RSS Output Mod & Icon

The code modifications make a simple change to external.php to explode a list of child forums in addition to some quick template changes to provide a common button for users to click to see the RSS feed.

1) at the Forum Home level, the xml link when clicked, produces an RSS feed for all threads in all forums. No changes made to external.php for this to work.

2) at the Sub-Forum level, the xml link when clicked, produces an RSS feed for all threads in the listed sub-forums. external.php is changed to explode the list of child forums.

3) at the Forum level, the xml link when clicked, produces an RSS feed only to threads in the that forum. No changes made to external.php for this to work.

I’m using this on an internal forum and have not had any problems. But your mileage may vary. Let me know what you think and if it works for you or not.

I've uploaded the rss.gif file that I'm using.

-paul

[7 June 2004 - re uploaded - small doc changes - no code changes]
[8 June 2004 - re uploaded - Natch's code changes, two options now available]

[MediaHound]

We're in it together.

So the XML error is taken care of on my site. Good for that.

But my forumhome is still a bit skewed.
Adding a new column above the forums, where the xml icon goes, altered the columns of the page.
Take a look at http://forum.free-templates.com and see what I mean.

If you know the fix would be great to post it here as others will need it too.
If you cant see it, post here and let me know I'll provide a screenshot with an arrow pointing at it.

Many thanks,

Jarred

[Natch]

I actually decided to alter this for my own benefit ...

Look for:

	<td class="thead" width="100%" align="$stylevar[left]">$vbphrase[forum]</td>

Re-place with the following:

	<td class="thead" width="100%" align="$stylevar[left]">$vbphrase[forum]
	<!-- RSS ICON -->
		<a href="external.php?type=RSS2" style="float:right">
			<img src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/rss.gif" alt="Subscribe to XML RSS for all Threads in all Forums" border="0" />
		</a>
	<!-- / RSS ICON -->
	</td>

And apply the same change to all other cells - what you are doing is moving the RSS image into the previous cell, and retaining the Forum spacings ...

Example - http://www.mobileforces.org/forums/

[fluent]

Thanks for the corrections! I'll update and upload the changes in a little bit, but here is what I've ended up going with.

[MediaHound]

Fluent, could you give those of us that installed it already a step by step to fix the problem?

[MediaHound]

Ahh its fine now.
All I did was remove the new td, and moved the existing closing td tag to after the image, and its fine.
Added natches style="float:right" to the image and it looks great.

I'm really no expert.
Anyway, thanks for everything.

[Erwin]

Good hack. I will install this soon.

[fluent]

Originally Posted by MediaHound

Fluent, could you give those of us that installed it already a step by step to fix the problem?

MediaHound, What I did (just now to debug) was revert the two templates and search for the strings that need to be replaced. Copy and paste. I think that's the easiest way to make Natch's changes.

I also uploaded the rss icon I'm using and a gif screenshot.

[MediaHound]

Everything works great now.
Just have to spend some time getting it submitted now.

Maybe some of you guys could get some use out of this: I did some research, and I've got a list of RSS sites you can submit your feeds to at:
http://forum.free-templates.com/showthread.php?t=285

This way your site might get picked up by a good source of traffic.

If you know others please add them.

Here's to RSS!

Many thanks for the hack,

MH

[Erwin]

Originally Posted by MediaHound

Everything works great now.
Just have to spend some time getting it submitted now.

Maybe some of you guys could get some use out of this: I did some research, and I've got a list of RSS sites you can submit your feeds to at:
http://forum.free-templates.com/showthread.php?t=285

This way your site might get picked up by a good source of traffic.

If you know others please add them.

Here's to RSS!

Many thanks for the hack,

MH

Thanks for that!

[MediaHound]

Originally Posted by Erwin

Thanks for that!

Welcome, Erwin

:up: