[Module] vBa Blog

[Tom M]

What it does
This module provides a blog like interface for vBa CMPS. It is intended for users that need a light usage interface where users may leave comments and you prefer to mask the fact that they are doing so via forum software. User input is accepted via a form in a separate window and any feedback needed such as error messages or information regarding the submission also appears in the same window. This module is not intended to act as a full blogging system.

Installation
The module is installed using the normal vBa installation mechanism. However there are a couple of additional steps that are necessary.

1. Install the phrases that are used by the module using vbulletin's product manager. This is done by installing the included xml file using ACP -> Plugin system -> Manage Products -> Add/Import Product and pointing to the location where you saved the attached file. Once installed the phrases may be changed to suit your particular needs.

2. Copy the blog.php file to the directory where your forum files are located. This will often be the directory above the one the modules are stored in. You may also use a symbolic link to access the file if you know how to to that. Otherwise, a copy of the file works just fine.

3. When setting up the module be sure to add bbcode_quote to the list of Templates Used. It's not included automatically via the module file as doing so produces an error message.

The module makes use of the vb forum permissions, including moderation, to make sure users have the correct level of permissions to create/view/reply to entries. If the user is not able to see the forum then the module will not show on the vBa page. The Forum used as the blog may be "hidden" by setting Forum is Active to No. However make sure that Forum is Open is set to Yes.

Options
Once installed, set up the module specific options. Here are the various options and their meanings

Blog Forum
Here you may select the forum which serves as your blog. The individual threads in the forum act as blog entries and the posts after the first post act as the comments. No more than one forum should be selected. If you prefer your users not be able to see the forum when using the normal vb interfaces then set the permissions using the Forum Manager so that Forum is Active is set to 'No' but leave Forum is Open set to 'Yes'. I also suggest that Index New Posts in Search Engine should be set to 'No'.

Maximum Number of Blog Entries to Display
The maximum number of blog entries to display within the module. Set this option to 0 to show all. The default value is 5.

Maximum Number of Comments per Entry to Display
The maximum number of comments to display for each Blog entry. Set this option to 0 to show all. If this number is greater than 0 then when the number of blog entries exceeds this value the number shown with "view comments" will reflect both numbers. That is, if there are 8 actual entries but this value is set to 5 then the number will be shown as (5 of 8) if View comments is to to Yes. The default value is 5.

Date & Time Format
The format in which the date and time will presented in your blog posts. Leave this blank if you do not wish to display the date/time an entry was made.

View Comments
Allows users the ability to view comments.

Post Comments
Allows users with sufficient permissions to post new comments.

Create Entries
Allows users with sufficient permissions to create new entries.

Require Title for Each Entry
If set to 'Yes', requires a title be entered for each blog entry made, not just the main blog entry.

Allow Users to Enter Names
If set to 'Yes', allows users that aren't currently logged in to enter a User Name. This option should be used with caution as users might try to spoof Registered users by using names that are similar. A check is made to ensure that an exact name match to a currently registered user is not possible.

Default User ID
This option is only used if the Allow Users to Enter Names is set to 'No'. The value to be specified is the userid that has been established for posting. If set to '0' then the name defined in the vb phrase 'blog_guest' will be used. Note: if Allow Users to Enter Names is set to 'Yes', and this value is set a valid userid then the individual trying to post will receive an error telling them the name is not available.

Release History
Version 1.0 - 11-May-2006
Version 1.1 - 11-May-2006
Minor correction dealing with names when creating posts/threads.

FAQ
Q. I installed things but the text seems to be missing.
A. It's necessary to also install the product-cmps_blog.xml file using the vb Product Manager.

Q. I get a 404 - Not Found error
A. It is necssary to place a copy of the blog.php file located in the modules directory in your forum directory as well.

Q. I installed it but nothing appears.
A. This can be caused by multiple things

1. Is the module marked 'Active' and is it checked off on the page it should be displayed?
2. Are there any posts in the forum that is acting as the Blog (the first entry needs to be entered manually as a normal vb posting)?

Q. The window that opens is the wrong size or has scrollbars.
A. You may adjust the window height by modifying the adv_portal_blog template. The default window heights are 440 pixels and 415 pixels depending on whether or not unregistered users are allowed to enter their own names. Change the sizes to whatever you prefer but remember that the window may look different in different browsers and in different styles.


If you like this module and would like to make a donation you can do so via PayPal using this button.

[KW802]

Demo?

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by KW802

Demo?

Well, OK.

I've set up this page on my main board that is open for checking things out.

[KW802]

Looking good!

[jaygreentree]

I like it very much. This could also be used as a "guestbook" couldn't it?

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by jaygreentree

I like it very much. This could also be used as a "guestbook" couldn't it?

Probably so. Just configure it so users can only reply to the 1st entry and you'd be pretty good to go. Alternatively, make it so users can only create new postings and not reply to existing entries. the 2nd method would probably be closer to a guestbook as all the entries would show.

BTW - It's also written so that it's possible to have more than 1 copy of the module on a page or on a page that's different than the main cmps page.

[Frikiluma]

i was talkin to u .. in the other thread... can .. users have a personal blog there ?? or its just a comunitary blog ??

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by Frikiluma

i was talkin to u .. in the other thread... can .. users have a personal blog there ?? or its just a comunitary blog ??

If you have a small community then you could probably support multiple users. The thing is that each blog requires a forum of its own and while that's not a problem for vbulletin it could be a headache from an administration standpoint.

[Frikiluma]

Originally Posted by Tom M

If you have a small community then you could probably support multiple users. The thing is that each blog requires a forum of its own and while that's not a problem for vbulletin it could be a headache from an administration standpoint.

you mean that, any user that wants a blog have to request it, via pm or how ever, and then an admin must add it as a new page ?? :s... is't there a way to generate de php files automatichly .. or something ?? ... u_u

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by Frikiluma

you mean that, any user that wants a blog have to request it, via pm or how ever, and then an admin must add it as a new page ?? :s... is't there a way to generate de php files automatichly .. or something ?? ... u_u

To the first part, sort of. Users would need to request a "blog" be created. This means that the admin would need to create the necessary forum for the user and set it all up. As implemented, the users don't have direct control over how things operate although I guess they could each be a forum moderator for thier own blog. However I'm not sure I'd suggest that as a way of normaly running things.

For the second part, multiple blogs could appear on each page or individual pages could be set up. I don't know if there's a way to automate that part or not.

[DaleBrown]

I'm getting the page not found issue and the blog.php is in the forums and modules directories. See the test page here

http://www.thebluelodge.org/forums/?page=blog

Also for some reason the calendar which is supposed to be in the right column is at the bottom

[Tom M]

Not sure what's going on but the javascript that gets inserted isn't all there. Did you modify any of the templates? Specifically, the adv_portal_blogpopup one?

Are you running any sort of output compressor?

[DaleBrown]

I did not modify any templates but I am running VBSEO which compresses the output and I just tested it and that was the key. Dang anyway to have it compress the output without affecting the java code?

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by DaleBrown

I did not modify any templates but I am running VBSEO which compresses the output and I just tested it and that was the key. Dang anyway to have it compress the output without affecting the java code?

Not sure. I do run normal compression on my site w/o any problems but don't run with vbseo. Is there any way to tell it to ignore a section of template?

[Renada]

Originally Posted by Tom M

2. Copy the blog.php file to the directory where your forum files are located. This will often be the directory above the one the modules are stored in. You may also use a symbolic link to access the file if you know how to to that. Otherwise, a copy of the file works just fine.

Hi Tom,

Sorry if I'm being dense but where do I find the blog.php? It doesn't appear to be attached to your message.

Regards,
Renada

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by Renada

Hi Tom,

Sorry if I'm being dense but where do I find the blog.php? It doesn't appear to be attached to your message.

Regards,
Renada

After you install the module you will find the blog.php file in you modules directory. Simply copy it from there.

[Renada]

Originally Posted by Tom M

After you install the module you will find the blog.php file in you modules directory. Simply copy it from there.

Hi Tom,

Thanks that found the blog.php and I added a copy to my forums root directory but the blog module doesn't show up in vBA and the forum that I've allocated for blogs looks "normal" when you post in it.

Where do you think I've gone wrong?

Regards,
Renada

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by Renada

Hi Tom,

Thanks that found the blog.php and I added a copy to my forums root directory but the blog module doesn't show up in vBA and the forum that I've allocated for blogs looks "normal" when you post in it.

Where do you think I've gone wrong?

Regards,
Renada

From the FAQ...

Q. I installed it but nothing appears.
A. This can be caused by multiple things

1. Is the module marked 'Active' and is it checked off on the page it should be displayed?
2. Are there any posts in the forum that is acting as the Blog (the first entry needs to be entered manually as a normal vb posting)?

If the above doesn't help then provide a link and the info on the forum number and I'll take a look to see if I notice anything.

[Renada]

Originally Posted by Tom M

From the FAQ...

Q. I installed it but nothing appears.
A. This can be caused by multiple things

1. Is the module marked 'Active' and is it checked off on the page it should be displayed?
2. Are there any posts in the forum that is acting as the Blog (the first entry needs to be entered manually as a normal vb posting)?

If the above doesn't help then provide a link and the info on the forum number and I'll take a look to see if I notice anything.

Hi Tom,

Sorry, the first part was me having a senior moment - the module wasn't checked to display. I'm not sure about the display issue though - it looks just like a normal forum still.

http://thinkstop.com/community/board...splay.php?f=78

Thanks again,
Renada

[Tom M]

Originally Posted by Renada

Hi Tom,

Sorry, the first part was me having a senior moment - the module wasn't checked to display. I'm not sure about the display issue though - it looks just like a normal forum still.

http://thinkstop.com/community/board...splay.php?f=78

Thanks again,
Renada

If you've got things set to point to the correct forum and it's still not appearing on the vBa CMPS page then I'll be happy to take a look at things for you. More than likely it's something pretty simple (either wrong forum selected, not set to display on the page, etc.). If you'd like me to do that them PM me with the admin login info.

PS - The Forum used as the blog may be "hidden" by setting Forum is Active to No when creating it. However make sure that Forum is Open is set to Yes.