UBB.threads PHP Forum Software Community Forums UBB.threads Version 7/8 Support Can I intergrate code with UBB?

I'm thinking of an idea to create a form where forum members could enter information about the vehicles that they own. Another page would allow them to search a database for members located within x miles of them or search for the year, make, and/or model of vehicle they own and view their location relative to nearby members on a map (integrating with a mapping database.)

I'm wondering if I can query the forum db to log them into the form before they can enter information? IOW, they would not necessarily have to be logged into the forum, but if they were logged in to the forum, I could verify that before they could successfully enter data into the fields of the form.

This would require them to enter their credentials in the form page, then pass that information to the forum db, and then somehow get an answer back that the login was successful or that it failed or that they were already logged in.

Is this possible? Does UBB have any APIs for doing this?

I know how to query the db to get their email address and display name given their member number, but I'm trying to avoid having to create a separate login just for this app. I would not want anyone who is not a forum member be able to enter information or query the db.

If you prefer to respond to this off list, that's fine. Just send me an email.

You would have to have a custom set of code developed to do this for you, but you can tear apart the portal template and script files to get a simple grasp of how PHP/HTML code can be formatted and how MySQL data can be pulled for that system.

I've been doing this with my car forum for nearly 20 years.

A custom profile page plus the member search handles the locations and additional fields. posts and pm author information shows additional details. member spotlight is customized. user editor in the CP can handle the additional fields. plenty of minor updates all around.

it takes time and lots of knowledge on what you want and dont want.

It's a great small project to learn how to write code if you are just starting and have the desire to progress.

I'm 74, so I'm not trying to become a programmer. But, this is a project I've thought about for some time. Right now I'm gauging interest from the members. If there's enough interest, then I'll have to start hitting the books to learn how to code securely and produce the output I want. Either that or hire someone else to write the code.