Question for the admins...

[thelifelessone]

Hey, and chance you guys can share some info on how you do your resource and tools section? I want to make one for my site, but I have absolutely no idea where to start... What database tables to use, how to get map metadata, and such...

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TriggerHappy]

I'm fairly sure ralle based the resource sections off the forum sections, since they are counted as posts and show up on searches. Though he could have just integrated them, not based it upon them. As for the other question, the info is stored in MySQL tables, though the storage method shouldn't matter too much.

As for getting a maps data, you're going to need a custom program that is compatible with your server which can manipulate MPQ files. Writing a script which does that in a server language like PHP would be fairly difficult and probably not worth it. You can look at such libraries as StormLib and sfmpq and do it in C++.

Once you have that program, you're going to need to make something which can parse the maps files in order to get the info out of them. Things like maps name, tileset, author ect. This could be done directly on the server and shouldn't require a program for it. As for BLP images (map preview, skins, icons), you're going to need to make another program which can read BLP and convert it to a format viewable by browsers.

If you have these utulities it's very easy to develop a rough draft of this system. I've done it so myself (a little past a rough draft). Though I know ralle does not like to share these utilities for obvious (and understandable) reasons. There are also other ways to develop such a system, but this is how ralle does it and it's probably one of the most elegant solutions.

Sadly, if you do not know where to start you are going to have a long way to go.

 

[thelifelessone]

Eh, that won't work. My host doesn't let me to that stuff. :/

 

[MrApples]

Set up a system that allows users to post on the hive via iframe.

Once they are done, redirect them back to your site and spider the content off the hive.

You could use PHP's file_get_contents to do this.

 

[Ralle]

Set up a system that allows users to post on the hive via iframe.

Once they are done, redirect them back to your site and spider the content off the hive.

You could use PHP's file_get_contents to do this.

What a stupid idea.

That's basically stealing. Just like you did with your maps site.

This is trolling, I don't care what you say MrApples.

 

[thelifelessone]

Just ignore Apples when he says stuff like that.
Most of the time he isn't serious (at least I think (hope) not) .

 

[RaijinSpark]

I would stronly recommend you use vBulletin not freehost..

 

[thelifelessone]

Um... What?

 

[RaijinSpark]

Use vBulletin, with vBulletin almost everything is possible

99% of all freehost are dumb, your locked in the features they give you.. you only take advantage of the features they offer.. means you can't get a resources section like hive's

 

[thelifelessone]

Good thing I went and bought my own server about three months ago then..

And I'm perfectly capable of doing everything THW can do in MyBB, which is free.
I just choose not to spend the time to code it.

Also, the site in your sig. Theme is crowded, and too many boards.
The "Admin Contact" board should be a sub of "Site Discussion", and the "Workshop" board isn't needed, since you have the "Requests" board.
And all the resource boards should be a sub of a main submissions zone, and approved resources are moved to the proper location.

Just my opinion though. Do with it what you will.

Edit: HTML Frames? Seriously? D:

 

[RaijinSpark]

TheLifelessOne, I love suggestions got to work on those suggestion now to improve my site..... and what do you mean crowded?

Sorry for this reply sentence lol