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

[aussiev8]

good work andrew! i respect the speed you got the newer more secure version out by.
i think everyone should update due to security issues in earlier versions.

[Spinball]

Awesome, Andrew, thanks very much for your efforts.
I think I have found a bug, however.
Click on the 'What's Hot' and What's New' drop-down links and the [-Fav] option appears against all the links instead of [+Fav].

[norvo]

Cheers! Great work!

N.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Spinball

Awesome, Andrew, thanks very much for your efforts.
I think I have found a bug, however.
Click on the 'What's Hot' and What's New' drop-down links and the [-Fav] option appears against all the links instead of [+Fav].

You're right of course - and what's more I'd already spotted it but forgotten...

Please can you unzip and upload the attached file and then re-run step 2 of the installation process (templates). When you confirm, then I'll update the zip file.

I'm not happy with the page sequence as one moves between what's hot/mark favourite/back to base category, but the full fix requires more work and will have to be in the next release.

[Spinball]

Hi Andrew,
I did as instructed and it now displays [+Fav] against them all. Even against those already in your favourites list.
A minor point, I guess, but as a programmer, something I would notice
It's a great hack.

[achtungbaby]

Great friggen hack! I just installed it two days ago and have been keeping it busy, using it as a resource list for tsunami relief & aid organizations.

http://forums.yellowworld.org/local_links.php

Thanks a bunch.

[Russ_T]

The mod works fine for me and I changed the version in the vbLinks 2 importer and that worked a treat as well

One question, I have a moderator who used to look after links but to have full control of the links pages it appears he needs to be an administrator (i.e. add new categories etc).

Is this true or have I configured it wrongly? I have set moderators to have all permissions. In fact I can't even see how to add a new category so I probably haven't finished the install, doh!

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Russ_T

The mod works fine for me and I changed the version in the vbLinks 2 importer and that worked a treat as well

One question, I have a moderator who used to look after links but to have full control of the links pages it appears he needs to be an administrator (i.e. add new categories etc).

Is this true or have I configured it wrongly? I have set moderators to have all permissions. In fact I can't even see how to add a new category so I probably haven't finished the install, doh!

As you see on the admin page, there are a large number of permissions settings (add category, add link, delete link, etc). These are all based on VBulletin usergroups, so you must indicate which groups can cary out which actions. The only "fixed point" is that only members of the VB admin group can get at the admin page.

"Add category" is part of the drop down menu under "Categories" on the hack's toolbar. It is only visible to user groups that have permission to add categories, so if you can't see it, you've probably not given yourself permission!

Let me know if you still have difficulties, and I'll take a look.

[Russ_T]

Hi,

Yes you're absolutely right and it's all fine. Theres no reason I suppose for my moderators to see the admin page so thats fine as well.

Thanks for your help!

[Curzon564]

Great Hack. Everything works fine so far.

However, I'd like to add IRC Links.
They have the following format:
irc://irc.eu.gamesurge.net/channel

I already altered the local_links_include.php and added the Protocol:

// Protocols supported
$schemes = array( "http", "https", "ftp", "irc" );

Adding IRC Links works so far, but if I click on such a link a page with this url is opening:
http://www.empty123.inet01.de/local_...tion=jump&id=9

As result of this mIRC doesn't recognise the link.
Is there a possibility to open the Link directly so that it isn't hidden behind the php? link?

Changing the force redirect setting has no effects.

I'm grateful for every kind of assistance.

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by Curzon564

Great Hack. Everything works fine so far.

However, I'd like to add IRC Links.
They have the following format:
irc://irc.eu.gamesurge.net/channel

I already altered the local_links_include.php and added the Protocol:

// Protocols supported
$schemes = array( "http", "https", "ftp", "irc" );

Adding IRC Links works so far, but if I click on such a link a page with this url is opening:
http://www.empty123.inet01.de/local_...tion=jump&id=9

As result of this mIRC doesn't recognise the link.
Is there a possibility to open the Link directly so that it isn't hidden behind the php? link?

Changing the force redirect setting has no effects.

I'm grateful for every kind of assistance.

OK, I'm not familiar with the IRC protocol - the problem is perhaps that php's fopen() routine does not work with it, so a more direct approach will be needed. Give me a few days - there's a tidy up release in preparation and I'll try to fit this in.

[AndrewD]

Withdrawn, see beta 1.51 in later post

[eva01_]

*will upgrade when gets home from work*

[joeychgo]

You are great andrew - thanks!

[Dontom]

Hi Andrew,
i upgraded an old (vb3) installation of links - now if someone (regular user or admin) tries to add a new link nothing happens (new page loads but link is not added) -same (nothing) happens whe trying to edit links as an admin (change entry, save it, page reloads and old entry is there again)
Moderation is set to no. I used the last zip provided by you - any idea? PHP is 4.3.10
thx
Thomas