The social network SchülerVZ which is targeted at young students is going down on April 30, 2013. I wanted to save some of my friends’ photos and searched the web for some appropriate tool.
I tried the Bilderdownload v2 from svz-styles.com and a Fotoalbum Download für StudiVZ, SchuelerVZ & MeinVZ 1.09 from userscripts.org both of which did not work for me. So I needed to create a solution on my own.
Custom-Made Approach
The following description is only tested with the Altes SchülerVZ theme. When I took a look at the HTML code around photos (<div class=”photo”>), I recognized that it is not possible to right-click a photo in Firefox and select Save Image As… because the context menu has been disabled:
<img id="photoDetailBig" oncontextmenu="return false;" alt="" src="http://img-a5.pe.imagevz.net/[...].jpg" onload="imageWrapperResizer();">[...]</img>
While it is perfectly reasonable that the SchülerVZ guys want to protect their users’ personal rights, in the current circumstances, I personally find it legitimate to circumvent this restriction. Disclaimer: You are responsible for your doings. Ask your friends first, if you may download their photos.
Preparations: Install GreaseMonkey
For Firefox there exists a nice add-on called Greasemonkey which allows you to execute arbitrary JavaScript code on sites of your choice. The add-on can be downloaded from the official Firefox add-on site. (Click here for immediate installation).
Installing the Userscript
After the installation of Greasemonkey is complete, you still need the script which unlocks the context menu for photos. I uploaded the script to userscripts.org. If the automatic installation does not work for you, you may manually install the script:
- Select Tools -> Greasemonkey -> New User Script…
- Set the name to Enable SchülerVZ Photo Download (Altes schülerVZ theme)
- Set the namespace to http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/165246
- Set the includes to http://www.schuelervz.net/Photos/View/*
- Confirm with OK.
- Copy the whole code into the editor which pops up and save it.
When you now open up a photo, you will be able to open the context menu and save the image.
Links
- script at userscripts.org