Miscellaneous Hacks - Ultimate Side Columns

Ultimate Side Columns
By Kerry-Anne www.peterska2.co.uk

Welcome to Ultimate Side Columns!

Introduction

Following the success of the left and right side column modifications, and building on their weaknesses, the Ultimate Side Columns system was born.

Ultimate Side Columns (USC) is your one stop shop for all your side columns needs. It is an easy to configure, all in one solution.


Features

USC uses a standard vBulletin Options Interface with minimal template editing involved, to display content in columns on your site.

USC controls both the left and right columns on your site, both of which work independently of each other, and can be displayed on a range of pages through some very simple options.

The only editing required for a standard installation is the header and footer template. For advanced users, the templates for the two columns can also be edited if required. Most users of this system will not need to do this.


Installation

Import the product-ka_ultimate_sidecolumns.xml file as a product through your product manager.

Open your header template and at the very end add

<!-- USC header edit start -->
<table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0">
<tr>
$usc_left
<td valign="top">
<!-- USC header edit end -->

Open your footer template and above

$spacer_close

add

<!-- USC footer edit start -->
</td>
$usc_right
</tr>
</table>
<!-- USC footer edit end -->

That is all your template editing done.

Now, go to vBulletin Options > Ultimate Side Columns Options

Here you can set which column you wish to use, and where you want it to appear. Content is also controlled through the options on this page. HTML is allowed in all content boxes.


Configuration

As there are a number of options available, this section explains them all.

First, you have the settings for enabling and disabling the two columns. As these work independently of each other, you can have the left column turned on, the right column turned on, or both turned on. If you need to turn them off for any reason, you can also turn them off here. Also, if you need to disable plugins for any reason, the code is completely disabled meaning that no unsightly white gaps are left on your pages.

Next, we have the width settings for the two columns. If you find that your columns are too wide, or too narrow, then they can be adjusted independently here.

The display pages settings allow you to control where your columns are displayed. These are pretty straightforward, with the exception of the setting adsense appropriate. This option stops the column from being displayed on the following pages in line with the adsense TOS:
- search
- search results
- registration
- contact us
- usercp
This is correct as of todays date. Any changes in the TOS for adsense will only be reflected in any updates as appropriate.

Next are the settings for the content of the left column, followed by the content of the right column. Both sections are prefixed by a blank setting. This is by design and there is not a bug with the code or anything missing.


Adding More Blocks

By design there are five (5) blocks per column. Some people may require more than this. To allow for this, comments have been added to both the usc_sidecolumn_left and usc_sidecolumn_right templates. The comments include a commented out section of code to use as a template for additional blocks. There are also some warning comments present in both templates. Take heed of these as editing other than the places indicated will result in the templates being malformed and the USC system not working correctly.


Support

Support for this modification is extremely limited. However, as everything apart from the two small template edits is controlled directly through the vBulletin options and not through template editing, issues should be minimal.

If you have any other combinations of pages that you would like to see available for the column options, please post them in the support thread ensuring that you add the title "USC Page Combination Request" to your post, or use this as the first line of your post ensuring that it is in bold text. This is very specific as due to the limited nature of support and time, the support thread will only be quickly skimmed through and therefore requests may be missed if it is not clear what they are.


The screenshots attached to this post and the next one show a range of pages with a range of column combinations. They are not labeled but they are pretty self explanatory.

Enjoy the USC system.

Kerry-Anne




PLEASE NOTE: This modification is unsupported. You may not receive a reply right after posting. Please try and help each other out. I do not support custom styles. If this does not work in your style, and you can confirm that it does not work in the default style (with a link and screenshot) then you will need to resolve the problem yourself. I also do not support any versions earlier than 3.6.5 in any way, shape or form. If you are using it on a version prior to 3.6.5 then no support at all will be provided.



Version 2.0 information


Version 2.0 has been released and can be found here:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=175181

[Ohiosweetheart]

I really do like this hack - great job Kerry Anne.

I will definitely use this, if I can find a way to place the side column below the breadcrumb/navbar, like your other side column hacks are. I've read through the thread here, and haven't found the solutiion.

Has anyone figured this out yet?

[Ohiosweetheart]

Wow - ok I figured out how to add an additional section for the left column, complete with category header, and separate content. See screenie below -

Altho this hack is highly customizable on the default vB skin, it poses many problems on custom styles, so I'm afraid that I can't use it.

I also must say that I don't understand the reasoning behind releasing hacks that aren't supported? It's great IF there are others who can support it and help others out, but only the hack author knows what she/he did to code this hack, so really he/she should be the one supporting it.

[Mia]

Thank you, Scooterpig. I did use the Search button, by the way, and did not find the answer to my question. Was just hoping for a little help.

[Daky]

Hi,
I Like this script it is very usefull, but i have a small problem.
Its no big deal, but i would like to fix it if possible.

For some reason my forum is not aligned properly when i am logged off.
When i am logged in, everything is perfect.

I am going to post here 2 pictures regarding this problem, because i am not 100 % sure how to explain .. the problem.

I hope someone will be able to help me.


GOOD: <-- WHEN LOGGED IN!



PROBLEM: <-- WHEN LOGGED OFF!



Thank you!

[q22inc]

^ I'm actually having a similar problem. I'll post pics as well

*edit* I'll post them tommorrow from work. Nap time.

[YabbaDabba]

Originally Posted by dizzy100

rss feeds from your forum is possible

Heres one for pulling the latest threads from your vbulletin board (make sure you have Vbulletin Options > External Data Provider > Enable External Javascript enabled)

PHP Code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="external.php?&amp;type=js"></script>
<script language="" type="text/javascript">
<!--
for (var x in threads)
{
document.writeln("<img class="inlineimg" src="YOUWEBSITEADDRESS/images/buttons/lastpost.gif" alt="" border="0" /> <a href="showthread.php?t="+threads[x].threadid+"">"+threads[x].title+"</a> <span class="time">(Posted By : "+threads[x].poster+")</span><hr />");
}
//-->
</script> 


Substitute YOUWEBSITEADDRESS with the full url to your forum (assumes using ther default theme).

Its not phrased because this mod seems to ignore them This is a shame as stats, banner etc can't be used through internal vbulletin options. However javascript seems to work well.

Many thanks. This works. Any chance that I can select just a subset of all threads, like the last 5, from the feed?

Because the feed covers many forums, "Maximum External Records" is set high (50), but I don't want that many threads listed in a column.

[YabbaDabba]

Just figured out.
It was easier and more obvious than I thought.

<script type="text/javascript" src="external.php?&amp;type=js"></script> 
<script language="" type="text/javascript"> 
<!-- 
for (x = 5; x < 10; x++) 
{ 
document.writeln("<img class=\"inlineimg\" src=\"YOUWEBSITEADDRESS/images/buttons/lastpost.gif\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" /> <a href=\"showthread.php?t="+threads[x].threadid+"\">"+threads[x].title+"</a> <span class=\"time\">(Posted By : "+threads[x].poster+")</span><hr />"); 
} 
//--> 
</script>

In this example, I skip the 5 newest threads (x=0 to x=4) in case some spammers get started. But I do want just the next 5 threads (x=5 to x<10) in the feed (out of a total of 50 that I have defined in External Data Provider in vB Options).

[q22inc]

<a href="http://www.spurs-forum.com/Forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11" target="_blank">http://www.spurs-forum.com/Forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11</a>

Is there any way to make the right column more...to the right? It pushes everything else to the left and throws the general alignment for the whole forum off. The above link shows you an example.

[Daky]

Originally Posted by Daky

Hi,
I Like this script it is very usefull, but i have a small problem.
Its no big deal, but i would like to fix it if possible.

For some reason my forum is not aligned properly when i am logged off.
When i am logged in, everything is perfect.

I am going to post here 2 pictures regarding this problem, because i am not 100 % sure how to explain .. the problem.

I hope someone will be able to help me.


GOOD: <-- WHEN LOGGED IN!



PROBLEM: <-- WHEN LOGGED OFF!



Thank you!

Any1 have idea how to fix this? Pls.

Thank you!

[Jakester]

Is it possible to integrate the Private Messages box as small text inside this column? It would act as a Welcome Panel with "the last time you visited was .." and "the newest members is..."