vBadvanced Links Directory Readme File

F.A.Q.

vBadvanced Links Directory

Introduction

vBadvanced Links Directory is an advanced links directory which is built around, and completely integrated with vBulletin. It includes more features and flexibility than any other links directory built around vBulletin to date, and allows you to quickly set up and easily maintain your links directory. It allows unlimited categories, subcategories, and links. Also includes many other options such as user favorites, subscriptions, comments, ratings, and much more!

Features:

Fully integrated with vBulletin.
Unlimited categories & sub-categories.
Unlimited links.
What's New & What's Popular sections.
Allow users to comment on links.
Allow users to rate links.
User Favorites.
User Subscriptions.
Add your own custom fields.
Advanced searching features.
Sticky links.
Shows the number of replies and links per category.
Shows the number of hits, posts, last person to reply to links, and etc for each link.
Advanced sorting options in each category.
Allow users to send links to their friends.
Allow users to report broken/problematic links.
Private directories.
Set permissions based on usergroups.
Completely template based so it is very easy to change the look and feel.
Moderate links before they will appear per usergroup.
Ability to choose moderators to moderate each category.
Easily find and remove or suspend broken links.
Easily find and remove/suspend duplicate links.
Allow users to send links to their friends.
Allow users to report broken/problematic links.
Private directories.
Options to mass delete/suspend links.
Optimized to handle thousands and thousands of links without a performance hit.
Installer that will install all of the templates, phrases, and all database modifications.
And MUCH more!

This script is NOT to be re-distributed in any way or placed on a web site for download.

All copyright notes in the script itself must remain unchanged unless you have purchased a Branding Free license.

Help & Support

Before asking for support Please read the F.A.Q above!
If you have any problems or questions that are not covered in the F.A.Q. please post them at vbadvanced.com in the appropriate forum. We will be more than happy to help in any way we can if the request for help is made there. Anyone trying to contact a staff member via e-mail, private message, or any other means will be ignored.

Installation Instructions

Step 1 - File Modifications

In your /links/links_config.php.new file that came with this script:

Open this file and find:
$forumpath = '';

Add the full path to your forum on your server between the '' marks here.
Save the file as links_config.php (removing the '.new' part from the end).

Not sure how to find the path to your forums?

Step 2 - Optional File Modifications

The modifications in this section are strictly optional. They simply add a little more convience and organization, but it is up to you if you would like to add them.

This modification will add a new group to your Style Manager for your new vBadvanced Links Directory templates. Otherwise they will be displayed with your custom templates.

In your /forum/includes/adminfunctions_template.php file:

Find:

	'aaa' => 'AAA Old Backup'

Above that Add:

	'adv_links' => $vbphrase['group_adv_links'],

This modification will add your vBa Links Directory moderator options to your regular vBulletin Moderator CP. If this change is not made then you will be able to access a separate control panel for the links directory by clicking on the 'Mod CP' link in the footer of your links directory pages.

In your /forum/modcp/index.php:

Find:

	if ($canmass)
	{
		construct_nav_group($vbphrase['thread']);
		construct_nav_spacer();
	}

Below that Add:

	construct_nav_option($vbphrase['validate_new_links'], 'links.php?do=validate');
	construct_nav_option($vbphrase['validate_new_posts'], 'links.php?do=validateposts');
	construct_nav_group($vbphrase['links']);
	construct_nav_spacer();

Step 3 - Upload Files

Upload the new vBadvanced files and your modified vBulletin files (if applicable) to the directories listed below.

root/forums/admincp - vbalinks_install.php, vba_links_admin.php, index.php

root/forums/cpstyles - vba_cp_logo.gif

root/forums/includes - adminfunctions_template.php, adminfunctions_links.php, functions_links.php

root/forums/includes/cron - links_search.php, links_subscriptions.php

root/forums/includes/xml - cpnav_vbacmps.xml

root/forums/modcp - index.php, vba_links.php

root/links/ - Upload this folder and all of it's contents into your root directory

Step 3 - Run the Install Script

Now you're almost done! It's time to add the vBadvanced settings and templates. Run the install script from your browser by going to http://yoursite.com/forum/admincp/vbalinks_install.php.

This script will make all necessary changes to your database and install the templates, phrases, settings, and etc for you. Once the script is done go to your Admin CP and you will see a new group of options called "vBa Links Directory" in the left frame. That is where you will modify the settings and set up your new links directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not sure how to find the path to my forums.

I get an error like this when I first try to install the script:

Warning: chdir() [function.chdir]: No such file or directory (errno 2) in /home/yoursite/html/links/links_global.php on line 15

The path to your forums directory is set incorrectly. Create a file called info.php with the following content:

<? phpinfo(); ?>

Then upload that file into your forums directory on your server and go to the file in your browser. You will see a list of options that were set by your host. One of them is called:

_SERVER["PATH_TRANSLATED"]

Find that, copy that path, and paste it over what you currently have for your path in the links_config.php file. Re-upload your links_config.php file.

Q.	Now that I've installed this script I'm having problems logging in or out of my forum.
A.	Try clearing your cookies. If you're still having problems afterwards, edit your 'Cookie Domain' setting (Under Cookies and HTTP Header Options in your vBulletin options section) and change that to ".yoursite.com" (note the two dots!). Also make sure that the 'Path to Save Cookies' setting right above is set to '/'.

Some of my images are broken on my vBadvanced pages.

If it is your smilies and/or icons that are broken, upload the install file to your /forum/admincp directory and go to the file in your browser. Once there, you will see a link that says 'Click here to update your image paths'. Click that link and it will attempt to update your image paths. If it cannot, you will need to change the URL to each of your smilies and icons through the Admin CP.

If your buttons and other images are broken, follow the instructions here.

Q.	I've just upgraded my vBulletin and now my page appears to be broken!
A.	Upload the install file to your admincp directory and go to it in your browser. Once there, select the option to install only the templates.

Upgrading

1). If you have not already, first upgrade to vBulletin v3.5.
2). Upload the new vBadvanced Links Directory files in this package over your existing ones.
3). Go to the install file in your browser by going to http://yoursite.com/forum/admincp/vblinks_install.php. Once there, select the option to upgrade.