Miscellaneous Hacks - vbNetwork - share forums with other boards

vbNetwork

Summary

This add-on gives you the ability to share forums with other message boards without having to share any database information. The plugin runs through webservices and uses XML.

Release Notes
Currently the installation is easy but if you want to set up and run your own network it will help if you're familiar with XML. Joining an already existing network is fairly simple.

This plugin is developed using vBulletin 3.8.X and being tested on 3.6.X and 3.8.X. If it works on both of those, I will assume it works on 3.7.X.

If you would like my help writing versions for phpBB, IPB or other message board software, please feel free to contact me.

If you are interested you can join my existing network, but please note that it is mostly a trolling-based community of boards. Feel free to start your own network with other boards.

Product Specifications

1. several plugins
2. one cron job
3. file uploads
4. new DB tables
5. several phrases

Installation
Approx 2-5 mins

See the included installation instructions.

Upgrading/Updating

1. upload all files in the upload directory, overwriting any existing files
2. re-import the XML file, setting "Overwrite" to "Yes"

Configuration

See the included documentation for details.

Support

If you encounter problems or discover any bugs, please create a new issue at: http://code.google.com/p/vbnetwork/issues/list

Change History

• 0.9.0 (2009-02-20) - initial Beta release
• 0.9.2 (2009-05-03) - added (some) logging, fixed bug for 3.8.2
• 0.9.3 (2009-05-03) - added 'Delete' to Network Management, other minor changes
• 0.9.4 (2009-05-08) - added new board and forum management functionality, and some new minor features
• 0.9.5 (2009-05-09) - adds new option to sync network users via email, and added ability to change the network name
• 1.0.0 (2010-06-02) - Version 1.0 for vBulletin 3.8.X

Sample

This is one shared forum on three different boards (the content of this forum may be NSFW).
http://www.anothermessageboard.com/f...splay.php?f=29
http://www.juot.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=50
http://www.drunkensquirrel.net/com/f...splay.php?f=28

PLEASE CLICK INSTALL!

[chick]

Geez this sounds like a very interesting hack. I am following it. Thanks for dreaming this up.

[Undertaker #59]

What a fantastic idea.

I haven't seen anything like this since the old dial-up BBS days and networks like FIDOnet. I am very excited for the potential of this thing when it gets a little more finished and friendly.

[ZomgStuff]

Originally Posted by Undertaker #59

What a fantastic idea.

I haven't seen anything like this since the old dial-up BBS days and networks like FIDOnet. I am very excited for the potential of this thing when it gets a little more finished and friendly.

I was thinking the same thing.

This is a guaranteed MOTF winner once it comes out of beta.

[zethon]

I added functionality to delete a network in the 'Network Manager'. I also added some explanations to the fields when adding a new network to your board.

[kholusoft]

this plugin is having a great future
i am sure of it

[Mum]

Originally Posted by Undertaker #59

What a fantastic idea.

I haven't seen anything like this since the old dial-up BBS days and networks like FIDOnet. I am very excited for the potential of this thing when it gets a little more finished and friendly.

Exactly what i was thinking! I can't wait!

[Llandy]

Looking forward to using this mod once its more stable

[zethon]

I've added functionality that makes the configuration and management of networks much much easier. No longer do admins have to edit XML to add/remove boards/forums from their networks.

[KW802]

Originally Posted by zethon

Posts from other boards show up on your board as Guest posts would. The username is constructed from the user's name on the other board and the board's "node code". Hence, if someone on another board the username "Fred" and that board's node code is XYZ, then posts from that user will show up on your board as a Guest with name "Fred@XYZ"

Any chance of it checking by the user's associated email to marry the accounts up from Board A to Board B instead of always being as a guest?

[zethon]

Originally Posted by KW802

Any chance of it checking by the user's associated email to marry the accounts up from Board A to Board B instead of always being as a guest?

I've gone ahead and implemented this as an option. This will be out in the next release.