View Full Version : How to use Vbulletin Forum as Comment System
Victoria
06-06-2005, 08:38 PM
Any integration that allows me to use vBulletin (3.x) as comment system? instead of the built in ones
Chris S
06-07-2005, 02:23 AM
Hi Victoria,
No, sorry.. this would be quite a significant change in how comments work.
Any integration that allows me to use vBulletin (3.x) as comment system? instead of the built in ones
Sad. That means ArticleLive is not made for serious vB users.
vB is the best Board on the Planet, Interspire also use it.
For a community driven site the forum is very important.
Do you think it is smart to devide the Forum activities from the
Article comments?
With vB 3.5. Jelsoft will offer an API. Do you see any changes
that Interspire can realize a connection between vB and ArticleLive within
one or two week, that allow to post comment to articles in vB?
Kind Regards
Nero.
Chris S
06-14-2005, 02:33 AM
Hi Nero,
If we have an API it'll be a lot lot easier. (I haven't actually looked at the vbulletin code at all, so I don't know how comments, threads etc work).
I'm not saying it will or won't be done, but that will make things a lot easier to work with (and if there is developer documentation, so much the better!).
Sad. That means ArticleLive is not made for serious vB users.
vB is the best Board on the Planet, Interspire also use it.
For a community driven site the forum is very important.
Do you think it is smart to devide the Forum activities from the
Article comments?
With vB 3.5. Jelsoft will offer an API. Do you see any changes
that Interspire can realize a connection between vB and ArticleLive within
one or two week, that allow to post comment to articles in vB?
Kind Regards
Nero.
JohnBee
06-17-2005, 12:13 PM
awe to bad
I was going to buy this nice looking CMS software to replace my cgi based one
but if it cannot intergrate with vbulleting then it is useless to me.
I am currently running Coranto and I have full vBulletin discussion intergration.
although the script is very flexible it does fall short in other areas. But because
my entire site is built around vBulletin I cannot loose the comment function.
if there is any change on this please let me know via email this is the only ting
holding me back from buying this software
Hi Chris,
vBulletin 3.5 is in Beta 2 now. Jelsoft say all of the important files are phpdoc'ed you can read about what does what and the API there for the time being.
In my quest for a CMS for vBulletin i just saw A...... M......, they wrote a scropt to allow the CMS to use vBulletin as comment System but the scipt has to rewrote at every new release of vBulletin. And it costs an extra $50. But thats not the problem, i just want an easy to use and maintain solution.
As you see in this thread ppl waitnig for a good cms with vB integration. (Search for CMS in the vBulletin forums to see how many ppl have a real PAIN)
Chris S
06-20-2005, 02:59 AM
Hi,
That's exactly why we haven't integrated anything - we'd need a different script for every single version and that's not a viable option. With the API, we don't have to worry about that. I'll take a look at the beta version.
Hi Chris,
vBulletin 3.5 is in Beta 2 now. Jelsoft say all of the important files are phpdoc'ed you can read about what does what and the API there for the time being.
In my quest for a CMS for vBulletin i just saw A...... M......, they wrote a scropt to allow the CMS to use vBulletin as comment System but the scipt has to rewrote at every new release of vBulletin. And it costs an extra $50. But thats not the problem, i just want an easy to use and maintain solution.
As you see in this thread ppl waitnig for a good cms with vB integration. (Search for CMS in the vBulletin forums to see how many ppl have a real PAIN)
Keith
10-27-2005, 05:26 PM
Anymore news on this? I might be convinced to renew my license if I can get decent integration with vbulletin.
Yes, an Update would be great.
Not happening. They have said they would rather remain a CMS, no more.
??? A Bridge to vB would make them to a non-CMS ???
Keith
10-28-2005, 02:30 PM
??? A Bridge to vB would make them to a non-CMS ???
That's exactly what I thought. It doesn't.
noslzzp
10-30-2005, 04:23 AM
I am about to purchase vBulleting for integration with ArticleLive..
For our site (soon to be released) I am about 70% complete with our ArticleLive conversion to CSS.. ArticleLive could use some DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principles in its PHP code.. But, it works and I understand it fairly well now. :) We are removing table based formatting were appropriate. I want to do the same with vB, but I hear it's a beast.
The site will be a mix between ArticleLive and vBulletin.
I will be happy to share what I find/accomplish..
I want to do the same with vB, but I hear it's a beast.
You've heard correctly my friend!
Please share what you find about integrating the two, we use both, as well as OSCommerce.
??? A Bridge to vB would make them to a non-CMS ???I have asked for it like you. Response is they'd rather stick with being a fine cms, no more. I guess having to keep an eye on VB updates is not an attractive proposition. I have 4 VB licenses. All 4 are pegged with other apps since I cannot port them to AL. They really have no idea how much they're losing in terms of sales by not doing this. Sites love community (stickiness) and when your cms promotes interaction between your content and growing community, you win.
Chris S
11-02-2005, 05:04 AM
Hi,
It's a lot harder than it sounds.
I know I'm repeating myself but this is why it hasn't been considered yet.
Each version of VB is different (I'm not picking on VB either - phpBB, fudForum, anything else you can think of has exactly the same problem).
Different database structure, different config, different "everything" we have to assume.
So we have to know exactly which version of VB you're running to know how to talk to the database, how to start new threads/topics/forums etc.
New version comes out? We have to start again from scratch. Someone wants version "x" support (or they happen to forget to tell us it's modified for reason "y") - start again from scratch...
So we add code-bloat to handle 50 different options/configs/versions and articlelive becomes so slow it's useless. Then another forum comes along, we start all over again.
When the developer API is available we'll take another look at it.
If another forum has a developer api and you want to use that instead, let us know and we'll take a look at it.
I have asked for it like you. Response is they'd rather stick with being a fine cms, no more. I guess having to keep an eye on VB updates is not an attractive proposition. I have 4 VB licenses. All 4 are pegged with other apps since I cannot port them to AL. They really have no idea how much they're losing in terms of sales by not doing this. Sites love community (stickiness) and when your cms promotes interaction between your content and growing community, you win.
Respectfully, Chris, and I am no coder, so I may be sticking my backside in my mouth here...But I own 3 Subdreamer licences. You save an article and it has an option to also save it using your uid in VB (or a number of forums) as a post. Nephp (own 1) does it. I own 2 Photopost Licences, 1 Reviewpoest Licence. They all manage to integrate JUST THE USERGROUPS without actually tampering with the forum database, so whenever I upgrade my forum, no change is seen. When changes are needed, its usually very minor since the integration is often at the user table level and I believe it is for authentication only. I just added Sigmachat to a busy site of mine. It authenticates with my VB without adding anything to it.
Like I said, I am no guru like you and I am not trying to prove you "wrong" or something. But an increasing number of CMSes out there are doing this and gaining from the additional benefit of interaction with a stable product like VB (now with a wonderful "plugin" concept that allows extensibility). I could mention other CMSes, but that would be distracting your customers and who am I to get in the way of your business. I am actually fine without the forum add-on right now. I just think whatever time and investment you put in will be justified by returns. Why don't you run a SURVEY, emailing your many costumers to contribute? You only have to port to the top 2 or 3 forums, no more.
I love AL and I am happy with it even as it is. I wish you well also.
And please, before I become a pain in the neck, this is my last word on this matter. Don't want to sound like a broken record.
Keith
11-02-2005, 02:44 PM
I'm an intermediate when it comes to PHP, but I think once I get AL up and running I'm going to try and make this change myself. If I success, is it ok to let others know how it's done?
This will probably be a good while off though. Another month or two, possibly longer.
noslzzp
11-02-2005, 07:14 PM
I was thinking about the replies here from both Interspire and AL users. I too thought to myself, why can't there be integration with just vBulletin (the #1 PHP based forum package). In Interspire's defense, it's is an ernormous task. Here's why:
1. The problem is not really with the "ability" to integrate. That's a fairly straightforward process - if you want a hack. The problem from a business point of view is that if you DO create this integration, you will be expected to SUPPORT the code. :)
2. To do it right, would require some fairly tight APIs published by vBulletin that are stable. Don't hold your breath here as it's a long time in coming and probably won't happen. The problem with *vBulletin* providing the APIs is that there won't be a universal API set for integrating with OTHER forum packages. As you well know, if AL has support for vB the next question from customers is "Why don't you support phpBB, etc, etc?!". Another can of worms.
3. To do it even better than "right", a seperate product/software layer needs to be created that acts as API middleware of sorts that is independent of ArticleLive, vB, phpBB, etc. but has plugin support for each. Ideally, this would be an opensource effort.
Anyway.. Just a few thoughts..
Chris S
11-02-2005, 11:53 PM
Hi Sola,
I didn't mean to make it sound like it's not doable, I'm just pointing out it's quite difficult to do.
Are you just after comment integration, or are you after user integration as well ?
Respectfully, Chris, and I am no coder, so I may be sticking my backside in my mouth here...But I own 3 Subdreamer licences. You save an article and it has an option to also save it using your uid in VB (or a number of forums) as a post. Nephp (own 1) does it. I own 2 Photopost Licences, 1 Reviewpoest Licence. They all manage to integrate JUST THE USERGROUPS without actually tampering with the forum database, so whenever I upgrade my forum, no change is seen. When changes are needed, its usually very minor since the integration is often at the user table level and I believe it is for authentication only. I just added Sigmachat to a busy site of mine. It authenticates with my VB without adding anything to it.
Like I said, I am no guru like you and I am not trying to prove you "wrong" or something. But an increasing number of CMSes out there are doing this and gaining from the additional benefit of interaction with a stable product like VB (now with a wonderful "plugin" concept that allows extensibility). I could mention other CMSes, but that would be distracting your customers and who am I to get in the way of your business. I am actually fine without the forum add-on right now. I just think whatever time and investment you put in will be justified by returns. Why don't you run a SURVEY, emailing your many costumers to contribute? You only have to port to the top 2 or 3 forums, no more.
I love AL and I am happy with it even as it is. I wish you well also.
And please, before I become a pain in the neck, this is my last word on this matter. Don't want to sound like a broken record.
Chris S
11-02-2005, 11:57 PM
Hi Keith,
If you're willing to share your efforts then please do, the others after this feature will be extremely happy I'm sure!
Note however we can't support large modifications like this will be.
I'm an intermediate when it comes to PHP, but I think once I get AL up and running I'm going to try and make this change myself. If I success, is it ok to let others know how it's done?
This will probably be a good while off though. Another month or two, possibly longer.
Chris S
11-03-2005, 12:00 AM
Hi,
You pretty much summed up the problems - thanks :)
It's not that we can't (or don't) want to do it, it's mainly support of both AL and now the integration and then other products (vbulletin, phpBB etc) and so on. Then if something changes in their different versions, we're back to square one.
I was thinking about the replies here from both Interspire and AL users. I too thought to myself, why can't there be integration with just vBulletin (the #1 PHP based forum package). In Interspire's defense, it's is an ernormous task. Here's why:
1. The problem is not really with the "ability" to integrate. That's a fairly straightforward process - if you want a hack. The problem from a business point of view is that if you DO create this integration, you will be expected to SUPPORT the code. :)
2. To do it right, would require some fairly tight APIs published by vBulletin that are stable. Don't hold your breath here as it's a long time in coming and probably won't happen. The problem with *vBulletin* providing the APIs is that there won't be a universal API set for integrating with OTHER forum packages. As you well know, if AL has support for vB the next question from customers is "Why don't you support phpBB, etc, etc?!". Another can of worms.
3. To do it even better than "right", a seperate product/software layer needs to be created that acts as API middleware of sorts that is independent of ArticleLive, vB, phpBB, etc. but has plugin support for each. Ideally, this would be an opensource effort.
Anyway.. Just a few thoughts..
Hi,
Then if something changes in their different versions, we're back to square one.
Thats not true anymore. Again, vBulletin has now an API!!!!!
http://members.vbulletin.com/api/
Chris S
11-07-2005, 03:23 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the heads-up.
We'll look into this again now. There are still no guarantees about this happening though.
The next question is the hardest to answer.
What exactly do you want to happen with this integration?
We need answers like "When I post an article I should ....."
or
"When someone posts a comment this should happen...."
Thats not true anymore. Again, vBulletin has now an API!!!!!
http://members.vbulletin.com/api/
Keith
11-07-2005, 04:08 PM
- When I am creating an article I should have the option to choose to create a new thread in a forum of my choice.
- When someone adds a comment it should be added as a new post to the thread associated with that article.
- When someone posts a reply through the forum, the reply is also shown in the Comments section of the article.
- Not a requirement, but the option to subscribe to the article comments / forum thread but be nice.
I'll post more if I think of them.
- When I am creating an article I should have the option to choose to create a new thread in a forum of my choice.This is the standard thing. In the AL CP, you should also be able to select the VB forum to add the article to as a new post under a TYPED IN UID.
Unlike the poster above, I believe the commenting system shouldn't be integrated with VB...or this potential product will take forever to come out. As far as I know, no one does that right now because it is no mean task. The comments stay in AL while members of the community post to the thread created.
Of course, the most recently updated threads will appear on the AL pages and you can prevent some forums from appearing by inputting forum ids into the AL cp.
AL should integrate with VB at the Usergroup level, so when permissions are set in VB, it also impacts on AL. That would mean adding usergroups to AL in such a way that you can control page viewing via usergroups. If you say its okay, I could PM you a link to access the admin area in one of my LIVE sites where the cms intergrates with VB nicely.
Thanks for considering it. I think it will benefit you guys a lot, although it is going to be a lot of work.
Chris S
11-07-2005, 11:03 PM
Hi Keith,
Thanks, that's exactly the sort of answer we needed.
So all comments should be both in articlelive and vbulletin?
This however:
- When someone posts a reply through the forum, the reply is also shown in the Comments section of the article.
isn't possible unless you hack vbulletin (which we're definitely not going to do and/or support).
- When I am creating an article I should have the option to choose to create a new thread in a forum of my choice.
- When someone adds a comment it should be added as a new post to the thread associated with that article.
- When someone posts a reply through the forum, the reply is also shown in the Comments section of the article.
- Not a requirement, but the option to subscribe to the article comments / forum thread but be nice.
I'll post more if I think of them.
Keith said it all.
I i post an article in AL a thread should be created automatically in vB. Whether will the full article or at least a link to the AL Article. "This Thread belongs to this article (link)"
Article Headline = Thread Headline
Of course it would be great if the e.g. first 3-5 Posts in the thread would show up below the AL article but if this is complicated.... Keep it simple.
What not requiered: (From my point of view) AL and vB using / sharing the same user database for single log in.
If a user want to add a Post below the AL Article he should be redirected to a vB Log in Window.
- Not a requirement, but the option to subscribe to the article comments / forum thread but be nice.
This is done by the subscribe function of vBulletin.
Chris S
11-11-2005, 01:10 AM
Hi all,
OK how I see this working is...
On the settings page you'll have to provide the full path to vbulletin (so we know where it is on the server).
When you create an article, you get a list of forums and you choose where to create the new thread.
A new thread is created when you publish the articlelive article.
When a comment is made in articlelive, a new post is made under the thread - it won't be threaded (ie it won't appear under another post) it'll just be posted under that thread.
We would have to do user integration so the person could post into the forum. As with comments, this is on the articlelive side only - so if someone signs up with vbulletin then they'll need to sign up with articlelive separately (unless you get a php programmer to do the reverse integration - we can't do this for you).
I haven't been able to look at the vbulletin api so it depends on what functionality it provides, but I'm sure all of this is possible.
Comments ?
Keith said it all.
I i post an article in AL a thread should be created automatically in vB. Whether will the full article or at least a link to the AL Article. "This Thread belongs to this article (link)"
Article Headline = Thread Headline
Of course it would be great if the e.g. first 3-5 Posts in the thread would show up below the AL article but if this is complicated.... Keep it simple.
What not requiered: (From my point of view) AL and vB using / sharing the same user database for single log in.
If a user want to add a Post below the AL Article he should be redirected to a vB Log in Window.
noslzzp
11-15-2005, 03:10 PM
Here's what I would like to see:
Under Create Article, it would be nice to see a list of vBulleting forums that you can *associate with the article*. This would be similar to "Related Links" and "Related Articles". I think that should be the first level of vBulletin integration.
Keith
11-15-2005, 06:43 PM
I'd prefer it not to be like "Related Links" and "Related Articles" as there wouldn't be enough emphasis on discussion. I'd prefer it to completely replace the current commenting system while adding more emphasis to discussion.
I'd prefer it to completely replace the current commenting system while adding more emphasis to discussion.No please. Everyone isn't going to be interested in joining your forum. Some would just be open to the quick comment even as they scour your pages or pass by. The two can exist side by side.
But thats not smart. All user interactivity should be focused in one forum to force discussions. No "side-by-side"
Keith
11-16-2005, 01:45 PM
The idea is to get people to stick around. Once they choose to comment on an article, they should be shown that there are other discussions going on, enticing them to stay.
Keith
11-16-2005, 03:58 PM
Just found this useful looking thread about vB's API over at vB.org:
vBulletin API Basics: Variables, Functions, Objects (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=98047)
noslzzp
11-16-2005, 07:07 PM
No please. Everyone isn't going to be interested in joining your forum. Some would just be open to the quick comment even as they scour your pages or pass by. The two can exist side by side.
I would agree with Sola.. Commenting on an article is a "quick and easy" thing that should not require signup, etc. The thing to note here is that there are FAR MORE PEOPLE who will take the time to comment versus 1. signup, 2. validate their address, 3. return the forum and then 4. "discuss" an article. It just "ain't gonna happen" for the casual user. If they see 4 related discussion groups, then yes, they may decide to join the community. This was my original request for the first level of vBulletin integration - being able to associate an arbitrary list of forums with an article (or better yet, a category).
I can understand your wish for more "stickyness" and your overall goal to increase traffic (everyone wants this!), but there will be two types of users. The casual browser (who comments) and the die-hard member who posts in forums, etc. There is nothing wrong with having both.
I know this is really a style thing and in a perfect world, the site administrator would have the option to do one or other, both or none.
Keith
11-16-2005, 07:38 PM
An ideal option would be to allow either. If someone isn't currently a member of your forums then they can post anonymously. If they are, then associate their comment with their forum id.
View any article over at www.sitepoint.com and see how they have it. That's my ideal scenario.
Thank you buddy. One of my AL sites has a very busy VB forum. That doesn't stop the members from posting comments under the articles on the cover. I have articles with almost 300 comments apiece. Many of those comment posters are NOT interested in joining the forum. They just want to react spontaneously and move on. They are actually regulars in their own right since they visit daily and to read fresh articles. The two can definitely co-exist. You can't force people to sign up for registrations that will end up not using. I would agree with Sola.. Commenting on an article is a "quick and easy" thing that should not require signup, etc. The thing to note here is that there are FAR MORE PEOPLE who will take the time to comment versus 1. signup, 2. validate their address, 3. return the forum and then 4. "discuss" an article. It just "ain't gonna happen" for the casual user. If they see 4 related discussion groups, then yes, they may decide to join the community. This was my original request for the first level of vBulletin integration - being able to associate an arbitrary list of forums with an article (or better yet, a category).
I can understand your wish for more "stickyness" and your overall goal to increase traffic (everyone wants this!), but there will be two types of users. The casual browser (who comments) and the die-hard member who posts in forums, etc. There is nothing wrong with having both.
I know this is really a style thing and in a perfect world, the site administrator would have the option to do one or other, both or none.
Hi Sola, would let us take a look on your AL site with seperate vB?
Hi Sola, would let us take a look on your AL site with seperate vB?
Sent you a PM
Club2share.com
01-26-2006, 08:32 AM
Any news about this thread .. :)
Charles
09-03-2006, 04:50 AM
Any luck?????