Miscellaneous Hacks - Global Tag Cloud in Side Bar or Anywhere

What this plugin does

This plugin lets you call the tag cloud on any page. We wanted a tag cloud in a side column on our forum, and also the freedom to call it from within any template.

Live Demo

You can view the plugin in action on AdminFusion

Installation Instructions

1. Login in to the AdminCP -> Plugins and Products -> Manage Products
2. Click the Add/Import Product link at the bottom of the page and browse to the plugin's xml file.
3. Add the following variable where ever you want the tag cloud to appear:

$vbcloud

4. If you want to display just the cloud (i.e. without the category) open up the tag_cloud_search template and replace everything with the code below:

 
<if condition="THIS_SCRIPT != tags">
$cloud[links]
<else />
<table class="tborder" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr>
	<td class="tcat">
		<div class="smallfont" style="float:$stylevar[right]"><phrase 1="$cloud[count]">$vbphrase[these_are_the_x_most_used_thread_tags]</phrase></div>
		$vbphrase[tag_cloud]
	</td>
</tr>
<tr>
	<td class="alt1" style="text-align:justify">$cloud[links]</td>
</tr>
</table>
</if>

Version Information:
1.01 -- Updated to make compatible with Vbulletin Blog
1.02 -- Script rewrite. Fixed time stamp issue, blog issue and other minor problems.
1.03

Now returns the most popular tags as opposed to the most searched for tags.
Some minor optimizations made.
Instructions revised (uses tag_cloud_box template instead of tag_cloud_search)

[soundbarrierpro]

Originally Posted by Baldilocks

Looks great in a sidebar/header template too!!!

Sooo.....can I just add the code to one of my blocks in ultimate side columns? Do you know?

[Baldilocks]

I am not sure as I don't use the ultimate side columns.

[Kendothpro]

Freshly installed on a 3.7 board..I have written $vbcloud in the templates , for example in the footer, but nothing is shown?

[Baldilocks]

$vbcloud is the wrong variable.

try $tag_cloud

[mvigod]

Baldilocks,
Can you share the header/sidebar code?

[Baldilocks]

It's tied in to the rest of the skin, so I don't know how effective it will be for you. In other words it uses images and gradients from directories on my server to knit everything together.

You could possibly clean it up and use it....

I'll PM it to you.

[Kendothpro]

Tried $tag_cloud but it doesn't work.. Does anyone know how to get the tagclodu to show on VB 3.7?

[Baldilocks]

I use $tag_cloud and it works just fine.
Where are you trying to put it ?

[Kendothpro]

I removed all other plugins and it appears to work (with $vbcloud )..thanks

[Jase2]

Hmmm, I've imported the product, then put the variable in my sidebar block, yet no tags show. Am I missing something?

EDIT: OK, it works fine with TechGuy's product, thanks! However, I placed the variable in one of my sidebar blocks, and it shows it in another box inside the sidebar box. How do I stop this?