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Ultimate Side Columns · **Released**: 03-11-2007

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

Code:

<!-- 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

Code:

$spacer_close

add

Code:

<!-- 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

Welshy2008 · #**482** 11-09-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshy2008

Yes - That is what I am running.

I would love to see the text within the boxes " Variable" and I would like to be able to put "Links" in them too. Both of the above as they are - stretch the forum.

I would love to use Hyper links to shorten the room used.

IE: [url = http://www.example.com ] Example.com[/url]

(with the spaces removed) to give us:-

Example.com

Are we able to do this, Please - Kerry-Anne? I have tried the [Url] method and it didn't work. I have also tried the <a href="> method and the box completely disappears.

May I have your help in this matter Please?

Many Thanks.

Fitone · #**483** 11-17-2008, 02:49 PM

Installed but I have a quick question.

How do I get the navbar to go all the way across the screen? I imagine I'd have to install the code under the navbar somewhere correct?

Alex LD · #**484** 11-17-2008, 10:06 PM

There must be a bug, I was getting the following message when attempting to edit a usergroup may way to try to fix. Though I've gotten the issue resolved by simply removing the addon I'm sure others will experience this aswell The Error is below.

PHP Code:


			
Invalid SQL:

UPDATE vbusergroup SET



### UPDATE QUERY GENERATED BY fetch_query_sql() ###

`title` = 'Registered Users',

`description` = '',

`usertitle` = '',

`opentag` = '',

`closetag` = '',

`passwordexpires` = '0',

`passwordhistory` = '0',

`vbtube` = '15',

`uscpermissions` = '0',

`forumpermissions` = '3928575',

`genericpermissions` = '1579685063',

`attachlimit` = '0',

`pmquota` = '45',

`pmpermissions` = '3',

`pmsendmax` = '5',

`calendarpermissions` = '63',

`wolpermissions` = '1',

`adminpermissions` = '0',

`genericpermissions2` = '1',

`genericoptions` = '62',

`profilepicmaxwidth` = '100',

`profilepicmaxheight` = '100',

`profilepicmaxsize` = '65535',

`avatarmaxwidth` = '100',

`avatarmaxheight` = '100',

`avatarmaxsize` = '20000',

`signaturepermissions` = '235519',

`sigpicmaxwidth` = '500',

`sigpicmaxheight` = '100',

`sigpicmaxsize` = '10000',

`sigmaxrawchars` = '1000',

`sigmaxchars` = '500',

`sigmaxlines` = '0',

`sigmaxsizebbcode` = '7',

`sigmaximages` = '4',

`albumpermissions` = '255',

`albumpicmaxwidth` = '600',

`albumpicmaxheight` = '600',

`albumpicmaxsize` = '100000',

`albummaxpics` = '100',

`albummaxsize` = '0',

`usercsspermissions` = '31',

`visitormessagepermissions` = '63',

`socialgrouppermissions` = '375'

WHERE usergroupid=2;



MySQL Error : Unknown column 'uscpermissions' in 'field list'

PVTRoger · #**485** 11-18-2008, 09:47 AM

This is a mod I really want, and though I followed the directions (I think), I don't get any columns to show at all. I know I must have missed a step somewhere, but going over the install instructions I can't see where.

Can someone point me to the most obvious answer?

I know, I know..I'm like the computer techs customer who doesn't understand why the cup holder on the computer goes in and out.

Thanks in advance.

Roger

PVTRoger · #**486** 11-19-2008, 09:44 AM

O.k. I'm making some progress. I was able to get the columns to show, but of course now have a problem with another area. See image.

Note: I am not fussing that the problem is with this mod. I'm confident this has something to do with me, or some other code. I'm just hoping someone might be able to point a novice like me in the right direction.

Thanks alot!

Roger

Pebbled · #**487** 11-23-2008, 05:25 PM

Welshy2008, it looks to me like you need to add quote marks to the URL you posted which was:

[url = http://www.example.com ] Example.com[/url]

To

[url = "http://www.example.com" ] Example.com[/url]

Without the spaces of course

peterska2 · #**488** 11-26-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshy2008

Are we able to do this, Please - Kerry-Anne? I have tried the [url] method and it didn't work. I have also tried the <a href="> method and the box completely disappears.

May I have your help in this matter Please?

Many Thanks.

You need to use HTML not BBCode in the templates. <a href="someurl">some text</a> will do that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitone

Installed but I have a quick question.

How do I get the navbar to go all the way across the screen? I imagine I'd have to install the code under the navbar somewhere correct?

Use the below navbar location option

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex LD

There must be a bug, I was getting the following message when attempting to edit a usergroup may way to try to fix. Though I've gotten the issue resolved by simply removing the addon I'm sure others will experience this aswell The Error is below.

PHP Code:


			
Invalid SQL:
UPDATE vbusergroup SET

### UPDATE QUERY GENERATED BY fetch_query_sql() ###
`title` = 'Registered Users',
`description` = '',
`usertitle` = '',
`opentag` = '',
`closetag` = '',
`passwordexpires` = '0',
`passwordhistory` = '0',
`vbtube` = '15',
`uscpermissions` = '0',
`forumpermissions` = '3928575',
`genericpermissions` = '1579685063',
`attachlimit` = '0',
`pmquota` = '45',
`pmpermissions` = '3',
`pmsendmax` = '5',
`calendarpermissions` = '63',
`wolpermissions` = '1',
`adminpermissions` = '0',
`genericpermissions2` = '1',
`genericoptions` = '62',
`profilepicmaxwidth` = '100',
`profilepicmaxheight` = '100',
`profilepicmaxsize` = '65535',
`avatarmaxwidth` = '100',
`avatarmaxheight` = '100',
`avatarmaxsize` = '20000',
`signaturepermissions` = '235519',
`sigpicmaxwidth` = '500',
`sigpicmaxheight` = '100',
`sigpicmaxsize` = '10000',
`sigmaxrawchars` = '1000',
`sigmaxchars` = '500',
`sigmaxlines` = '0',
`sigmaxsizebbcode` = '7',
`sigmaximages` = '4',
`albumpermissions` = '255',
`albumpicmaxwidth` = '600',
`albumpicmaxheight` = '600',
`albumpicmaxsize` = '100000',
`albummaxpics` = '100',
`albummaxsize` = '0',
`usercsspermissions` = '31',
`visitormessagepermissions` = '63',
`socialgrouppermissions` = '375'
WHERE usergroupid=2;

MySQL Error : Unknown column 'uscpermissions' in 'field list'

Either you haven't upgraded properly from a version prior to 2.1 or you have removed USC and not deleted the files for it

peterska2 · #**489** 11-26-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVTRoger

O.k. I'm making some progress. I was able to get the columns to show, but of course now have a problem with another area. See image.

Note: I am not fussing that the problem is with this mod. I'm confident this has something to do with me, or some other code. I'm just hoping someone might be able to point a novice like me in the right direction.

Thanks alot!

Roger

Can you post your block contents please and if you have not resolved it please also post a link to your site where it can be seen in action.

CLSSY56 · #**490** 06-16-2009, 02:31 PM

Can I get some examples of what can be put in the columns?

akibui · #**491** 11-21-2009, 02:36 AM

I like this mod.
index & forumdisplay is no problem.
showthread look like crazy, the column run away that go to bottom of thread...??

X vBulletin 3.8.12 by vBS Debug Information
Page Generation 0.16602 seconds Memory Usage 2,357KB Queries Executed 27 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (3)bbcode_code (2)bbcode_php (5)bbcode_quote (1)footer (1)forumjump (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)modsystem_post (1)navbar (6)navbar_link (120)option (1)pagenav (1)pagenav_curpage (3)pagenav_pagelink (1)pagenav_pagelinkrel (11)post_thanks_box (11)post_thanks_button (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (11)post_thanks_postbit_info (10)postbit (11)postbit_onlinestatus (11)postbit_wrapper (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (1)tagbit_wrapper Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/config.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/modsystem_functions.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php Hooks Called: init_startup init_startup_session_setup_start init_startup_session_setup_complete cache_permissions fetch_postinfo_query fetch_postinfo fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates global_setup_complete showthread_start showthread_getinfo forumjump showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end fetch_musername postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_start bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_display_complete post_thanks_function_can_thank_this_post_start pagenav_page pagenav_complete tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
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