[Module] Customizable RSS feed module

[Tom M]

Great module, Tom. Thank you. :)

Unfortunately, when I first began adding modules, I selected "Update All Pages" for the first 5 or so. Is there a way to undo that? I'd like to remove their options from the "edit page" interface of the pages I don't want them on.

I can un-tick those modules so their feeds only show to users on the pages I want them to, but even so, having them on each page's edit interface is bulky.

Also, the header names of the modules' sections in the edit page interface don't correctly match the urls to their RSS feeds. e.g., under the "Fox Sports" module, the RSS link shows http://sports.yahoo.com/top/rss.xml I have no idea how or why that happens, but editing doesn't seem to help.

I just started deleting the modules, thinking I could start from scratch, but is that the best way to resolve this?

Thanks!

The "Update All Pages" is part of vBa and has nothing specific to do with the module. It is, however, a pain if one accidentally selects this and has a lot of pages they don't want the module on. Unfortutnately there is no global 'undo' option.

I might be able to answer the other part if you can provide me a link. Other than that, the module title is provided by the feed due to the way the template is set up. If you want it to be just the module title then edit the adv_portal_rss template to be the same as the normal shell template for that bit.

[Pepper7]

The "Update All Pages" is part of vBa and has nothing specific to do with the module. It is, however, a pain if one accidentally selects this and has a lot of pages they don't want the module on. Unfortutnately there is no global 'undo' option.

OK, thanks. :) I just went ahead and deleted all of them and am starting over. All looks fine, so far.

I might be able to answer the other part if you can provide me a link. Other than that, the module title is provided by the feed due to the way the template is set up. If you want it to be just the module title then edit the adv_portal_rss template to be the same as the normal shell template for that bit.
The module titles were showing fine on the pages the users see, and when I went to the "edit module" interface, the header/title correctly matched the url to the feed.

It was only when I went to the "edit page" interface that the title of the module in the header didn't match the url field.

I just added a Google feed module, and it is showing correctly, as you can see in the attached image. But before I wiped all the feed modules and started over, many were off. e.g., it might say "Google Top News Options" in the header, but the RSS Feed URL field would contain the url to Yahoo Sports. ;)

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[Tom M]

The module titles were showing fine on the pages the users see, and when I went to the "edit module" interface, the header/title correctly matched the url to the feed.

It was only when I went to the "edit page" interface that the title of the module in the header didn't match the url field.

I just added a Google feed module, and it is showing correctly, as you can see in the attached image. But before I wiped all the feed modules and started over, many were off. e.g., it might say "Google Top News Options" in the header, but the RSS Feed URL field would contain the url to Yahoo Sports. ;)Since the "Use Default" box isn't checked it's my guess it was either changed manually at some time or it was that value on the Edit Module page when the Use Default box was unchecked.

If it's working for you now though that's what counts ;)

[Pepper7]

Well, I added a Google sports module, telling it also not to add itself to each page. But it looks like both it and the Google News one did so, anyway.

Not only do they both show on the "edit page" interface of the main page (which was created before I created the sports module) but both appear in the "edit page" options of each new page I create.



FWIW, I'm using vBulletin 3.6.5 and vBa v2.2.1.

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[Tom M]

Well, I added a Google sports module, telling it also not to add itself to each page. But it looks like both it and the Google News one did so, anyway.

Not only do they both show on the "edit page" interface of the main page (which was created before I created the sports module) but both appear in the "edit page" options of each new page I create.



FWIW, I'm using vBulletin 3.6.5 and vBa v2.2.1.The modules will ALWAYS appear on each page. However they will only DISPLAY if they are marked as Active on the Edit Module page checked off to do so on the Edit Pages page.

[Pepper7]

The modules will ALWAYS appear on each page. However they will only DISPLAY if they are marked as Active on the Edit Module page checked off to do so on the Edit Pages page.

Oh well, then everything looks perfect, now!

Thank you, Tom. :) Great module and support. Paypal coming soon. ;)

[8kobe]

I have an issue with this. I installed it, had it working fine and dandy, went into the admin and was going to change Data qualification code and Data modification code. I made a couple tries at it, and it didn't seem to do anything. Now I tried removing it, and it removed the info from the boxes in the admin. 1 problem though, it doesn't show up at all on the user side. Where can I find the data qualification and modification code and where can I change it

[Tom M]

I have an issue with this. I installed it, had it working fine and dandy, went into the admin and was going to change Data qualification code and Data modification code. I made a couple tries at it, and it didn't seem to do anything. Now I tried removing it, and it removed the info from the boxes in the admin. 1 problem though, it doesn't show up at all on the user side. Where can I find the data qualification and modification code and where can I change it
The Data qualification/modification code only exists in the boxes so if you deleted it it should be gone. You might make sure that the boxes are cleared on the definitions for the page as well as in the module though.

Any other things that you changed? Styles? Permissions?

A link would be helpful too ;)

[Joe Blow]

Turns out that this behavior is a bug in IE. There are several "solutions" and they all have pros & cons. Here's a page (http://www.noscope.com/journal/2004/02/horizontal_scrollbar_bug) that descibes what they are so that you may choose which you'd like to implement.

Tom,

Firstly, let me say that this is a great little add-on and I have added it to my site.

I have also encountered the problem in IE where you get the horizontal scrollbar and I have eliminated it by using this code:

<div style="width: 100%; height: $mod_options[portal_rss_scrollheight]px; overflow-y: auto; overflow-x: hidden;">

But also find that a small amount of text is now not visible on the right hand side of the module. How do I go about fixing this so it looks fine in both Firefox and IE?

Appreciate any help! :)

[Tom M]

But also find that a small amount of text is now not visible on the right hand side of the module. How do I go about fixing this so it looks fine in both Firefox and IE?

Appreciate any help! :)

Sadly, I came to the conclusion that it's not really possible to satisfy both browsers and have things look "right" w/o adding a bunch of code that I didn't really want to support :rolleyes:

I believe the page I referenced still has possible solutions if you are willing to do the work.

[Joe Blow]

Sadly, I came to the conclusion that it's not really possible to satisfy both browsers and have things look "right" w/o adding a bunch of code that I didn't really want to support :rolleyes:

I believe the page I referenced still has possible solutions if you are willing to do the work.

Okay thanks Tom.

I will have a look and see what I can do.

[Joe Blow]

Tom, just noticed another issue with Internet Explorer.

Whenever I click on one of the navbar drop down menus such as 'Quick Links' for some reason the content of the module drops down an equivalent amount.

Has anyone else noticed this?

[Tom M]

Tom, just noticed another issue with Internet Explorer.

Whenever I click on one of the navbar drop down menus such as 'Quick Links' for some reason the content of the module drops down an equivalent amount.

Has anyone else noticed this?I don't have a problem with that.

Do you use a custom style? Does it work/fail with the default vb style?

Do you have scrolling turned on?

How about a link?

[Joe Blow]

I don't have a problem with that.

Do you use a custom style? Does it work/fail with the default vb style?

Do you have scrolling turned on?

How about a link?

Tom take a look here and let me know if its working for you.

http://www.aussiestockforums.com/?

Thanks!

[Tom M]

Tom take a look here and let me know if its working for you.

http://www.aussiestockforums.com/?

Thanks!Nope. Apparently it's now busted in IE when using the scrolling feature. All I can suggest is playing with the window size a bit.

Sorry.

[b6gm6n]

I need a little advice for a mystery...

every thing works.... BUT i cannot update the feed...it does update... but i have to do it manually... the module pulls a feed from my photopost gallery (latest images) all is working, no errors and it works...

But the feed stays stuck at the last update i made...
regardless of other uploading images i cannot get this to run...
Here's what i have checked and tried...

Check dirs and chmod perms, cache dir is good and writable... setup of module is also ok..., i have an a file which creates the feed 'rss.php' once run i can choose 3 options of rss type... i click and the feed shows...I refresh my vBa front page and up comes the latest images... so, i thought about a cron via vB to run that /gallery/rss.php file... (didn't work) ok, so via cpanel i make a cron for 'http://www.mysite.comg/gallery/rss.php?type=rss2'... no errors, but no update also... file perms set to 777

so there you have it... i haven't got a bloody clue why this isn't updating, i suspect the vBa module is sound and I'm sure the photopost rss feeder is good... it's just making them both work together automagically...

any clues?.. as i say my crons fail to run the buggers... don't know why... i just manually went to my feed creator and it worked... but do i have to do this all the time from now on? please advise me, cheers

EDIT - might be "wget" which is the key, heres a crontab...

/usr/bin/wget -q http://www.mysite.com/gallery/rss.php?type=rss2

(might work...need to check later)

[Tom M]

The way the module is designed to work it accesses the feed url directly. What do you have as the url used by the module?

Please provide a link (PM me if you don't want it publicly known) so I can see what's going on.

If you delete the cache file and rerun the module does the feed get updated?

[rickyreter]

Please can some kind person install this for me..FRREEEEE please

:)

[rickyreter]

I GOT 3.6.5 is it working for that version?

[Tom M]

I GOT 3.6.5 is it working for that version?Yup, no problem as far as I know.

[ttnb]

Has anyone tried this with the latest VBA and Vbulletin?

[TheProphet]

I did,

The hack installs fine, but the module isnt showing up @ all.

Im waiting for an update of this great hack.

Specs:

vBulletin 3.6.7 PL1
Latest vBA

[ttnb]

Hehehe the same here. After I upgraded my VBA and Vbulletin the module disappeared!

[Tom M]

Hehehe the same here. After I upgraded my VBA and Vbulletin the module disappeared!Check to make sake sure that Clean File Output hasn't been set during the upgrade process.

[TheProphet]

Check to make sake sure that Clean File Output hasn't been set during the upgrade process.

I installed it on a fresh site...

[Tom M]

I installed it on a fresh site...There are a couple of options in 3.0 that can cause no output. One is the Clean File Output and the other is a new on dealing with php files - not sure what it's called.

If you've never had the module running before then check all the 'normal' things like making sure the cache file is getting built, they templates are in the style you are using, etc.

Providing a link is always a good thing so I can see if there's anything obvious ;)

[ttnb]

I knew the reason why it stop working. We have to turn off the "Process PHP File Modules Within A Function" function of VBA.

[TheProphet]

I knew the reason why it stop working. We have to turn off the "Process PHP File Modules Within A Function" function of VBA.

I had no luck with that option.... it's still not showing up...

[Tom M]

I had no luck with that option.... it's still not showing up...Make sure Clean File Output is set to 'No' as well.

[protoss]

After the recent upgrades, this fantastic MOD is running fine on vBA 3.0 and vB 3.6.7 PL1

Use Module Wrapper Template = NO

[webmonkie]

Update : Sorry, Fixed the issue myself

I have just installed this on my forum that is running the latest version of VB and it will not display at all

I have followed this thread and tried all options but it still will not display the module, it is like it doesnt exsist

[Tom M]

Update : Sorry, Fixed the issue myself

I have just installed this on my forum that is running the latest version of VB and it will not display at all

I have followed this thread and tried all options but it still will not display the module, it is like it doesnt exsistGreat! Can you also post what you did to fix it so others in your original situation can see what they might do?

Thanks.

[Elenna]

Awesome module, thanks so much!

Is there any way to truncate the Description to the first x number of characters, instead of what the feed has as its Description? The feed I'm using is quite wordy with its description, and is making for some very long (and distracting) feeds! Would like it to act like truncated forum subjects, with "..." if it is truncated.

Add: Also maybe an option to truncate the title as well, to the first 25 characters, before putting in "..." or something?

[Tom M]

Awesome module, thanks so much!

Is there any way to truncate the Description to the first x number of characters, instead of what the feed has as its Description? The feed I'm using is quite wordy with its description, and is making for some very long (and distracting) feeds! Would like it to act like truncated forum subjects, with "..." if it is truncated.

Add: Also maybe an option to truncate the title as well, to the first 25 characters, before putting in "..." or something?
The following should work and will truncate the description to be no more than 200 characters before displaying a '... Read More' link. Copy this and place it in the Data modification code section. If you want more or fewer characters just change the '200' to be whatever you want.

$rss_item['DESCRIPTION'] = substr($rss_item['DESCRIPTION'], 0, strrpos(substr($rss_item['DESCRIPTION'], 0, 200), ' ')) . '... <span class="smallfont">[<a href="' . $rss_item['LINK'] . '" target="_blank">Read More</a>]</span>';

[Elenna]

Works like a charm, thanks very much!!

[cdc oner]

Hi guys,
I myself am experiencing the ghost rss module on VB 3.6.7PL1 AND VBA 3.0 RC1. At the moment I've done all that has been mentioned above includling:

Use Module Wrapper Template = NO
Clean File Output = NO
Process PHP File Modules with a Function = NO

all of these settings were already set like this

Has anyone else got any other options that have worked for them? I'm looking in webmonkie's direction.;)

[Tom M]

Hi guys,
I myself am experiencing the ghost rss module on VB 3.6.7PL1 AND VBA 3.0 RC1. At the moment I've done all that has been mentioned above includling:

Use Module Wrapper Template = NO
Clean File Output = NO
Process PHP File Modules with a Function = NO

all of these settings were already set like this

Has anyone else got any other options that have worked for them? I'm looking in webmonkie's direction.;)
Is this an upgrade or a new install?

Are you using a custom style? ( this is why a link is always helpful ;) )

Does the cache file get built?

[cdc oner]

Is this an upgrade or a new install? It's a new install.

Are you using a custom style? ( this is why a link is always helpful )Yes I am using a custom style. Would this be impeding the feed?

Does the cache file get built?Yes, the cache file does get built.

[Tom M]

Are you using a custom style? ( this is why a link is always helpful )Yes I am using a custom style. Would this be impeding the feed?Check to make sure the templates that are used by the module are actually available in the style you are using. If they aren't defined then the module won't display even though the cache file gets built. If they're not defined in the style you are using just copy them from the default style (or wherever you installed them) to the style you are using.

[cdc oner]

Haha success! Thanks for all the help Tom. ;)

[Lizard King]

I double checked everything , I have the templates installed
All following 3 options are disabled :
Use Module Wrapper Template = NO
Clean File Output = NO
Process PHP File Modules with a Function = NO
checked the cache file and it is where it supposed to be.

Data Qualification Code
$rss_item['DESCRIPTION'] = substr($rss_item['DESCRIPTION'], 0, strrpos(substr($rss_item['DESCRIPTION'], 0, 300), ' ')) . '... <span class="smallfont">[<a href="' . $rss_item['LINK'] . '" target="_blank">Devamı</a>]</span>';

Data modification code
$rss_item['TITLE'] = iconv("UTF-8", "ISO-8859-9", $rss_item['TITLE']);
$rss_item['CATEGORY'] = iconv("UTF-8", "ISO-8859-9",$rss_item['CATEGORY']);
$rss_item['DESCRIPTION'] = iconv("UTF-8", "ISO-8859-9",$rss_item['DESCRIPTION']);
$rss_channel['TITLE'] = iconv("UTF-8", "ISO-8859-9",$rss_channel['TITLE']);
$rss_channel['LINK'] = iconv("UTF-8", "ISO-8859-9",$rss_channel['LINK']);

The link is : http://www.ayyas.com

Is there anything i am missing ?

[Tom M]

Is there anything i am missing ?What's the feed url?

Also, is the cache file being built?

[Lizard King]

What's the feed url?

Also, is the cache file being built?
Yep the cache file is built and i checked the content of the cache file and it looks good.
The feed url is http://www.ayyas.com/blogs/syndication.php?format=rss2

[Tom M]

Yep the cache file is built and i checked the content of the cache file and it looks good.
The feed url is http://www.ayyas.com/blogs/syndication.php?format=rss2
I tested it on my site and things show up fine. That means it's got to either be one of the common things such as templates missing or the module is not set to display.

Does it work with the default vb style?

Doh! I just realized what it probably is... You have stuff in the Data Qualification section and that should return a boolean true/false. If it doesn't evaluate to true then data won't display. If what you are trying to do is truncate the title just move that to the data modification section.

[Lizard King]

I tested it on my site and things show up fine. That means it's got to either be one of the common things such as templates missing or the module is not set to display.

Does it work with the default vb style?

Doh! I just realized what it probably is... You have stuff in the Data Qualification section and that should return a boolean true/false. If it doesn't evaluate to true then data won't display. If what you are trying to do is truncate the title just move that to the data modification section.
That did the trick. I know i was missing something pretty easy. Thanks Tom , perfect module..

[K D Umbaugh]

This could be a cool feature, if I could understand what the H*** you are talking about.

Running Vista, you can add gadgets to your screen, I was thinking this would be cool to run feeds from my site, but I'm lost or maybe just not ready to work on another module. :mad:

[Tom M]

This could be a cool feature, if I could understand what the H*** you are talking about.

Running Vista, you can add gadgets to your screen, I was thinking this would be cool to run feeds from my site, but I'm lost or maybe just not ready to work on another module. :mad:This has nothing to do with Vista as such but is, instead, a module for vBa. It also doesn't generate the feeds, just displays existing feeds which *could* come from your site or any other site.

[1996 328ti]

I just realized this isn't working on my board since upgrading to 3.0 RC1.
forum.nccbmwcca.org should have my classifieds feed below recent threads.

[Tom M]

I just realized this isn't working on my board since upgrading to 3.0 RC1.
forum.nccbmwcca.org should have my classifieds feed below recent threads.
Make sure you have the following set...
Use Module Wrapper Template -> No
Clean File Output -> No
Process PHP File Modules with a Function -> No

[1996 328ti]

Make sure you have the following set...

Process PHP File Modules with a Function -> No
Where do I find that?