Forum Front Page Question

[ipscone]

At the home page for this site there is a page that has "User CP" and "Hot Hack", on the left; "News" in the center and "Latest Hacks" on the right.

Is there a template for this kind of interface or is this something that everyone has to create for themselves? I have seen this same style on many vB sites, that is why I asked. If there is a basic template for this, what is it called and is it on this site?

Thanks

[Xenon]

it's a type of portalsystem vb.org uses

there are many different out there

search for vbportal or try logician's webtemplate hack...

[ipscone]

Ok, so I now know that they are called vBPortals. I have looked at some discussions on several. However, not knowing the difficulty envolved, I'd like to ask a couple of other questions.

1) If I want a main menu, news section in center, latest posts and descrption of a specified forum (in center also), calendar, login, which:

a) require the least modification to the DB?
b) require the least hacking of vB scripts?
c) are the easiest to modify and add new features?
d) which can be uninstalled the easiest?
e) can logician's webtemplates do the same thing as vBportals?

Is there a thread or can someone point out the pros and cons of the most popular ones?

Thanks,

[Xenon]

I don't have in mind if there's a thread you want to read

also i don't use these portals but i think i can answer some questions:

b) most of the portals don't need hacking, because they come in full seperate files, you just have to upload them and create templates

c) some yes some not, use logicians, it can be as customized as you want
d) look at b) there shouldn't be problems
e) logician's hack is the most customizable one i know, you can nearly do everything with it.

[ipscone]

Ok, getting close,

Looks like I might go with vBPortal but a couple more questions.

1) One of the things I want to do is list my Forum Categories (not forums) on my portal page. Is there a hack or template for that, that works with vBportal?

2) Also, I do like the logician's webtemplates that are part of the DB but that requires a modification to the DB structure. Is that easily undone?

3) What does this site use for their portal?

Thanks

[Xenon]

1) it can be done, and wouldn't be hard, but i don't know if a hack is already out..

2) normally yes. If you just add table and field their is no problem to remove em, if you alter a field, you have to write down before what was the original state