Adding the latest threads block as a separate page.

[Nocturnal222]

Hello

I'm not sure how to explain best what I am trying to do, but I'll try to be clear.

I am currently running a game server. I host my community and post my updates on my vBulletin forums. To keep the players up to date, I have to manually add the news to my launcher page via FTP, which I sometimes forget to do.

On the forums, I use the default "Latest Threads" block set to my News & Information section to have a news stream. Is there a way I can re-create that block with it's whole code on a new page, and place that as my game-launcher page? I don't want the header, navbar and so on present in the launcher, as the window size is pretty constrictive. Just the news feed.

The idea is that when I post a news thread on my forum, it will be automatically displayed(on the next block refresh) in the game launcher.

Any help is appreciated.

[grey_goose]

This is an excellent resource for creating custom/new pages:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=228112

You'd then need to do a plugin query and register it for use in a template:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=228078

You learn what's in those two links, and you can do darn near anything.

[Nocturnal222]

I've managed to create the page fine using those guides, and it displays as per the template, but what would I need to place(and where) in order to get this to display instead of this.

I'm currently running everything in the default style until I figure it out.

I essentially want to link the new page I've created to someone and all they would see is the latest new threads in a few sections I've nominated, much like I currently have the sideblock setup.

Keep in mind that this is for external users, who play the game server I am hosting, but aren't really the forum type. To view the page, it should not require a login. I will also be removing the header and footer so the announcement page is straight to the point, as the display window I am working with is rather small(and cannot be resized) so adding headers+ extra stuff will simply push the information down.

[grey_goose]

You'll need to write a query (see second link) and register it for use in that template. If you're not familiar with SQL queries, then you're probably best off just finding a mod like this.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by Nocturnal222

I've managed to create the page fine using those guides, and it displays as per the template, but what would I need to place(and where) in order to get this to display instead of this.

I'm currently running everything in the default style until I figure it out.

I essentially want to link the new page I've created to someone and all they would see is the latest new threads in a few sections I've nominated, much like I currently have the sideblock setup.

Keep in mind that this is for external users, who play the game server I am hosting, but aren't really the forum type. To view the page, it should not require a login. I will also be removing the header and footer so the announcement page is straight to the point, as the display window I am working with is rather small(and cannot be resized) so adding headers+ extra stuff will simply push the information down.

If you'll post the content of your external script, I'll add the necessary query to it, along with a threadbit template and product settings so you can control how many latest threads are displayed, and which forum(s) they are selected from, and any other settings you want.

[Nocturnal222]

Originally Posted by grey_goose

You'll need to write a query (see second link) and register it for use in that template. If you're not familiar with SQL queries, then you're probably best off just finding a mod like this.

That modification is basically what I'm trying to do, but I need it to be lightweight. The launcher is pretty ancient and I'm not sure how well it would handle such a news feed.

Mark, if you are referring to the content of my .php file, it is as Lynne suggested for a start.

PHP Code:

<?php

// ####################### SET PHP ENVIRONMENT ###########################
error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE);

// #################### DEFINE IMPORTANT CONSTANTS #######################

define('THIS_SCRIPT', 'rmulauncher');
define('CSRF_PROTECTION', true);  
// change this depending on your filename

// ################### PRE-CACHE TEMPLATES AND DATA ######################
// get special phrase groups
$phrasegroups = array();

// get special data templates from the datastore
$specialtemplates = array();

// pre-cache templates used by all actions
$globaltemplates = array('rmulauncher',
);

// pre-cache templates used by specific actions
$actiontemplates = array();

// ######################### REQUIRE BACK-END ############################
// if your page is outside of your normal vb forums directory, you should change directories by uncommenting the next line
// chdir ('/path/to/your/forums');
require_once('./global.php');

// #######################################################################
// ######################## START MAIN SCRIPT ############################
// #######################################################################

$navbits = construct_navbits(array('' => 'Rise News'));
$navbar = render_navbar_template($navbits);

// ###### YOUR CUSTOM CODE GOES HERE #####
$pagetitle = 'Rise News';

// ###### NOW YOUR TEMPLATE IS BEING RENDERED ######

$templater = vB_Template::create('rmulauncher');
$templater->register_page_templates();
$templater->register('navbar', $navbar);
$templater->register('pagetitle', $pagetitle);
print_output($templater->render());

?>

I'm not very familiar with scripts, so this is basically what I need help with right now till I get my head around it a bit more. Someone else had been doing this for me up until recently.

The script I'm using for this block is the default vBulletin 4 Latest Threads script.

[MarkFL]

Okay, I will put everything together tonight and post the end result when I'm done.

edit: Unfortunately, an issue has come up that I must address immediately, and so there will be a delay on this. I do apologize for the inconvenience, but the delay shouldn't be more than a day or two.

[Nocturnal222]

That's fine. I'm getting someone helping me out, I can't be picky about it as well. :P

I've been doing it manually for years now, a few days won't hurt me.

[MarkFL]

Originally Posted by Nocturnal222

That's fine. I'm getting someone helping me out, I can't be picky about it as well. :P

I've been doing it manually for years now, a few days won't hurt me.

I'm actually working on it now. I expect to have something for you tomorrow.

[MarkFL]

Okay, I have attached a preliminary product for you to test out, and let me know if there are any issues or features you want added.