Word Links by BOP5 - How to create a data file.

------------------------------------------------

For advanced features Word Links can pull data from a data file you upload to your forums directory.

The Data File must be a CSV (Comma Separate Value) File. These can be created in a standard text editor or preferably with a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel.

You should save your data as a basic CSV file with commas separating fields and no field enclosures if given the option.

The data file should be uploaded to your forum root directory. This is the directory that contains showthread.php and other files.

A sample data file is included with the mod, you can edit it or create your own.

The file is copied below for convenience:

---Begin CSV File---

Amazon,http://www.amazon.com,,
eBay,http://www.ebay.com,,nofollow
Best Buy,http://www.bestbuy.com,_self,
JUOT,http://www.juot.net,_blank,nofollow
vBulletin,http://www.vbulletin.org,_blank,
Google,http://www.google.com,,
Apple,http://www.apple.com,,friend
Microsoft,http://www.microsoft.com,_self,alternate

---End CSV File---

Note: Blank lines are allowed in the file and will be ignored.

The only REQUIRED data in the CSV file is a Keyword (or phrase) followed by a URL corresponding to that keyword.
Commas are not allowed in keywords or URLs.

Basic Format:

Keyword,URL

Note: Spaces on either side of the comma are allowed and will be ignored.

A basic csv file will contain one or more keywords followed by their associated URLs.

Example:

Amazon,http://www.amazon.com
eBay,http://www.ebay.com
JUOT,http://www.juot.net

You can also create an ADVANCED Data File which includes specify the "target" of each link and the "rel" attribute of each link.

Advanced Format:

Keyword,URL,target=?,rel=?

---target---

The usual options for "target" are either:
_self 
_blank

"_self" tells the browser to open the link in the same window. This is useful for internal links.
"_blank" tells the browser to open the link in a new window or tab so the user doesn't leave your page. Thus is the expected behavior for external links.

In addition to _self or _target you can enter any value here you might need for a custom application.

If no value is set for target the mod will use the default option in the mod settings.

Example:

Amazon,http://www.amazon.com,_self
eBay,http://www.ebay.com
JUOT,http://www.juot.net,_blank

---rel---

The usual option for "rel" is:
nofollow

However there are additional "rel" possibilities as discussed here:
http://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_a_rel.asp

"nofollow" was created by Google to tell search engines to ignore the link. It was widely abused as a way to increase SEO and over the years "nofollow" lost most of its value. Recently Google announced that using "nofollow" will no longer help retain SEO at all and therefore it really isn't that important anymore, but the option is included for those set in their ways and noobs who don't know any better. ;)

If no value is set for rel the mod will use the default option in the mod settings.

Example:

Amazon,http://www.amazon.com,_self,nofollow
eBay,http://www.ebay.com,,nofollow
JUOT,http://www.juot.net,_blank

Note: If you are setting a "rel" value but are NOT setting a "target" value you MUST still include the extra comma signifying the "target" is blank such as in the eBay example above. Microsoft Excel will create the blank fields automatically when saving your file.

You do not NEED to include an extra comma at the end of the line if you are not specifying a "rel" value, but you can if you want or if your editor creates one automatically.

