Major Additions - Links and Downloads Manager

What this is and does

Version 3.0.2-PL1 uploaded 15th March 2010.

LDM is a general-purpose tool for managing libraries of links and files, and handling uploads and downloads in a flexible way, while tracking and controlling user access. It also has a range of integrated media players and a large library of 'plugin' extras. It has been developed steadily since the release of vb 3.0 some six years ago, based on extensive feedback from users at vb.org.

I think the 3.0.x releases have been tested enough and are no longer considered beta. However, I still want feedback on features that do not work at all or do not work properly.

Translations in Spanish, French, Chinese, German and Dutch are available as phrase files and are more or less complete.

Installation and Usage Explained in the on-line Wiki, with a brief explanation in the file instructions.txt in the release zip.

The installer will either create a new LDM database, or recognise that you already have an earlier version installed and update it.

Unlike earlier versions of LDM, this version automatically adds a link to the product on the main vb navbar.

Please do not blindly install on a live forum without being sure that you have tested it adequately. Use carefully and always backup your database before upgrading. Post reports of problems and suggestions for enhancements in this thread. You can find extensive discussion of this mod in the VB3.7 mods and VB3.8 mods sections.

Staff Note: Sadly, Andrew D, the developer of the Links and Downloads Manager has passed away after a long period of illness.

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by Eric

I'm talking about taking over the mod on the developer side of things.

I see... Well, it would be great if someone picked it up - I cannot understand why Jelsoft does not just incorporate this product into vB....with the number of downloads (historically) it just seem strange that they would not adopt it...

My next question:

So...I'm running :

vB 4.1.3
PHP 5.3.6 and
MySQL 5.0.91-log

Does anyone know if this last version will run on these?

Thanks much,
//sse

[Alfa1]

vb4.1.3 and mysql 5.0.x are no problem. Im unclear about php 5.3 yet. Someone needs to bite that bullet. I expect it will be ok.

[SeanE]

Ok - well, I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to jump in again (my users are screaming for their downloads)....of course, vB has now come out with 4.14 - so I guess I'll update to that first, and then try to install the latest version of this - hopefully it will work. I'll post an update once I do that - I'm doing a test.db first...

One word for anyone reading this - who's a developer worthy of this product: I would happily pay for this product (on an annual basis, or otherwise - assuming the cost is reasonable) in order to secure it's performance and support with the vB line going forward.

I think it's crazy that it's not just scooped up and maintained by someone. If I were a developer, I know I would.

//sse

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by SeanE

Ok - well, I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to jump in again (my users are screaming for their downloads)....of course, vB has now come out with 4.14 - so I guess I'll update to that first, and then try to install the latest version of this - hopefully it will work. I'll post an update once I do that - I'm doing a test.db first...

One word for anyone reading this - who's a developer worthy of this product: I would happily pay for this product (on an annual basis, or otherwise - assuming the cost is reasonable) in order to secure it's performance and support with the vB line going forward.

I think it's crazy that it's not just scooped up and maintained by someone. If I were a developer, I know I would.

//sse

Well, that was unpleasant. I've upgraded to vB 4.14 and the LDM installation failed - with the following error:

The following dependencies were not met:
This product is not compatible with version 4.1.4 of vBulletin. (Compatible starting with 4.0.0 beta 1 / Incompatible with 4.1.0 and greater)

[Alfa1]

That is an easy fix. Just change the compatible version.

In the product xml file find:

        <dependency dependencytype="vbulletin" minversion="4.0.0 beta 1" maxversion="4.1.0" />

replace with:

        <dependency dependencytype="vbulletin" minversion="4.0.0 beta 1" maxversion="4.9.0" />

Re-import with overwrite.

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by Alfa1

That is an easy fix. Just change the compatible version.

In the product xml file find:

        <dependency dependencytype="vbulletin" minversion="4.0.0 beta 1" maxversion="4.1.0" />

replace with:

        <dependency dependencytype="vbulletin" minversion="4.0.0 beta 1" maxversion="4.9.0" />

Re-import with overwrite.

Ahhhhhh - I should know better than to give up before you guys comment. Ok - it's installed - and it picked up all my old tables, images and documents like before - saving me from weeks of re-entry work.... I guess I won't be abandoning this product yet... Thanks very much for your help. It appears (for now - on my test.db) that it works under my current parameters:

vB - 4.1.4
PHP - 5.3.6
MySQL - 5.1.55-log

If I run into any snags, I'll post them here.

By the way - you guys don't know (on the Shadowbox extra) which hook I specify when I add the Shadowbox plugin do you? I cannot remember, the instructions don't indicate it, and I cannot figure out which one it is just by looking at it...

Thanks again for the assistance - I appreciate it a great deal.

//sse

[Alfa1]

For anyone who needs it. Here is the LDM wiki.

Originally Posted by SeanE

It appears (for now - on my test.db) that it works under my current parameters:

vB - 4.1.4
PHP - 5.3.6
MySQL - 5.1.55-log

That's great news. I was wondering about PHP5.3.6
Now only to find out if LDM works well on the latest version of MySQL, as that contains a major performance improvement and IBxAnders advises to upgrade to it.

Originally Posted by SeanE

By the way - you guys don't know (on the Shadowbox extra) which hook I specify when I add the Shadowbox plugin do you? I cannot remember, the instructions don't indicate it, and I cannot figure out which one it is just by looking at it...

I do not use the shadowbox plugin, but if you search the 3.7 LDM thread for it, you will likely find an answer.

[obmob]

Originally Posted by Eric

I've thought about taking on LDM, but I am not sure yet.

I would only be allowed, technically, to start from the vB 3 version and do my own conversion to vB4 - that is a lot of work for this kind of mod. If I were to take it on, I would love to start with the vB 4 version, but with his unfortunate passing, I have no way to get proper permissions for it.

We'll see what happens.

Maybe you can talk to the guys on vB.org and ask for permission. Also, maybe you can try to create some sort of group with more developers. There seems to be some guys around with knowledge.

[SeanE]

One new wrinkle -

With

vB - 4.1.4
PHP - 5.3.6
MySQL - 5.1.55-log

This version of LDM appears not to playing well with Safari, Chrome or IE...the text links within LDM do not come up - they show up as unknowns (question mark).

Under Firefox its fine - but not Safari, Chrome or IE.

Any ideas?

Thxs in advance -
//sse

[Alfa1]

That could be a PHP 5.3 issue. If this is true then thousands of sites will encounter this issue after upgrading to PHP 5.3
I have LDM working fine with vb4.1.4