VB mod_template - how VB template management *should* work

Ok, this may be better off in the beta forum, but as far as i'm concerned, unless there's major bugs, this is the final release.

Don't let the last line fool you into thinking this is low quality code, it's primo. But I wrote this code to fit my needs for a project, and decided to share it with the world. Since it already fits my needs to the max, the world's needs take a very low precedence. I am checking the "Will you provide support" box because I will honestly try to provide support, but putting food in my mouth is more important than providing free support for free software. I will TRY to help if i have time. My email is robjohnson@blackhole.com - put 'mod_template' in the subject if you email me.

I hope someone finds this hack as crucial as i do. Anyone who has to deal with VB templates knows what a +++++ they are.

Now, I'll simply paste the readme file and wander off. Cheers.

----------
<code>
VB Mod_Template
--------------------------------------
This hack provides a logical management system for VBulletin templates and sets. I developed this hack for myself because trying to work with VB templates just plain sucks. I've decided to share my work with the world.

I havn't used this extensively yet, in fact i just finished a few minutes ago, but i did give it a pretty good run-through. Even so there are bound to be bugs. If you encounter strange behaviour let me know with as much detail as you can.

Features:
- Doesn't break existing VB template management system
- Create and manage your own template groups
- Manage the scope of templates, global template modifications can be shared across all templatesets
- Synchronize templates across multiple templatesets
- Browse multiple templatesets at once

--------------------------------------
- These scripts and mods are provided AS IS free of charge under no particular license. Use, modify, distribute or maim them to you liking. The only think i require is that you do not modify or remove my credits in the source, or at the bottom of the mod_template pages. That is in fact the sole condition of the copyright, please respect it. Also visit http://www.asylumnation.com .

- I guarantee NOTHING and promise NO SUPPORT. If you encounter problems I will do everything I can to help you, and I will do everything I can to patch bugs, but I am very busy and again I PROMISE NOTHING.

- The above does not mean I don't want you to report problems, bugs, or feedback - it just means I can't guarantee I'll be able to provide free support.

- This hack was developed and tested on a clean install of VBulletin version 2.2.9 . Please let me know if it works, or doesn't work on other VB versions.

- Even if you don't have complaints, feed my ego and let me know if you like it.


Direct any comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc to robjohnson@black-hole.com .

--------------------------------------
--- RELEASE 0.1 ---
This is the first release, 0.1, of VB mod_template. It was developed and tested on VBulletin version 2.2.9 .

It has been substantially confirmed that this hack works on the following VB distributions:
- VBulletin 2.2.9

Please let me know if you get it working on any other VB versions, along with additional steps (if any) you took to get it running.

--------------------------------------
--- DETAILS ---

-Templategroups:
Template Groups are a logical means to organize your templates. Think of a template group as a folder. A folder can contain templates and other folders.
Template Groups are always global. Global means that changing one templategroup will affect ALL templatesets. For instance if you change a group named 'My Group' to 'My Test group', the change will affect every templateset. Templategroups are not specific to any one templateset.

- Templates
There are 3 types of templates. Local templates, global templates, and global synced templates.
A local template only exists once, and has a specific identity. For instance, if you create a local template named 'tmpl' in templateset A, it only exists in templateset A. You could create another template with the same name in templateset B, but it would exist as a seperate temlate.

- Global Templates
exist acrost all templatesets. You can't remove a global template from one templateset, only all templatesets. All global template details (minus template content) are synchronized acrost all templatesets, however the actual template content is retained specific to the templateset the template resides in. For instance, a global template named 'tmpl' will exist in every templateset. Modifying the name or group of the template will affect every templateset, however, modifying the content of the template will only affect the specific templateset that the modified template resides in.

- Global Synced Templates
take Global Templates a step further, and sync not only the name and group, but the content. This is very helpful in managing and modifying common templates. Modifying a global synced template in any templateset will change that template in every templateset.

- That's it, it should be all pretty self explanatory how to use the mod. Let me know if you have any probs.

--------------------------------------
--- INSTALLATION ---
See install.txt
</code>

[Heffe2000]

Tried to run it on a test forum I have set up with 2.3.0 RC3, and couldn't see anything but the template groups, nothing else.

Has anybody tried this with 2.3 yet?

[Dingle]

my update subscription crap ran out Heffe so i can't really test it for 2.3...

The hack relies zero on the VB scripts other than the adminifunctions, but if the template table was altered between 2.2.9 and 2.3 that may cause probs.

I'll see what i can do. If anyone is really using this, i have some other bugfixes that i've personally encountered in the original release avove that i could make public...

[SteveK]

Have you had any trouble with new templates having "\" placed all over the template text? Just wondering as I just started to use this mod and find it very intuitive compared to the standard template.php. I just updated to 2.3.0 RC3 so that may also be the issue, but wanted to check here just in case.

Thanks.

[RayManZ]

i have the same problem as you. If i create a template with this hack it adds \ everywhere which is not good because i can't use it good this way

I'm using vB 2.3 RC3

[SpankMe]

Yes, I have the same problem. It's escaping (putting a backslah before) all the double quotes in a template.

[geniuscrew]

02-18-03 at 01:12 AM Dingle said this in Post #10
how do you mean geniuscrew?

Using a little check box next to each template, check the boxes off all you want switching whatever way [global to custom or custom to global]

Then click switch!

Also, is it your hack which is giving me 3 textareas when I add a new template?