Question about making template changes for product
 

I'm new to writing vBulletin products but I have been programming for years. I read through vBulletin's manual on how to create a product. My question is about template changes.

My product will require some template changes to the SHOWTHREAD template. I see where I can associate the SHOWTHREAD template with my product and can export it into my product XML file for others to install but what happens if that user has modified the SHOWTHREAD template on their board and goes to install my product?

I coulud not find any references on this and was wondering what the best practices were in this matter.

Thanks

If any changes are done to default templates then there are 2 options:
- Provide instructions for the user to manually change the template.
- Use automatic inline template changes of some sort. There are even modifications available to support it. (have a look in the profile of Andreas and look for TMS).

You should NEVER edit the default templates in the MasterStyle and include them in your product.

That's what I was thinking. I didn't think it was a good idea for editing Master Templates. I will check out your suggestions.

Thanks

--------------- Added [DATE]1248961082[/DATE] at [TIME]1248961082[/TIME] ---------------

Can you offer some recommendation on how to correctly design a product that won't require modifications to the master templates?

I'm looking to display some information into the SHOWTHREAD template but would rather not force users to edit the templates?

I'm assuming I can do that with the hook system or am I incorrect?

Thanks for your help

Do a search on "template" in "articles" "titles only" and you'll find several articles regarding doing template modifications that I think may help you.

Thanks. That definitely helped