[RELEASE vB2.0] Custom Avatars as Files

[Kier]

Since there has been so much demand for this, I wrote a hack that will allow you to store all your custom avatars as files, rather than in the mySQL database.

http://kier.3dfrontier.com/vbhacks/avatarasfile.gif

Doing this will have the following benefits: Avatars folder can be protected by .htaccess (Apache only) to prevent bandwidth stealing
No SQL queries or PHP code required to display custom avatars - server load decreases
No cacheing issues with Internet Explorer 5.5, so server bandwidth use should decrease The install script will make the necessary modifications to your database, install a control panel option to switch the file-based avatars on, and convert your existing custom avatars from the database into files.

All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present, and users will not notice a difference in the interface.

Full instructions are available here (http://kier.3dfrontier.com/vbhacks/avatarasfile.php).

Please insure that you have thoroughly read the instructions (http://kier.3dfrontier.com/vbhacks/avatarasfile.php) before asking questions, as they are probably already answered there.

[Sharg]

Hi kier,
does your system allow admin to set max avatar size (lets say 80 x 80) and a weight (lets say 3ko) ?

This worked with mysql storing , will it work with your sysem ?

[Sharg]

Oh, and does it allow user to upload their files, switch from one avater to the other (and have the previous one replaced and eareased ) ?

[Sharg]

Kier, you know what ? :)
It would be GREAT to port this system to attached files to :)

[Kier]

Originally posted by Sharg
does your system allow admin to set max avatar size (lets say 80 x 80) and a weight (lets say 3kb) ?

Oh, and does it allow user to upload their files, switch from one avater to the other (and have the previous one replaced and eareased ) ? Yes, All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present

Originally posted by Sharg
Kier, you know what ? :)
It would be GREAT to port this system to attached files to :) I'm not really interested in doing this for attached files, partly for security reasons, and partly because storing attachments in the database does not have the same problems/disadvantages as the avatar system. The reason I have done this for avatars is mainly to solve a problem with IE's cache which causes avatars to be downloaded again for every page, leading to increased server load and bandwidth use.

[Sharg]

Yes, All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present

Ok, just wanted to make sure they worked with directory storing, as I thought these size and weight option were database storing specific.

Another question: do I need to set to 777 the directory storing the avatars ?

[Kier]

Originally posted by Sharg
Another question: do I need to set to 777 the directory storing the avatars ? Do the instructions say you have to? Have a read. http://kier.3dfrontier.com/vbhacks/avatarasfile.php

[Kier]

And I quote:

1) Firstly, you will need to create a new folder in your forums directory called custom_avatars and set the permissions on the folder to 777.

[Sharg]

Just a last question before I try to install it:

I'm not really interested in doing this for attached files, partly for security reasons,

What's the security concern that attachement files folder storing involve that isn't involved by avatar folder storing ?

[Kier]

Originally posted by Sharg
What's the security concern that attachement files folder storing involve that isn't involved by avatar folder storing ? Avatars are always stored as xxxx.gif. Attachments can be of any file type that the administrator decides to allow. If an administrator decided to let .php files be uploaded, and they were stored as files on the system, anyone could run a php script that could destroy the server.

It's a bad idea.

[Sharg]

Ok, got it, thanks Kier.
I didn't considered this cause I would only allow jpg,gif, txt and zip and would use it.

Anyway, good job with this hack. Gives the webmaster the final decision.

[Chris Schreiber]

Another wonderful hack, thanks Kier.... I already have it installed and working on Me2Be's forums.

Just one small typo, in the control panel options, it says "Store Custom Avatars in Database?", but this has to be set to "yes" to use files, "no" to use the database. It should say "Store Custom Avatars as Files?". But otherwise it works great!

Thanks :)

[Kier]

Fixed :)

If you have this problem and want to correct it, run this query:

UPDATE setting SET title='Store Custom Avatars as Files?' WHERE varname='usefileavatar'

[Kier]

I just discovered that two php files that require modifications were not mentioned in the original documentation... please revisit the docs and follow the steps to modify private.php and announcement.php if you installed this hack prior to the posting of this message. :)

[-saturn-]

Kier, you are great! :)

Are all avatars stored as GIFs? Even those uploaded as JPGs? I'm asking because you said "Avatars are always stored as xxxx.gif".

[GameGalaxy]

Can you please make a hack for avatars that mods and admins can use custom, but any other group can't?

Or make it to where by group you turn on/off custom setting.

Under each group add

Can use custom avatar Yes/No

If you do modify for a group you'd see where it would be nice to have that setting.

Thanks

[pestilence]

yet another fine hack well done kier btw when does your new website open to the general public ?

[tubedogg]

Originally posted by GameGalaxy
Can you please make a hack for avatars that mods and admins can use custom, but any other group can't?

You can already do this, in a round-about-sort-of-way. Just set Custom Avatars to No (in Options) then go into User > Find > username > Edit > change avatar and you can set a custom avatar even if it's disabled for the board at large.

[mrlister]

kool hack Kier

[PFunk]

Are all avatars stored as GIFs? Even those uploaded as JPGs? I'm asking because you said "Avatars are always stored as xxxx.gif".

Yes, even JPG file types. Rename a .jpg file to .gif and open it in your browser. It should display just fine.

[-saturn-]

They are just RENAMED to GIFs or are they converted to GIFs?

[PFunk]

They are just RENAMED to GIFs or are they converted to GIFs?

There is no "conversion" from one type to another. The data is stored as binary, and when "displayed" using avatar.php, it adds header("Content-type: image/gif"); so your browser will believe it's a gif file. The contents of your jpg are unchanged, just sent to the browser as image/gif so it can be displayed.

[Kier]

Originally posted by -saturn-
They are just RENAMED to GIFs or are they converted to GIFs? They are just renamed to GIF. This also happens (in a roundabout sort of way) with custom avatars stored in the database (they send a content header which describes their content to the browser as 'image/gif')

[PFunk]

problem with showthread.php, private.php, announcement.php, admin/functions.php logic.

If there exists a customavatar record for the poster, it works great. But if you deleted all the customavatar table records, there's a problem.

if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
if ($usefileavatar) $avatarurl="custom_avatars/avatar$post[userid]_$post[avatarrevision].gif";
else $avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]";

hascustomavatar is false because customavatar.avatardata is null, therefore, it can never check to see if $usefileavatar is true or not. There needs to be a way of determining if a customavatar that's saved as a file exists for that user. Maybe checking avatarrevision > 0.

if ($post[avatarrevision]>0 and $usefileavatar and $avatarenabled) {
$avatarurl="custom_avatars/avatar$post[userid]_$post[avatarrevision].gif";
} else {
if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) $avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]";
}

member.php - Also, when a customavatar is deleted or changed to a predefined avatar, the user record needs to be updated to change avatarrevision=0.

Let me know if I am way off base here.

[Kier]

You're right. I'll look into it.

[GameGalaxy]

I know you can already do this, but this isn't the way it should be done. Its a pain if users want to change all the time or test new ones out.



Originally posted by tubedogg


You can already do this, in a round-about-sort-of-way. Just set Custom Avatars to No (in Options) then go into User > Find > username > Edit > change avatar and you can set a custom avatar even if it's disabled for the board at large.

[Kier]

As Pfunk pointed out, there was a logic error which occurred if you deleted the contents of your customavatar table...

I did sat in the instructions and in the install script that I did not recommend that you empty the custom avatar table unless you really (really) had a good reason to do so.

In any case, the code is now fixed. Visit the instructions page (http://kier.3dfrontier.com/vbhacks/avatarasfile.php) and make the necessary modifications to member.php - the other files do not need to be altered if you have already hacked them.

If any of your members' avatars are not showing up, simply get them to re-upload their avatar and it will fix itself.

[-saturn-]

Thank you Kier!

[Kier]

Originally posted by pestilence
yet another fine hack well done kier btw when does your new website open to the general public ? not yet (http://vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=http://vbulletin.com/forum/report.php?s=&postid=78048#post78048) ;)

[conan]

Another great hack Kier!
Thanks a lot

[Trog]

Another stunning effort. Just one question. I know you have been in close connection with the developers on this issue, so do you know if this hack will be in Beta 4? I just don't want to install it then re-install when beat 4 comes out.

[PFunk]

Ok, this is the final thorn I will use today.

How about one last modification to avatar.php to prevent bandwidth stealers from circumventing the security measures people may put on the custom_avatars folder. Only bring this up because now there is a customavatar record again.

Either returning nothing, or the clear.gif image.

Ok, that's it... I promise. =) No, really! heheheh

Great work on the hack, and responding so quickly with a fix to the previous post of mine.

[jojo85]

one more kier
you are the best of the best!

[Kier]

Originally posted by PFunk
Either returning nothing, or the clear.gif image. Easy, if you use avatars-as-files, just edit avatar.php and at the top of the file, under <?php just put

exit;

I'm not going to do anything more fancy than that, as it would add extra queries to avatar.php, which I am not prepared to do.

[Kier]

If you installed the hack previous to this message, please revisit the instructions and follow the steps to modify admin/user.php... I completely forgot to hack that file before :rolleyes:

[PFunk]

<< removed >>

[Kier]

Originally posted by PFunk
Add this:

require("./global.php");
if ($usefileavatar) exit;

This will cause avatar.php not to return the graphic if Use File Avatars is enabled, otherwise, it works as before. Oh my god do you not want to add that!!!!

If you use require("./global.php") in avatar.php, you will be executing huge numbers of queries every time an avatar is displayed...

This code should really (really) not be added!

[Robert Basil]

Kier,

Great hack! This should speed up my forum a lot.

One thing before I install this hack. Will the database change that this hack does cause any problems when I upgrade to beta4? (Other than changing the php files of course)

Thanks again!

[VirtueTech]

Hello Kier,

Would I be able to use this hack in conjunction with upgrading my 1.13 forum.

See, right now the current VB 2.0 upgrade1.php script does not upgrade my "custom_avatar" table from freddies VB 1.13 "Custom Avatar HAck"...which means my users will have to all re-upload their custom avatars.

You seem to be a hack master around here lately...do you think you could figure it out?

If so here is the information:
Here is my old 1.13 "custom_avatar" table:

CREATE TABLE custom_avatar (
id int(6) NOT NULL auto_increment,
bin_data longblob NOT NULL,
filename varchar(50) NOT NULL,
filesize varchar(50) NOT NULL,
filetype varchar(50) NOT NULL,
userid int(10) unsigned DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (id),
UNIQUE userid (userid),
KEY userid_2 (userid)
);


And here is the new VB 2.0 "customavatar" table:

CREATE TABLE customavatar (
userid int(10) unsigned DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL,
avatardata mediumtext NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (userid)
);


Anything you could do to help me salvage my current user's custom avaatrs would be fantastic. Even if it means upgrading the custom avatars into your hack...which I want to store them outside the database anyway.

Thanks for your time. :)

[Freddie Bingham]

drop the new customavatar table.

rename custom_avatar to customavatar.

Drop the fields id, filename,filesize, & filetype

rename bin_data to avatardata, change the type to mediumtext.

Drop the second index userid_2

p.s. now watch your avatars blow up in size as my hack made no checks on image height/width, only filesize. It used img tags to force all images to be the same size when displayed.

[DVD Plaza]

This might be a silly question (sorry!), but why isn't this a part of the official product?

[TechTalk]

Originally posted by DVD Plaza
This might be a silly question (sorry!), but why isn't this a part of the official product?

I would like to know too....

Kier, can we just make sure all of your hacks make it in the final releases? I would be a much happier man

~Chris

[Freddie Bingham]

It will be part of 2.1

[jojo85]

Nice :D

[VirtueTech]

Thank you very much Kier

[TooHectic]

does this work with beta 5?

I ran the install_db2fileavatars.php, at started to edit the files, but I noticed that the files were a little different for beta 5. For instance, the first modification step adjusts the functions.php file, and one of the original lines is
return "avatar.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&userid=$userid";

But this line looks like this in beta 5
return "avatar.php?userid=$userid&dateline=$avatarinfo[dateline]";

Can I still proceed with the rest? In fact, I had origianlly decided to stop, but the install_db2fileavatars.php already changed some things...... so I can't even set any custom avatars as it stands right now. I get a blank screen after I submit the settings for uploading the avatar. Can I fix this, or can I just continue with the hack? :confused:

[VirtueTech]

I proceeded and it worked great with beta 5

[TooHectic]

Thanks... I'll try it tomorrow.

[CityNet]

Arrgh.. I did this hack, entirely as instructed and when going into the Change Profile page I get this:

Parse error: parse error in /usr/local/plesk/apache/vhosts/thecitynetwork.net/httpdocs/forums/member.php on line 1042

What happened?

[TomLloyd]

Thanks for this hack Kier.

We had to disable avatars on our site because the amount of people uploading to the Db crashed our server! (RaQ 4)

Have re-enabled avatars now, much thanks.

(I'm using beta 5, and I noticed no problems installing btw)

[CityNet]

Originally posted by CityNet
Arrgh.. I did this hack, entirely as instructed and when going into the Change Profile page I get this:

Parse error: parse error in /usr/local/plesk/apache/vhosts/thecitynetwork.net/httpdocs/forums/member.php on line 1042

What happened?

Finally got around to installing Word and figuring out how to turn on line numbering... What? Line 1042 is just some commented file?

I tried uploading it again. It worked this time.. Thanks. ^_^

((EDIT: Tried entering a URL for an avatar and STILL keep getting "This is not a valid GIF or JPG file. Please ensure that it is and try again"

That's it... I'm going to cuddle up in a fetal position and just cry. Trying to get these avs to work is going to result in me tearing my hair out)

[SpankMe]

What we really need is a utility that will go through the MySQL dB and convert all image attachments to files and update the associated post. We could then cron it to run every so often.

I like allowing users to attach images but it is a REAL PAIN for them to download the images every time they visit the thread :(

[eiko]

After installing this hack (which is Awesome by the way)...
When you click a user's profile link, returns this error:

Warning: Object DB_site not found in /home/name/dir/forums3/member.php on line 1037

Fatal error: Member function used on a non-object in /home/name/dir/forums3/member.php on line 1037

RC2

[eiko]

anyone?

[eiko]

Maybe I asked this question in the wrong forum?

[eiko]

Well no wonder no one replied...
Sorry... BONEHEAD mistake on my part.

uhh...

in my best Gilda Radner.... Nevermind.

[Dakota]

Is there anyway that there could be an option for just mods and admins be able to select custom avatars?

[TGO]

I tried to install this on RC3 and got a datbase error..I REALLY need this hack too. :\

BTW, the error is when I run the install script, I press Install and I get a database error. Whether I have created the custom_avatars directory or not..

Error is:
---
There seems to have been a slight problem with the database. Please try again by pressing the refresh button in your browser.

An E-Mail has been dispatched to our Technical Staff, who you can also contact if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.
----

Please help with this one Kier..

[ForzaGrifo]

Kier, I've got RC 3 too and I really want this hack. Will I get the same problem as TGO's? Thanks.

[Cid Kramer]

I'm in the same boat as TGO the hack is needed badly too, any help would be greatly apriciated.

[Sven]

Tried to install into Final Release... but got stuck while editing functions.php....

The lines to replace are not matching the installation description.... :(

Will there be any update on the hack for the Final????

It would be really nice to get it working, currently Avatars on our Forums are disabled due to traffic but i'd like to offer this to our users.

[Fiyah]

Originally posted by Kier
Yes, All avatar options that are present when using the standard mySQL avatar system are still present



where would you change the max size at?

[ForzaGrifo]

Originally posted by Sven
Tried to install into Final Release... but got stuck while editing functions.php....

The lines to replace are not matching the installation description.... :(

Will there be any update on the hack for the Final????



Yeah, I would like to know the instructions for installing into 2.0 Gold as well. Can anyone help?

[PeterS]

just wanted to note works dandy with the 2.0.0 release. read to re-tweak the files but all is happy once again.

Great Hack, many thanks

http://forums.sobservers.com

[ForzaGrifo]

Hey PeterS, cool site! where did you get that cool news fader?

[Luciano]

sorry if i'm off topic,
but i was wondering..
if i have lets say 600 avatars
wouldn't it be nice to have categories like:
Male avatars,
female avatars
simpson avatars
,,,, avatars..

with about 80 each...

would be user and server friendly...

or am I wrong???

Luc

[jucs]

If I install this hack for example, what are the risks? I assume if a 2.1 version came out I would have to reinstall? Would it affect say converting from 2.0 to 2.1 down the road?

Sorry if this is a dumb question. I just don't want to sprint before I walk with VB. :)

[Sven]

as announced in the Suggestions & Feedback Thread the Hack will be part of the next version....

But still:
I need some Instructions for this hack to get it installed in vB2.0.0...
Is there anybody who successfully installed it in the final release and could tell me what to do?

[jucs]

Ditto...I would like to install it into V2.0 final.

[eva2000]

Originally posted by PeterS
just wanted to note works dandy with the 2.0.0 release. read to re-tweak the files but all is happy once again.

Great Hack, many thanks

http://forums.sobservers.com great the next hack i need to add :D

[jucs]

What does Read to re-tweak mean?

[jucs]

Answer Sven and my questions? Thanks.

[Sven]

So here's a bit of the problem:
admin/functions.php as per instructions:
function getavatarurl($userid) {
global $DB_site,$session;

if ($avatarinfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT user.avatarid,avatarpath,NOT ISNULL(avatardata) AS hascustom FROM user LEFT JOIN avatar ON avatar.avatarid=user.avatarid LEFT JOIN customavatar ON customavatar.userid=user.userid WHERE user.userid='$userid'")) {
if ($avatarinfo[avatarpath]!="") {
return $avatarinfo[avatarpath];
} else if ($avatarinfo['hascustom']) {
return "avatar.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&userid=$userid";


admin/functions.php in vB2.0.0 Final Release:
function getavatarurl($userid) {
global $DB_site,$session;

if ($avatarinfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT user.avatarid,avatarpath,NOT ISNULL(avatardata) AS hascustom,customavatar.dateline
FROM user
LEFT JOIN avatar ON avatar.avatarid=user.avatarid
LEFT JOIN customavatar ON customavatar.userid=user.userid
WHERE user.userid='$userid'")) {
if ($avatarinfo[avatarpath]!="") {
return $avatarinfo[avatarpath];
} else if ($avatarinfo['hascustom']) {
return "avatar.php?userid=$userid&dateline=$avatarinfo[dateline]";
} else {
return '';
}
}
}

You see that tiny differences?
So is there anyone out there who could tell me what to do?

[nuno]

tx Kier
works with 2.0.0 release also

functions.php

find:

function getavatarurl($userid) {
global $DB_site,$session;

if ($avatarinfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT user.avatarid,avatarpath,NOT ISNULL(avatardata) AS hascustom,customavatar.dateline
FROM user
LEFT JOIN avatar ON avatar.avatarid=user.avatarid
LEFT JOIN customavatar ON customavatar.userid=user.userid
WHERE user.userid='$userid'")) {
if ($avatarinfo[avatarpath]!="") {
return $avatarinfo[avatarpath];
} else if ($avatarinfo['hascustom']) {
return "avatar.php?userid=$userid&dateline=$avatarinfo[dateline]";
} else {
return '';
}
}
}

replace with:

function getavatarurl($userid) {
global $DB_site,$session,$usefileavatar;


if ($avatarinfo=$DB_site->query_first("SELECT user.avatarid,avatarpath,avatarrevision,NOT ISNULL(avatardata) AS hascustom,customavatar.dateline
FROM user
LEFT JOIN avatar ON avatar.avatarid=user.avatarid
LEFT JOIN customavatar ON customavatar.userid=user.userid
WHERE user.userid='$userid'")) {
if ($avatarinfo[avatarpath]!="") {
return $avatarinfo[avatarpath];
if ($usefileavatar) return "custom_avatars/avatar$userid"."_$avatarinfo[avatarrevision].gif";
else return "avatar.php?userid=$userid";
}
}
}

[Freddie Bingham]

sven the code looks the same .. it just appears I got to it and broke the sql up into multiple lines which I have a habit of doing.

[Wayne Luke]

Originally posted by freddie
sven the code looks the same .. it just appears I got to it and broke the sql up into multiple lines which I have a habit of doing.

Only because it is a lot easier to read and comprehend.

[jucs]

The code replace for announcement.php is incorrect?? I can only find this:

if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
$avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]&dateline=$post[avatardateline]";


Note it is different from this in the instructions:

if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
$avatarurl="avatar.php?s=$session[sessionhash]&userid=$post[userid]";


What gives? I have final 2.0.

[Sven]

Well, that's almost the same question I have.... what about the
&dateline=$post[avatardateline]" thing?
Do I have to add this at the appropriate places or is it not mandatory?

I got the Avatar_as_files option working on my local testinstallation with the replacements from the instructions but I'm not sure if I can use this on the production environment w/o causing bugs due to the changes.

[jucs]

I just started with that file...are there any more of these discrepencies?

[Sven]

@jucs:

I edited all of the files now to add the "dateline"...
It's in all files but member.php, in most of them you just need to add the
&dateline=$post[avatardateline]"

but in user.php it's different, take care of that one!

In my local installation it seems to work - after I changed the files ;)

[jucs]

I wish the documenation was updated. Now I don't trust myself as there are several "got ya's" due to inaccurate documention for V2.0 and you can't systematically follow exact directions. <sigh>

[ForzaGrifo]

Can someone update the hack install documentation so that 2.0 gold users will know exactly what to do? Thanks.

[Sven]

Well, that's what we're asking for.... I already send out a PM to Kier (about a week ago)... but got no response :(

You may want to do the same as I have the assumption that he doesn't look into this thread at the moment.

[ForzaGrifo]

hey, may be the guy is busy.:o

[rebby]

if this will be included in 2.1... i'm really curious on the 2.1 eta... would it be worth my time to hack 2.0???

[CoolaShacka]

updating the Instructions woukd be very nice.

Tnx

[TooFastForYa]

Originally posted by Sharg
Kier, you know what ? :)
It would be GREAT to port this system to attached files to :)

I agree with Sharg...I have been looking for this hack for a long time no with no success. It should be made for the people with smaller databases with large webspace, that want to attach larger files. Please look into making this hack...It would be greatly appreshated!
Thanks,
TooFastForYa

[jucs]

I would just go for getting the documenation updated. :(

[Dakota]

Great hack, I love it, just been holding out on installing it. It installed without any problems. I really like the installer that is coming with these hack, it really saves time.

Edit: the dateline you guys are talking about didn't affect it when I installed it. I just acted like it wasn't there, and just put what is in the installation instructions. It works fine without the dateline stuff.

[cditty]

Would this be easily modified to allow users to serve their avatars from their web server?

Figure it might save a lot of bandwidth if I allow custom avatars and require them to be served elsewhere.

Chris

[huythuy]

Thanks for this hack .

How can I have "custom_avartars" in another folder not the vBB fodler ? Coz I want a share avatars folder with another forum and gallery .

Thanks in advance

[huythuy]

Please anyone ?????? :(

[Tolitz]

Has anyone been able to make this work on VB 2.0.1? What changes in the instructions did you do? I "really" like to incorporate this hack coz it'll save me valuable database space, as well as protect my avatar images with mod_rewrite ...

Anyone care to update the instructions? please? :(

[ztsky]

Originally posted by Tolitz
Has anyone been able to make this work on VB 2.0.1? What changes in the instructions did you do? I "really" like to incorporate this hack coz it'll save me valuable database space, as well as protect my avatar images with mod_rewrite ...

Anyone care to update the instructions? please? :(

Check my board (http://www.chinavbb.com)

[ztsky]

See this,I edit this hack from Kier.
It works well on my board vb2.0.1.
this zip include two files. install_db2fileavatars.php adn install.txt.
Unzip this zip,upload and run install_db2fileavatars.php in your board admin dir.Then edit and upload your file as install.txt.
Good luck!

[Christian]

When the hack is installed and all files are stores in the folder, is it safe to empty the custom_avatar table then?

[Dimitri]

Only problem with ztsky's version of this hack is that the avatar will no longer display on the profile page, whether it's your edit profile page or someone else's view profile page. Can you modify the 'hack' in the members.php file so it still shows it in profile pages? Works fine otherwise. ;)

[ztsky]

Originally posted by Dimitri
Only problem with ztsky's version of this hack is that the avatar will no longer display on the profile page, whether it's your edit profile page or someone else's view profile page. Can you modify the 'hack' in the members.php file so it still shows it in profile pages? Works fine otherwise. ;)

just like this
in member.php,
1¡¢find :
$userinfo[avatarurl]=getavatarurl($userinfo[userid]);
if ($userinfo[avatarurl]=="") {
$userinfo[avatarurl]="images/clear.gif";
replace with this:
$userinfo[avatarurl]=getavatarurl($userinfo[userid]);
if ($userinfo[avatarurl]=="") {
if ($userinfo[avatarrevision]>0) {
$userinfo[avatarurl]="custom_avatars/avatar$userinfo[userid]"."_$userinfo[avatarrevision].gif";
} else
$userinfo[avatarurl]="images/clear.gif";

2¡¢find

if ($bbuserinfo[avatarurl]=="") {
$bbuserinfo[avatarurl]="images/clear.gif";

replace with this:
if ($bbuserinfo[avatarurl]=="") {
if ($bbuserinfo[avatarrevision]>0) {
$bbuserinfo[avatarurl]="custom_avatars/avatar$bbuserinfo[userid]"."_$bbuserinfo[avatarrevision].gif";
} else
$bbuserinfo[avatarurl]="images/clear.gif";

[ForzaGrifo]

Originally posted by Dakota

the dateline you guys are talking about didn't affect it when I installed it. I just acted like it wasn't there, and just put what is in the installation instructions. It works fine without the dateline stuff.

I've got 2.0.0. So do I just ignore the dateline stuff and put what's in the installation instruction? Will it really work?

I'm hesitant of hacking the code unless I'm 100% sure it will work and not crash.

btw can somebody update the instruction for 2.0.x users?

[ztsky]

Originally posted by ForzaGrifo


I've got 2.0.0. So do I just ignore the dateline stuff and put what's in the installation instruction? Will it really work?

I'm hesitant of hacking the code unless I'm 100% sure it will work and not crash.

btw can somebody update the instruction for 2.0.x users?

http://161.58.84.213/forum/showthread.php?threadid=22115

[Mr. X]

Fatal error: Failed opening required './global.php' (include_path='') in /home/mx3dm1/public_html/vb/admin/install_db2fileavatars.php on line 2

This is what I get. Im using php3 files since vB refuses to install when I use .php.

Im wondering, can I just change the .php in your installer file to .php3?

Also, when you say:

1) Firstly, you will need to create a new folder in your forums directory called custom_avatars and set the permissions on the folder to 777.

Do you mean create in the root forum folder, or in the /images folder? If not, do I need to move all the other avatars in my images/avatars folder to the new one?

[Mr. X]

Bump. Come on, no one?

[VirtueTech]

Doesn't 2.0.1 include this hack already?

Same with attachments?

[Scoty]

There seems to have been a slight problem with the database. Please try again by pressing the refresh button in your browser.
An E-Mail has been dispatched to our Technical Staff, who you can also contact if the problem persists.

We apologise for any inconvenience.


Database error in vBulletin Control Panel: Invalid SQL: ALTER TABLE user ADD avatarrevision INT (6) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' not null AFTER avatarid
mysql error: Duplicate column name 'avatarrevision'
mysql error number: 1060


i have vBulletin 2.0

[TheProfessor]

How to apply this hack in vB 2.0.3?

showthread.php changed completly, I just cannot replace some code, because it is not there.

Kier or Freddi, please?

Greetings, The Professor!

[eXtremeTim]

in the newer version ov vb it seems that the users only have to hack member.php and admin functions.php and the hack seems to work fine.

[TheProfessor]

Yes, in fact it works fine, but just when viewing the member's profiles or private messages.

When showing threads, avatars will be still loaded from the SQL-Server.

Greetings, The Professor!

[eXtremeTim]

yea i just noticed that so you just have to hack the showthread file up.

[eXtremeTim]

i did some searching and found were the coding to hack up is at now so latter tonight i will see about releasing a new version of this hack for vbulletin 2.0.3

[Castel]

Any progress in getting this to work properly for 2.0.3 showthread?

[HalfBreed]

**BUMP**

[Dakota]

Here's how to get it working in 2.0.3

In admin/functions/php, announcement.php and private.php

Find:
if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
$avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]&dateline=$post[avatardateline]";

and replace it with:
if ($post[hascustomavatar] and $avatarenabled) {
if ($usefileavatar) $avatarurl="custom_avatars/avatar$post[userid]_$post[avatarrevision].gif";
else $avatarurl="avatar.php?userid=$post[userid]";

[Christian]

Do you have to run the install again after upgrading?

If so, which one did you use?
The original or the one of the modified hack?

[Castel]

Dakota, that's the exact same code as the original hack. I am aware that the showthread.php changes are now in functions.php but this doesn't make it work.

Look at the source code of a thread with a custom avatar and you will see the avatar is still img src=avatar.php.... while on other pages that display the avatar it does indeed come for the custum_avatars folder.

[Lordmusic]

****, buddy. Please rerelease an update for your hack!!! It is needed.

[DoST]

Yes please I also want to use this hack with vB 2.0.3

[centris]

Would someone PLEASE start a new thread for 2.03 hacks. I ran the install script and then found that the code did not match, now I have to wait for an update.

[Sven]

Mhmm, if just Kier would look into here and post something like:

Yes, I'm going to update, be patient

or at least

No, I'm too busy, sorry

[pier]

Any news yet ? My forum needs this mod to work!
thanks for your great feature

pier

[tamarian]

I have a guess why Kier didn't update the hack.

It's already done on the vB 2.0.4 waiting for release! :D

[Lordmusic]

Unless this hack is done, none of my members can change their avatars :-/

[Sven]

^bump^this^a^little^ ;)

[DarkReaper]

You state that you can use .htaccess to prevent the files from being linked from outside my server...how would I do this? Place a .htaccess file in the forums directory with what contents? Thanks.

[eva2000]

Originally posted by DarkReaper
You state that you can use .htaccess to prevent the files from being linked from outside my server...how would I do this? Place a .htaccess file in the forums directory with what contents? Thanks. use http://faq.solutionscripts.com/misc/hot_linking.html

[DarkReaper]

Thanks :)

[kaeros]

I just recently installed this hack and now I notice that the forum doesn't update the numver of views where before it did. Is this happening to anyone else?

[Lordmusic]

This hack needs to be updated for 2.0.3 ! ! !

[cocomiel]

Please Update the hack ... why you didnt yet ?
Its one of the bests hacks outhere

[cocomiel]

Ok, i will code this one, will be ready in two days

[DarkReaper]

um..the installation link isn't loading.

[DoST]

two days passed :P how is it going?

[cocomiel]

you should look here :


http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=28337