vBulletin Mods

XenvB4 (formerly ProjectvB4) is not just a responsive style, but a full framework adding new features to vBulletin 4.2.5

• Responsive, mobile first design
• Redesigned important pages
  • Forumlist
  • Threadlist
  • Showthread
  • User Profile
• New Modern Features
  • Modal profile popup
  • Search Panle
  • User menu Panel
  • Navigation Panel
  • Advanced Footer
  • Forum Cover Photo
  • Forum Icon
  • Facebook style Profile Cover Photo
• Included Add-on Modules
  • Donations
  • Mailinglist
  • Memberlist
  • Cookies
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Legal Agreements

Installation



XenvB4 installation is pretty easy if you follow the instructions below, step by step.

1. If you've installed any version (Alpha or Beta) of ProjectvB4, uninstall it !!
2. Unizip the file and upload all the files and folders from upload/ folder, to the directory where you've installed vBulletin. ATTENTION !!! If you've renamed your admincp/ directory, or if you've the admin files in a different directory, then you need to upload everything from admincp/ to your real admin directory.
3. Go to your admincp and first import the new style from Styles & Templates-> Download/Upload Style-> Import Style
   1. Browse and select the style/xenvb4-style.xml from your computer
   2. Let "Create a New Style" as is
   3. Just in case, is better to set "Ignore Style Version" to YES
   4. Let other settings as is
   5. Click Import
4. XenvB4 comes with a set of plugins and templates, so you need to import the product file. Select Plugins & Products-> Manage Products
5. Click Add/Import Product and select product-xenvb4.xml from your computer. Is good to set "Allow Overwrite" to YES.

Configuration



If XenvB4 installation was successful is time to configure it. First of all you must complete the follow steps which are important for XenvB4 operation.

1. XenvB4 add the default forum icon and forum cover to your existing forums, but you need to update the cache to see them working. If you don't do this, all your existing forums will not show any icon or cover. Goto Admincp-> Maintenance-> General Update Tools and Rebuild Forum Information.
2. Now is time to set User Profile Avatar and Cover Photo. I never understood the reason why these dimensions are not Global but per Usergroup. So you must edit one by one all your Usergroups and modify Picture Uploading Permissions with the values:
   1. Can Upload Profile Pictures : YES
   2. Can Upload Animated Profile Picture : NO
   3. Profile Picture Maximum Width : 1200
   4. Profile Picture Maximum Height : 340
   5. Profile Picture Maximum File-Size : 1024000
   6. Can Upload Custom Avatars : YES
   7. Can Upload Animated Avatar : NO
   8. Custom Avatar Maximum Width : 150
   9. Custom Avatar Maximum Height : 150
   10. Custom Avatar Maximum File-Size : 200000
3. Back to Maintenance-> General Update Tools and Rebuild Custom Avatar Thumbnails
4. At xenvb4/images/ you can overwrite the default images. Even if it's ok to use images with different dimensions, I highly recommend to use the default dimensions:
   1. email_logo.png (119 X 46)
   2. footer_logo.png (250 X 60)
   3. noavatar.png (150 X 150)
   4. nocover.png (1200 X 340) for both forum cover and profile cover.

Core Modifications



Depending on your configuration, may there are some changes that you need to do in core files. Unfortunately vBulletin license does not allows distribution of core files, so you must modify them on your own.

1.- HTML Emails
If you want to replace Text emails with HTML emails, you must edit the file: includes/class_mail.php
Line 285
Replace:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

With:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

Line 294
Replace:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

With

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

PS: If you already did these changes before when you installed ProjectvB4, the only change on this file is line 294

2.- Editor Emoticons
If you want to hide the emoticons from the right side of the editor to earn some space in mobile view (emoticon will still be available from the button menu), you must edit the file includes/functions_editor.php. Open it with a text editor (not Word and similar), and change line 551
From:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

To:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

3.- Poll icon in Forum/Thread lists
To replace the Poll icon with a FA icon, your need to edit the file includes/functions_forumlist.php line 592
From:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

To:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

Hi Chris, I have a backup test board vb4.2.5 that I use for testing. I know its alpha I will go through it and report any errors. But one question what php version are you testing the style in?

I'm working it with 7.1. Currently my PHP code are simple queries, so you'll not have any problem, as long as your vB installation works.

Only in case that you want to use kh99 reCapatcha plugin, you can have issue. The original plugin works with 5.6. If you want to use it with PHP 7 you must apply the change that I wrote above and it will works fine.

so far this is what I have. I was never much a fan on the block category but for testing purpose. its ok but you see it's miss aligned.
Attachment 157675

and in showthread the paragraph is to close to the left.

Attachment 157676

but so far the direction you're going will resolve it..

Thank you for the feedback. The first issue is something that I haven't worked yet. Is to use replacement variables to replace icons with font-icons. Also I'll add a standard height for blocks so should not be a problem.

For the 2nd screenshot I can't understand what's wrong. Do you mean that the text is closed to the left line of blockquote?

Add to additional.css this code:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

yes and the css didnt work

actually its not a quote. its regular post message

My bad. Should be without the dot infront. Also added !important to ignore other settings. And is better to add it to projvb/css/custom.css

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

If you see the page code, vBulletin includes the message in a block, like:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

Don't ask me the reason, but this is what I've seen in a few times that I was using in my mods, vB editor.

alot better :up:

Attachment 157677

yes i seen that in firefox element and saw it.

I think it will be a wonderful development

I wish too :) ... I'm spending my full time for it, but I love what I see, so this gives me courage to continue. I do believe that should be a rebirth of vB4.

Hello dear
The modification after the experiment is very special
I am sure you will make it the best for VB4 return again
I have a problem viewing the forums watched the attachment
Best regards

I had the same issue. To resolve issue i had to rebuild bit-field and rebuild style information.

Each forum supports now a photo for header background and a font-icon. I've setup a default photo and a default icon, but don't know the reason, why the forum cache does not allows to show them. If you go to admincp-> Forums and just open each forum and click save, even by don't doing any change, the default icons should appear. Of course you can change them according to your needs.

Hello dear
I Cleaning the cache files and the problem was solved
But now I want to change the direction of the forums to the right-to-left.
Best regards

Please check the page output code (right click the page-> View source code) and check it at the top it has dir="rtl". I assume that it has. Then the problem is on the additional.css or projvb/css/custom.css where most probably I'll have float: left; or text-align:left.

I'll change them at the final version. But you can try to change on your own, just to be sure that the problem is there.

Hello
Unfortunately it didn't work out ... and no problem right now I can wait for the next release
Best regards

Tell me something. Except the text, do you see problem in the forum appearance? eg The top left forum, must be at top right (as first forum for you)?

This link is for checking it yourself

As I can't understand if the forum appearance is correct, I've highlighted one. As you've RTL this highlighted forum must be the 1st on queue. Is this true, or it's the 3nd (so the 1st on queue is on the left)?

Hello dear
The specified forum is number three

OK, i got it and I know the fix which will also fix other similar issues. It's the grid system. It start counting from left to right. But there is a special version bootstrap-arabic.min.css where the whole grid system works RTL.

Don't do anything now as you need the same version file. As you said, wait for the next release.

Thank you very much, dear, and waiting for the next release

But it works as responsive. Right? I mean that you can see it with your mobile to be good, even if there are issues with text format.

I have already seen it and it is very convenient
I will set it as default style after the next version

I've updated Bootstrap files and added a condition to headinclude, so according to your settings it will loads Bootstrap grid system LTR or RTL.

Sure needs extra changes to custom.css and additional.css, but all these as time comes.

This is the final modal profile. It has 3 tabs for Basic Info, Visitor Msg, Send PM. If user has no permissions to post a visitor message or PM, he'll see a "No permission" message, even if it came to my mind (I admit that I'm a bit teaser :) ) to show the form as normal, but the message will goes to the ... universe :)

Good or Bad, this is what I was able to do in profile page, spending my whole day. Just header and sidebar. Main section tomorrow.

Don't remember if vB4 supports user status message, but I added a simple one. Easy to add/update it in user panel, and appears to Modal Profile. I'll also add it to profile page.

I think these modifications are very appropriate in the initial releases
And the next is definitely the best
Thank you so much

And here is WGO, something that I forgot from Forum home. Without fancy colors and icons.

Now, I really need your help for testing purposes. It was so frustrated, when I realized yesterday that, after spending a full day working on Calendar, Albums, and Groups, I've forgot to change the links to member profile, to open the modal window, instead to redirect to full profile page.


That's why I'm kindling asking you to register in my site and try as most as you can the sections. What I want you to test are:

1. If the design is responsive
2. If the member link open the modal window instead to redirect to the profile page.
3. If a page has a sidebar, if the sidebar opens in the side panel.
4. Any other design mess.

I've started a forum "Testing ProjectvB4" which has prefixes for the above 4 options. This way you'll help me to speed up the realize.


Please note that currently I've install the Forum only version, so you'll not see any CMS or Blog page.


https://www.projectvb4.com/


Thank you
Chris

This looks like a great project you have going. Really looking forward to seeing it be developed.
I've always liked VB4, so it's nice to see that VB4 might get a new life with a new look.

Should have a new life, I'm sure for it. Especially if IB gives me the permission to modify core files to keep PHP compatibility. Actually I'm thinking to give them the full project to include it as default theme (with all extra features), if they accept to put it back to life.

I doubt they'll give you permission, even if vB4 is EOL (and has been for quite some time). And I definitely would not hand the project over to them.

I run a vB4 forum at the moment with a whole bunch of code changes and updated features and I wouldn't dream of handing the source over to IB.

Would you thinking about publish your version to the public ?

...Wrong post :) ...

Wouldn't be possible without breaching several laws, unfortunately. I'd write a guide but there was more extensive things I added like using filp/whoops for error pages instead of the built-in vB error handler, and it would take forever to filter things like that out.

New licenses can't even download vBulletin 4.x

So, you're either doing all this for existing customers who refuse to move on ...

or you're wasting your time.

This is an advantage, not disadvantage. No updates means no extra work to adjust my code with any new release.
Even if there are some of them, I mainly do it for my own use and pleasure.
Be sure that I'm not wasting my time :) There are thousands left alone in the ship. Even for vB3. Do you know how many new Admins started a forum with vBulletin latelly? When they can find a license for less than $50, why not give a try?

In fairness, I think people are more likely to want to stick with vB4 than upgrade and move over to the absolute mess that is vB5.

vB5 is not "a mess" but you would have to be using it to know that.

Only if you want to use it just for forum.

I Added a Thread on your forum with all the bugs i found
take a look :)

Give a couple of hours to test it :) Have stressed myself to finish the extra features today, and I'm feeling so weak now. Most probably i'll check it tomorrow morning (in around 14h from now).

Just finished "everything" https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/data...ABAAEAAAIBRAA7 ... Well, to be more specific, that "everything" at this time has a general meaning.

This project started with focus to be a responsive vB4 style. This done. Also my intention was to give a fresh style (simple style), with focus to "Mobile first". I believe that this also done. Third plan was to release some extra features like:

• Cookies Policy
• GDPR compliance features
• Modal Profile with basic member info
• Modal Login/Register
• A simple Mailinglist
• A simple Donation form with IPN support
• HTML system emails
• A powerful Footer section
• Memberlist replacement

All of them added and at least in my test, seem to work fine. The problem is that some of these features were plan for the PRO version. I'll think how to resolve this.

What is still missing:

• RTL currently is partial supported
• Forum only version works. So the Suite version is still unsupported
• Even if all pages are responsive, some of them are still with the old interface. Responsive but not updated. Maybe I missed a couple of pages, but is so hard to check all of them. This can be done only in real use. What I care most, is to have all member links in all pages, opening the modal window. For sure in the most important pages this works, but needs very deep check to find what left out.

Thanks Christeris,
I love this project, however I got this message after installed. any idea why?

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

First of all what vB version do you use? Forum only or Suite. Even if I've installed and testing it in both versions, should be some template messing in Suite which is not ready yet. But for sure without errors. Never got errors.


So most probably a plugin causes it. Can you disabled your plugins and try again?

I have v4.2.5, just a forum.
after i turned of the plugin, forum back on, but a little mess up.

I dont know if the php version 7.1 has anything to do with it.

No, PHP 7.1 is fine as long as vBulletin works fine (without any issue).

Don't know if I understood well, but what you turn off? I meant to turn off all other plugins and let only the Plugin Project vB4 active.

Thanks Christeris,
I installed again on the fresh forum and everything working fine now.

I do have Thread Prefixes set up on my forum, but somehow it doesnt look like your forum, it doesnt show up.

I dontknow if I have to update counters or anything that I might did wrong. Thanks

Should be on the next release. I'm in 1.0.0 Beta now but still checking.

Thanks

Just wanted to recommend this project to any other forum admins out there.
I have it on my live site, and very happy with it. Really gives a new life to our old forum.

ChrisTERis has really put a lot of work into this project and it shows. Hoping more forum owners see this project and want it on their sites too.

Hi @Christeris,
Just wanted to let you know that there is something wrong with https://www.xenvb.com/. I'm getting a server error when I try to access it.

My hosting account is overdue and suspended. It will be open again on Sep 30.

Hello dear
Where are the download links for the latest version of the wonderful project

You can find it here
https://www.xenvb.com/

Thank you dear. The download has been completed and we are trying the new version

If you like it, try and donate anything you can to help keep this mod going.
I really want to see it improve, plus see some of the extra mods Christeris has in mind.

@chrisTERis
Looks like your site is offline again. Could you take a look when you get a chance.

I currently have the latest version installed on my live site if you want to see how it looks.
https://www.caraudiocentral.net/forums/

What versions of PHP does this work with?

Im confused, is this a product or a theme... seems like a theme with an incorporated product

thank you for this good job

can we get a screenshot of the types of settings we have for this

Sure,
https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/external/2020/10/1.png
http://chris.caraudiocentral.net/images/XEN/XEN2.png

I really like this project, but I don't believe it's getting the traction that the developer was hoping for.

There were going to be some addons that I really want/need for my site.
Custom newsletters and a marketplace/classified system that would work with XEN.

I hope he can come back and fix his site, and hopefully more people help donate to his work.

I'm waiting to hear back from chris still but I am working on the vB3 version and throwing in alot of my own ideas, I've been working on a bootstrap vb3 theme for a while now. All these screens are vb3

He has the forums on https://www.xenvb4.com/ and https://www.xenvb3.com/?styleid=2 which are online.

I'm not convinced that is the real support site. That looks like his old ProjectV4 site (different URL though), and all of the topics from the XEN support site are missing there.

I don't know why there are so many sites, it's getting confusing.
Has anyone been able to get a hold of ChrisTERis to help straighten this out?

Don't know why I didn't got any email for so many replies. Just for the last a few minutes ago.

I know that there is a confusion, so let's make some things clear.

1. Project vB4 is active. Not only this but also runs the project for vB3.
2. I just changed the name from ProjectvB4 to XenvB4 for a reason. People know that XenForo born from vBulletin developers. Naming my projects XenvB4 and XenvB3, is a way to show that vBulletin can have all the modern features that XF have, but keeping the stability and the so many extra features that vB has.
3. The websites xenvb4.com and xenvb3.com are JUST for DEMOSTRATION purposes.
4. The main site for both projects is xenvb.com
5. Yes, this site is down right now. There is no reason to exist (the site, not the projects). It should be idiot to spend money not only for hosting but also for the software there and have just 11 members.
6. Before closing the site I email all (10 + 1 me) members that for any new update, I'll send the files by email.
7. As for TAZ, since the time that they removed (without any notification) a post that I had with my PP email for those who wanted to support the projects even with a small donation, there is no reason to keep the post there. Finally I gave them a good traffic and many new members.

That's all that I've to say.
Chris

Well Chris, I've been trying to reach out to you. But to respond to your message above.

It would have made more sense to keep the one domain (xenvb) for purchases/ support/ etc. and sub domain (IE vb4.xenvb) the demos. Whats the point of Demo only sites if there is no support site.

As far as the development of the project I am interested in working on it with you, I have completed about 90% of xenvB3 just a couple more plugins to create (and no i have no intentions on re-distributing it, just do this stuff for fun). I know you have a bajillion projects, thought I might throw the idea out there. I'm not very good with vb4 but I've been doing vb3 stuff forever.

To be honest, I also like most vB3. Maybe because is more simple, don't know. Just the editor is outdated, but all others rock.

I've registered all the domains at once, that's why I used separate domains for demos.

What exactly is this if you don’t mind me asking? There’s no info in what this mod is? Thanks

I didn't get any email, what did it say?
Is there an updated version of XEN?

Really wish you would bring back the support site, or at the least use the DEMO site you have as your support site.

its a theme with addons, semi modernizing vB4 and giving it mobile functionality

Ah ok. Thanks for the heads up. I’m guessing it doesn’t exist anymore as a download.

With the greatest of respect, vBulletin 5 is dog sh*t. Why do you think so many major mod developers left the platform? There has been discussions on this very board where the staff have said this. There is extremely poor mod support in comparison to vB3-4 and overall, the platform is just extremely poorly made and thought through.

I've tried vB5. I currently hold a license for vB3, vB4 and vB5. I tried it during alpha, beta and the final release. I've tried newer versions. It's awful. It is NOT a good evolution of the software in any way, shape or form.

It's also the main reason you'll find many newer boards switching software to xenForo/IPB etc. It isn't up to standard. Many boards who updated to vB5 ended up either trying to downgrade back to vB4 or switch to an alternative software that is far better for their means than the absolute sh*t show that is vB5. The only issue with downgrading to vB4 is the fact it's EOL, so unless you are able to upgrade it yourself (or know someone who can) it's not ideal to do these days. Otherwise, vB4 sh*ts all over vB5. And then some.

OP, sorry for derailing the thread with this. But I absolutely refuse to be told vB5 is an adequate solution when it clearly isn't. I hope this project goes well for you.

kek vb5 is a dumpster fire of absolute shit lmao dont kid yourself

Does anyone know why the 'rate this thread' dropdown option doesn't work within this mod?
I can't seem to find why all the other dropdowns work, but this one doesn't.

I checked the default style of VB and it works there.

@cdoyle im working on something I HAVE to finish, but I promise you I am not dropping support from you, I know you been turning to me for help. As soon as Im finished with this project, i will be back on the xen project, so unless the developer has got to you by then, I'll help you resolve this.

Maybe it was when it first started off but as of now it’s not bad at all.

Thanks DR,
I really appreciate all the help you've given already on this :)
I've been playing around with the templates a little, fixed a few things here and there.

The rating one just has me stumped.

I've said this before, this is a great mod. Not sure why Christeris has decided to abandon it already.

He may not have, life has a way of throwing horrific curveballs at people sometimes (not suggesting it has, just a potential reason). He's probably just busy with other projects.

Another improvement to this mod I would like to see is with the navigation.

Currently in Desktop mode, it displays as if it's on a mobile screen. Hiding all of the options.

It would be great if when on a larger/desktop the navigation displayed like a true navigation across the top. Then when on mobile or smaller screens, it went into the mobile style.

In the navbar template, replace the following lines:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

with these lines:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

and in navbar_tabs template, find

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

and replace with

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

I think there is a missing javascript somewhere. Inline moderation tools do not work in this style. The tickbox on posts and threads does not select them.

In SHOWTHREAD template, look for the following lines:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

and replace with:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

Note that the only change is in the last line here from div to ul.

The closing of this div should also be changed. Look for:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

and replace with:

Block Disabled:      (Update License Status)
Suspended or Unlicensed Members Cannot View Code.

If anyone has done any other updates to this mod / style, post them here so that we can add them to the next release.

Yay! Thank You this is awesome! So happy to see a navbar back!
Couple questions, not sure if you know how to fix.

1. Is there a way to make the sub options appear as dropdowns in the desktop view?
2. I noticed when in mobile view (and it may have always done this and I just didn't notice it until now). But the search icon, logout option etc. ) squish together and become invisible in this area. Do you know how to make them fit better in the top blue area?

https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/external/2020/11/1.png


EDIT:
I just noticed that the dropdowns do appear when I hover over this white area. DId I do something wrong? Or is there something else going on?
https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/external/2020/11/1.png

Edit 2:
I'm also not able to actually select anything, as they disappear as soon as I try and hover an option.

Thank You!!!
can't believe that's all it was!!

Grrr, VB.org keeps changing the URLs to my images overnight.
To see what I'm talking about, go here
http://www.caraudiocentral.net

I've tried starting over, but ended up with the same result. Any ideas why the dropdowns don't seem to be working correctly?

What would vb.org have to do with any images on your site?

I meant the screenshots in the post I quoted, the URLs are being changed so the images don't display

........Link removed................

Is this built on VB?
Or is this something else?

Edit: It looks to be a whole new forum suite.
Will you still be supporting XenVB?

It's not a forum, or better, is not just a forum. Is a portal having all those sections. That said, is not vB, is not xF, is not IPS. Is just a fair portal, for those who want to start a ready community. Ideal a City Portal.

Sure. XLForo is something different. My passion for vBulletin is still active.

Will you still be releasing the newsletter and classifieds mods as part of XEN?