A frequent error message received when using the mysql command line utility is:

Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock'


While this error message can be frustrating, the solution is simple, especially if you are on a shared server, report the problem to your ISP and let them deal with it.

If on the other hand, you are on a server that you maintain, the solution isn't quite so simple but not rocket science either.

When connecting to a MySQL server located on the local system (most linux boxes and all Windows system connect this way), the mysql client connects thorugh a local file called a socket instead of connecting to the localhost loopback address 127.0.0.1.

For the mysql client, the default location of this socket file is /tmp/mysql.sock. However, for a variety of reasons, many MySQL installations place this socket file somewhere else like /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock.

If you have SSL access to your server and its a *nix box, you can check it as well as the location of your my.cnf file by using the following:

1. type

locate mysql.sock

and/or

whereis mysql.sock

what is returned ?

2. type

locate my.cnf

and/or

whereis my.cnf

what is returned

While you can make a direct command line work by specifying the socket file directly in the mysql client command mysql --socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock, you don't have to have a CS degree to see that it gets pretty cumbersome, pretty quickly.

You can plainly see that it can be painful to type this in every time not to mention prone to typo errors. If you must do so this way (because you don't have permissions to the file in the solution below), you could create an alias in your shell to make this work (like alias mysql="mysql --socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock" depending on your shell).

To make your life easier, you can make a simple change to the MySQL configuration file /etc/my.cnf that will permanently set the socket file used by the mysql client. After making a backup copy of /etc/my.cnf, open it in your favorite editor. The file is divided into sections such as

[mysqld]
datadir=/usr/local/mysql/data
socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock

[mysql.server]
user=mysql
basedir=/usr/local/mysql

If you don't have a section called [client], add one at the bottom of the file and copy the socket= line under the [mysqld] section such as:

[client]
socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock

If a [client] section already exists in the my.cnf file, add or edit the socket line as appropriate. Although you don't need to restart your server for this modification, you may want to anyway to get a clean start.

If your forum has been around for a while or you just moved it from a Hosting Provider running 4.X MySQL/PHP, then you really need to check the collation in your database before you try to install vBulletin 3.8.1. Otherwise, you may get a nasty surprise about midway through the upgrade. NO JOKE! It is an ugly database error and terminates the upgrade in an unknown state as far as I can see. As I understand it from doing empirical testing on multiple databases, the source of the problem is both at the record level AND the table level if they use a Collate definition different than the database default.

Here is the issue:





If you attempt an upgrade to 3.8.1, about midway through you get this lovely little wake up message:




Surprise! Surprise! "Illegal mix of collations (latin1_swedish_ci,IMPLICIT) and(latin1_general_ci,IMPLICIT) for operation '='
Error Number : 1267"

I think the root cause of my problem came from my moving my databases from a 4.X server to a 5.X server recently and both servers had different default collation settings but this could happen a lot of ways including the following.

Another method I found while looking for a solution to this critical problem is the following:

(DO NOT USE THIS PROCEDURE, UNLESS SHOOTING YOURSELF IN THE HEAD IS YOUR TARGET AGENDA. IT INTRODUCES THE PROBLEM WE NEED TO SOLVE HERE.)

1. Enter your cPanel and click on the phpMyAdmin icon in the Databases box.
2. Select the database you wish to manage from the drop-down menu on the left
3. Click on the Operations tab in the top menu of your phpMyAdmin
4. At the bottom of the page you will see the collation option. You can now select a collation from the drop down menu and click on the Go button.

Please note that after your change the collation of a database only the new tables will be created with the new collation. All other tables remain with the collation, they were initially created.

Believe it or not, I found the above offered as a solution on a fairly popular self help forum. DO NOT DO THIS!

While you can set individual table collation to the default you need for consistency, this procedure is tedious and time consuming. I tried several ways to change the collation globally using what I found suggested on the internet but none of them worked as stated.

For the old DECies out there, this is a major league rathole if ever one existed. You can easily convert the whole database to UTF8 but supposing you want your database to be consistent with latin1_swedish_ci which is Western European? Not a pretty picture but I did find a way to do it.

In fact you can fix the problem using the above procedure but not as described. The resolution is fairly simple.

In phpMyAdmin:

1. Export the database to your local system
2. Drop all the tables on your webserver.
3. Change the Default Collation on your empty database using the Operations tab.
4. Edit the SQL file on your local server and change all occurences of "latin1_general_ci" to "latin1_swedish_ci" without the quotes.
5. ReImport the modified sql file.
6. ReRun the upgrade script and it should complete cleanly now.

I discovered that my particular problem and yours too probably is the latin1_general_ci definition because my default for the database is latin1_swedish_ci and its not a table issue per se because I found that some of the individual fields had their own collation definitions as well. My global search and replace found 153 occurrences of latin_general_ci. I didn't realize on the first go round that the upgrade script was tripping over field definitions as well as tables so I was again surprised when I replaced all the table occurrences of latin1_general_ci and the script failed again when I re-ran it the first time.

You can use this same technique no matter what collation you want for your database. I did the one described and did a UTF8 conversion as well and both of them finished the upgrade cleanly without error.

Now, you may be thinking " this is a really stupid way to kill a fly" but if you try to do a search for the collation values that need to be changed more than two thirds of them don't show up in a database search. You can certainly find them if you want to spend the time checking all the fields in all the tables OR even more ridiculous, only fix the ones that cause the upgrade script to file. That might work too but I wouldn't want to have to depend on the consistency of the database after that exercise is finished.

In any event, what I have posted here worked for me. The ultimate choice about how you fix this ugly problem is yours. Have fun no matter what method you choose.

By the way, the error condition does randomly show up depending on what hacks you have installed on your site. For example I know for sure that it occurs with 3.8.1 when ibProArcade v2.6.8+ is installed. Even though it did not show up on the upgrade process, it broke the ability to run the Tournaments in the arcade rendering it quite useless.

Here is one of the fixes that needed to be applied:

1. Open your database in phpmyadmin and scroll down to the 'tournaments' table.
2. Make sure the collation column says 'latin1_swedish_ci' (if it doesn't click the tick box and go to the Operations page, change it to 'latin1_swedish_ci' and save).
3. Open the table so it displays the fields (scroll down the left navigation and click 'tournaments') and make sure all the required collations are 'latin1_swedish_ci'
If any are not 'latin1_swedish_ci' click on the change button and change them accordingly and save.

These three tables are likely candidate to break the arcarde.

tournaments
tournament_players
tournament_players_status

If you look at the table and see a collaiton of latin1_general_ci , change them to collation to latin1_swedish_ci.

Personally, I recommend FIXING the DATABASE problem by dumping it out and fixing the bad collations and importing the new, consistent database. Mr. Murphy has a way of finding the worst possible moment to do that most possible harm at the least opportune time to paraphrase Murphy's Law!

As Always, HTH, if this little tip helped you overcome some problem TELL ME ABOUT IT! Even better tell all your friends and vBulletin acquaintances where you found it.


:wscool:ENJOY!:wscool:

Bet Yahoo is thrilled that the latest group of virus spreading scumbags have chosen them as one of the vehicles of delivery for this hack that has been attacking various CMS sites, Wordpress site and now some reports of vBulletin attacks have been posted.

The vBulletin sites (and a few of the non-vb sites I reviewed) have had javascript code injected into the head block that "looks like" a call to Yahoo Counter but is really the hacker code making calls to external site (probably one of their drone sites) and killing the performance of the infected system as well as doing whatever that infection does. By the way, Yahoo doesn't have a "Counter" so that ought to be a clue as well.

Another oddity about this virus attack is that its been around a while and not too much has been published about it as far as prevention or clean up procedures as far as I can see.

I found references on the Wordpress site as far as far as three months ago but most of them were more recent than that one. So, this piece of crap has been around the blogs for over two months and has started it way around the forum sites. It’s coming from Latvia and it’s on the server side. It attacks sites that use php, cms, forums, and blogs. It’s a virus (or something of a malicious nature). The JavaScript has a very complex( much of it looks like its using hex codes or pseudo encryption to obscure its instructions) that appears to be referencing an ip address or multiple ip addresses.

Apparently, this infection adds code to or creates php and .htaccess file to deliver the goods (bads in this case). You should look for files that have had permissions changed to 777. NO vbulletin files require this level of permissions to run. So check for new creations and files that have the file creation/ modification dates changed recently, more specifically since the problem started.

GET HELP! This is a serious attack on your site and your host provider should be involved in any solution.

HTH.


:no:ENJOY!:no:

Attention vBulletin Developers:

I see a LOT of vBulletin requests for help that never get any responses, even on the official vBulletin Support sites, like vBulletin.org. This tells me that a need still exists for a Developer Network centered on all the vBulletin products, mods and related software.

I would like to develop a contact list of vBulletin developers who are available for freelance work. My initial idea is to have an open information exchange and I have added a forum on vBPlusMe for this purpose but if you prefer to keep your contact information private, please PM me with your information and instructions about what can be published or not, if you are interested in being added to the contact list:

1. What is your skill level at developing hacks/mods/extensions/template edits? (1-10)
2. What is your skill level at vBulletin administration tasks, including upgrades? (1-10)
3. What is your skill level at PHP coding? (1-10)
4. What is your skill level at database development (mySQL)? (1-10)
5. What is your skill level at HTML/CSS? (1-10)
6. What is your skill level at graphics/web design? (1-10)
7. What is your level of knowledge of SEO? (1-10)
8. How long have you been a developer? (years)
9. Do you operate one or more forums? Are you a moderator at any other forums?
10. Have you developed any of your own hacks?
11. Do you have any showcase clients - 3 preferred (please provide details of your projects)? May we contact them for reference?
12. How many hours do you have available weekly?
13. Where are you located geographically? What is your timezone?
14. By what methods of contact are you available (email, PM, messenger, telephone)?
15. Do you have a resume available?
16. What is your hourly rate? What pricing and payment structure do you prefer?

Hello to all,

FYI, I have updated the blog softwar on this site to the latest beta version ... vBulletin Blog 2.0.0 Beta 4. Hope you like it. If you use it and have problems let me know so I can report it.

thanks,

Michael :wscool:

A Commentary

Google is culpable for the recent Tsunami of Cyberjunk and should be held accountable for it.

Why Google?

The core motivation for ALL the bogus Forum registrations that have recently saturated the Internet is all about Page Rank.

Page Rank is a Bogus Google Affectation that is generating Million$, if not Billion$ for the spammer scumbag community at the expense of all the Forum Owners and Operator all over the Planet who have had their sites compromised by Xrumer, the rogue Russian Software designed explicitly for the purpose of spamming the planet, exploiting Forum site and Google Page Rank.

By the way, the hype about Page Rank versus the reality of its implementation and relevance in reality are galaxies apart in real terms. Page Rank is about $$$ not about relevance!

Russian, Chinese and Blackhat Spammers all over the planet are using the latest version of Xrumer to scam the entire internet community via Forums, Gmail (now ALL free mail systems) and Spam.

The scam is simple, register a bogus Forum account, "spike it" (but not right away) with the spammer link dujour, artificially generate a huge page rank, collect the cash fro Google PPC and Link sales. Couldn't be easier or less work, the perfect bank robbery without ever leaving the home fires unattended.

This round, even Google got caught in the trap of their own making. Xrumer has also compromised the registration process for getting a legitimate gmail account for use with the Bogus Forum Registration. NOBODY suspected that gmail accounts had a problem when the Cyberjunk Tsunami first appeared. Gmail was suppose to be "bulletproof" ... not any more!

Frankly, I am about to code filters for all my site that disallow ALL free mail accounts for registration. Xrumer has compromised them all now.

What to do.

Page Rank is the Google scam! It is manipulated by Google to generate revenue for Google, plain and simple. The whole system should be independently investigated by the authorities and dismantled as an unfair business practice favoring big business and big $$$.

While I would be the first one to admit that the whole Google PR system is the biggest farce on the planet, unscrupulous BlackHatters are getting filthy rich on breaking the rules that Google is grotesquely ineffective at detecting never mind enforcing. But what about the rules?

Ask any blackhat as they are laughing all the way to the bank about the rules. For them, the rules don't exist and you can find hundreds, if not , thousands, and maybe hundreds of thousands of "God Bless Google" comments everywhere in the Blackhat community and they rake in Million$ from breaking the Google rules with TOTAL impunity.

Remove the PR incentive and the spammers have no more motivation. They will go back to the email scams probably.

Authorities need to find, apprehend and prosecute Xrumer developers, Xrumer Scammers and Blackhat Spammers under what ever existing cyber crime laws exist. You won't find a better example of domestic terrorism anywhere on the planet. Junk PR Dealers terrorize forum owners every where.

Massive Lawsuits should be filed against Blackhatters, CyberJunk dealers and Xrumer scammers as well as dismantle their operations, close down their internet sites and sieze their bank accounts.

Don't like my solution? Suggest one of your own! Someone needs to be held accountable for the theft of million$ and the expenses incurred by Forum site owners and operator trying to defend against these attacks.

I am just looking over the posts over the last few days on vBPlusMe and see lots of references to SPAM, bad guy spammers, AntiSPAM etc. etc. This is simply a sign of the times and what's current. It has nothing at all to do with the goals and objectives of vBPlusMe. Trust me, this site is a General Purpose vBulletin Solution site. If you have a vBulletin issue or problem that is not coming out the way you expect it should or need help solving some problem POST IT.

If you can not find what you need, tell me. Let me do the research and ask the tough questions for you. I have been doing this kind of work for a really long time and know how to get results.

Hope thing are going well for you but if they are not, let me know so I can help you.

ENJOY!

This site, vB Plus Me - A Real vBulletin Resource Site - Powered by vBulletin is dedicated to all vbulletin newcomers and neophytes who may be intimidated by the sheer magnitude of the vBulletin software package and the huge number of features that are available. I especially welcome members how have NEVER managed a REAL forum software before and need to "get up to speed" yesterday because they "inherited" a vBulletin site and haven't got a clue! You will find a haven here and a safe place to ask you questions and get "straight forward," "plain English" answers to your questions!

I have been doing development and support work for a LONG TIME:rolleyes: more time actually than I care to admit if the truth be known but let me say this, my first computer program was done on a second generation IBMPC that only had two floppy disks and a green monitor, no harddisk drive, didn't have them then. They didn't show up for another year. I have been and still am a software engineer, quality and development manager for several high tech companies like Digitial Equipment Corporation when they were #2 next to IBM.

Currently, I own and manage a number of Software Support sites on the Web that serve various vertical niches like Dating Software, Dating Sites, Technical Support and this vBulletin Support site. I have been working with and on the vBulletin software for over 5 years and know quite a lot about it. If I don't know about something to do with development and support of the vBulletin system, I know where to go to get the right answers. If you have a question or situation on your vBulletin site and I don't know the answer, I will be happy to research it and find the answer for you. YOU are definitely NOT ALONE! Your help like is just a Post, PM or email away!

Register Today at vB Plus Me - A Real vBulletin Resource Site - Powered by vBulletin its FREE!

Thank you for your attention.

Michael, Owner, Operator, CEO, CTO and everythign else too!