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

[darkmage]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

Look for the following (about 150+ lines in to local_links.php depending on version)

PHP Code:

function get_linkscat() {
    global $DB_site, $linkscat, $linkscat_set;

    if (!$linkscat_set) {
        $asb = $DB_site->query("SELECT * FROM ".THIS_TABLE."linkscat ORDER BY catname"); 


Change catname to catid or catdate as you will.

Should this be a configuration option?

Thank you soo much! I would say that this would be a nice little configuration option.

[kingady]

<a href="http://www.hl2insider.net/forums/local_links.php" target="_blank">http://www.hl2insider.net/forums/local_links.php</a>

ive set it up, im in admin area, now how do i add categories? ive tried everything to add categories/files, help ;p

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by kingady

http://www.hl2insider.net/forums/local_links.php

ive set it up, im in admin area, now how do i add categories? ive tried everything to add categories/files, help ;p

You use the left hand item on the Links toolbar (Links). The drop down will have an item "Add Category".

[kingady]

thanks alot mate, also this is members only access right?

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by kingady

thanks alot mate, also this is members only access right?

You set the permissions in the admin panel - Each action (view, add, edit, delete/link, category) has its own set of permissions

[kingady]

ooops, sorry i meant for downloading the files.

also is it possible to mask the download link for example:

download link: www.sitename.com/video/file.rar

to http://www.sitename.com/forums/local....php?getfile=3

if u understand what i mean =)

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by kingady

ooops, sorry i meant for downloading the files.

also is it possible to mask the download link for example:

download link: www.sitename.com/video/file.rar

to http://www.sitename.com/forums/local....php?getfile=3

if u understand what i mean =)

Access to individual links and categories is controlled by assigning them to a forum on your board. Create a standard VBulletin forum which is only visible to your members. Then, go into the links admin panel, and set the default_forumid setting to the forumid of that forum. Then, by default all your new links will be protected from non-members.

[kingady]

so the forum id is for example: http://www.hl2insider.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

17?

because i added a members only section that members can only see (forum) and i entered the forum id 27 because the ending was 27 am i correct?

becausei tried it , still didnt work

[AndrewD]

Originally Posted by kingady

so the forum id is for example: http://www.hl2insider.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

17?

because i added a members only section that members can only see (forum) and i entered the forum id 27 because the ending was 27 am i correct?

becausei tried it , still didnt work

That's right and it should work - but you need to apply the setting also to any links/categories that you created *before* setting forumid 27 as your default. If you PM details of an admin account on your board, I'll take a quick look.

[kingady]

aye i pmed u details and minutes later i knew what u meant, im kinda slow.. lol thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!