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

[smnoel]

Bobster,

This is a great mod and I am looking forward to 2.0 and 3.0!
I am using Version 1.5

In action: http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums

My problem.
-When I switch tabs it lags and takes time between.
-there is a border where the loading gif used to appear.

Looking at other boards they seem to be loading instantly and do not have a space between the tab and the forum.

What am I doing wrong? (Is this tied to a limitation in 1.5?)
Let me know what you need.

Thank you in advance.

[karnevil]

I get the same thing.

Also another small problem is in my WHOS ONLINE list - I get ''Unknown Location /forums/tabforumhome.php?tabcat[]=100&tabcat[]=1&tabcat[]=166&tabcat[]=5&tabcat[]=35&tabcat[]=69&tabcat[]=132&tabcat[]=75&1214218''

which kicks it out of alignment - I guess I could have a word wrap for the layout.l..but would rather it stayed staying Viewing Index (or even the tab name?)

(ooo it did it here too sorry)

smneol - I really like your forum btw xxx

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by karnevil

I get the same thing.


Also another small problem is in my WHOS ONLINE list - I get ''Unknown Location /forums/tabforumhome.php?tabcat[]=100&tabcat[]=1&tabcat[]=166&tabcat[]=5&tabcat[]=35&tabcat[]=69&tabcat[]=132&tabcat[]=75&1214218''

which kicks it out of alignment - I guess I could have a word wrap for the layout.l..but would rather it stayed staying Viewing Index (or even the tab name?)



(ooo it did it here too sorry)


smneol - I really like your forum btw xxx

lol... I KNEW I forgot to add something. I'll create an XML File for the WOL so that will be fixed .. thanks for pointing that out.

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by Digital Jedi

I dummied up some tabs on templates that aren't FORUMHOME, and managed to get the "fake" tabs to work as regular links, and even take you to the correct tab. I was wondering, though, what I would need to do to get a dummied tab to look like a selected tab. I tried mimicking the CSS and putting an inline style for that particular <li>, but that didn't seem to do anything. Functionally, everything's working, but aesthetically I can't reproduce that selected effect on the dummied tabs.

the Rollover effect or the "selected" effect? Selected isn't going to work on other pages, cause you are leaving the page when you click on it.. selected only takes affect after an onclick event.

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by smnoel

Bobster,

This is a great mod and I am looking forward to 2.0 and 3.0!
I am using Version 1.5

In action: http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums

My problem.
-When I switch tabs it lags and takes time between.
-there is a border where the loading gif used to appear.

Looking at other boards they seem to be loading instantly and do not have a space between the tab and the forum.

What am I doing wrong? (Is this tied to a limitation in 1.5?)
Let me know what you need.

Thank you in advance.

-When I switch tabs it lags and takes time between.

This not a problem, that is standard with this version as its checking the forums for new data (AJAX). The YUI Version is dang near instant tho.

You might be looking at boards that have the NON AJAX Version installed.. there is no lag time on the NON AJAX version as everything is preloaded, but it takes longer to load the first time and the data is never refreshed.

LOADING.gif - You need to edit the ajaxtabs.js file and change the path to your Loading image (its not showing up for me).. The Path is right at the top of the file (maybe 3 lines down)..

Other than that, your site looks good and is running like it should.. the loading/lag time (for me) is less than 1 second ...

[smnoel]

Karnevil,

Thank you very much!

Bobster,

Thank you! I actually removed the gif image trying to reduce the size loading bar.
(do not want the loading gif)
I was unable to figure out how.

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by smnoel

Karnevil,

Thank you very much!


Bobster,

Thank you! I actually removed the gif image trying to reduce the size loading bar.
(do not want the loading gif)
I was unable to figure out how.

That "space" is a space between the bottom of the forums and the Whats going on Box. Its not caused or created by the tabs, it has always been there as a separation between the two. Are you wanting the Tabs to touch the top of the whats going on box? If so, you CAN remove that space, but then when the Forums display, the last one will touch the Whats going on box.

[Digital Jedi]

Originally Posted by bobster65

the Rollover effect or the "selected" effect? Selected isn't going to work on other pages, cause you are leaving the page when you click on it.. selected only takes affect after an onclick event.

Anyway to fake the look, or will the <li> always use the main CSS style, even if I use new class?

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by Digital Jedi

Anyway to fake the look, or will the <li> always use the main CSS style, even if I use new class?

You can fake the rollover effect, but I don't know about the "Selected" ... If I wasn't working on v2.0 I would figure out something for ya..

[Digital Jedi]

That's okay. Just wondering if I overlooked a method. I'll have to come back to it myself. My forums has been closed for too many days.