The Arcive of Official vBulletin Modifications Site.

United-Forum CSS Sprites - ludicrous speed - NOW! · **Released**: 07-11-2011

tl;dr Makes your forum faster.

Want an easy one-click installation for this addon? . Vote for this jira-entry

Add on currently is in beta stage

When visiting a website, speed is a very important factor not only for users but crawlers as well. Long loading times are a nuisance since your time is basically wasted during the waiting period. Hence, we are trying everything we can in order to speed up our site. One great way to improve loading times is by the use of css sprites. Unfortunately these are not implemented by vBulletin.

We therefore decided to develop our own css-sprite add on for vBulletin boards and want to share this code with the worldwide vBulletin community.

Live demo

The add on is permanently running in our vBulletin board ( > 2.000.000 posts), take a look:
http://www.united-forum.de

The add on will be supported via this thread. If you have any questions, issues, improvements or feedback regarding this add on, please feel free to post a comment or write us a pm at any time. We are happy to discuss

vBulletin performance using css sprites

Our tests are based on version 0.7.0. We used the analytic tools firebug network utility and the googlelabs.com page speed site

on the client side the following parameter were used:
download speed: 5.7 MBit/s
ping: 31ms

css sprites - what are they?

The intention behind css sprites is the bundling of many small graphics into one large graphic in order to decrease the number of required http requests. This shortens the loading times of the given website. In addition, the the accumulated size of all small graphics is higher than the size of the sprite due to reasons of compression.
You can find further information in a great article by Chris Coyier.

What is the gain in using css sprites?

Aside from the technical implementation, the question on how much one actually does gain by using css sprites is of the most interest. Obviously they decrease loading times - but how important are small loading times and what is the impact on vBulletin overall loading times?

A short time ago, Jasper Aguila pointed out that speed is one crucial stickiness factor in his blog on vBulletin.com.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper Aguila vBulletin Support

The internet has unfortunately contributed to the exponential decrease in attention span for many individuals. That's why this decade is seeing a trend in emerging technologies emphasizing the importance of speed request. It's crucial for your content to be promptly distributed in a timely manner, else bounce rate will increase - making you lose returning visitors. It's also important to note that slow sites may be penalized by search engines.

With better browsers, more powerful processors, and improved technologies constantly releasing each year, it's becoming quite difficult to provide excuses for slow loading pages. Therefore, try optimizing your server for speed. Read up and learn optimization techniques at vBulletin.com's Server Configuration forum.

In addition, the google ranking is influenced by the site speed as well.

Google Webmaster Central Blog

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09.04.2010 - Google Webmaster Central Blog

You may have heard that here at Google we're obsessed with speed, in our products and on the web. As part of that effort, today we're including a new signal in our search ranking algorithms: site speed. Site speed reflects how quickly a website responds to web requests.

vBseo Webmaster Mert G?k?eimam

Quote:

CSS sprites is a huge bonus for big boards , any big board owner definately should use it.

Last but not least, not only the user's loading time is reduced, but also does the server load decrease as the server will have to handle a lot less of http requests. This clears available connections and cpu time.

Add on features

In the current released beta version 0.7.2, sprites are available for FORUMHOME and FORUMDISPLAY. Coming up next SHOWTHREAD.

Sprites are created style based for all forum styles and saved in a folder which you can set via the imgdir_sprite stylevar. You have one additional button in the ACP (CSS-Sprites -> Refresh) which automatically creates all sprites, the according css definitions and includes those css definitions in the vBulletin css rollup files.

Installation

First of all, if you didnt want to change the templates manually, install the Template Modification System (TMS). Now proceed with the installation:

upload the contents of the upload folder into your forum home directory.

import the add on in the ACP

upon installation a new stylevar imgdir_sprite will be created. Update this stylevar based on your file structure - default value is the vbulletin sprite directory. Make sure the folder is writable, else the sprites can't be saved!

create the sprites via the ACP at CSS-Sprite using the Refresh option.

If you have installed TMS, you are done now. This was an easy gained speed up, not? If you didnt installed TMS and didnt want to do it, proceed with the next point:

in order to use the sprites, you then will have to edit some templates. The diffs (xou will find it in the do_not_upload folder show which parts you have to delete '<' and which parts to add '>' In addition, on top find the lines in which you will find the respective code.[/b]

doileloi · #**552** 05-24-2012, 02:00 PM

hi

I can't fine this line Template: search_threadbit
1c1
< <li class="imodselector threadbit {vb:if !$thread['del_username'], $thread['statusstring']}" id="thread_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}" title="{vb:raw thread.preview}">
---
> <li class="sprite_statusicon_thread_30 imodselector threadbit {vb:if !$thread['del_username'], $thread['statusstring']}" id="thread_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}" title="{vb:raw thread.preview}">

Template: threadbit_deleted
1c1
< <li class="threadbit deleted<vb:if condition="$show['paperclip']"> attachments</vb:if><vb:if condition="!$thread['postuserid']"> guest</vb:if><vb:if condition="$thread['moderatedprefix']"> unapproved</vb:if>" id="thread_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">
---
> <li class="sprite_statusicon_thread_30 threadbit deleted<vb:if condition="$show['paperclip']"> attachments</vb:if><vb:if condition="!$thread['postuserid']"> guest</vb:if><vb:if condition="$thread['moderatedprefix']"> unapproved</vb:if>" id="thread_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">

On my Thread bib

here my

PHP Code:


			
<li class="threadbit {vb:raw thread.statusstring}<vb:if condition="$show['paperclip']"> attachments</vb:if><vb:if condition="!$thread['postuserid'] AND !$thread['del_userid']"> guest</vb:if><vb:if condition="$thread['moderatedprefix']"> unapproved</vb:if>" id="thread_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">

    <div class="rating{vb:raw thread.rating}<vb:if condition="$thread['sticky']"> sticky<vb:else /> nonsticky</vb:if>">

        <div class="threadinfo" title="{vb:raw thread.preview}">

            <!--  status icon block -->

            <a class="threadstatus" rel="vB::AJAX" <vb:if condition="$show['threadcount']">title="{vb:rawphrase have_x_posts_in_thread_last_y, {vb:raw thread.dot_count}, {vb:raw thread.dot_lastpost}}"</vb:if>></a>

        

            <!-- title / author block -->

            <div class="inner">

                <h3 class="threadtitle">

                                       <vb:if condition="$show['gotonewpost']"><a href="{vb:link thread, {vb:raw thread}, {vb:raw pageinfo_newpost}, 'threadid', 'threadtitle'}" id="thread_gotonew_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}"><img class="gotonewpost" src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_button}/firstnew.png" alt="{vb:rawphrase go_to_first_new_post}" /></a>

                    </vb:if>    

                        

                                        <vb:if condition="$show['threadicon']">

                                                <img src="{vb:raw thread.threadiconpath}" alt="{vb:raw thread.threadicontitle}" border="0" />

                                        </vb:if>



                    <vb:if condition="$thread['sticky']">

                         <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/sticky.gif" alt="{vb:rawphrase sticky_thread}" />

                    </vb:if>

                                        

                     <vb:if condition="$thread['movedprefix'] OR $thread['typeprefix'] OR $thread['moderatedprefix'] OR $thread['prefix_rich']">

                        <span class="prefix understate">

                            {vb:raw thread.movedprefix}

                            {vb:raw thread.typeprefix}

                            {vb:raw thread.moderatedprefix}

                            {vb:raw thread.prefix_rich}

                        </span>

                    </vb:if>

                                        <a class="title<vb:if condition="$show['gotonewpost']"> threadtitle_unread</vb:if>" href="{vb:link thread, {vb:raw thread}, {vb:raw pageinfo}, 'threadid', 'threadtitle'}" id="thread_title_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">{vb:raw thread.threadtitle}</a>

                </h3>

                        



                <div class="threadmeta">                

                    <p class="threaddesc">{vb:raw thread.preview}</p>

                    <div class="author">

                        <vb:if condition="$show['rmanage']">

                            <span class="rmanage"><a href="{vb:raw $vboptions.vbforum_url}{vb:if "$vboptions['vbforum_url']", '/', ''}postings.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=editthread&amp;t={vb:raw thread.redirectthreadid}">{vb:rawphrase manage}</a></span>

                        </vb:if>                        

                        <vb:if condition="!$show['detailedtime']">

                            {vb:rawphrase started_by_x_y_z_a, {vb:link member, {vb:raw thread}, null, 'postuserid', 'postusername'}, {vb:raw thread.postusername}, {vb:raw thread.startdate}, {vb:raw thread.starttime}, {vb:stylevar dirmark}}

                        <vb:else />

                            {vb:rawphrase started_by_x_y_z, {vb:link member, {vb:raw thread}, null, 'postuserid', 'postusername'}, {vb:raw thread.postusername}, {vb:raw thread.startdate}, {vb:stylevar dirmark}}

                        </vb:if>

                        <vb:if condition="$show['unsubscribe']">

                             &nbsp; <a href="{vb:raw $vboptions.vbforum_url}{vb:if "$vboptions['vbforum_url']", '/', ''}newreply.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=newreply&amp;t={vb:raw thread.threadid}" rel="nofollow">{vb:rawphrase reply}</a>

                             | <a href="{vb:raw $vboptions.vbforum_url}{vb:if "$vboptions['vbforum_url']", '/', ''}subscription.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=removesubscription&amp;return=ucp&amp;t={vb:raw thread.threadid}" rel="nofollow">{vb:rawphrase unsubscribe}</a>

                        </vb:if>

                        <vb:if condition="$thread['pagenav']">

                            <dl class="pagination" id="pagination_threadbit_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">

                                <dt class="label">{vb:raw thread.totalpages} {vb:rawphrase pages} <span class="separator">&bull;</span></dt>

                                <dd>

                                    {vb:raw thread.pagenav}

                                    <vb:if condition="$show['pagenavmore']"> <span class="separator">...</span> <span><a href="{vb:raw thread.lastpagelink}">{vb:raw thread.totalpages}</a></span></vb:if>

                                </dd>

                            </dl>

                        </vb:if>

                    </div>

                    

                </div>



            </div>                

            <!-- iconinfo -->

            <div class="threaddetails td">

                <div class="threaddetailicons">

                    <vb:if condition="$show['taglist']">

                        <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/tag.png" alt="{vb:raw thread.taglist}" />

                    </vb:if>

                    <vb:if condition="$show['rexpires']">

                        <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/expires.gif" alt="{vb:rawphrase expires_on_x_y, {vb:raw thread.expiredate}, {vb:raw thread.expiretime}}" />

                    </vb:if>

                    <vb:if condition="$show['moderated']">

                        <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/moderated_small.gif" alt="{vb:rawphrase x_moderated_posts, {vb:raw thread.hiddencount}}" />

                    </vb:if>

                    <vb:if condition="$show['deletedthread']">

                        <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/trashcan_small.gif" alt="{vb:rawphrase x_deleted_posts, {vb:raw thread.deletedcount}}" />

                    </vb:if>

                    <vb:if condition="$show['paperclip']">

                        <a href="javascript://" onclick="attachments({vb:raw thread.threadid}); return false"> <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/paperclip.png" border="0" alt="{vb:rawphrase x_attachments, {vb:raw thread.attach}}" /></a>

                    </vb:if>

                    <vb:if condition="$show['subscribed']">

                        <img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_misc}/subscribed.png" alt="{vb:rawphrase you_are_subscribed_to_this_thread}" />

                    </vb:if>

                </div>

            </div>

        </div>

        

        <!-- threadstats -->

        <vb:if condition="!$show['notificationtype']">

        <ul class="threadstats td alt" title="<vb:if condition="$thread['dot_count'] > 0">{vb:rawphrase have_x_posts_in_thread_last_y, {vb:raw thread.dot_count}, {vb:raw thread.dot_lastpost}}</vb:if>">

            <li>{vb:rawphrase replies}: <a href="misc.php?do=whoposted&amp;t={vb:raw thread.threadid}" onclick="who({vb:raw thread.threadid}); return false;" class="understate">{vb:raw thread.replycount}</a></li>

            <li>{vb:rawphrase views}: {vb:raw thread.views}</li>

            <li class="hidden">{vb:rawphrase rating}{vb:raw thread.rating} / 5</li>

        </ul>

        </vb:if>                    

        <!-- lastpost -->

        <dl class="threadlastpost td<vb:if condition="$show['notificationtype']"> alt</vb:if>">

            <dt class="lastpostby hidden">{vb:rawphrase last_post_by}</dt>

            <dd>{vb:raw memberaction_dropdown}</dd>

            <dd>{vb:raw thread.lastpostdate}<vb:if condition="!$show['detailedtime']">, <em class="time">{vb:raw thread.lastposttime}</em></vb:if>

            <a href="{vb:link thread, {vb:raw thread}, {vb:raw pageinfo_lastpost}, 'threadid', 'threadtitle'}#post{vb:raw pageinfo_lastpost.p}" class="lastpostdate understate" title="{vb:rawphrase go_to_last_post}"><img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_button}/lastpost-{vb:stylevar right}.png" alt="{vb:rawphrase go_to_last_post}" /></a>

            </dd>

        </dl>



        <vb:if condition="$show['notificationtype']">

        <!--  notification -->

        <div class="threadnotification td" >

            <label for="thread_imod_checkbox_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}">{vb:raw thread.notification}</label>

        </div>

        <label class="threadimod td">

            <input type="checkbox" name="deletebox[{vb:raw subscribethread.$threadid}]" id="thread_imod_checkbox_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}" value="yes" tabindex="1" />

        </label>

        </vb:if>

        

        <vb:if condition="$show['inlinemod']">

        <!-- fourth block -->

        <label class="threadimod td alt">

            <input type="checkbox" id="thread_imod_checkbox_{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}" name="imodcheck[{vb:raw thread.realthreadid}]" tabindex="1" />

        </label>

        </vb:if>

        

    </div>

</li>

can you help me Thank you

fly · #**553** 05-24-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doileloi

hi

I can't fine this line

Use TMS.

abdobasha2004 · #**554** 05-26-2012, 09:36 AM

pleeeeeeease any relaese for this for vb 3.7?

doileloi · #**555** 05-26-2012, 12:02 PM

PHP Code:


			
upon installation a new stylevar imgdir_sprite will be created. Update this stylevar based on your file structure - default value is the vbulletin sprite directory. Make sure the folder is writable, else the sprites can't be saved!

HI I can't fine any on ftp after install

markp_2000 · #**556** 05-29-2012, 01:37 PM

You have to create this directory yourself.

Mark

popmyzit · #**557** 06-01-2012, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly

The fact that it's not checked means that TMS couldn't find it. Those are the broken ones.

edit: OK, I went through and fixed everything but the 'memberaction_dropdown' template. Not sure I fully understand that one. Maybe I'll try to figure it out after work, or someone else is welcome to.

i installed via TMS did not fix my thread icons unfortunately, everything else seems to show fine

MikaN · #**558** 06-02-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popmyzit

i installed via TMS did not fix my thread icons unfortunately, everything else seems to show fine

Did you try my fix here:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost....&postcount=536

Dave-ahfb · #**559** 06-07-2012, 11:00 PM

has anybody installed on 4.2 yet?

Crotan · #**560** 06-08-2012, 06:38 PM

I have it running on 4.2, yes

CaneInsider · #**561** 06-10-2012, 06:15 AM

Anybody know if all the .css files should have this .

PHP Code:


			
the-thing {
background-color: expression(this.runtimeStyle.backgoundColor = 'none', [css sprites code here]);
}

to improve this plugin per www.webpagetest.org recommendation?

X vBulletin 3.8.12 by vBS Debug Information
Page Generation 0.05837 seconds Memory Usage 2,494KB Queries Executed 27 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (3)bbcode_php (6)bbcode_quote (1)footer (1)forumjump (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)modsystem_post (1)navbar (4)navbar_link (120)option (1)pagenav (1)pagenav_curpage (4)pagenav_pagelink (2)pagenav_pagelinkrel (11)post_thanks_box (17)post_thanks_box_bit (11)post_thanks_button (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (1)post_thanks_postbit (11)post_thanks_postbit_info (10)postbit (8)postbit_attachment (11)postbit_onlinestatus (11)postbit_wrapper (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (1)tagbit_wrapper Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/config.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/modsystem_functions.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php Hooks Called: init_startup init_startup_session_setup_start init_startup_session_setup_complete cache_permissions fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates global_setup_complete showthread_start showthread_getinfo forumjump showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start fetch_musername post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_start post_thanks_function_show_thanks_date_start post_thanks_function_show_thanks_date_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_end post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_start post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_end postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_start bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_attachment postbit_display_complete post_thanks_function_can_thank_this_post_start pagenav_page pagenav_complete tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
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