Extension talk:CheckUser/Archive 1

=2007=

etc
See also bug 8705 and bug 8710. Eia 26 January 2007
 * OK, when do I get to play with this? --En.jpgordon 07:28, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Brion needs to review the patch. It can be fixed if needed, resubmitted and committed then. He'll also have to run write queries on a good set of wikis. Voice of All 17:40, 27 January 2007 (UTC)
 * OK, this has now been reviewed, simplified/fixed, and resubmitted. It now needs final approval before I commit. Voice of All 02:16, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

new version
so is the new version we're seeing now your work?

and can we still get to the old version, or do we have to abandon all checkuser efforts prior to today? --En.jpgordon 21:24, 7 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes, Tim reviewed it and added a nice batch db script to migrate the data into the new table. The old version is no longer accessible, though I am not sure why you would need it though. The data should still be accesible. Voice of All 22:22, 7 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Just a small matter, I guess, of actually doing the migration? Right now, checkuser on enwiki shows no information for anyone prior to this morning. --En.jpgordon 00:05, 8 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Tim wrote a small batch install.php file, that should copy the stuff over slowly enough so as not to cause downtime/lag. It seems odd that he would svn up and then run it though. I'll talk to Tim. Voice of All 01:17, 8 April 2007 (UTC)

"Installing" with or without so called "command line"
I'm trying to install this on my wiki, but I don't have access to a command line to run install.php. I've tried SSH-ing to my domain, only to be told that exec is forbidden. I've tried using phpShell, but that wouldn't work. Short of running off to my host's tech support, is there anything I can do? --62.254.220.101 18:43, 27 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Peter Blaise adds: I have access to the server (WinXPPro) and I also can't "run Install.php" - "run" is not a command. Now what?  Do you mean to open the install.php command with the php.exe executable program?  By doing what?  My   ... and php.exe is in the   directory.
 * Also, why add  when I have no such directory or file - you told us to put them directly in the "extensions" directory, so wouldn't the line to add to LocalSettings.php be:   ?  Anyway, without running "install.php" first, nothing works, and the wiki contents just get replaced by a bunch of file listing code until I comment out the "// include..." line.  Thanks. -- Peter Blaise peterblaise 18:12, 19 June 2007 (UTC)
 * The "Checkuser" folder, from SVN, should go in the extensions/ directory. Also, did you open cmd.exe, then type in ? Aaron 20:30, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

So without shell access to the webserver I can't install CheckUser? --89.244.177.62 19:07, 19 February 2008 (UTC)


 * My question exactly. I am on share hosting and have no shell access ... how to install this extension without it? Thanks.--Nonegiven 17:41, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * In short, it's not really possibly without shell access (insofar as I can fathom possible installation methods). Anthøny 21:07, 13 June 2008 (UTC)


 * I can't get access to a command shell on my host - without this the extension cannot be made functional. There should be a more "normal" way of installing this - every other extension I have installed just requires ftp of the relevant files and changes to localsettings.php.  Peter Campbell 12:41, 7 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Feel free to run the SQL queries from install.inc on your database directly (at your own risk, of course). —Emufarmers(T 16:23, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * But is there no list of what query exactly? I'm a very basic user, I have access and all that and can grasp what the command does, but I fear I'm not adequate to make the query myself. Sidearm 11:58, 23 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Why Shell? Why not directly? Is there any other better extension? --144.122.250.204 22:23, 14 November 2008 (UTC)

Recent Changes malfunction
After installing this on 1.10.0 new edits stopped appearing on Recent Changes page. Removed extension and even ran maintenance/rebuildrecentchanges.php, but still don't have edits showing up on Recent Changes.

Any pointers on how to get this function back? Mburp 05:32, 17 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Likely a configuration issue or something unrelated to the extension, especially if rebuildrecentchanges.php doesn't add new entries. Aaron 19:29, 17 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Wait do you mean new edits not showing in checkuser only? Aaron 19:30, 17 June 2007 (UTC)

No. New edits are not showing up on Special:Recentchanges. At first I thought this might be tied to Check User because it first cropped up immediately after I installed that extension. Now I'm not so sure; it may have been a coincidence.

After digging in further, I realized that new edits are still being added to the recentchanges db table and they are displaying correctly in My Watchlist, which seems also to draw from that table. For some reason, recent edits just aren't displaying on Special:Recentchanges.

If I run rebuildrecentchanges.php, edits added by that script are added to the database - newest first, oldest last - and do display on Special:Recentchanges, but any new edits after that go to the bottom of the db table and do not display on Special:Recentchanges. (They will, however, display on My Watchlist.)

I've actually reinstalled CheckUser and it seems to work - its data base table also seems to be staying up to date.

I've replaced all mediawiki files with fresh uploads in case one had become corrupted. I've tried stripping out all extensions which would have removed any recent changes to LocalSettings.php. I've tried running rebuildAll.php

Anyway, thanks for answering. I left a help request MediaWiki's Project:Support desk, but I'm afraid MediaWiki is living up (down?) to its reputation for support.

You can remove all this if you believe its not related to the Check User installation.

Mburp 04:31, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Perhaps you have a local system clock issue causing new entries to be added with old timestamps? Aaron 04:35, 18 June 2007 (UTC)


 * I don't know really how to fix this, but I believe this is the same problem that I had with my test installation of MediaWiki 1.10 with CheckUser. I think the software gave me some kind of an error when I changed my group membership from bureaucrat, sysop to bureaucrat, sysop aand checkuser, though CU wasn't fully functional (or even installed) then. It gave me an error, I clicked "back", had a look on the RC, saw the log entry, made a test page and it didn't show up on RC... -- Sayuri 08:41, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

That would make sense. It now seems that I somehow turned on 'Autopatrol' for myself and the other admin - the site is still under construction and we're the only two making edits. I, too, added check user as well as bot privileges for both of use about the same time I added check user. Until then all of our edits were showing up in RecentChanges; since then, none.

My apologies from bringing this problem here. It is a configuration problem after all. Again, for my part this may be deleted. Mburp 09:54, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Do you have the latest version from SVN? Aaron 17:43, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

Yes or as of about two days ago. My site is still under development and until this problem arose I had made all the edits on with the sysop privilege I acquired during installation.

I added Makebot and Makesysop at about the same time as Checkuser and added full privileges for the two admins. Until then my edits had been appearing in Recent Changes and then they stopped. I tried a sock puppet registration and a few edits with that and anonymously - and they appear in the Recent Changes page. It looks like changing our privileges brought us under 'autopatrol' so my edits are no longer appearing in Recent Changes.

This is clearly not a Check User error - not an error at all; just a newby's mistake. Again, I apologize, and thank you for your help.

Michael Mburp 17:02, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

1.9.3
Hello!

Is there a version for mediawiki 1.9.3? I am getting fatal error on line 117 calling to function isisip or something. I run mediawiki 1.9.3. thx. 80.89.53.119 23:26, 18 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I suggest checking the SVN for old version, or even better, updating your MediaWiki installation. If you can run 1.9.3, you should be able to run 1.10. -- Sayuri 11:48, 19 July 2007 (UTC)
 * I have to many extensions and mediawiki code hacks to port :S .. thx I will try and see if i can find a working version from SVN. 80.89.53.119 20:25, 19 July 2007 (UTC)
 * Tested several times, same error:
 * Fatal error: Call to undefined method IP::isipaddress in extensions/CheckUser/CheckUser.php on line 148. 80.89.53.119 04:14, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
 * That function is not in 1.9 Aaron 01:12, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

installing
How do I run a php file? 'cause frankly I have no idea I just discovered command line interface and all sorts of commands even cool stuff like  that I can use to access somebody's else's computer, but  I can't find any command that I can use to run a file on windows. I would really appreciate any instructions on running the install.php on windows or simply the copypasta that I can paste in phpMyAdmin to create the necessary databese row cause the databese row is what I'm missing. 354d 21:40, 20 August 2007 (UTC)
 * So I'm responding to my question. This extension is straight scandalous but the documentation seems um very flawed. OK, so on a hosting service install.php is run from SSH by typing:




 * where  line to   is just causing an HTTP 500 error when I save the file and visit my wiki. Can anyone help? --AutoFire 01:25, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Nevermind, I just had  in the wrong folder. --AutoFire 02:21, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

CheckUser accountability log
I'd like to see an automatic public log of all CheckUser requests, which would show date/date, User performing CheckUser, and on which Users. It would not show the results (as they might be private and non-supportive). This would ensure there is accountability, and show any abuse of the system. --84.9.191.165 11:06, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Self-checkuser
Any reason why an individual could not be allowed to perform a checkuser on themselves? It might encourage some individuals not to abuse the system by allowing them to see the information that is available to the sytesm. It would also allow a user to keep a copy of the information that can be obtained by certain administrators --84.9.191.165 15:21, 1 November 2007 (UTC)

=2008=

SQL Tables
Can me anybody tell what SQL tables i require? Can anybody tell me a command with this i can create this? I'm sorry for my english, because i'm from Germany :-) --91.96.40.180 16:38, 28 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Run install.php as directed, or open the file and run its SQL queries directly on the database if you don't have command line access. —Emufarmers(T 18:21, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

Fatal error
Hi, I have mediawiki installed with version 1.9.3 and tried to install checkuser ext. but I am getting this message while trying to change one user's right and enableing for checkuser rights: Fatal error: Call to undefined method IP::isipaddress in /home/gidelimm/public_html/wiki/extensions/CheckUser/CheckUser.php on line 162

Is there anybody who can help me to sort out this problem? Thanks --Plenumchamber 11:21, 16 April 2008 (UTC)


 * Upgrade MediaWiki or use the older version of CheckUser mentioned on the extension article. —Emufarmers(T 01:37, 17 April 2008 (UTC)
 * Thanks alot for your very kind help. It's working perfect now. --Plenumchamber 06:54, 17 April 2008 (UTC)

Manual install
This is idiotic, very few people have access to their host's shells, how does one install this manually? 60.242.48.18 08:16, 29 April 2008 (UTC) "This is idiotic" You are right.--144.122.250.204 22:28, 14 November 2008 (UTC)

CheckUser log documentation
Documentation on $wgCheckUserLog has long been needed. I've just created Manual:$wgCheckUserLog; please feel free to make any amendments there. Anthøny 23:47, 20 June 2008 (UTC)

Lots of error messages when trying to install
I set everything in the extensions/CheckUser folder to chmod +x *. Then I try to run install.php, and I get an infinite loop of error messages, saying stuff like: ./CheckUser.i18n.php: line 1: ?php: No such file or directory ./CheckUser.i18n.php: line 2: /bin: is a directory ./CheckUser.i18n.php: fork: Resource temporarily unavailable ./CheckUser.i18n.php: line 6: archives/: is a directory ./CheckUser.i18n.php: line 8: syntax error near unexpected token `(' ./CheckUser.i18n.php: line 8: `$messages = array;' What's the deal with that? By the way, I am running a wiki that I expect may come under vandalism at any time, but I would like to leave it open to editing by the general public. I have no need to install CheckUser if no vandalism occurs, but if it does, I would be interested in knowing the IPs behind the responsible accounts. Will CheckUser let me run a CheckUser on a user's edits that occurred before CheckUser was installed? Thanks, 70.22.118.41 00:48, 29 June 2008 (UTC)
 * If the $wgPutIPinRC variable was true, it is retroactive, yes. Aaron 01:52, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

Install
My Wiki is installed on a web server. How can I install this extension if I need to use the cmd?  Firilă croco  Talk 14:12, 12 July 2008 (UTC)

Install Trouble
After fighting my way to getting SSH access to my server, and then I encounter the following error. A similar error pops whether I use a directory or if I place it strait into the /extensions directory.

./CheckUser/install.php: line 1: ?php: No such file or directory ./CheckUser/install.php: line 3: /bin: is a directory ./CheckUser/install.php: line 4: CheckUser: command not found ./CheckUser/install.php: line 5: CheckUser/: is a directory ./CheckUser/install.php: line 7: syntax error near unexpected token `getenv' ./CheckUser/install.php: line 7: `require_once ( getenv('MW_INSTALL_PATH') !== false'

Kitsufox 00:40, 31 August 2008 (UTC)


 * I've got the same errors. How can I manage it? --79.198.59.166 12:54, 11 September 2008 (UTC)


 * You don’t „run“ install.php like a shell script, but using PHP, i.e. not by, but e.g.
 * --Mormegil 09:28, 12 September 2008 (UTC)
 * SSH seems to hate me. Seems to be sorted now, thank you. 97.86.44.184 01:35, 15 September 2008 (UTC)
 * SSH seems to hate me. Seems to be sorted now, thank you. 97.86.44.184 01:35, 15 September 2008 (UTC)

install for wiki farms
Do I understand correctly that the install.php may not work correctly for environments where the extensions lie outside the mediawiki dir, instead being shared across wikis? NSK Nikolaos S. Karastathis 22:17, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

= 2009 =

Manual install w/o shell access
I'm trying to do this; I think I've found a way, if a developer thinks this is sound, they should stick this out on the page. I'm not able to try this until later today, but it looks like a way. Will attempt later. JeremyMcCracken 21:48, 17 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 1) Create two new tables in the wiki database, "cu_changes" and "cu_log".
 * 2) In the downloaded CheckUser files are "cu_changes.sql" and "cu_log.sql".
 * 3) Open those files as text and use the data to create the fields in the corresponding table. They list fields, followed by type, default value, length, etc.
 * Worked partially; I don't know the command syntax for SQL, and didn't know how to implement the "INDEX" statements at the bottom. I discovered that phpMyAdmin has a thing to insert SQL code, so I'm going to drop the file into that and see if that works. JeremyMcCracken 00:42, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

Working solution for phpMyAdmin users
If you have this available (I don't know if it always is, or if you can install it by uploading), follow these steps: Someone with the resources available should test this for themselves, and include it if it appears to always work. I have it apparently 100% working on a site at freehostia- user rights assignment, checkuser, and CU log all come up without errors. JeremyMcCracken 00:51, 18 February 2009 (UTC)
 * 1) Download cu_changes.sql and cu_log.sql
 * 2) Open each in a text editor; remove the HTML-looking headers, leaving only what was inside the "PRE" tags; save
 * 3) In phpMyAdmin, click the database you're using for mediawiki along the left side
 * 4) On the next screen, click the "SQL" tab at the top
 * 5) At "Location of the text file", choose one of the files, select compression "None", and click the bottom "Go" button
 * 6) Repeat for the second file

Command Prompt

 * '''Open command prompt and run php install.php
 * Note that AdminSettings.php (in your root MediaWiki directory) will need to have a valid username and password set for access to the DB.'''

I installed the CheckUser.

Where do I find the Command Prompt? I am using phpMyAdmin


 * MediaWiki: 1.13.2
 * PHP: 5.2.8 (cgi-fcgi)
 * MySQL: 5.0.32-Debian_7etch8-log
 * Url: http://www.userdirectory.co.uk

My head is going to explode if no one gives me a response! 86.136.108.50 16:31, 11 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Run the database queries in phpMyAdmin. Step-by-step instructions are in the section right above this one. —Emufarmers(T 07:18, 13 March 2009 (UTC)


 * I have done that I am at this stage:


 * At "Location of the text file", choose one of the files, select compression "None", and click the bottom "Go" button
 * Repeat for the second file


 * All I see is:


 * Run SQL query/queries on database userdirectory_c:
 * (under that):
 * SELECT * FROM `cu_changes` WHERE 1
 * on the right I see fields with:
 * cuc_id
 * cuc_namespace and so on
 * 86.136.108.50 11:43, 13 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Did it possibly execute successfully? Go to your site and try running checkuser; see if it works without errors. JeremyMcCracken 15:06, 13 March 2009 (UTC)
 * When I go on 'Special:CheckUser'
 * It says:
 * Permission error
 * The action you have requested is limited to users in the group Check users.
 * Return to Main Page.
 * 86.136.108.50 15:12, 13 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Okay, if you got that far it's almost certainly installed. The problem is, CU creates a user rightcalled "check users" that you have to assign to the name(s) that will use it- when you installed MediaWiki, it created the first name with Bureaucrat and Administrator only. Use the user rights interface to add the check user right, and you should be set. JeremyMcCracken 00:34, 14 March 2009 (UTC)
 * THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! It works now. Thank you for your help. 86.136.108.50 08:18, 14 March 2009 (UTC)
 * No problem. Obviously that confirms that the non-prompt method works; I'll write it into the page at some point. JeremyMcCracken 17:32, 16 March 2009 (UTC)

Similar problem
I have the same problem as the anon, except I am a complete newb at phpMyAdmin. Would this workaround work with Mediawiki 1.7.1? That is the version I have.

I download the files for older wikis and placed them in a "CheckUser" folder in my extensions folder.

My phpMyAdmin is: Server version: 4.1.22-standard-log

Here is what I have done:
 * 1) Download cu_changes.sql and cu_log.sql
 * 2) Save each file as .txt.
 * 3) In phpMyAdmin, click the database you're using for mediawiki along the left side
 * I clicked database "wiki"
 * 1) On the next screen, click the "SQL" tab
 * In the Run SQL query/queries on database nameofmywiki_wiki:
 * I copied and pasted the contents of cu_changes_sql and clicked Go. The page timed out.
 * But when I tried a second time, it said that:
 * # 1050 - Table 'cu_changes' already exists
 * 1) At "Location of the text file", choose one of the files, select compression "None", and click the bottom "Go" button
 * The "Location of the text file" is only available when I click the SQL button, not the SQL tab. There is no compression option.
 * 1) Repeat for the second file.



I went to my wiki, to the Special:CheckUser page, and it said:
 * No such special page
 * You have requested an invalid special page, a list of valid special pages may be found at Special:Specialpages.

But I get a similar page like anon above. (see photo)

Odessaukrain 18:07, 29 June 2009 (UTC)


 * Hmm... your PHPmyAdmin looks different from mine; I suspect a version thing. I have version 4.1.22-standard-log as my MySQL version; the PHPmyAdmin version is 2.6.4-pl2 (it's in the window title on mine). On the first screen you've uploaded, mine has a text box that is much larger than one line, and the file selector is underneath that.


 * My phpMyAdmin also lacks the drop-down menu in the left column. I found a screenshot online that has this drop-down menu, and it identifies as phpMyAdmin 2.10. See ; you'll have to copy+paste that b/c the site blocks referrers. Apparently the option I used was removed at some point.


 * The method you've supplied seems to be an alternative way, but I couldn't tell you why the request timed out. That would seem to suggest a problem with the server. The error about cu_changes already existing seems to indicate it partially installed. I'd suggest deleting cu_changes and cu_log entries and running the text files through again. Also, be sure you're remembering to add the line in LocalSettings.php, and check the permissions on AdminSettings.php. JeremyMcCracken 08:13, 2 July 2009 (UTC)

Problem
My host has already ran the install.php but when i add include_once('/extensions/CheckUser/CheckUser.php'); to LocalSettings.php my wiki's font gets larger and up there are these error messages:

Warning: include_once(/extensions/CheckUser/CheckUser.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /Home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/LocalSettings.php on line 215

Warning: include_once [function.include]: Failed opening '/extensions/Checkuser/CheckUser.php' for inclusion (include_path='/home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki:/home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/includes:/home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/languages:.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php:/usr/bin/') in /home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/LocalSettings.php on line 215

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/LocalSettings.php:215) in /home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/includes/WebResponse.php on line 16

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/LocalSettings.php:215) in /home2/travian/public_html/travian-wiki/web/wiki/includes/WebResponse.php on line 16

I have valid db things in AdminSettings.php and install.php has been run by host. What is wrong? --84.249.165.65 15:03, 21 April 2009 (UTC)

Problem
I'm newbie in this case, so I'm sure I have done something wrong, but: When I have CheckUser, and I'm trying to edit/delete pages, I see only a blank page, when I have submitted the edit/delete -form. Almost always. Can anyone help? I have the newest version of MediaWiki and CheckUser. --Juhko 23:07, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Invalid punctuation
Hello, I've followed this process step by step, and my PHPmyadmin (on 1&1) returns this error message in French, on: JackPotte 23:13, 21 November 2009 (UTC)
 * 1) cu_changes.sql: "ERROR: Ponctuation invalide @ 398"
 * 2) cu_log.sql: "ERROR: Ponctuation invalide @ 394"

=2010=

Trying to manually install checkuser
I'm currently running: Mediawiki vers: 1.15 MySQL Web server Web site: http://www.asylumprojects.org
 * Server: Localhost via UNIX socket
 * Server version: 5.1.46-log
 * Protocol version: 10
 * MySQL charset: UTF-8 Unicode (utf8)
 * cpaneld
 * MySQL client version: 5.1.46
 * PHP extension: mysql

I've tried to follow the instructions in Extension_talk:CheckUser and tried is on the first file: cu_changes.sql and when I was done it looked like this:


 * stylize.php, trailing whitespace removed
 * *Add index change/limit stuff for performance again (r26056 stuff) (bug 11387)
 * * Schema change: change cuc_user_time index to cuc_user_ip_time. "Get IPs" should be better now.
 * Try no to do range queries that will result in too big filesorts and truncated data
 * Add i18n message
 * Split up some uber-long code lines with a newline
 * Revert the previous-user field, as previously discussed this will be useless as we plan to remove that cookie
 * *Add $wgCURecordCookieData, an option to record cookies, add cuc_cookie_user column and patch file, make :actiontext compatible with RC schema changes when used
 * *Add cuc_timestamp to the ip_hex,xff_hex, and user indexes since results are sorted on timestamp
 * Setting eol-style to native for few extensions/ files.
 * Lag-checking batched installer.
 * Lag-checking batched installer.
 * Lag-checking batched installer.

When I tried to follow the instructions to upload the file I got this response: #1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '<pre class="vc_log">stylize.php, trailing whitespace removed <pre class="v' at line 1

My php coding is very very limited, what have I done wrong? Is there a way to fix this/make it work? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Brothejr 13:08, 26 May 2010 (UTC)
 * I fixed the issue? Brothejr 14:30, 27 May 2010 (UTC)

Note about manual process and table names
The files provided do not have any prefix in them. So if your tables start with, for example, mywiki_XXXX, you will have to rename them after you run the manual install with PHPmyadmin. TeraS 16:39, 25 August 2010 (UTC)

SQL table error
I followed the advices (installing without prompt), in phpMyAdmin the first file was good, but the second file (cu_log.sql) made this error: #1101 - BLOB/TEXT column 'cul_target_text' can't have a default value which prevented the extension from being installed. :( Could you help me please? --109.108.101.164 12:32, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

email?
Is there any tool where I can extract a user's email address? I don't know how to get it from mysql. I had thought this tool would offer a feature like that.


 * Try Extension:LookupUser. —Emufarmers(T 19:05, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

Duration
I wonder for what period of time checkuser logs are present in the database for the version installed in WMF projects? In other words, is it possible to get an information about an edit made, say, a year ago unless it has been logged before? --Peter Cunning 16:44, 28 December 2010 (UTC)


 * No. CheckUser data is retained for three months. —Emufarmers(T 21:49, 28 December 2010 (UTC)