Photo Album Addon v2 for phpBB2 FAQ - by Smartor

--- Saturday, October 09, 2004 ---

Q: #?^&$<@^~
A: Excuse me, please use English!

Q: Hello
A: Hi

Q: Are you English native?
A: No, English is just my second language. But due to the lack of time I can support English only. Fortunately almost computer people can use English. Sorry if my spelling and grammatical errors annoyed you ;)

Q: What is this?
A: faq.txt

Q: What does "faq.txt" mean?
A: This file, faq.txt, is a text file which contains some basic Frequently Asked Questions. They will help you find my answer for your questions quickly. And they also save me a lot of times.

Q: Is it a phpBB MOD?
A: Yes, but it is rather an add-on than a MOD for phpBB

Q: Why do you write this add-on?
A: For my personal usage. Afterthat I decide to share it :)

Q: Is it good enough?
A: It's hard to answer what "enough" is. But I think this add-on can get your A+ :)

Q: May I have a demo?
A: http://smartor.is-root.com

Q: Is this software easy enough for me to install?
A: It is very easy. It requires you a basic ability to follow my instructions (read the install manual carefully by letter and follow step-by-step). NOTE: Installing phpBB and especialy modifications supposes that one who does it is experienced with database, PHP, HTML, web hosting and administration.

Q: I am a newbie, I don't understand anything. Please help!
A: I can't help if you don't understand anything. Run around and get experienced!

Q: My board is a non-English one. Where can I get the translation of this software?
A: At my Translation forum at http://smartor.is-root.com. It was maintained by the devotion of our international members. I support English only.

Q: I cannot find out the translation of my language there!
A: You must translate it yourself. We will be very appreciated if you share it too.

Q: May I have any support if I get some problems with this software?
A: Remember that I didnot bring this software to you, just you got it from me (with zero fee). Therefore USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK! Take the responsibility for your action while I do NOT take any responsibilities, warranties, guaranties of any kinds at all.
However, I also offer some kinds of support: this FAQ and my support forums (also from other members) at http://smartor.is-root.com. Do NOT either try to contact me on chat or send me any emails/PMs for support questions. Otherwise expect my rude words!

Q: Can this add-on work with older-than-2.0.4 versions of phpBB?
A: I developped this add-on from phpBB 2.0.4 (the lastest stable version upto now). And I donot spend my time to test it on older versions. Test it yourself!

Q: Can this add-on work with phpBB 2.0.x?
A: If you take a look at http://smartor.is-root.com... definitly yes.

Q: I got this error: Fatal Error: Undefined function redirect()
A: Because your phpBB is too old. Above!

Q: Does this add-on only work with MySQL?
A: This add-on uses phpBB's DBAL so it can access whatever your database. But I developped this add-on on MySQL backend only so I donot try it on other DBs.

Q: Can this add-on be HACKED?
A: Eventhough today all developpers make their products more and more secure, any scripts can be *cracked* by any kiddies. However at the moment of my typing here, there are no known security bugs in the lastest verion of this add-on. So you should check my site often to stay-up-date.

Q: How can I stay-up-date? Is there any newsletters?
A: At the moment of this typing, I do not offer any newsletters. You must check my announcements at my site often ;)

Q: How can I report a security bug/vulnerability of this add-on?
A: Please shoot me an email, thanks! :)

Q: I installed it but it does not work! Help?
A: Hey, your question is meaningless. What is the symptom?

Q: I tried to reinstall this add-on again and again but it still does not work. Any ideas?
A: Describe your problem! I have one idea: go to bed and return to your computer in tomorrow morning with a bright head :)

Q: Oh, I met some error messages on my browser window about XXXX.php - line XX. Should I open that file and try to modify it to make it worked?
A: You would rather find a help in this FAQ or my forums than modifying yourself (that make you lose my support) unless you are an experienced coder :)

Q: Oops, I got a lot of error message like "Warning: Header already sent out (Output started in XXX.php..."
A: Make sure that: use a plain text editor to modify your files, you have no trailing spaces or lines after ?> in XXX.php, upload your text files in ASCII mode with your FTP.

Q: I installed Album v2. After I clicked on Album link, I only got the blank page :-\
A: Above! And make sure you upload all language files and template files to all your language pack directories and template directories.

Q: Well, I use Album Addon v1.xx before. But after I update to Album v2, it's no longer working with my ezPortal (by Smartor too)
A: Check the support forum at http://smartor.is-root.com.

Q: Does Album v2 work with ezPortal?
A: Yes.

Q: I installed Album v2. When I tried to open the album I don't understand how to do anything?
A: After installing you must open your AdminCP, look at the new Photo Album Section and... make senses :P
Don't worried it's very similar to phpBB's style.

Q: I installed Album v2. When I tried to open an album's page I only got a message: GENERAL ERROR: Could not query Album ... information...?
A: At the bottom of the install manual, I told you to do the SQL installation. Did you miss that step?

Q: Can this script upload in PHP Safe-Mode?
A: Yes, it can, for over half of cases. If you failed you would try to create two more directories album_mod/upload/tmp/ and album_mod/upload/cache/tmp/ then CHMOD 777 them too. Still failed? Contact your host provider!

Q: I only got the blank screen after I clicked Upload. Where did I go wrong?
A: This error was caused by a wrong setting. Firstly, try to switch the option "Optimize for version of GD" in AdminCP. Secondly, ask your server admin to get to know the information of your GD extansion for PHP: GD version, JPG support, PNG support? You should do a phpinfo() too. If you had not GD installed you should consider the option "Manual Thumbnail" (poster must upload thumbnail manually)

Q: After I clicked Upload, I received a lot of Warning Message and Error Message on my browser like "Permission denied..." or "Unable to create file..."
A: Did you miss this step: CHMOD 777 album_mod/upload and album_mod/upload/cache! Don't ask me what CHMOD is?

Q: I cannot Upload or I only received "open_basedir is set and your PHP version does not allow move_uploaded_file. Please contact your server admin"...
A: Yes, contact your server admin! Make sure your HTTP File Upload is enabled and your PHP version is up-to-date. Can you still upload with other scripts?

Q: I can upload files successfully. Everything seems to be working now, except the thumbnails. I only get the red X. Why?
A: This Album use GD to generate thumbnails. So make sure your host provider supports it! Otherwise you could try feature "Manual thumbnail upload"

Q: What is GD? How can I install it?
A: GD is a PHP extension. You can find out more detail at http://www.boutell.com/gd. I wrote Album, but I am not GD's author so I do not give out any support for GD.

Q: Why cannot we get thumbnail for GIF?
A: Because of some copyright issue ;)

Q: Why do you choose GD? What about Imagemagik, NetPBM, etc.?
A: Because I have GD installed and worked already when I have no Imagemagik or NetPBM. So why must I do for something that I have not? :P However, if I have time and a good mood maybe I will implement Imagemagik and NetPBM support in future versions.

Q: I am using phpBB 2.0.4. I have noticed that when a guest click on "Comment" link, he would ask to log in, but after logged in he only got an error message "Bad Request" or something... Is it a bug?
A: It can be called a bug, but it's not the bug of my Photo Album. It's the bug of phpBB itself. Read my patch_phpBB_204.txt to get my quick-and-dirty fix ;)

Q: Everything is okay now. But the thumbnail quality is very bad!
A: Try to switch the option "Optimize for version of GD", increase the thumbnail quality, etc. (then Clear the Thumbnail-cache) Ask your host provider to update to the newest version of GD.

Q: I want to make some MODs/Hacks for this add-on!
A: I am very glad to hear that :D But it will affect my support

Q: Can Album work with other styles than subSilver?
A: Yes, just copy *.TPL files to your template directory. Maybe you must modify some codes to make it fit your theme. It's your work ;)

Q: Why does not Album support "..." features?
A: For now, Album v2 supports almost features for general users. If you want more you may post your ideas into my Mod Suggestions Forums at http://smartor.is-root.com and hope me like your ideas too then wait for the next release. You should check out my phpBB Stuffs/Tutorials Forum at http://smartor.is-root.com, you may get some extra-hacks/MODs from other members.

Q: When will the next release come out?
A: Tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, next decade,... there is no release date. It depends much on my time and my mood. Moreover I am not sticking myself in this project only ;)

Q: I need "..." features badly, please do it, I can't wait!
A: If it's technical possible, maybe I will do it for you as a business. Contact me, I may tell you the price for your customized version.

Q: I saw a small copyright notice on Album page "Powered by Photo Album Addon v2.x.x (c) 2002, 2003 by Smartor". May I be allowed to remove it?
A: No, you are NOT allowed to remove it. You must keep my copyright notice (including the link to my site) with its original content (also in the source code) visible on your pages. This not only gives respect to the countless working hours given freely but also helps promoting my site and my scripts. If you dislike it just don't use this add-on.

Q: Hmm, my question is not found here!
A: Please check out my site http://smartor.is-root.com

Q: Can I ask you via email/PM/chat?
A: Do NOT email/chat/PM me for support questions. Otherwise expect my rude words!

Q: I don't intend to annoyed you, just want to talk with you. Where can I find you?
A: I am active at my site and I use MSN Messenger smartor_xp@hotmail.com