Reply box on nonVB page?

[kira]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here so please be gentle. Also, I'm no coding guru by any stretch ... I run a forum but I'm more of a writer/editor/designer than anything else. VB.org has been an amazing resource, and I'm so grateful to you guys for providing it for free!

A little background. I have a site dedicated to my online writing -- it's an original drama series -- and my readers are mostly web newbies who are less experienced even than myself. They tend to be intimidated by anything that looks relatively complex, and I'm afraid the VB seems to freak 'em out.

While they respond avidly through a mail form placed right on the same page as my episodes, for some reason getting them to click on the link to post on my forum seems to be a sticking point. I've added the Quick Reply hack to my threads (here's a sample), which helped a little, but not enough, darnit!

What I'd like is some kind of code that I could use on an html page to create a very simple reply box (associated with a pre-existing thread). I already allow unregistered posts, so I don't require login capability (although it'd be nice for those who are registered). This way the readers could post their feedback in the simple box, press "send," and are automatically redirected to the forum thread.

In short, would it be logistically possible to create a hack to allow posting from a Quick Reply box nonVB page? And if so ... would someone do it for a poor PHP-impaired soul like me?

Thank you all very much again!

[Logician]

I read your message 3 times but still couldnt get the practical usage of your request, sorry!

If I am not wrong, your requested HTML page would be a "reply thread" alternative, wouldnt it? And if so your users should click a link while reading a thread, to access that page just like the REPLY button in the original vbulletin code. So what's the difference and point of cancelling the original reply screen and creating an alternative which will do exactly the same feature?

If your only concern is the "complexity" of the reply screen you can simply make it more simple by disabling vbcode or similes or make a template modification and get yourself the simplest reply screen vbulletin history has ever seen!

Doesnt that work?

Regards,
Logician

[kira]

Hi, Logician! Thanks for responding.

Sorry I was confusing. The best way I guess is to show you a sample of what I'm looking for. Here's what I currently have -- it's the final scene of a chapter, and at the very bottom of the page is a feedback form.

So my hope is to exchange the feedback form for a VB reply box, much like the Quick Reply box at the bottom of this thread. No replies would be visible on the page. After filling in the reply and submitting, the reader would be taken to a regular VB thread page.

It's probably not possible, but I'm just hoping that having the VB reply form right on the episode page will spur people to submitting the info. As I mentioned, they fill in these feedback forms all the time -- I'd just like to get them to start posting their comments on the forum, and I think it's that extra clicking that seems to intimidate 'em. If I don't grab my readers the second they finish the episode, they dissipate like salt thrown into the sea.

Does that make any more sense? Probably this would be only useful for me, in which case most likely no one would be interested in creating the hack. But just in case, I'm tossing the idea it out here and crossing my fingers!

Thanks again, Logician.

[Logician]

Do you publish your episodes in vbulletin threads (as thread's first message) or in another non-vb page?

If you publish them in vbulletin threads then message quick reply hack already does what you want: Users are able to send feedback without having to click a button. Just write your thought in a box and click send and you're done...

So what you want seems like just hiding the thread's other replies. By using quick reply box hack and displaying only the thread's first message (ie your writing) you'll get what you want.

Or do you publish them in non-vb pages?

[kira]

They're in nonVB html pages, alas. I figured I could have what I want if I converted the site into VBportal or something similar, but I have (gulp) four years' worth of episodes, and the idea of reformatting all that stuff makes me weak in the knees.

I dunno, I could see this hack as having a practical use for article writers who'd like to have an easy way to invite comments on their work.

Assuming my hypothetical hack notion isn't possible, and I use your idea of posting just the last scene of the episode in a VB thread -- would there be any way to have a layout like this:

1. scene text (aka the first post)
2. Quick Reply box
3. replies (in a different format than the scene text)

The replies would need to look different (maybe in a smallfont size, as opposed to normalfont) so that they don't detract from the scene itself. Not as important but also desirable would be to have the Quick Reply box situated between the scene and the replies.

But ideally my hack will be possible. Call me a dreamer!

[Logician]

ok lets divide the context:

1- YOUR EPISODES ARE IN NON-VB PAGE:

Are you ready to edit your HTML code and insert/update thread id number for all episodes you created or you will create? Your HTML code would require thread id so as to relate replies with a certain thread.

2- EPISODES ARE VB's FIRST MESSAGE:

It seems that having thread's first message different and captivating would do the trick for you. But first decide about the system you want.

[kira]

1. LOL! I feel like I'm in a Mission Impossible episode.
Yes, I'm definitely ready for that challenge!

2. If above doesn't work, I do agree that having the thread's first message will be a good workaround.

I really appreciate your help, Logician. Thanks for your patience!

[Logician]

ok then, quick reply's HTML should do the trick for you. Insert this code into all your non-vb relevant pages where your episodes reside:

-- cut --
<form enctype="multipart/form-data" action="newreply.php" name="vbform" method="post" onSubmit="return validate(this)">
<input type="hidden" name="s" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="action" value="postreply">
<input type="hidden" name="threadid" value="37446">
<input type="hidden" name="title" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="iconid" value="0">
<input type="hidden" name="parseurl" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="email" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="disablesmilies" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="signature" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="closethread" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="hiddenreply" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="signature" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="rating" value="0">

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" bgcolor="#555576" width="100%" align="center"><tr><td>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" border="0" width="100%">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#8080A6" colspan="2"><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" color="#EEEEFF" class="thtcolor"><b>Post Reply</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF" valign="top" nowrap><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" ><b>Your Reply:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<tr valign="top">
<td><textarea name="message" rows="7" cols="70" wrap="virtual" tabindex="1"></textarea><br>
<font face="verdana,arial,helvetica" size="1" ></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td></tr></table>

<br>

<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
<td align="center"><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" >
<input type="submit" class="bginput" name="submit" value="Submit Reply" accesskey="s" tabindex="2">
</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

</form>
-- cut --

Edit the line:
<form enctype="multipart/form-data" action="newreply.php" name="vbform" method="post" onSubmit="return validate(this)">

and enter newreply.php's URL like:
<form enctype="multipart/form-data" action="myboard/newreply.php" name="vbform" method="post" onSubmit="return validate(this)">

Edit the line:
<input type="hidden" name="threadid" value="37446">
in all pages and insert the relevant threadid number here.

I've written this in a hurry so could not test it. Holler if it does not work

Regards,
Logician

[kira]

Um, you. are. GODlike.

Holy moly, I never thought I'd be able to get a response so quickly, much less a solution!

Yes, it did indeed work! I tried it in AOL at first and received a javascript error (but it worked anyway); in IE 5.5 it went through without a glitch.

I have two final (I hope) questions, if you don't mind my pushing you.

First Question: I logged out from my forums and returned to the episode page (going "undercover" as an unregistered or unlogged-in reader). The form was exactly the same -- the simple "Post Reply" textfield, with no name/password fields. Now, this may be how this version of the Quick Reply box works; I use the older version (I don't remember whose, I think it was someone with a Slavic name) that automatically provides fields for the username and password when someone isn't logged in.

I was able to post anyway (which is good) but of course the response was listed under the name "Unregistered."

I'd like to provide the usual login field so unregistered people can leave their names too (erasing the automatic "Unregistered" that appears for them). Is it possible to hardcode this, or to provide it for people who aren't cookied/registered?

I can live with having those "Unregistered" posts (I can always instruct people to include their names in the body of the post) but if you can figure out a way for me to provide a name field, I'd be thrilled.

Second Question: also, just for my own curiosity (and in case I'd like to test out the feasibility of your earlier suggestion) ... would it be possible to create the second scenario you mentioned -- posting a scene as a VB thread in which the first post is formatted differently from the rest?
------------------------

Sorry for the extra questions. I am so very, very grateful for your coming to the rescue! If you need any kind of design or copy editing, I'm your girl.

[Logician]

Originally posted by kira
I'd like to provide the usual login field so unregistered people can leave their names too (erasing the automatic "Unregistered" that appears for them). Is it possible to hardcode this, or to provide it for people who aren't cookied/registered?

Registered users (ones who are cookied) will still be able to post with their user names.

For unregistered guests I can provide you another solution, try this:

First replace your HTML code with that:
-- cut --
<form enctype="multipart/form-data" action="newreply.php" name="vbform" method="post">
<input type="hidden" name="s" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="action" value="postreply">
<input type="hidden" name="threadid" value="37446">
<input type="hidden" name="title" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="iconid" value="0">
<input type="hidden" name="parseurl" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="email" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="disablesmilies" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="signature" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="closethread" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="hiddenreply" value="">
<input type="hidden" name="signature" value="yes">
<input type="hidden" name="rating" value="0">

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" bgcolor="#555576" width="100%" align="center"><tr><td>
<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" border="0" width="100%">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#8080A6" colspan="2"><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" color="#EEEEFF" class="thtcolor"><b>Post
Reply</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF" valign="top" nowrap><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" ><b>Your
Reply:</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<textarea name="message" rows="7" cols="70" wrap="virtual" tabindex="1"></textarea>
<br>
<font face="verdana,arial,helvetica" size="1" ></font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF" valign="top" nowrap><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" ><b>Your
Name (*):</b></font></td>
<td bgcolor="#DFDFDF">
<input type="text" name="guestname" maxlength="20" size="20">
<br>
<font size="-2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">*Leave this field
blank, if you are a registered user..</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
</td></tr></table>

<br>

<table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
<td align="center"><font face="verdana, arial, helvetica" size="2" >
<input type="submit" class="bginput" name="submit" value="Submit Reply" accesskey="s" tabindex="2">
</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

</form>
-- cut --

Now edit the file "newreply.php". Find this line:
-- cut --
$postusername = htmlspecialchars($username);
}
} else {
$postusername = $bbuserinfo['username'];
-- cut --

AFTER THAT LINE, add:
-- cut --
if ($guestname) {$postusername=substr(strip_tags($guestname),0,20) ;}
else
{$postusername="A Kira Fan";}
-- cut --

This will add the guest's entry as poster name unless she is a registered user! If she is already registered (and loged in!), her registered name will be the poster name regardless of what she entered in the name field. If she is neither registered nor entered her name, her name would be replaced with "A Kira Fan".

I guess this is exactly what you want..

Second Question: also, just for my own curiosity (and in case I'd like to test out the feasibility of your earlier suggestion) ... would it be possible to create the second scenario you mentioned -- posting a scene as a VB thread in which the first post is formatted differently from the rest?
------------------------

Well possible but requires some time to think and code.. This is why I asked which one you prefer in the first place LOL..

I am so very, very grateful for your coming to the rescue! If you need any kind of design or copy editing, I'm your girl.

Never mind.. I like helping people especially if they are asking very kindly