Forum Home Enhancements - [AJAX] Tabbed Forum Home

Tabbed Forum Home version 1.01

[AJAX] Tabbed Forum Home version 1.5.0 (BETA)

NOTE: Works with both 3.7x and 3.6x

Description: This MOD is for creating a "Tabbed" Forum Home Page to have Categories displayed within Tab containers (similar to what the new Profile System looks like on vb3.7). Please do not confuse this with the Tab Menu System here at vbulletin.org. They are totally different systems. These Tabs actually switch the content without leaving the main forums page.

I wrote the initial Non AJAX version based on reading many requests from members asking about how namepros created their custom tabbed forum home page. The first implementation I did was a request by bbwforums.net (which you can visit to see a working example). I have shared this version with many members already and decided to release it since it seems to be something that a lot of members are interested in.

UPDATE: I have released a BETA [AJAX] version for those that what something a little more robust and easier to install/configure. This Beta version will never go into production tho as version 2.0 will utilize the YUI AJAX Tabview Toolset. It IS stable tho and is currently running on a few live sites.

NOTE: Keep in mind, I wrote this with the assumption that you are fairly well versed and comfortable with editing files/templates and following the flow of things. If there is something you don't understand, PLEASE let me know so that I can help you understand it. This IS NOT a product that a novice can just plug and play and it takes a little bit of time to setup, but its well worth it in the end (if you want a custom unique look to your forum home page)... the next version (Don't ask when, cause its just on the drawing board) will be a product with ACP controls for easy setup

The attached Zip File(s) contain the Files and Instructions necessary to install each version.

DEMO: www.bbwforums.net or www.namepros.com
[Moderator Edit: The first URL has been un-linked as there has been reported malware on that domain. The mod author may edit this notice once the situation has been cleaned.]

Screen Shots: None, visit one or both of the above links as seeing them in action is better than some static image(s)..

Bobster

Change Log

version 1.01 -
tabcontent.js ver 2.2 to support remote links
updated install instructions (both in txt and rtf format)

version 1.5.0 -
BETA [AJAX] version

July 8, 2008 - Added xml file for WOL
Sep 2, 2008 - Updated xml file for WOL

[dieselpowered]

Very possible that I am just losing my mind, however, how do I change it so tab one does not have all the forums listed? I want most of them listed, but there are some I do not want.

Thanks!

[l SKN l CHRIS]

I love the mod but I don't like where the tabs are. Will it work if I customize them to match my design and put them in the header?

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by xtremeoff-road

Very possible that I am just losing my mind, however, how do I change it so tab one does not have all the forums listed? I want most of them listed, but there are some I do not want.

Thanks!

yer not losing your mind For the How To, I just showed that you could still use the default forumbits for a specific tab (use tab one in the example).... just build forumbits for tab one just like the other tabs and replace the Tab one content area with the same code used to build the other content areas for each specific tab...

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by l SKN l CHRIS

I love the mod but I don't like where the tabs are. Will it work if I customize them to match my design and put them in the header?

The problem with putting them in the header is that the header displays on every page. There is code within the FORUMHOME Template that "completes" the code and therefor on all pages but the forum home, the code will then be broken. You COULD however try and use the Link Method explained in Post 2 to create a custom header with the Tabs that would work like you are describing (In theory of course since I've yet to try it).... let me know how it goes and if you need some helping if things "error" out on ya.

BOb

[NsT]

I downloaded the mod, I've to say it's such a great mod I have seen so far.

However, I'm still worrying about the load, will this mod increase the load of my forum? Since I have a tab that lists all categories and about seven tabs listing some specific categories and this means all tabs contents will be loaded at a time.

And will you do Ajax on version 2?

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by NsT

I downloaded the mod, I've to say it's such a great mod I have seen so far.

However, I'm still worrying about the load, will this mod increase the load of my forum? Since I have a tab that lists all categories and about seven tabs listing some specific categories and this means all tabs contents will be loaded at a time.

And will you do Ajax on version 2?

You don't have to use that "All Categories" Tab.. that was just an example of what can be done. Most people don't use the "All Cats" Tab. No known load increases that I am aware of and none have been reported.

Yes, we are planning on having AJAX integrated into version 2. Might not be in 2.0, but it will be in the 2 series.

[rapidphim]

Hello Bob,
Without hacking this mod, I do have the forum category description. But after hacking this mod, the forum category description is gone. How can we bring it back?

[callumbush]

Originally Posted by bobster65

You don't have to use that "All Categories" Tab.. that was just an example of what can be done. Most people don't use the "All Cats" Tab. No known load increases that I am aware of and none have been reported.

Yes, we are planning on having AJAX integrated into version 2. Might not be in 2.0, but it will be in the 2 series.

Morning Mr Bob, can you give an extremely rough idea as to when this 'idiot proof' version will be ready? ....I don't trust myself installing this until then

Also - how easy will it be to upgrade the mod? I've only been using vbulletin 2 weeks so to be honest I've never had to do it before. I'm using vBulletin 3.7.0 in case that makes a difference..

Cheers

Callum

(p.s. marked as installed)

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by rapidphim

Hello Bob,
Without hacking this mod, I do have the forum category description. But after hacking this mod, the forum category description is gone. How can we bring it back?

You can manually add a description with the addition of a simple div like this (see the area in RED below.. This of course will be automatic in version 2.

<!-- CUSTOM tbody CODE BASED ON YOUR STYLE -->
<tbody>
	<tr>
		<td class="tcat" colspan="<if condition="$vboptions['showmoderatorcolumn']">6<else />5</if>"><a style="float:right" href="#top" onclick="return toggle_collapse('forumbit_66')"><img id="collapseimg_forumbit_66" src="images/buttons/collapse_tcat.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="forumdisplay.php?f=6">CATEGORY NAME</a><div class="smallfont">This is where you can add a forum description</div></td>
	</tr>
</tbody>

<tbody id="collapseobj_forumbit_66" style="">
$forumbits2
</tbody>
<!-- /CUSTOM tbody CODE BASED ON YOUR STYLE -->

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by callumbush

Morning Mr Bob, can you give an extremely rough idea as to when this 'idiot proof' version will be ready? ....I don't trust myself installing this until then

Also - how easy will it be to upgrade the mod? I've only been using vbulletin 2 weeks so to be honest I've never had to do it before. I'm using vBulletin 3.7.0 in case that makes a difference..

Cheers

Callum

(p.s. marked as installed)

I'd love to say sooner than later, but we want to make sure that its bug free before releasing it. I'd say its at least a month out because of our personal schedules and the features that are being developed...

It will be super easy to install (upload some files, import XML, minimal template edits (hoping for none))...

Bob