The Arcive of Official vBulletin Modifications Site.

vbHacker & vbHackMaker · **Released**: 03-20-2002

Version 1.0.1 released! [March 25th, 18:30]
New:
~ Backup files: Now the script will backup files before editing them. You can disable this, and also change the extension of the backup file. (note: the folder in which the files reside must be writable)
~ CHMOD: The script will try to CHMOD files instead of just dying. The parent folder must be writable if you want the script to CHMOD files in it.
~ Another small fix there's not much to say about.

Ok here's something I wrote yesterday, and today after testing it on serveral forums I can finally release it.

What is it?
vbHacker is a script that automatically installs hacks for you. It takes a xxxxx.hack.php file and comes up with the install script for it. This means you only need vbhacker.php to sit in your admin folder, and just upload data files every time you want to install a new hack.

How does one create hack files?
To make these xxxxx.hack.php data files, please read the post about vbHackMaker:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...&postid=231705

The script does the following:
~ Hack files (only PHP have access to write that file)
~ Install new templates
~ Update existing templates
~ Run queries
If anything fails, the script skips it. Then you are taken to a page that lists all the changes the script couldn't do, with instructions how to do them yourself.

You also have the option to generate a plain text file with complete hacking instructions, in case you prefer that.
The installer also checks for your vBulletin version, warning you if the versions mismatch.

I took some screen shots earlier of the various steps.

Hack chooser - This is the part where you see a list of all hacks you have and you can choose which one, and whether to install it or create a text file:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/1_chooser.gif
For the next screen shots I chose the Quick Reply Box hack.

Elements to install - There you can choose what parts of the hack you want to install. There are four main parts: File hacks, new templates, template edits and queries. This is good for upgrades if you only want to update the templates, and nothing else.
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/2_quick_elements.gif

Specific changes - A more specific step that allows you to select exactly what changes to what files/templates you want to make. Once again, this is helpful when upgrading.
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/3_quick_config.gif

Auto installer - The core of the script that actually installs the hack. This is how it looks like when it works fine:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/4_quick_auto_ok.gif
And this is how it looks like when something went wrong (because I made it go wrong

):
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/5_quick_auto_bad.gif

Manual mode - An optional step that you will only use if the auto installer had some problems. It just lists the changes you need to do yourself:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/6_quick_manual.gif

Text file - If you want to generate a text file with the full instructions to install the hack:
http://www.vbulletin.org/vbhacker/7_quick_text.gif

The style for my Admin CP was done by kier.

Well, hope you like what you see.

I will start releasing my hacks with this installer soon, so you can see it in action. A script that creates these data files will probably come soon, so everyone will be able to use this for their own hacks.

Attached is the script, version 1.0.1.
Just upload it to your /admin folder, and you're done. Whenever you need to install a new hack just go to /admin/vbhacker.php in your browser.

alexwriting · #52 03-23-2002, 01:09 PM

Wow... that's like science fiction. Dude... you have looked into the future! THAT'S putting the computer to work, not me! Thanks for this.

Webmasta XT · #53 03-23-2002, 05:15 PM

ok, for people looking for quickreplybox.hack.php
I have made it.. Download this file and run it with vbhacker, I take no credit for making the hack, But this is just to go with the vbhacker.. FireFly made the hack, and I made it so it can work with vbhacker... ENJOY!!

Edit: I fixed the file.. it had some problems.. lol
well it should work perfect now.. it did work perfectly for me.. and don't forget, You must CHMOD all the files that are going to be edited to 777, or you won't be able to get to work.. Basically showthread.php needs chmoding.. for this hack, Good Luck!

Lanigironu · #54 03-23-2002, 05:34 PM

That's a great tool! It's spelled "success" though.

Dalius · #55 03-23-2002, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lanigironu
That's a great tool! It's spelled "success" though.

Did you do it?
I mean install the hack

lol

Robert Basil · #56 03-23-2002, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wooolF[RM]
yep, I understand it's pretty much...
For example I can take your hack "Number of new replies per thread on forum display" that is specially designed for vbhacker.
U have a code there that inserts <b>Replies<br>(new / total)</b> into one of templates.
Now...What if I don't like to have text Replies to be bold? Or maybe I have not-english spoken board, or I want to change text Teplies to Answers (just as an example, don't take it serios).
If u want to make it different as I have wrote before, u will have to edit template anyway those making vbhacker a tool, that make all boards like others.
Got main idea?

Some people have to whine about everything. If you don't like the hack don't install it. Enough said.

Reeve of shinra · #57 03-23-2002, 09:17 PM

Is it me, or did Firefly say something like 'yeah ill take a shot at it over my break' then a day later put this out?

very cool though, and great if your loading this upto a test board before your prodution site!

Jawelin · #58 03-23-2002, 09:39 PM

Chen, great job and idea!
Of course it will make things much easier and should multiply hacks installed on each board.

This reason, main problem I can see from here now is : what would be the behavior of vbhacker dealing with already hacked code it doesn't recognize when searching for text to replace ?
Increasing the number of blinded-eye installed hacks, I fear the number of unexpected (unpredictable) LOCs by the single n-number hack (because it couldn't know the n-1 hacks installed before...) could increase exponentially.

But it's the industrial revolution law .... !!!!

Here we have the steam machine !
Thanks a lot for this new philosophy, btw.

Note for many users in this thread: I love this new deal, absolutely. I would only point out the most important goal of this forum should be to increase the knowledge about vb php/template scenarios, not to have 200+ hacks self-installed. Remeber that everyone had to upgrade all of them on any new release without even knowin how to edit a file....

This is my own PoV, of course ....
:knockedout:

feldon23 · #59 03-23-2002, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Jawelin originally said:
This reason, main problem I can see from here now is : what would be the behavior of vbhacker dealing with already hacked code it doesn't recognize when searching for text to replace ?
Increasing the number of blinded-eye installed hacks, I fear the number of unexpected (unpredictable) LOCs by the single n-number hack (because it couldn't know the n-1 hacks installed before...) could increase exponentially.

It gives you a very clear, nicely done error report telling you which pieces could not be installed.

I think the key here is try to make the matchtext as short as possible, so that one hack is less likely to render another hack uninstallable.

If there's one thing that's missing, it's the ability in the script to set which # occurrence of a certain string to match and replace.

For instance, the Quick Reply box. I only like it at the bottom. There's no easy way to make vbHacker find which occurence you want to change.

bonnmac · #60 03-24-2002, 11:42 AM

I just wanted to say thanks a million for this script! I'm new to VBB and am still learning the art of hacking. I've found this to be very useful to me and have used it to install 2 hacks very easily. I hope that everyone will start to use this to make their hacks. It makes installation for us total newbs so much easier. Thanks again.

Jawelin · #61 03-24-2002, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonnmac
I just wanted to say thanks a million for this script! I'm new to VBB and am still learning the art of hacking. [...]
It makes installation for us total newbs so much easier. Thanks again.

Exactly what I said... :speechless:
What VB version are you using, Bonnmac ?
When u shall upgrade it and noone will publish quick the vbhack script ?
I definetively think that - before touching code and templates - anyone should give them a SERIOUS look.
:cheeky:
As said, btw, already installed this revolutionary hack me too

X vBulletin 3.8.12 by vBS Debug Information
Page Generation 0.04976 seconds Memory Usage 2,323KB Queries Executed 27 (?)
More Information
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