Guestbook-Comment Thingy
I was looking for a tagboard-guestbook type thing for a site and couldn't find one quite like I wanted, so I wrote my own. It's been a learning tool for me as I explore php development, but some people have found it useful, so I've packaged it up for release ( a good exercise in itself ).
Features:
- Coolio text character counter lets the poster know how much more they can enter (input field limited to 250 characters)
- Administration panel to edit/delete posts
- Installer script creates the required mysql table
- All functionality is contained in a single file
- Displays country flag of poster (based on an IP lookup at hostip.info). Flag display can now be turned on or off easily
- Mouse over a comment to see the date/time/ip of the post.
- Easily modifiable CSS styles to suit your site layout
- Modifiable bad words filter
- Flexible implementation - it can run in an iframe, a new window, or as it's own page
- Easy to create multiple instances. You could have topic-specific comment areas throughout your site (explained in the documentation)
Live Demo
This is how it looks installed as packaged here, but it's easy (with some CSS familiarity) to modify the look. It is implemented here in an iframe, which is the easiest way to install, but can be hacked into a CSS layout without too much trouble (see my guestbook on this site, which represents the next version, to be released late August 2005).
Administration Mode: To access the Administration Panel, enter as your name 'gbdemo' and enter 'admin' as the comment. The blue 'status bar' will display link to the admin panel. You, of course, will configure your own access password in the script.
Documentation
You can view the full documentation by clicking here. This doc is also included in the downloadable zip package.
Download
Current version 1.2d - last update August 20 2005 - 90k zip
changelog:
- Aug 20/05 - fixed a bug with sessions and multiple guestbook installs. - todo - the input area is currently CSS positioned but the fact is it would be more 'stable' in a table layout - version 1.3 will include paging function, smilies, easier CSS integration
- July 24/05 - minor rev to add copyright and 'pad_bottom()' so new installs don't look stupid. Fixed 'register_globals on' bug.
- July 15/05 - Finally got admin mode working properly, albeit a bit cludgy, but a single admin script now supports any number of comment scripts - todo - provide simple bbcode type formatting
- July 09/05 - Added Administration Mode, currently it only deletes entries. Significantly cleaner code as I get better at this PHP stuff
- June 25/05 - Created a 'bad word' filter - Fixed a common problem with idiots typing very long words, breaking table layout. Words are automatically broken after 40 characters - Created a simplistic installer, it just creates the table needed. - todo - soon I will add a simple admin capability for editing posts
- June 11/05 - First 'public' realease, I've been using it for quite a while.
Related Project
This originally started as a shoutbox-chatroom type thing. This version has a 20 second refresh function, and was designed to be used on a webcam site to provide interactivity between the cam operator and viewers. Works best with some sort of 'who's online' script (unless you enjoy talking to yourself). Not the most efficient chatroom around, but it does work. Has not been worked on for quite some time.
Download
Guestbook-Chatroom current version 1 - last update Jun 2005 - 90k zip
