Portal System

[peterska2]

Just a quick query here.

I know that a lot of people use vBAdvanced, but would anyone be interested in a simple but effective free alternative?

If you are interested, what sort of things would you be looking for in it? Remember though that we are talking about a portal here and not a CMS.

Also, would you prefer a modular system where you get a very basic package and then install add ons to provide the parts that you want (meaning that every installation is basically a custom portal for that site) or one where right out of the box everything is there and then you have to turn off the parts that you do not want to use?

Finally, if a modular system is developed, would you want it to be easy to create add ons for via the plugin system?


The system will be for 3.6.x only. Earlier versions than 3.6.0 will not be supported. It will also be released and supported here. It will only work in the same directory as your forums.

At the moment I don't have any preliminary screenshots (unless you really want to see a page of code :p ) but this is getting quite far into it's development cycle now hence the request for features that you would want to be included.

[Allan]

I'm interessed ^^

[Kalakov]

A little competition isnt bad ;)

[jailer]

Just a quick query here.

I know that a lot of people use vBAdvanced, but would anyone be interested in a simple but effective free alternative?

Very much.
Kerry-Anne - just promise to give more support than vBA, and you're onto a winner right away.

;)


If you are interested, what sort of things would you be looking for in it? Remember though that we are talking about a portal here and not a CMS.

Well, to be honest, anything that the vBA portal can do really.
Modular definitely.
And I'd like a nice classy Vista style user definable sidebar with a clock, auto-refreshing 'new thread' module and an RSS feed.
:)
In short, I'd like people to want my forum to be their permanent desktop.
(well, you did ask..)


Also, would you prefer a modular system where you get a very basic package and then install add ons to provide the parts that you want (meaning that every installation is basically a custom portal for that site) or one where right out of the box everything is there and then you have to turn off the parts that you do not want to use?

I think basic first and install add-ons.
That way, people would be comfy from the outset with adding more add-ons as they were created?

Finally, if a modular system is developed, would you want it to be easy to create add ons for via the plugin system?

Yes.
Creating modules for vBA is tricky for most.

The only scary thing for me is removing vBA.
I've had to make several changes here and there to get it to behave the way I'd like it to.
VBA is great, and I'd be lost without it. But it worries me.
It just seems way over complicated at times.
So something simpler and less crowded would be a welcome addition.

[peterska2]

Thanks for your feedback so far guys.

Currently, the basic system contains the latest site news from one forum, with the option of the latest news below this from a second forum, and two blank custom boxes for content defined by the site admin. The Left and right columns will be able to be activated/de-activated by the admin shortly (I've not coded this bit yet but it isn't far off being done).

Also available as add-ons are

WOL & Board Stats (one module)
Top posters, latest threads, newest members (integrated with topXstats)
Top posters, latest threads, newest members (stand alone version)
Site navigation
Guest welcome block
Member Welcome BlockPlanned Add-ons (being made before system becomes available)

User Favorites Module (allows up to 10 favorite links to be added by the user which will be displayed)I'll also see about a java clock, and I have an RSS function up my sleave which I have been working on for a while as a seperate modification but can also do as an add-on.

Documentation will be available for the basic product including how to install and create add-ons for this. Each add on will come with it's own installation manual too, and installation of these is very painless.

[jailer]

I look forward to seeing a beta.
:D
Nice one.

[peterska2]

oh nearly forgot lol, the current live version (pre-release and a few mistakes in it) can be found at www.peterska2.co.uk

[jailer]

Looks great. Are the center modules collapsible?

[peterska2]

not as yet, but they can be if thats what would be prefered.

I'm doing some morw work on the base product at the moment, so let me see what I can come up with to do that.

[peterska2]

Ok, the news items now collapse nicely. I've not updated the live demo yet though. That will be done later as it will need a complete overhaul.

[jailer]

:up:

[speedway]

NUmber one would be the ability to run OUTSIDE of the forum directory. I am really struggling to get my base site up and running due to time restraints. Something that would install in the site root and handle the forum being on a sub domain :)

Not asking much huh?

[peterska2]

This is something that I'll look into when the rest of it is written. Not sure on the probability of it, but it certainly will be looked into.

[peterska2]

I'm nearly ready for early beta testers.

First 5 people to PM me who are running 3.6.x and will be installing in the same directory as their forums will be sent some files to test.

Please make sure that you include your email address in the PM otherwise I can't send the files to you.

I will be working on a version for outside the forum directory shortly (food first :p )

[bashy]

Hi KA

I would be interested as i want rid of the system i have now, Slows forum down :(
The main point about mine that is stopping me from removing it is the Forum within Portal feature.
This feature is basically what it says, The portal view with the center blocks are removed when you browse to the forum but that is all thats removed, only the center blocks....

Im sure youve seen mine ;) so ya know what im on about...
I know vbadvanced can do this but not without a lot of messing about hence i am not going to use it.

Would this be something that could be implemented as an option for the end user where they would only have to tick a box to enable it?

[peterska2]

It wouldn't work like that I'm afraid Bashy. You could replicate the side columns onto the forums, but it would require a lot of work and modification of the add-ons available.

[peterska2]

Thanks to those who have PM'd me about beta testing the current product.

I can accept two more beta testers with the setup outlined above.

Beta testing for outside the forum directory will take place once the required changes and alternative product have been written for this. An update and request for testers will be posted when this is available.

[Allan]

Kerry-Anne, i have to create a sidebar collapsable on vB-Ressources

Look in my forum (sidebar) ^^

Do you want add this mod on your portal can be ?

[bashy]

Ah thats a shame, oh well me stuck with mkportal then lol...cheers anyway and good luck with it :)

[peterska2]

Kerry-Anne, i have to create a sidebar collapsable on vB-Ressources

Look in my forum (sidebar) ^^

Do you want add this mod on your portal can be ?

That would be brilliant. Writing add-on's for it is very easy so any existing code can easily be implemented into it.

[Allan]

That would be brilliant. Writing add-on's for it is very easy so any existing code can easily be implemented into it.
ok, i you send the code tonight if you want :)

[peterska2]

That would be brilliant. You have my email address :)

[peterska2]

Good news everyone :D

I've got it working outside the forum directory, but due to the sheer amount of changes that will be required to the templates, it will be done as a seperate release to the one in the forum directory and all add-ons will also be seperate.

Of course, if i get the bug fixed where it needs this, then it won't matter anyway and everything will be peachy and nice and easy.

[hotwheels]

perterska2, that is awesome............you are very talented.

[peterska2]

I'm trying. This is my first major hack so it's hard work but it is coming along really nicely.

[peterska2]

Right I require a beta tester who will be installing outside their forum directory.

First PM gets it.

[peterska2]

Final documentation is being written now. I'm just waiting to hear back from my beta testers and then it's good to go.

[Allan]

Why don't put portal.php in root rather /forum/ ?

Suggestion: Possibility to rename this files portal.php

[peterska2]

That is all available in the gold version (release is happening shortly).

[Allan]

On my forum, i have install this mod:
- Base Package (ok, work)
- Member Message (don't work)
- Stats (don't work)
- Navigation Add On (don't work)

Look ../forum/portal.php

[peterska2]

Did you do the template modifications for them?

[Allan]

Did you do the template modifications for them?
Yes ^^

[peterska2]

Try the new system and versions. It might be linked to your vBA installation.

[chanthuyen]

I think we can modify the template. Here is an example

http://vietlyso.com/vbbskin/?styleid=9

It's just a modified template, but look like a portal system. However, install a real portal system is better.

[peterska2]

You can change the forumhome template to give a different look, but that will not have the same features as a proper system.