Miscellaneous Hacks - Ultimate Side Columns 2.2

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

Welcome to Ultimate Side Columns 2.2 !

USC 2.2 has now been released!!!!

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.

USC 2.0 was born through the evolution and bug fixing of USC 1.0 for vBulletin 3.6 and is for vBulletin 3.7.0 RC1 and later only. It is not supported with earlier versions and may not work with them.

Features

USC 2.0 is fully customizable, can use conditions and variables (not available in USC 1.0), has greater flexibility in where it can be omitted from (after requests received), and contains new functionality of both independently collapsible columns and user defined custom links to be displayed on a per user basis in the column location of the administrators choosing.

A maximum of 20 blocks spread over the two columns are available at this time. However, if more are required then an expansion pack will be provided. The blocks can be reordered and moved between the templates with ease through simple template edits.

USC 2.2 Change Log:
Fixed bug with profile.php?do=editattachments
Added All Pages options

USC 2.1 Change Log:
Fixed blank page caused by missing template in the XML
Added compatibility with 3.7.0 Stable/Gold
Manual Template Edit instructions added to package
Enhanced the display page choices to allow exact selection of the pages where USC is to be displayed
Added usergroup permissions in addition to the global options for viewing the left column, viewing the right column, and using the custom contents block.

USC 2.1 has additional files. You need to upload the files first BEFORE importing the product

Upgrading from USC 2.0
Upload the contents of the upload folder, except the admincp directory, then import the XML.

Go to vBOptions > USC Options and set the display pages using the new options
Go to Usergroups > Usergroup Manager and set the permissions for each usergroup as desired. By default no permissions are given to any usergroups.

Upgrading from USC 1.0

USC 2.0 has been rewritten from the ground up and therefore all the blocks have been moved from the settings into the templates. Therefore, a unique upgrade script has been provided which must be run before importing the new product. Importing the new product first will result in the loss of your existing USC contents.

The upgrade script is located in the admincp directory after uploading the USC files and is ran by pointing your browser to admincp/usc_upgrade.php

Full upgrade instructions are included in the upgrade readme file in the zip.

Installation Instructions

Download the zip, unzip it and upload the contents of the upload folder to your forum directory. Import the product, all done.

Full instructions are included in the install readme in the zip.

Support

This modification has limited support only and is therefore flagged as unsupported. Support will be given when possible although it is always preferable when users of USC support each other. This was very successful with USC 1.0 and therefore is continued with USC 2.0

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 USC 2.0.

Kerry-Anne


PLEASE NOTE: This modification is unsupported. You may not receive a reply right after posting. Please try and help each other out.



Problems with your side columns not showing?
For your side columns to show, you need to update your usergroup permissions from the usergroup manager for each usergroup

Problems with errors in your vBOptions?
Point your browser to admincp/index.php?do=buildbitfields then try again

[edenx]

GREAT MOD!!

I have a style problem:
In Internet Explorer the "Collapse button" remains on one line not at the left side...

Anyone having the same problem?
How can I fix this?

See attached image.

[burlesque]

I've just upgraded and the side columns are showing where I have set them in the admin, however I have several pages which do not show side columns because they are not included in the list.

These are mostly pages which have been created by other mods, but version 2.0 worked on all pages. How do I get this feature back?!

[Chadi]

Originally Posted by karnevil

I had the same so unistalled the product from product manager and reinstalled the xml file. then it worked fine.

That did not fix it for me. Error still there.

Originally Posted by Baldilocks

Please learn people skills! I have done that already. Thank you. Next!!

Agreed. It obviously does not work for everyone here. Nothing shows up in the usergroup manager whatsoever.

[megawelle]

hi, somehow the conditionals don't work. if i use

<if condition="$show['guest']"></if>

in one of the templates, the block doesn't show up at all.

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by odyglo

I'm getting this same error in the options, though it isn't telling me anything useful. I've tried several times, have disabled all plug-ins and am using default 3.7 templates... still get the error and columns aren't showing up on any of the forum pages.

Does anyone know what the problem may be?

You haven't uploaded the files in the upload folder. Upload the files in the upload folder then reimport the product.

Originally Posted by karnevil

I had the same so unistalled the product from product manager and reinstalled the xml file. then it worked fine.

The files need to be uploaded before the product is imported.

Originally Posted by karnevil

I am however ending up with two left columns - identical except one is positioned higher than the other? any ideas?

Either use the manual edits setting or delete the old manual edits from your header and footer templates.

Originally Posted by Baldilocks

I can't get the columns to show up at all.. <sigh>

You need to enable them, set the permissions for who can view them, and set the pages that they are displayed on. You also need to add some contents. When you have done this you will see your columns.

Originally Posted by chadi

That did not fix it for me. Error still there.



Agreed. It obviously does not work for everyone here. Nothing shows up in the usergroup manager whatsoever.

UPLOAD THE FILES IN THE UPLOAD FOLDER BEFORE IMPORTING THE PRODUCT

This is clearly stated in the upgrade instructions, in the first post of this thread, in the post that was added when the update was released, and was stated in the notification of an update that was sent out to people that have marked this as installed. It is very important to read instructions and follow them exactly.

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by megawelle

hi, somehow the conditionals don't work. if i use in one of the templates, the block doesn't show up at all.

What condition are you trying to use and what is happening?

Originally Posted by edenx

GREAT MOD!!

I have a style problem:
In Internet Explorer the "Collapse button" remains on one line not at the left side...

Anyone having the same problem?
How can I fix this?

See attached image.

This could be something specific to IE. I'll look into it for possible fixing in 2.2

Originally Posted by chadi

I see absolutely nothing regarding USC on this in usergroup manager.

UPLOAD THE FILES BEFORE IMPORTING THE PRODUCT. THERE ARE NEW FILES FOR 2.1

Originally Posted by odyglo

I'm getting this same error in the options, though it isn't telling me anything useful. I've tried several times, have disabled all plug-ins and am using default 3.7 templates... still get the error and columns aren't showing up on any of the forum pages.

Does anyone know what the problem may be?

UPLOAD THE FILES BEFORE IMPORTING THE PRODUCT. THERE ARE NEW FILES FOR 2.1

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by slmoney

Upgraded..works fine...I just miss the option to have it show on ALL pages.

It's making a comeback in 2.2 - I sorta forgot about it in 2.1

Originally Posted by karnevil

I am however ending up with two left columns - identical except one is positioned higher than the other? any ideas?

Either use the manual edit option in the settings, or use the automatic option and remove the old code added to the templates.

Originally Posted by Baldilocks

The .zip file is corrupt. At least its showing as empty when I try to extract aything.

Thats a problem with your firewall. Disable it then download the file again.

Originally Posted by chadi

I just installed this and I'm getting nothing at all showing up on the forum home.

I've done the following
- uploaded files
- imported xml (overwrite)
- enabled forum home right column / edit templates manual in vbulletin options
- manually edited forumhome template accordingly

Now, Out of the 20+ templates USC creates, I'm baffled which one to edit.

The manual edit shows "usc_right", yet not one of the USC templates shows this. I see usc_sidecolumn_right which already has pre-filled content.

You edit the templates called block_ as per the instructions.

[peterska2]

right then, I know this should be clear by now, but it appears that there is a lot of problems following instructions.

USC 2.1 has additional files. You need to upload the files first BEFORE importing the product

2.2 did have more features. Going off the number of people having problems following the instructions to upgrade to 2.1 this is now being scrapped. 2.2 is now going to be a bug fix release only.

The new features are going on indefinite hold and earmarked for 3.0 which will be created when I have time and released when instructions can be followed as it will be complex for the initial setup. As I have previously mentioned, USC has a life of its own and is evolving rapidly. The more it evolves the more complex it will become. If a relatively simple version is causing so much difficulty then version 3.0 is going to have to be rethought. This will not happen quickly as a lot of though needs to be put in to the plans for the future of it.

[Chadi]

Thanks Kerry. Finally got this working. However, one slight problem.

I cannot figure out where the line break is coming from. The column should be even with the rest of the forum, left side.

I added the below in the block 11 template, nothing else.

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Scripture &amp; Quotes
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Today's Verse
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.heartlight.org/hls/tv_kjv.js"></script> 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Daily Wisdom
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.heartlight.org/hls/dw_kjv.js"></script>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Today's Quote
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.heartlight.org/hls/qm.js"></script>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Streaming Multimedia
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
This Week's Video
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/streaming-multimedia/20066-shocking-youth-message-stuns-hearers.html">
<img src="images/vow.jpg" alt="Video of the Week" /></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Scriptural Answers
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Commonly Asked ?'s
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/scriptural-answers/">
<img src="images/old_paper.gif" alt="Bible Answers" class="footer1" /><br />
Scriptural Answers</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>


<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Entertainment
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Leisure Time
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/arcade.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/arcade.php">Arcade</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/journal.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/journal.php">Journal</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/gallery.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/gallery/index.php">Photo Gallery</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/media.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/streaming-multimedia/">Streaming Media</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Unique Tools
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/ispy.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/vaispy.php">iSpy</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/member.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/usercp.php">Refer a Friend</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/tag.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/tags/">Tag Cloud</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/time.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/worldtimes.php">World Time</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Talk Jesus Info
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Help Center
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/info.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/faq.php">FAQ</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/rules.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/forum-rules-ten-commandments/53-talk-jesus-10-commandments-rule.html">Forum Rules</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/etiquette.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/press-stand/12096-forum-etiquette.html">Forum Etiquette</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/moderator.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/showgroups.php">Moderators</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/book.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/press-stand/3028-statement-faith.html">Faith Statement</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Blog &amp; Statistics
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/blog.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/blog/">Blog</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/member.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/members/list/">Member List</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/stats.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/psistats.php">Site Statistics</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/statement.gif" alt="Icons" />&nbsp;
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/psistats.php?do=toptf">Top Threads</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Social Network
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Bible Resources
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">Bible Gateway</a>
</td>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://biblepro.bibleocean.com/dox/default.aspx?WELCOME=true">Bible Pro</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.carm.org/">CARM</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/">Got Questions?</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/">Simply Youth</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Christian Ministries
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://billygraham.org/">Billy Graham</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.children.org">Children Intl</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="https://give.ccci.org/give">Campus Crusade</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.feedthechildren.org">Feed the Children</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://gfa.org/">Gospel for Asia</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/">Samaritan's Purse</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.persecution.com/">Voice of Martyrs</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Entertainment
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.christianquotes.org/">Christian Quotes</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.godtube.com">GodTube</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.sermonaudio.com">Sermon Audio</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.sermonindex.net/">Sermon Index</a>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Photo Gallery
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Random Images
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
$vbgallery
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td class="tcat">
Online Protection
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="thead">
Chad's Tips
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/technical-support/6710-online-protection.html">
<img src="images/tip.gif" alt="Online Security" class="footer1" /></a><br /></div>
<img src="images/navbar/bullet_star.gif" alt="Bullet" />&nbsp;Security<br />
<img src="images/navbar/bullet_star.gif" alt="Bullet" />&nbsp;Free Software<br />
<img src="images/navbar/bullet_star.gif" alt="Bullet" />&nbsp;Safe Browsing<br />
<img src="images/navbar/bullet_star.gif" alt="Bullet" />&nbsp;Parental Filters<br />
<img src="images/navbar/bullet_star.gif" alt="Bullet" />&nbsp;Enhancements<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.talkjesus.com/technical-support/6710-online-protection.html">
...click here to read</a>
</td>
</tr>

I did the manual edits as well in forumhome. Could you explain where the extra break is coming from?

[peterska2]

bad html mate.

Your missing a </tr> after

<tr>
<td class="alt2">
<img src="images/navbar/bullet.gif" alt="Icons" />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">Bible Gateway</a>
</td>

IE does funny things with bad html