MOD: Shout Box V2.0 (Updated 17th May 2006)

Snitz™ Forums 2000
https://forum.snitz.com/forumTopic/Posts/61877?pagenum=1
05 November 2025, 01:57

Topic

rasure
MOD: Shout Box V2.0 (Updated 17th May 2006)
15 May 2006, 18:59


First of all I am not the original author or the brains behind
this mod, I have just re-written it to be more easy to install and
more compatible with the latest version of snitz.
The original authors topic is Here
This has been tested on a clean install of Snitz Forum Version 3.4.05
with access database. The instructions included in the zip file are
based on a clean install, although it should be easy enough to
install on an already moded forum.

Shout Box Mod Files dbs_shoutbox.asp
inc_shoutbox.asp
shoutbox_entries.asp
shoutboxok1.gif

Files To Be Modified admin_config_features.asp
config.asp
default.asp

You can download the Shout Box V2.0 Mod Here
You can see a demo Here
You`ll need to log in to use the shoutbox...
Username: Test
Password: testuser
Mod Updated: 16th May 2006
*Increased text limit to 200 characters. *Now includes a character counter. *Text input and submit button only visible when logged into the forum.
If you have already installed this mod all you need to do is
simply upload and replace inc_shoutbox.asp
Mod Updated: 17th May 2006
*Format Text Buttons Added
*Fixed Some HTML Code

If you have already installed this mod all you need to do is
simply upload and replace inc_shoutbox.asp<

 

Replies ...

MarkJH
15 May 2006, 19:30


Looking very good. Does it produce a log file? Would be handy for admins.
Also, I notice it cuts the end off of long sentences. Is that deliberate?<
rasure
15 May 2006, 19:45


Well as the original mod, it can be altered to to allow as many characters as you want within reason I think, but its currently set at 100 characters, its determined by the limit of the text box characters.
To change simply open inc_shoutbox.asp and find
Code:
name=""Message"" maxLength=""100""
and replace the part in red to how many characters you want to allow.
I think a log file would be handy for busier forums.<
Etymon
15 May 2006, 22:39


Rasure ... Nice job!
In the Links Manager MOD there is a script for counting the number of characters you are typing. Would you mind adding that to your MOD? This will help people figure just about when they have to end their shout!
One more thing, I tried to post a shout while not logged in, and it wouldn't go, which is fine if only members can shout. Would you mind hiding the entry form to be visible to members only (If shouting is only allowed for members that is.)? smile
Otherwise, thank you for helping us out with this one. Very nice!
Cheers,

Etymon
<
rasure
16 May 2006, 08:20


Just to remind people though I didn't author the original mod, I've just re- written it for ease of use and compatibility with snitz and cut down on the use of files and called it version2. The basic functionality as it stands as a Shout Box still lies with the original author, I just don't want to take credit for something that's not originally my work.
Yes I could add the character counter if people want it and I wasn't sure whether people wanted the Shout Box to show only if members are logged in? because as it stands stand it shows whether you are logged in or not but wont actually work until you log in. I suppose I could add a message stating that you need to logged in to use it or like you suggested hide the input box if not logged insmile<
JBaldwin
16 May 2006, 15:57


I needed to make a few adjustments to the code (inc_shoutbox.asp) near the end of the file. It seems some extra </tr></table> tags were in there that were screwing up the whole layout of the forum. Once I deleted them, moved the </form> tag to the appropriate spot; all seems ok now. Nice addition to the forum. Works as a good replacement for that Alert Messenger Mod that I couldnt get working....I'm using it as an announcements mod for my forum, I adjusted the M_LEV level so that only Admin and Moderators can post an announcement, and I also adjusted the Auto-Refresh rates so that it doesnt "click click click click click click click click click click click click" every 30 seconds...man that was annoying. Much better (for my needs anyway) now. Thanks SO MUCH for doing this. It has been what I was looking for! GRACIAS!<
rasure
16 May 2006, 16:27


Yep I just notice the table tags etc were out of place, I have fixed it I think now.
The only problem I'm having with at the moment is the character count no resetting when a user sends text using the enter key, rather than using the OK button.
Thinking of also adding a few basic format options for the text.<
JBaldwin
16 May 2006, 17:25


how can we stop the auto-refresh from happening? I'm not really using it as a shout box and I'm really the only one that will be posting in it. There for, I won;t need it auto-refreshing at all. How can I stop this from happening?<
rasure
16 May 2006, 17:59


To stop the refresh open shoutbox_entries.asp
Find and replace this code...
Code:
               "</script>" & vbNewline & _
               "<meta http-equiv=""Refresh"" content=""60; URL=shoutbox_entries.asp"">"
 With this code...
Code:
               "</script>"
<
Mr Pink
17 May 2006, 14:37


Fantastic! Thank you Rasure, this is just what I was looking for. The installation instructions were very easy to follow and I had the shoutbox working in minutes.
If I had one question (which I have) How do I change the colour inside the shoutbox as mine is white?<
rasure
17 May 2006, 14:57


Well to be completely compliant with snitz you can change this code in shoutbox_entries.asp near the top...
Code:
"<body>" & vbNewline
 to this code...
Code:
"<body background=""" & strPageBGImageURL & """ bgColor=""" & strPageBGColor & """> & vbNewline
 Alternativly replace the same code to the one below and change #008080 to suit your needs...
Code:
"<body bgcolor=""#008080""> & vbNewline
<
Etymon
17 May 2006, 22:31


Originally posted by rasure
Yep I just notice the table tags etc were out of place, I have fixed it I think now.
The only problem I'm having with at the moment is the character count no resetting when a user sends text using the enter key, rather than using the OK button.
Thinking of also adding a few basic format options for the text.

Is it possible to build a function using onSubmit (trying to remember if there is such) to clear the character counter. I'm just thinking off the top of my head while saying this.
I'll take a look at it when I get the chance.
Etymon
<
Etymon
17 May 2006, 22:37


I'm not sure if this fits your MOD or not, but here is a thought.
Q266 How can I clear the form field values after the user has submitted the form for client side processing? [Source: http://www.irt.org]
<
rasure
18 May 2006, 07:06


The character counter does reset when users hits the ok button, but not when using the enter key, what I have done on my site (see pic) is changed the text input to a text area so it solves that problem as hitting enter creates a new line rather than submitting the data, but thanks for the linksmile

I shall maybe add this to the official mod if people want it, and also limit the text area characters so if someone was to paste a large amount of data in it wont give an error when submitting as I believe the database fields will only allow so much.<
Etymon
19 May 2006, 01:43


Thanks for the update on what you did!
Sure! Count me in for wanting your MOD.
By the way, I sent you an email the other day. Did you get it?
Cheers,

Etymon
<
richfed
20 May 2006, 09:11


Originally posted by rasure
Well to be completely compliant with snitz you can change this code in shoutbox_entries.asp near the top...
Code:
"<body>" & vbNewline
 to this code...
Code:
"<body background=""" & strPageBGImageURL & """ bgColor=""" & strPageBGColor & """> & vbNewline
 Alternativly replace the same code to the one below and change #008080 to suit your needs...
Code:
"<body bgcolor=""#008080""> & vbNewline

When I replace that line with either of those two options, I get this error in the shout box entries field:

Microsoft VBScript compilation error '800a0409'

Unterminated string constant
<
modifichicci
20 May 2006, 09:39


add a " after > before & vbNewLine<
richfed
22 May 2006, 06:05


Yes ... that was it. Thank you.
Other than that, this MOD was VERY easy to install & seems to be working nicely. A far cry from the original set of "instructions". Nice job, rasure!<
Simko
25 May 2006, 16:46


This mod works really nice and I and my users like it very much, but I'd like to put the shoutbox under the message board, so it will be shown at the bottom of the board, so my users don't have to click on the menue bar to get to it. Has anyone a code or can tell me how to change the other sites to show it up at the bottom? Thanks<
rasure
25 May 2006, 18:20


It had the opposite affect on my members they kind of got tired of
having to scroll right down to the bottom of the page to see the chat
box with it being at the top they can pretty much see it right away.
All you need to do to include the shoutbox at the bottom of your forums is move the
<!--#INCLUDE FILE="inc_shoutbox.asp" -->
from the top of default.asp and place it here like this
Code:
 if NewMember_Name <> "" then 
Response.Write " <tr>" & vbNewline & _
" <td bgcolor=""" & strForumCellColor & """ colspan=""" & sGetColspan(6,5) &_
""">" & _
"<font face=""" & strDefaultFontFace & """ size=""" & strFooterFontSize & """ color=""" & strForumFontColor & """>Please welcome our newest member: " & _
"<span class=""spnMessageText"">" & profileLink(NewMember_Name,NewMember_Id) & "</span>.</font></td>" & vbNewline & _
" </tr>" & vbNewline
%>
<!--#INCLUDE FILE="inc_shoutbox.asp" -->
<%
end if

of course that's based on a clean install of the latest version of snitz.<
dl4gbe
26 May 2006, 10:53


Hallo:

There is a bug in this mod:

Microsoft SQL Native Client Fehler "80040e37'

Invalid object name 'FORUM_SHOUTBOX'.

/shoutbox_entries.asp, line 159

Chris evil<
rasure
26 May 2006, 14:08


You`ll have to be more specific when does that error occur?
Originally posted by rasure This has been tested on a clean install of Snitz Forum Version 3.4.05
with access database.
<
AnonJr
26 May 2006, 14:17


The way the mod is set up, if you don't use "FORUM_" as your table prefix, it won't work right. That is something that should be fixed in the MOD.
An example would be like:

line 159 in shoutbox_entries.asp has
Code:
set srst = my_conn.execute("SELECT * FROM FORUM_SHOUTBOX ORDER BY S_DATE ")

It should be
Code:
set srst = my_conn.execute("SELECT * FROM " & strTablePrefix & "SHOUTBOX ORDER BY S_DATE ")

That is the first instance I found. Having not installed this yet, there may be other similar instances. It's an easy mistake to make. wink I thought I'd gotten rid of all of them in the Sub-forum MOD the first time through.... it became a "learning experience" sleepy<
rasure
26 May 2006, 16:48


ah I see what you mean, I have to update the mod so I will fix that when I do update.<
Pull My Finger
02 June 2006, 19:01


rasure:
Thanks! I added it to my site, My members like it alot! My members all say it's better to do a little "Ball Busting" there keeping the "Ball Busting" out of the forums itself! My members say it was a very nice addon! THANKS AGAIN!
The only minor bug I have is that the smilies don't work (all other posting functions DO WORK). The smilies don't post, only the smilies code gets posted. For example --> [:-)] I think it might be because I have the "smile manager mod" installed or because IM using SHN code, but IM not sure though! Got any ideas?<
rasure
03 June 2006, 06:46


If the smile code gets posted then its working as it should (no bug), I take you have smiles turned on in admin options if not then the smile code wont get formatted to the smile.
Originally posted by Pull My Finger I think it might be because I have the "smile manager mod" installed or because IM using SHN code, but IM not sure though! Got any ideas?

That's probably the most likely cause, if you have changed your smile codes then they will need to be changed as the basic install for this mod is using the base snitz code smiles. As a test type into the shoutbox a smile code that you know works in your posts and see if it works.<
JBaldwin
03 June 2006, 08:20


I have a question. My shoutbox is used as a forum announcements box as opposed to a shout box. I am the only one allowed to post in it. My question is...
I currently have 4 announcements in it, but the oldest announcment is the one taht always shows (the first entry). I want the newest entry to always be shown. I am not sure if there is a way to add an attribute to the iFrame or textbox that will auto scroll it to the bottom or..something along those lines. Is this possible? Thanks in advance.
Jeff

http://www.absolutelyfreerolls.com/forum/forum2<
modifichicci
03 June 2006, 09:10


try adding DESC to the end of the sql query at line 159 in shoutbox_entries.asp :
set srst = my_conn.execute("SELECT * FROM FORUM_SHOUTBOX ORDER BY S_DATE DESC")
<
Pull My Finger
03 June 2006, 11:36


Originally posted by Pull My Finger I think it might be because I have the "smile manager mod" installed or because IM using SHN code, but IM not sure though! Got any ideas?

That's probably the most likely cause, if you have changed your smile codes then they will need to be changed as the basic install for this mod is using the base snitz code smiles. As a test type into the shoutbox a smile code that you know works in your posts and see if it works.
I typed few smile codes I know that work and still only smile code gets posted. I even tried other settings in the Smile Manager Plus admin settings and still nothing works. IM going to play around with some coding to see if I can get this to work or find some type of work around since I think the problem is related to the Smile Manager Plus mod I have installed..I'll keep you posted.<
rasure
03 June 2006, 13:59


I have the Smile Manager Plus mod installed on my working site and I can use custom smiles in the shout box ok.
It might have something to do with the location of the smiles all mine (on my working site not demo site) are in the images folder /forums/images/<
Simko
03 June 2006, 14:43


****, I've installed everything, the box works fine but the background is white and the font also white... I've tried everything but nothing workes, exept New Font Color turn to black but the other text will also shown up in black and you can't read anything at the rest of the board... I want the background black/grey too but can't find anything in the admin_config_colors.asp to change the background/cell, everything in there with background/cell is already on black/grey... can somebody please help me?<
Mr Pink
03 June 2006, 18:25


Hi Simko

Rasure posted this about colours and backgrounds
Well to be completely compliant with snitz you can change this code in shoutbox_entries.asp near the top...
"<body>" & vbNewline

to this code...
"<body background=""" & strPageBGImageURL & """ bgColor=""" & strPageBGColor & """> & vbNewline

Alternativly replace the same code to the one below and change #008080 to suit your needs...
"<body bgcolor=""#008080""> & vbNewline


I'm no expert but I think you should look for this code to alter your colours<
Pull My Finger
04 June 2006, 11:44


Originally posted by rasure
I have the Smile Manager Plus mod installed on my working site and I can use custom smiles in the shout box ok.
It might have something to do with the location of the smiles all mine (on my working site not demo site) are in the images folder /forums/images/

rasure:
My base snitz smilies in my Smile Manager Plus mod are located in /forums/images/ and all the new smilies I added into Smile Manager Plus mod are located in /forums/images/smilies, but none work from both locations.

I went a re-double checked the Shout Box Mod install. Then in my Smile Manager Plus mod I took all the new smilies I added in the past and transfered all those smilies from /forums/images/smilies/ to /forums/images/ so all my site smilies was located in /forums/images/. Then I made all the edits in the Smile Manager Plus mod to point to all the smilies, also double checked admin settings. After all that I still had the same problem. sad

Unless I missed something I came to the conclusion that my problem is because of the SHN forum code I'M running. I did fiqure out a work around that works! bigsmile When I get done coding and testing it Ill post it up!



<
brian33433
13 June 2006, 02:25


great mod but some members don't want to deal with it, is it possable to make it collapsable<
brian33433
13 June 2006, 11:51


looks good how do i do it, lol<
CalloftheHauntedMaster
07 July 2006, 21:32


I added the shoutbox DESC code. However, when I refresh, it scrolls to the very bottom of the shoutbox messages even though the DESC code is now placing new messages at the top. How can this be syncronized?<
Mr Pink
27 July 2006, 07:53


I would like to know if an option can be added so that a user can expand the shoutbox?<
klub
07 August 2006, 19:19


Just installed, works great, probably the easiest mod to install after trying to install the 1.5v from sonics instructions.
collapsing the shoutbox would be a great thing to have.
also my users spend 99% of their time in the "active topics" portion of the forum, so thats where i added the shout box. But if i'm in the middle of typing a response and the page refreshes i loose what i've typed.
i'm curious if it would be possible to make the "active topics" page not refresh when you type anything in the text box of the shoutbox?
i'm not sure if this could work, any comments would be appreciated, thanks.<
yigal7
13 September 2006, 03:08


how can i do it to refresh after someone else send a post?<
lory_wm
01 November 2006, 08:58


i'd like to know a thing. how can i to do for insert the new message in the top of the shoutbox?
that is: with this shoutbox the oldest message are in the top; but, in the top, i'd like to insert the new message... but in the admin config features page i haven't this option and i'm not very skillful with the asp code.
can someone help me?! thank u, very much!!!
i'm sorry for my bad (very, very, very bad) english!!!<
lory_wm
01 November 2006, 10:16


ok... i've found the solution!!!
at the line 159:
set srst = my_conn.execute("SELECT * FROM " & strTablePrefix & "SHOUTBOX ORDER BY S_DATE ")

i've modified as follows:
set srst = my_conn.execute("SELECT * FROM " & strTablePrefix & "SHOUTBOX ORDER BY S_DATE DESC")

so, the new message will appear at the top of the ShoutBox...
thanks to modifichicci!!<
lory_wm
01 November 2006, 16:18


hello!! ahahahhahahahah

i've an another problem!!! this time, my problem, is the sliding bar... now, the new messages appear in the top of the ShoutBox, but the sliding bar remains in the bottom!!
how can i resolve this problem?? thank u!!! (i hope that you have undertood my question)<
lory_wm
02 November 2006, 07:23


help me!!! *-*<
firstsrgt
25 December 2007, 21:20


i have try to download the shout box V2.0 from the link that is provide but for some reason it say that the contenent has been remove would anyone be so kind to provide me with that MOD it would be hihgly appreciated<
mdelcour2000
03 May 2008, 21:56


anyone have a "new" link to this mod. It seems to not be available any longer.<
rasure
04 May 2008, 21:21


Sorry I haven't been on for a while, download link now fixedsmile<
mdelcour2000
04 May 2008, 22:13


cool got it. Thanks a heap! :)<
mdelcour2000
04 May 2008, 22:53


ok, I installed it as per the instructions, but now I am getting a HTTP Internal Error

Here are the links to the files I have changed

www.mountaingrovealumni.com/forum/config.txt www.mountaingrovealumni.com/forum/default.txt www.mountaingrovealumni.com/forum/admin_config_features.txt
Can anyone help? Thanks in advance cool<
Stevensan
05 November 2008, 23:57


Hi guys, anyone experience error with the shoutbox? The shoutbox hanged on me sometimes after I have successfully implemented it in my forum. The scenario is that, it will hang at the last message and refuse to accept anymore new incoming messages and the last message are just text message with smileys. There were no error generated therefore I can't determine the source of the error.

Any help from the experts here?<
Mr Pink
06 November 2008, 08:28


My shoutbox sometimes gets stuck. try deleting some messages and it might start working again.<
Stevensan
10 November 2008, 19:55


Thats the exact same problem i get but how to completely resolve this issue anyone knows? I think its something to do with the shoutboxs' code. Could it happen becos someone might have input some weird stuff into the shoutbox?<
Stevensan
11 November 2008, 19:41


Anyone out there who can advise us? =)<
Carefree
11 November 2008, 23:58


For those wanting a collapsing table for the callbox, here's a replacement "inc_shoutbox.asp":
Shoutbox
I haven't been able to get the shoutbox to freeze, so that fix will have to wait a bit.<
Stevensan
13 November 2008, 02:55


Alright! Thanks Carefree. I am not sure how the freeze came about also... Its rather random. What should i do to help when the freeze happens again? So far the only thing i can feedback is that the freeze simply don't allow new message to be added or shown unless all the existing messages is cleared from the shoutbox.<
Carefree
13 November 2008, 05:07


Take a screenshot, in case it's being caused by an image. Press Alt-PrtScr. Open wordpad, paste it in there. Save it on the web so we can see it.
<
Carefree
13 November 2008, 05:11


On another note, the member_name field in the shoutbox code is set to size of 255. Since the forum limits the name field to 75, that can be reduced drastically in size.<
Stevensan
13 November 2008, 07:05


Ok no problem. I will take a screenshot if the error crop up again. But what do i need to do for the member_name field? Edit the field size to 75 in the database? Does this help in the error? Or is it a mean to optimise the database?
Originally posted by Carefree
On another note, the member_name field in the shoutbox code is set to size of 255. Since the forum limits the name field to 75, that can be reduced drastically in size.
<
Carefree
14 November 2008, 03:21


Well I reduced the size in the database for space reasons. I do not see any way that the size could cause a locking issue, but I won't say that it couldn't happen.<
Stevensan
15 November 2008, 01:07


Thanks Carefree. Your advise is good! I will optimise the database too. =)<
marcomax
07 February 2009, 01:40


How can I make shoutbox taller so that more msgs are shown?
THX<
Carefree
07 February 2009, 07:26


To increase the height of the shoutbox area, look for the following line (appx 107) in "inc_shoutbox.asp".
Code:
				"		<td align=""center"" width=""100%"" height=""100%"" bgColor=""" & strCategoryCellColor & """><iframe src=""shoutbox_entries.asp"" frameborder=""0"" scrolling=""auto"" name=""Entries"" width=""100%"" height=""85""></iframe>" & vbNewLine & _
Change that to say:
Code:
				"		<td align=""center"" width=""100%"" height=""100%"" bgColor=""" & strCategoryCellColor & """><iframe src=""shoutbox_entries.asp"" frameborder=""0"" scrolling=""auto"" name=""Entries"" width=""100%"" height=""120""></iframe>" & vbNewLine & _
Change the value (in red) until you get your desired size.<
rasure
30 April 2009, 03:35


I must admit I have never had the freezing issue with the shout box.
marcomax
04 May 2009, 00:00


Hi, my shoutbox started acting up, after a certain number of shoutx it stops accepting new shouts (so I have to erase older shouts), but even so, some shouts disappears randomly.
This MOD worked fine for few months, now I am having this problem.
My forum is at: www.LuciferLegion.com in case you need to take a look.
I hope I can find a solution for this, and thanks for your help :)
marcomax
13 May 2009, 00:11


I am having a problems with this mod, messages randomly disappear, you see a SS of the table: msgs from 23 to 65 are lost. This happened after I wrote a new msg.

[IMG]http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn310/marcomassimo/ScreenCaptureProfessional259.jpg[/IMG]
Shaggy
13 May 2009, 04:48


Please don't double post, Macromax; you've already started a topic for your problem in the appropriate forum so please continue the discussion there.
marcomax
16 May 2009, 23:09


Sorry for double posting. I fixed the problem of msgs disappearing, but now:

I reversed the order msgs get written: from top to bottom, but shoutbox keep auto scrolling down to bottom, how to fix it? I saw this question has already been asked few times, but wasn;t replied. Thanks
marcomax
16 May 2009, 23:12


Ok fixed that too...

Response.Write "<script language=""javascript"">" & vbNewline & _
"function gotoBottom(){" & vbNewline & _
"window.scrollBy(0,1000);" & vbNewline & _
"}" & vbNewline & _
"window.onload = gotoBottom;" & vbNewline & _
"</script>" & vbNewline & _
"<meta http-equiv=""Refresh"" content=""60; URL=shoutbox_entries.asp"">"

Change:

"window.onload = gotoBottom;" & vbNewline & _

with

"window.onload = gotoTop;" & vbNewline & _
Carefree
18 May 2009, 13:18


That won't fix anything, because the "gototop" hasn't been defined.
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