UBB.Developers Forums General Discussion Chit Chat Where do I start?

Hi all,

I have got my 6.04 board sorted and its running fine. my forum However, I really want to add the 'on-line users' hack that this site uses as it would really help!

Could anyone advise me a) if I do this, how easy is it to strip it out in case I need infopop to look at any errors in the furure, and b) which hack is it? and d) how do I actually do it?

I have looked at the tutorials and can't find a nice clear explanation (read, idiot's guide :rolleyes: ) of how to do this. I run a Mac, have ftp access and am not scared of dipping into the cgi but don't want to cock the whole thing up and lose credibility if it all falls over. . .

As I understand it, is is a matter of copying certain files out of the cgi - opening them (in a simple text editor?) making the changes listed (keeping a copy of the original un-altered version) and dropping them all back in. . . If this is the case and if it doesn't work for some reason I can replace with the original unaltered files to get it back to where I started, then I think I will have a shot at it.

Basically I am running scared, so some support from all you codemeisters would be great. . . after all, you started somewhere!

Thanks in advance from a novice

Poacher

You seem to have got it all figured out already

FTP into your server. Transfer the file to edit to your machine in ASCII (thsi is a setting in your FTP prog. if you having trouble with this, i can help).

Once you've got the file, MAKE A BACKUP on your local machine. That way, you are fine if anything goes wrong.

Open the file in a non-destructive text editor. Use BBEdit or Alpha if you have them. SimpleText will likely fry the file. Get BBEdit unless you have a good TEXT ONLY editor.

Apply the modifications as described in the mod's text file.

Upload the file back to the server (in ASCII!)

Check the mod works. If it doesn't, restore from your backup and start again.


The hack you are after is called "Who's Online" and is talked about here .

Just a thought

Cal, many thanks, I will try it in the small hours when the forum is quiet. Fingers crossed!

I will probably upgrade to the latest version before I do it and see how it goes.

Right . . . off to find BBEdit (I will take your advice with SimpleText)

" a hacking I will go, a hacking I will go"

Poacher

for any mac users who don't have it: http://www.bbedit.com/

essential software. seriously.

Just a thought

As probably the guy that has the most experience using macs to do ubb code hacking, I strongly recommend Alpha over BBEdit.

Alpha: http://alpha.olm.net/

EDIT: Unless of course, the infamous cal himself uses a mac to do it

[ May 05, 2001 07:12 PM: Message edited by: Dark Templar ]

I do use a mac from time to time, and i've always been a bbedit user. recently i was introduced to alpha, and i think i might be changing my mind about which is best

Just a thought

Thanks for the help. I have ploughed through all the posts on the 'on-line users hack' topic and feel that even though it is still very much in Beta it works. . .

Looks as though I might have to buy my first pc though. . . .