'm getting a white space to the right of the info. I've done everything I know to do to get rid of it. Could it be in one of the .js files?

See screenshot.
Here is an example:
http://www.churchmedia.net/page.php?p=newsletter2

Thanks for the hack!

It looks fine here: http://www.churchmedia.net/CMN/vaispy.php

[Barakat]

Just open the adv_portal_vbispy template and change the values in the fist table to zero instead of 6 and 1 like this :

<table class = "tborder" cellpadding="0" cellspaces="0" width="100%" border="0" align="center" id="spy-table">

dont copy paste this , just correct the values ? ?

[Capt. GannA]

Originally Posted by Capt. GannA

It's seemingly not working for me.

1) Uploaded all the files in the correct directories.
2) Followed your instructions.
3) vaispy.php is working.

There's not a single error in the firefox javascript console either :/..

uhhhh HELP?

[stud]

MPDev - what do you think about the following suggestion:

Is there any way to have it remove previous instances and put the most updated reply on the top?

IE: when you first refresh the iSpy - it polls and finds all recent replies to the threads. However when a new reply is posted to a single thread, it puts this reply on the top and leaves the previous instance underneith.

A great way to use this module would be to have it remove the old post from the iSpy, and place the most recent reply to the top - hence removing duplicates and functioning as a self-refreshing superior "Recent Threads" module.

GMail functions sort of like this. A bonus would be to bold and unbold topics as they are read, in the same way the Recent Threads currently works as you manually refresh the page. I like the functionality of both ways but having the option to use the module this way would prove a superior replacement for the Recent Threads module.

[glorify]

Any way to limit the characters?

[MPDev]

poninja,

You didn't add the javascript to the header for the portal page (I checked your html); see instructions in the top post.

[poninja]

OK, I edited the default template by accident. Doh!

Thanks for the help!

[StevanMD]

MPDev,

I am having the same sort of problem poninja had, only I did follow the instructions closely and do have everything in right place.
Please, take a look:
http://www.mototips.com/
http://www.mototips.com/vaispy.php

Thanks

[MPDev]

Stevan,

I don't see a Live Feeds block on your index page at all; did you add the module?