List Scripts

LD · 2007-09-16, 03:17 PM

I'm thinking about starting a link list, and have been playing with list scripts...damn, these things are actually fun. In another thread, Lemmy I believe mentioned even if I did not take submissions right away, I would still make use of a script to organize my hub. I will probably go that route...build up a nice, organized site using a database script, then take submissions when I get it set up and looking decent.

Anyone want to share which script they are using?

I was wondering too if it was best to build your site with the script, or build a regular html site and insert script functions...I-frames or perhaps something more sophisticated.

Oh, one other thing...the cost seems to be anywhere from free to $500.00 US. Would I be better off getting something robust, or saving a few bucks for now and upgrading later?...most top end scripts offer cvs import...still seems like a huge PIA if the database is farily large.

Again, I appreciate all the excellent tips and help I get here...

PornGuru · 2007-09-16, 06:02 PM

Hi,

I have been running link lists for years. I started with TDavid's script. I believe it was $400.

Gossamer is probably the most robust script available. (Some will disagree with that).

I am right now working on a new link list with LinkX from the guys at JMB Software.

It uses the Smarty templating system. Has the ability to import links. You can check it out here. http://www.jmbsoft.com/software/link...ref=abostonboy

To answer your question about "how do you create the link list", it really depends on the script. Some allow easy customization and allow you to just insert tags, while others do not.

I looked at what linkX had to offer and then went from there. Knowing what tags do what in any script gives you an idea of how you can use the script. In my case I am designing the template that was given with the script from scratch. I basically did what you are thinking, I designed the layout of my site with a few fake links, then added the appropriate tags to make it all happen.

There are many great scripts out there. Best advice I can give is to find one that does what you want and go from there. It is much better to lay the foundations will all the features you will need (both now and in the future) than choosing a script that will cause you headaches later on.

LD · 2007-09-16, 09:10 PM

Excellent info! LinkX looks very good, better than some of the more expensive scripts. I'm read a bit about Smarty, probably need to get more familiar. It looks like what I am shooting for. There's a lot of list, and I'm thinking you need to stand out a little in the crowd, so customization is crucial...

PornGuru · 2007-09-16, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusciousDelight

Excellent info! LinkX looks very good, better than some of the more expensive scripts. I'm read a bit about Smarty, probably need to get more familiar. It looks like what I am shooting for. There's a lot of list, and I'm thinking you need to stand out a little in the crowd, so customization is crucial...

If you need help with that script, let me know. I am developing a few projects with it.

Lemmy · 2007-09-16, 11:09 PM

I have no experience with Gossamer, but I own a copy of LinkX and frankly it's one of the more complicated and counter intuitive scripts to work with and customize that I've tried. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking to start their first LL.

I also own a copy of XPowerLinks and I regret strongly the day I bought it.

Hands down the best script I've come across is DragonList. It's made by an adult webmaster who knows the business and what is required of a good script. Support is top notch. It's also extremely easy to customize. Anybody with just a basic knowledge of HTML can make it look and behave any way they want.

Pendo · 2007-09-17, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I also own a copy of XPowerLinks and I regret strongly the day I bought it.

Why? What's wrong with it? I looked at it recently and it looks really good.

LD · 2007-09-17, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

Hands down the best script I've come across is DragonList. It's made by an adult webmaster who knows the business and what is required of a good script. Support is top notch. It's also extremely easy to customize. Anybody with just a basic knowledge of HTML can make it look and behave any way they want.

DragonList and Xpowerlinks were my two "high end" choices. I must say Xpowerlinks has one of the screwiest websites I've ever seen, and I could not get their online demo to work...makes you wonder..I mean if they can't get the 'fn demo to work and can't put up reasonable faq section on the site, what is their product going to be like?

LinkX was so inexpensive I bought it, but I'm not committed to making it my script of choice. Right off the bat I cannot get it to open mysql tables on my server (no problem with other products)...we'll see if support can resolve it.

Again, thanks for the help!

Lemmy · 2007-09-17, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendo

Why? What's wrong with it? I looked at it recently and it looks really good.

It doesn't matter how good a script is if you can't get support. This has been a problem for me since day one. E-mails go unanswered for months. When you finally get hold of someone they just disappear in the middle of a conversation not to be heard from again.

I've held my tongue on this because I didn't want to piss off someone I was dependent on, but I've had enough. Once I figure out how I'm coverting we-r-sex to dragonlist. You just can't put a price on good support.

Tekster · 2007-09-17, 08:41 AM

I am with Lemmy on this one. I am not very good with scripts, and after looking at a bunch of scripts I went with DragonList. It is easy to figure out and implement. I will probably get a couple of more licenses to convert some of my hubs.

secretagentwilly · 2007-09-17, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pendo

Why? What's wrong with it? I looked at it recently and it looks really good.

I too purchases Xpowerlinks...and maybe it was over my head, but the customer support sucked and a designer that was recommended by the script owner, who is a cool dude, his name is Penturh or something like that from USSR or Ukraine, he no longer runs it...he handed off the baton to someone that really doesn't care about the product...I switched to esyndicat for link directories...esyndicat is pretty cool...i don't run a link list with it, but I do other things and it has a lot of functionality and for an unlimited domain license it was like $100. So that's the shit...but not the best for a link list unless you know how to reprogram it and do a solid design...xpowerlinks sucks...and the support is terrible...

secretagentwilly · 2007-09-17, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusciousDelight

LinkX was so inexpensive I bought it, but I'm not committed to making it my script of choice. Right off the bat I cannot get it to open mysql tables on my server (no problem with other products)...we'll see if support can resolve it.

You will not be disappointed with the JMBSoft Products...I use tgpx and the script owner is awesome...plus, right now, if you just purchased a JMB Soft Product, I think you get priority email support for 3 months free and if you want additional, it's like 5 bucks a month or something...when I first started with TGPR, prior to TGPX, I learned it right off the bat with the help of priority customer support...after the support expired, I used the support forum and when I couldn't resolve an issue, I purchased one month of additional priority support and the script owner logged into my script and fixed the issue...well worth $300 issue. I don't know anything about dragon except for a lot of sites use it...but I do know jmbsoft has been good to me...

Tekster · 2007-09-17, 08:18 PM

Here is something worth reading, if you haven't already:
http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/...ad.php?t=34027

Some very good points about starting a link list.

LD · 2007-09-17, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TekAngel

Here is something worth reading, if you haven't already:
http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/...ad.php?t=34027

Some very good points about starting a link list.

Man, that's discouraging...

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I have no experience with Gossamer, but I own a copy of LinkX and frankly it's one of the more complicated and counter intuitive scripts to work with and customize that I've tried. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking to start their first LL.

I also own a copy of XPowerLinks and I regret strongly the day I bought it.

Hands down the best script I've come across is DragonList. It's made by an adult webmaster who knows the business and what is required of a good script. Support is top notch. It's also extremely easy to customize. Anybody with just a basic knowledge of HTML can make it look and behave any way they want.

XPowerLinks is the BIGGEST POS I have ever seen.

LinkX I have had no problems with at all. Whenever I hit the support forum, I ask a can I do this type question and find a feature that's not documented.

However, I do have extensive Smarty training, so that makes it real easy.

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I have no experience with Gossamer, but I own a copy of LinkX and frankly it's one of the more complicated and counter intuitive scripts to work with and customize that I've tried. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking to start their first LL.

Did you ever get a site up w/ linkX. LMK I can help you. It's actually very easy.

1. Dump the crappy design they give you (it will drive you nuts)
2. Figure out what tags do what.
3. Design the page w/ the tags.
4. Determine if you can "swing" using one cat template w/ different smarty tag calls or you need unique templates.
5. Have fun with custom fields. (I am actually using this script as a review script) - Almost anyways, on my local server, need to finish some coding.

LD · 2007-09-18, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PornGuru

XPowerLinks is the BIGGEST POS I have ever seen.

LinkX I have had no problems with at all. Whenever I hit the support forum, I ask a can I do this type question and find a feature that's not documented.

However, I do have extensive Smarty training, so that makes it real easy.

I'm digging into "Smarty"...if you know of any good resources, feel free to pass them along....

Mr Exotic · 2007-09-18, 11:41 AM

I personally am happy with Xpower Links. The support is pretty hit and miss. Sometimes I get an answer within hours, other times weeks, luckily I havent needed support much other than when I first got it set up and when my server's HD failed. Its a good script for me, does what I need, so no complaints. I'm sure there is better out there, but I got version 1 of the script and for only 100$ I thought it was pretty good.

But yeah, as far as getting a link list going, prepare to spend hours and hours getting it started and years to make any money from it. I started getting my link list started in December and opened it up for submits in Jan. From the sounds of it I have made more off my list in the first year than most people, but still not close to make the time I have invested in it worth it. But now that its all set up and going, all I do is review sites and add in some new ads, and make little changes every now and then and just let the traffic and links build up, I am starting to see progress. I guess for me my link list is something I did because it is fun to run for me, and obviously have hopes to make me the big bucks sometime down the road wether it be 2 years or 5 years down the road, haha. Definitely a longterm project to say the least.

Lemmy · 2007-09-18, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PornGuru

Did you ever get a site up w/ linkX. LMK I can help you. It's actually very easy.

I got it set up alright, that's not the problem. But every step of the way, from customizing to adding links, I keep asking myself "why did they do it this way, when they could do it easy?".

I'm not taking submissions. The plan was to fill it up with paysites only and make a fake review site. I haven't touched it in months. Maybe when/if I decide to have another go at it I'll hit you up for advice. Thanks!

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemmy

I got it set up alright, that's not the problem. But every step of the way, from customizing to adding links, I keep asking myself "why did they do it this way, when they could do it easy?".

I'm not taking submissions. The plan was to fill it up with paysites only and make a fake review site. I haven't touched it in months. Maybe when/if I decide to have another go at it I'll hit you up for advice. Thanks!

Lemmy,

The reason why you are asking yourself, "why am I doing it this way" is partly because it has a lot of built in power.

I purchased a copy of linkX just to create a review site.

It's very easy to add a thumb to a link (think screen shot of a paysite), so there you have the basis of a "layout". Thumb, title, description etc. Change the detail section to read, "click here for full review", now it goes to the detail page. Add custom fields that you need to the db. Examples: Site Promises, Detailed Review, Summary, Rating. You can also add other fields to display screen caps of the tour, members area, anything you want.

I think the hardest part I had was figuring out how the custom fields worked and how to get them displayed where I want.

Smarty templating is confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's very powerful.

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LusciousDelight

I'm digging into "Smarty"...if you know of any good resources, feel free to pass them along....

Start here http://smarty.php.net/

Then http://www.codewalkers.com/c/a/Misce...for-Beginners/

Then
http://devzone.zend.com/article/1238...ng-with-Smarty

I have more, but that will keep you busy. There is also one book on Amazon that is ok. It has a section for programmers and one for deigners.

Just keep in mind that Smarty is intended to allow programmers a way to change a php script's fucntion w/o going into the php code itself.

have fun!

Lemmy · 2007-09-18, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PornGuru

It's very easy to add a thumb to a link (think screen shot of a paysite), so there you have the basis of a "layout". Thumb, title, description etc. Change the detail section to read, "click here for full review", now it goes to the detail page. Add custom fields that you need to the db. Examples: Site Promises, Detailed Review, Summary, Rating. You can also add other fields to display screen caps of the tour, members area, anything you want.

That's pretty much what I did. Check it out. I'm not saying it's not a powerful script, just that it's quite a handful for someone not familiar with scripting, so much so in my case that I hesitate to spend more time on it. It's just not easy to use and figure out.

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 04:26 PM

Good start. Two quick things. Dabble with the Css and add a thumbs Field.

{if $link.thumbs_url}<img src="{$link.thumbs_url|htmlspecialchars}" border="0">{/if}

Put that anywhere in the link display and you will get a nice screencap of the site. I find that increases clicks to the review.

I agree that LinkX is not as easy as some link list scripts. But I am a believe in "I want the power from day one." besides dropping $450 in Gossamer, LinkX is a good solution.

Lemmy · 2007-09-18, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the tip.

While I appreciate your advice and see your point, this is a good example of what I mean by complicated. If I want to put up a thumb there should be a checkbox and a built-in thumbcropper in the admin so I don't have to fiddle around with adding code (in my case first figuring out what code to add where) and then making and uploading a thumb manually. I understand JMB already has this functionality in their TGP scripts so it shouldn't be so much trouble adding it to LinkX.

IMO the script's biggest selling point is its price, but I'd rather pay a premium for full and easy functionality straight out of the box even if the script isn't as powerful. I want to spend my time webmastering, not coding.

PornGuru · 2007-09-18, 08:49 PM

Lemmy,

I agree with you partially. Many link list scripts don't even offer thumbs in the directory.

The main issue with LinkX is that it uses Smarty. I don't want to call it an issue, but I did.

Since Smarty is a layer (templating system) that gives designers a way to interact w/ the PHP code, there are a lot of features that quite simply JMB if they chose to list them all in LinkX then you could in effect have 20 pages of options.

About 1/2 the stuff that I have paid as a plugin for gossamer, I can do out of the box with LinkX. I think I am at close to $700 on Gossamer and plugins.

I am hoping that version 2 of LinkX will make it a bit easier.

I guess I like diving into code too much. I started writing a review script which I was going to sell, then realized that to make it easy for the webmaster, all review sites would look pretty much the same (css being the only difference and possibly a header), if I made it so it was powerful enough for anyone to change and make unique, i would be giving support all day. Smarty bridges the gap between the two extremes somewhat.

But, being able to start a review site w/ a $70 investment and 20 hours work, sure beats paying someone 3k to cutom code one, especially when many just modify Joomla!.

secretagentwilly · 2007-09-18, 08:54 PM

In all honesty, for a review site, I'd recommend wordpress...it's totally functional for that...totally...but that's my opinion and I'm a rookie...however, it would save you $70 and you could be up in running in less than a half hour...that's my opinion... =)

2007-09-16, 03:17 PM	#1
LD wtfwjd? Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,103	List Scripts I'm thinking about starting a link list, and have been playing with list scripts...damn, these things are actually fun. In another thread, Lemmy I believe mentioned even if I did not take submissions right away, I would still make use of a script to organize my hub. I will probably go that route...build up a nice, organized site using a database script, then take submissions when I get it set up and looking decent. Anyone want to share which script they are using? I was wondering too if it was best to build your site with the script, or build a regular html site and insert script functions...I-frames or perhaps something more sophisticated. Oh, one other thing...the cost seems to be anywhere from free to $500.00 US. Would I be better off getting something robust, or saving a few bucks for now and upgrading later?...most top end scripts offer cvs import...still seems like a huge PIA if the database is farily large. Again, I appreciate all the excellent tips and help I get here... __________________ Artisteer Wordpress Theme Generator Create Custom Themes! My Little Network

2007-09-16, 09:10 PM	#3
LD wtfwjd? Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,103	Excellent info! LinkX looks very good, better than some of the more expensive scripts. I'm read a bit about Smarty, probably need to get more familiar. It looks like what I am shooting for. There's a lot of list, and I'm thinking you need to stand out a little in the crowd, so customization is crucial... __________________ Artisteer Wordpress Theme Generator Create Custom Themes! My Little Network

2007-09-16, 11:09 PM	#5
Lemmy You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Next door to a kid with a moped. Posts: 1,492	I have no experience with Gossamer, but I own a copy of LinkX and frankly it's one of the more complicated and counter intuitive scripts to work with and customize that I've tried. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking to start their first LL. I also own a copy of XPowerLinks and I regret strongly the day I bought it. Hands down the best script I've come across is DragonList. It's made by an adult webmaster who knows the business and what is required of a good script. Support is top notch. It's also extremely easy to customize. Anybody with just a basic knowledge of HTML can make it look and behave any way they want. __________________ BUY MY PORNSITES!

2007-09-17, 08:41 AM	#9
Tekster Formerly known as TekAngel Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley of the Sun Posts: 1,951	I am with Lemmy on this one. I am not very good with scripts, and after looking at a bunch of scripts I went with DragonList. It is easy to figure out and implement. I will probably get a couple of more licenses to convert some of my hubs. __________________ Mr. Eros Free Porn Links iPhone Porn Phone-Pics

2007-09-17, 08:18 PM	#12
Tekster Formerly known as TekAngel Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Valley of the Sun Posts: 1,951	Here is something worth reading, if you haven't already: http://www.greenguysboard.com/board/...ad.php?t=34027 Some very good points about starting a link list. __________________ Mr. Eros Free Porn Links iPhone Porn Phone-Pics

2007-09-16, 06:02 PM	#2
PornGuru Rock stars ... is there anything they don't know? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12	Hi, I have been running link lists for years. I started with TDavid's script. I believe it was $400. Gossamer is probably the most robust script available. (Some will disagree with that). I am right now working on a new link list with LinkX from the guys at JMB Software. It uses the Smarty templating system. Has the ability to import links. You can check it out here. http://www.jmbsoft.com/software/link...ref=abostonboy To answer your question about "how do you create the link list", it really depends on the script. Some allow easy customization and allow you to just insert tags, while others do not. I looked at what linkX had to offer and then went from there. Knowing what tags do what in any script gives you an idea of how you can use the script. In my case I am designing the template that was given with the script from scratch. I basically did what you are thinking, I designed the layout of my site with a few fake links, then added the appropriate tags to make it all happen. There are many great scripts out there. Best advice I can give is to find one that does what you want and go from there. It is much better to lay the foundations will all the features you will need (both now and in the future) than choosing a script that will cause you headaches later on.

2007-09-18, 11:41 AM	#17
Mr Exotic rifuckingdiculous Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cornfield in Indiana Posts: 532	I personally am happy with Xpower Links. The support is pretty hit and miss. Sometimes I get an answer within hours, other times weeks, luckily I havent needed support much other than when I first got it set up and when my server's HD failed. Its a good script for me, does what I need, so no complaints. I'm sure there is better out there, but I got version 1 of the script and for only 100$ I thought it was pretty good. But yeah, as far as getting a link list going, prepare to spend hours and hours getting it started and years to make any money from it. I started getting my link list started in December and opened it up for submits in Jan. From the sounds of it I have made more off my list in the first year than most people, but still not close to make the time I have invested in it worth it. But now that its all set up and going, all I do is review sites and add in some new ads, and make little changes every now and then and just let the traffic and links build up, I am starting to see progress. I guess for me my link list is something I did because it is fun to run for me, and obviously have hopes to make me the big bucks sometime down the road wether it be 2 years or 5 years down the road, haha. Definitely a longterm project to say the least. __________________ Submit Free Sites/Galleries

2007-09-18, 04:26 PM	#22
PornGuru Rock stars ... is there anything they don't know? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12	Good start. Two quick things. Dabble with the Css and add a thumbs Field. {if $link.thumbs_url}<img src="{$link.thumbs_url\|htmlspecialchars}" border="0">{/if} Put that anywhere in the link display and you will get a nice screencap of the site. I find that increases clicks to the review. I agree that LinkX is not as easy as some link list scripts. But I am a believe in "I want the power from day one." besides dropping $450 in Gossamer, LinkX is a good solution.

2007-09-18, 04:53 PM	#23
Lemmy You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Next door to a kid with a moped. Posts: 1,492	Thanks for the tip. While I appreciate your advice and see your point, this is a good example of what I mean by complicated. If I want to put up a thumb there should be a checkbox and a built-in thumbcropper in the admin so I don't have to fiddle around with adding code (in my case first figuring out what code to add where) and then making and uploading a thumb manually. I understand JMB already has this functionality in their TGP scripts so it shouldn't be so much trouble adding it to LinkX. IMO the script's biggest selling point is its price, but I'd rather pay a premium for full and easy functionality straight out of the box even if the script isn't as powerful. I want to spend my time webmastering, not coding. __________________ BUY MY PORNSITES!

2007-09-18, 08:49 PM	#24
PornGuru Rock stars ... is there anything they don't know? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12	Lemmy, I agree with you partially. Many link list scripts don't even offer thumbs in the directory. The main issue with LinkX is that it uses Smarty. I don't want to call it an issue, but I did. Since Smarty is a layer (templating system) that gives designers a way to interact w/ the PHP code, there are a lot of features that quite simply JMB if they chose to list them all in LinkX then you could in effect have 20 pages of options. About 1/2 the stuff that I have paid as a plugin for gossamer, I can do out of the box with LinkX. I think I am at close to $700 on Gossamer and plugins. I am hoping that version 2 of LinkX will make it a bit easier. I guess I like diving into code too much. I started writing a review script which I was going to sell, then realized that to make it easy for the webmaster, all review sites would look pretty much the same (css being the only difference and possibly a header), if I made it so it was powerful enough for anyone to change and make unique, i would be giving support all day. Smarty bridges the gap between the two extremes somewhat. But, being able to start a review site w/ a $70 investment and 20 hours work, sure beats paying someone 3k to cutom code one, especially when many just modify Joomla!.

2007-09-18, 08:54 PM	#25
secretagentwilly You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 637	In all honesty, for a review site, I'd recommend wordpress...it's totally functional for that...totally...but that's my opinion and I'm a rookie...however, it would save you $70 and you could be up in running in less than a half hour...that's my opinion... =) __________________ HandRodeo.com - The Best Adult Sex Cam Reviews - JoyToy.us