Portal Software - vBISpy module - live AJAX feed of new threads - for vBAdvanced CMPS

This is my first module for vBAdvanced, but its a simple one, so I don't expect any installation problems.

You can see an example of this working on:

ViperAlley.Com

You must already have a working copy of the vBIspy client v1.0.7 or better in place. (vB 3.5 users need v1.06 or better)

INSTALLATION

Add the vbispyblock.module to your vBAdvance portal - keep in mind the size of the block when you choose it's placement - if you use three columns, then really only the center column will work.

To install you should have a working copy of the VBIspy client already working on your system. Once you have one of the clients working adding vBIspy blocks to other pages becomes easier.

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################################################## ################################

STEP 1

Because vBAdvanced CMPM usually resides outside of the forum directory, you will need to make one change to the clientscript/va_spy.js script that comes with vBIspy.

In va_spy.js, find:

var vburl = '';

and change this to read:

var vburl = '/forum/';

using the name of the directory your forums are in in place of "forum". This is important as otherwise the links from the vBIspy block will not resolve to the forum directory.

################################################## ################################
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STEP 2

You will need to modify the 'adv_portal' template to add a few lines:

################################################## ################################

Find:

$headinclude

Add after:

<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_prototype.js"></script>
<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_effects.js"></script>
<script language="javascript" src="{$vbulletin->options['bburl']}/clientscript/va_spy.js"></script>
<script language="javascript">
    spymax = 10;
    highestid = 0;
</script>

################################################## ################################

Find:

$footer

Add after:

<script language="javascript">
    spyinit();
</script>

################################################## ################################

You are done. Activate the module and you should start seeing a live feed of threads on your portal page.

If you do not see an updating list of threads:

1) Double check that your vBIspy.php script is working properly!
2) Make sure you followed the above instructions.
3) If all else fails, open the JavaScript Console in Firefox and see what errors you might be getting.

1.0.1 - 9.28.06
Modified template for module to support 1.0.12 release of vBIspy (you can modify your template manually from this post; but you also need to note the changes to the spymax and addition of the highestid variable to be changed in your adv_portal template).

[Spikeman]

I have installed mod and it works perfectly, however, I have my whole site wrapped in vBa which now becomes a problem.
I have 2 pages within vBa, the first shows my front page(index) with most of the modules including vbispy module, this page works fine.
The second page wraps all the forum pages inluding a links directory which works fine with the vbispy module installed, however i do not want vbispy on every page in my site just the front page.
So, I disable vbispy on second page (turn off module) which works, however I get the dreaded yellow triangle showing javascript error!! I know the error is the vBispy script in the header of vba portal calling for the object.

Any ideas on a fix, site works in firefox and shows no error ie gives me the yellow triangle but the site works, I have for the moment uninstalled the vBa side of vbispy as i will not have javascript erros in my site, call it my OCD

Any suggestions welcomed, but i do want to use vbispy within vBa.

oh and please do not say go to vBa site as i have spent enough wasted time waiting for replies there!

[MPDev]

I don't know enough about vBa to tell you what to do; but can you put a condition tag around the include for the va_*.js files in the vbadvanced header so that those are only included on a specific page (like 'index')?

[Spikeman]

Originally Posted by MPDev

I don't know enough about vBa to tell you what to do; but can you put a condition tag around the include for the va_*.js files in the vbadvanced header so that those are only included on a specific page (like 'index')?

I did not think about that :ermm: I will give that a try and get back to you, thanks.

[MPDev]

Correction below.

[MPDev]

For the new release, the template adv_portal_vbispy should be replaced with:

<if condition="is_browser('opera')">

<table class="tborder" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center" id="spy_table">
<tr><td colspan="4" class="tcat smallfont" align="left"  style="height:25px;"><strong>&raquo; <a href="/forum/vaispy.php">Live Forum Updates</a></strong></td></tr>
<tr><td width="20" class="tcat" nowrap="nowrap" style="height:25px;">&nbsp;</td>
<td class="tcat" width="190" nowrap="nowrap" style="height:20px;">By</td>
<td class="tcat" width="80%" style="height:20px;">Thread/Post</td>
<td class="tcat" width="200" nowrap="nowrap" style="height:20px;">Forum
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" class="alt1">
<div id="row1" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row2" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row3" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row4" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row5" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row6" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row7" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row8" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row9" style="display:none;"></div>
<div id="row10" style="display:none;"></div>
</td></tr>
</table>

<else />

<table class="tborder" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center" id="spy_table">
<thead>
<tr><td colspan="4" class="tcat smallfont" align="left" colspan="4"><strong>&raquo; <a href="/forum/vaispy.php">Live Forum Updates</a></strong></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="thead" width="20">&nbsp;</td><td class="thead" width="190">By</td><td class="thead">Thread/Post</td><td class="thead" width="190">Forum</td></tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="alt1">
<tr id="row1"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row2"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row3"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row4"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row5"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row6"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row7"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row8"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row9"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr id="row10" class="spyfade4"><td align="center">&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td align="center">&nbsp;</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>

</if>

<input type="checkbox" id="subscribe" value="1" /> &nbsp; subscribed theads only

[Trana]

This doesn't seem to be working for me. I made the file edit and added the template changes. Also I replaced the template with the post above, still nothing. My vbispy self contained page loads fine.

[G_Man]

Originally Posted by Trana

This doesn't seem to be working for me. I made the file edit and added the template changes. Also I replaced the template with the post above, still nothing. My vbispy self contained page loads fine.

ditto.

[MPDev]

Make sure your vburl variable in va_spy.js is filled in properly:

For example:

var vburl = '/theforum/';

not:

var vburl = 'theforum';

[G_Man]

Originally Posted by MPDev

Make sure your vburl variable in va_spy.js is filled in properly:

For example:

var vburl = '/theforum/';

not:

var vburl = 'theforum';

Yeah... goofed this last time, but changed it and no difference.

[maroceve]

same problem as Gman

Still points to forum/...instead of forums/...