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

[jj]

I like your [AJAX] tabbed approach very much, but unfortunately it is incompatible with custom arranged subforums (vertically aligned) using this mod.

[g0dfather1984]

Originally Posted by jj

I like your [AJAX] tabbed approach very much, but unfortunately it is incompatible with custom arranged subforums (vertically aligned) using this mod.

I had the same problem, however it was fixed.

Try changing the seperator from a comma to a line break.

[RobbieZ]

RobbieZ clicks install

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by illithid

I searched this entire thread for any issues with javascript being used inside of the ajax tab view. Couldn't find what I was looking for.

Obviously, the problem is javascript is being suppressed by the ajax tab view. Is there a way to work around this?

There is, but its not something that you probably would be interested in .. you can try it tho and see if it works for you... (using the iframe mode)

"an external page can also be fetched and displayed via the IFRAME element instead. This is useful for external pages that either contain JavaScript/ CSS code that doesn't run properly when fetched via Ajax"

This is what to do...

rel="#default|containerid|#iframe": For each tab link that should reveal content when clicked on, add a "rel" attribute inside its link tag with one of three possible values: "#default", id_of_container_div, or "#iframe". This in combination with the link's href attribute determines what external file to fetch, and how to display it. Most commonly you'll be using containerid, which corresponds to the ID of the container DIV on the page in which to load the Ajax fetched content (see Step 2 below). "#default" and "#iframe" on the other hand are both special keywords. "#default" causes the tab to show no external content but instead what's embedded directly inside the container DIV, while #iframe causes the tab to show its content inside an IFRAME tag instead of via Ajax.

Originally Posted by g0dfather1984

I have the tabs up for the forums & what not. But there is one that doesn't show up. I have the proper ID for it, but still no luck. Out of 6 different tabs, this is the only one that's not working.

And you are sure that the ID is a Category and not a Forum?

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by JVCode

Thanks for the prompt reply.

One other question; The current system 'Acquires Content' each time when visiting the forum homepage, regardless of whether you've visited another tab or not, which in turn takes some time to load. Is there a way to make it so the Home Page loads as it normally would, (when the hack isn't installed) and just acquire the content on the categories which aren't on the home page?

That's the best way I could word my problem. Anyone make heads or tales of it? Help appreciated

The acquiring content is simply the way this ajax version works.. if you don't want current info, use the first version (its NON AJAX)..

With that said, the new version uses YUI Tab View which drastically speeds up the AJAX process.. night and day difference..

[g0dfather1984]

Originally Posted by bobster65

There is, but its not something that you probably would be interested in .. you can try it tho and see if it works for you... (using the iframe mode)

"an external page can also be fetched and displayed via the IFRAME element instead. This is useful for external pages that either contain JavaScript/ CSS code that doesn't run properly when fetched via Ajax"

This is what to do...

rel="#default|containerid|#iframe": For each tab link that should reveal content when clicked on, add a "rel" attribute inside its link tag with one of three possible values: "#default", id_of_container_div, or "#iframe". This in combination with the link's href attribute determines what external file to fetch, and how to display it. Most commonly you'll be using containerid, which corresponds to the ID of the container DIV on the page in which to load the Ajax fetched content (see Step 2 below). "#default" and "#iframe" on the other hand are both special keywords. "#default" causes the tab to show no external content but instead what's embedded directly inside the container DIV, while #iframe causes the tab to show its content inside an IFRAME tag instead of via Ajax.




And you are sure that the ID is a Category and not a Forum?

Positive. Attachment included.

[King Kovifor]

Originally Posted by illithid

I searched this entire thread for any issues with javascript being used inside of the ajax tab view. Couldn't find what I was looking for.

First, let me give props to the author of this mod, it is wonderful! Secondly, I have it installed on my forum and decided that I could use it on my home page as well. It works. My problem though, is that if the tab makes a call to a page that has data generated from javascript, the data won't display(while in the tab view). However, if you go directly to the page, outside of the ajax tab, then the data will display.

Obviously, the problem is javascript is being suppressed by the ajax tab view. Is there a way to work around this?

I have added two images, 1 shows the contents of the ajax tab view for my test file, the second image is the actual display when going directly to the test page.

Please contact me through PM with the javascript code and I will work on seeing if it works for YUI and if not will attempt to find a way to fix it for 2.0 as 1.5.x is not currently under development.

[illithid]

Originally Posted by King Kovifor

Please contact me through PM with the javascript code and I will work on seeing if it works for YUI and if not will attempt to find a way to fix it for 2.0 as 1.5.x is not currently under development.

Check your inbox, I sent the message.

Originally Posted by bobster65

There is, but its not something that you probably would be interested in .. you can try it tho and see if it works for you... (using the iframe mode)

"an external page can also be fetched and displayed via the IFRAME element instead. This is useful for external pages that either contain JavaScript/ CSS code that doesn't run properly when fetched via Ajax"

This is what to do...

rel="#default|containerid|#iframe": For each tab link that should reveal content when clicked on, add a "rel" attribute inside its link tag with one of three possible values: "#default", id_of_container_div, or "#iframe". This in combination with the link's href attribute determines what external file to fetch, and how to display it. Most commonly you'll be using containerid, which corresponds to the ID of the container DIV on the page in which to load the Ajax fetched content (see Step 2 below). "#default" and "#iframe" on the other hand are both special keywords. "#default" causes the tab to show no external content but instead what's embedded directly inside the container DIV, while #iframe causes the tab to show its content inside an IFRAME tag instead of via Ajax.

I got a little lost in your explanation of how to implement the use of the iframe. Regardless of that, I don't see how an iframe will actually help with this problem. To explain this a little better, I have a custom vBulletin "powered" page as my home page. I have implemented the ajax tabs into that page. Currently, I can display content in the ajax container, from html, php, css, xml and even a few made up extensions, by direct linking of the tab to the external file. Pages with code that isn't javascript will display, but the javascript fails.

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by illithid

Check your inbox, I sent the message.


I got a little lost in your explanation of how to implement the use of the iframe. Regardless of that, I don't see how an iframe will actually help with this problem. To explain this a little better, I have a custom vBulletin "powered" page as my home page. I have implemented the ajax tabs into that page. Currently, I can display content in the ajax container, from html, php, css, xml and even a few made up extensions, by direct linking of the tab to the external file. Pages with code that isn't javascript will display, but the javascript fails.

I know exactly what you are talking about.. I have two other mods for vBa that are Tabbed Content Modules and the same thing applies since they all use the same ajax.js file .... a lot of JS doesn't not play well with AJAX....

btw, tts easy... in the LI tag for the specific tab, there is a REL attribute.. replace the attribute with #iframe (see below)

<li><a href="mycustomfile.php" rel="#iframe">TAB NAME</a></li>

[HagbardCeline]

really great add-on! i use this modification like a menu

http://forum.bf3-community.com