[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.



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.

Please insure that you have thoroughly read the instructions 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".