Why won't any side columns work properly in showthread?
 

I've come to the conclusion that none of the side columns offered around here work properly in showthread.

I've been testing the heck out of this, on different forums, and it just doesn't happen.


If you use a fixed-width, they will push the columns off the forum page. This happens because the width of the posts RETAINS the set width of the forum. Example; If you have your forum width set to 800px, the posts will also be 800px wide, making no room for the side columns, thus pushing them off the page.

If you use a fluid width, they will show properly, but the posts will ALSO be the width of the forum width you chose. Example; If you made your forum to 70% width, the width of the posts will also be 70% of the width between the side bar and forum page, making them squished.

Why is this? I just don't get it.

Is there anyone out there that has columns that work correctly in showthread? I can't believe there is! lol

Thanks to Max Taxable for also helping in finding this out. :up:

Anyone ever accomplish this succesfully?

Sounds like this is just a matter of playing with the CSS. Did you make any CSS changes when you added the sidebar?

Nope, didn't change anything in the CSS.

If anyone has successfully installed a sidebar on their showthread, I would lloovveeee to see how you did it. :)

Remember I did it on your test forum, but by using a new vB stock style with no parent installed.

There's something in the style you want to use that is causing your issue in showthread, when using fixed width.

I still don't understand the desire for fixed width. Dynamic, fluid width is better in all cases.

I didnt know you messed with the CSS, my bad.

I'm using a default style ( a lil modified, but still default). I've also tried it on other completely stock forums, with the same result.

It's not only fixed-width that it doesn't work with....it doesn't work properly with fluid either, UNLESS it's set to 100%.

I didn't mess with the CSS at all, but I did get the original sidebar mod working perfectly in fluid width of any percentage, as you'll recall.

You installed a different sidebar mod after that, and I haven't looked that over yet.

Again I ask - what is the deal with fixed width? It doesn't give you any advantages nor does it present any layout problems.

I just need to use fixed-width for this project. Sorry, but I have to. lol

Either way, I don't think that's a suitable solution to my problem by just being forced to use another method. That's just a band-aid sort of.

And actually, it didn't work properly in any fluid width...just 100%. With either sidebar, or either style, it will not show properly in anything BUT 100% in showthread.

The posting area is squished together because for some reason, it will resize the posts to whatever the forum width is set to.

Example; if I set it to 50% forum width, the forum will be 50%, BUT the posting will also be 50% the width of the area between the sidebars.

Go check it out. :)


This happens with either style, and either sidebar.

Have to why? What is the compelling factor?

Because that's how I design. Am I not allowed to use fixed-width? Am I the only person in the world using it? lol

I don't see why I should change everything up right now just because I cant get a sidebar to work.

And like I said, even if I decide to use fluid, it's not working with that either. :(

Let's pretend I want to be able to use a fluid width, around 80%. Let's fix that problem, because I have a hunch that if we can get that to work properly, it will also work properly in a fixed-width. :D

There is no advantage to fixed width, is all I am saying. I am confused.

Ok, youre right...Im gonna use fluid.

Does anyone know how to get a sidebar to work properly in a fluid design that is NOT 100%?

Now you're in the area of what the script considers 100%, what the definitions are and it does vary.

On the double sidebar you installed, is that supported mod?

I have the ultimate sidebar installed for the left, and the vietbb sidebar for the right. I dont think either are supported anymore.

Either way, none of them, even by themselves, work properly in showthread.

Index page works perfectly. Forumdisplay works perfect. Showthread is the only page that doesnt.

This is driving me nuts. I cant believe that it's totally impossible to have a sidebar in showthread.

The percentage of the table is determined differently in forumhome than it is in showthread.

Yea, I see that. Wonder why?

Anyway to make it so it works like it does in forumhome and forumdisplay?

I'm thinking what Lynne said was the clue, it's got to be in the CSS somehow and I am not a CSS expert. There are some folks here who are, they'll be along. Just be patient my friend.

I hope you're right Max!

Thanks! :)

So I figure this is pretty much impossible to achieve huh.

I searched and found a bunch of other threads about this, and not even one reply to any of them.

Hmm. Ok then. And I thought anything was possible with the great, smart, helpful people here at the vborg!


Damn. :(

To the contrary, it is very possible. And were it my problem, I would solve it. I would dig into the CSS and do trial and error even, myself. This is a no-risk kind of thing for you to try, since you will save a copy of the CSS before you start so you can easily revert changes. You'll do this on your test forum so that when you get it exactly right, it's easily converted to your live site.

This is the best way to learn, by doing.

Oh trust me, I've been trying stuff non-stop, but no luck so far. Im far from a coder, but Im still trying my a$$ off.

I barely know HTML! lmao

This isn't a coder issue, it's just CSS and html - more web design. If you get familiar with firebug, then you will probably find the issue is very easy to resolve.

Think there's any way you could help me out Lynne? Seems like you probably know how to do it..

I'm desperate! lol

You would need to post a link to the showthread page that isn't working and the showthread page that is working (so two different styles) in order for me to see the differences in the CSS.

Ok great, thanks Lynne!

But, it doesn't work properly in ANY showthread. I've tried it on 3 different forums.

Here's the link to showthread for my test forum:

Test Forum (showthread)

You can toggle between the 2 styles.

The style "Default" is set to 900px fixed-width. The columns are pushed to the sided and squished.

The style "tester" is set to 80% fluid-width. The columns show properly, but the posts are squished.

If you need anything else, let me know.

Thank you for ANY help you can give!

Lynne will fix you up fast, I would suggest sending her a PM with the login credentials for your test forum like you gave me. She is going to need access to the CSS and the templates.

Ok cool, will do. Thanks Max.

i think the best thing to put it in a float table <div something.

only tried it inside posts for google adsense.

about side bars, there is a mod that i have used it has the sidebar and works fine in all of the pages.

Link to the sidebar you used?

Anyone successfully pull this off yet?

bump?