Forum Style - Lightweight Style for Small Screen Devices (cell phone, iphone, mobile, android)

A lightweight *forum only style aimed at small screen devices such as Windows Smartphones, Nokias and even iPhones. It has VERY low bandwidth requirements - 15 times less on my site - 20K as opposed to 300K for forumhome.

*forum only - I have done a very small amount of rough work on CMS templates, a simple single column CMS *could* be created to work with this style without too much effort. However I am not sure if you can have a different CMS layout dependent on which style you are using?

This is an update to the mobile style I have previously released.

The changes are predominantly aesthetic to take advantage of larger screens.

It is also much easier to change colour schemes by editing the commented CSS file.

Demo: http://vbdev.org/forum.php?styleid=7

This is a a lightweight style and as such has much reduced functionality/information over the default vBulletin style.

Install instructions:

• Firstly, if upgrading, I recommend installing this as a new style rather than overwriting your previous install. This way you get to test it first without trashing your existing style.
• BACKUP YOUR EXISTING lightweight.css.php FILE IF YOU HAVE CSS CUSTOMISATIONS
• Download ZIP file
• Unzip to a local/temp directory
• Edit lightweight.css.php file to customise colours if required
• Upload contents of the upload directory in the zip file folder to your forum root.
• Install style XML via Style Manager in your ADMINCP
• **Install and configure "LightWeight Style Options"
• See post 2 for a FAQ
• Click "Mark as Installed"
• Test it out
• Leave a rating
• Leave feedback
• Enjoy checking your site from your mobile phone without the need to pinch/zoom/wait etc...

Version Control:

1.0.0 - 25 AUG 2010 - Initial Release on vBulletin.org
1.0.1 - 26 AUG 2010 - Fixed "Mark All Forums Read" link in Search results. Released Lightweight Style Options to customise this
1.0.2 - 21 MAR 2011 - Updated to 4.1.2, removed short tags from CSS, fixed some issues discovered since last release, added some stuff.
1.0.3 - 16 DEC 2011 - Updated to 1.0.3, tried to fix all known issues. Nothing new. If you have updated your site as bugs have been found, probably no need to upgrade. But if you're upgrading your site from to 4.1.9, might be worthwhile.
1.0.3a - 16 DEC 2011 - remove test ad hook code accidently left in postbit_legacy template

Branding Free:

The style is free to use. However I ask that you keep links in the footer. If you want to remove them - send me a donation of an amount you can afford, or that you think is fair/reasonable, it's up to you how much.

[djbaxter]

Originally Posted by charlesr

I tried this a long time ago but have a cms so it wasn't an option.
I'm now using metro mobile theme https://themeforest.net/item/metro-m...tin-42/4013274

I am too. It's not really a responsive theme but you can at least install it as the main theme and have a mobile theme that matches.

[gnrx]

Originally Posted by djbaxter

There are no responsive themes for vBulletin 4.2.5.

Options if you want responsive:

1. migrate to Xenforo
2. upgrade to vBulletin 5
3. install crappy Tapatalk

Bad options...
Migrate to Xenforo, in this moment, is not option for me, I have some plugins that are incompatible with xenforo...
upgrade to vb 5... I have the same problem and...
use tapatalk, like you indicate, a crappy tapatalk...

Originally Posted by charlesr

I tried this a long time ago but have a cms so it wasn't an option.
I'm now using metro mobile theme https://themeforest.net/item/metro-m...tin-42/4013274

I view the page, its possible a good solution/iddea.
You use a cms, what cms? I search a cms for vb 4.2.5 but...

Originally Posted by djbaxter

I am too. It's not really a responsive theme but you can at least install it as the main theme and have a mobile theme that matches.

I doubt with this, indicate that, you use like main theme and have a mobile theme that matches?
Mi iddea, is install a mobile theme, or responsive or good theme for mobiles devides, I have a main theme good for me, its possible not responsive but...for colours and options, I preferer not change my main theme.
It's not responsive, but if it's worth it, maybe I would also change my main theme.

Sincery, thanks!!

[gnrx]

It is possible that this question is not correct in this thread, because it leaves a little of the initial theme of the thread, but as you two have advised me that topic and use it, I turn to you to see if I clarify any doubt:
I have been looking at the theme that you indicate, in principle I am looking for a responsive theme for the mobile version of my forum, responsive to be compatible with the plugins I have, work well (the mobile by default theme does not work very well) and be something "light" to favor the load. In principle, my main theme desktop version would leave it, it is not responsive, but it is very nice to look at and I have it modified to my liking and users like it a lot, the intention is not to change it, or failing that, the theme that bought (responsive or not) would adapt it to the colors I currently have, that could do it, but not the footer, I would not know how to put it in a new theme.
Having said all this (which I extend) I have seen the theme that you are commenting on, I have contacted the author to resolve any questions but I do not get an answer, so I turn to you a little. Would it be feasible to install it only for mobile version?
I have also seen this, which is responsive:
https://www.sultantheme.com/product/st-vb4-responsive/
It is much more expensive, and for the desktop version I should adapt the colors like the current one I have or just use it in mobile version.
And at this moment ... I don't know if I opt for the responsive theme for desktop and mobile or the theme metro (and I doubt if only for mobile or also as main) ...
I am a sea of ​​doubts ... :-P

[charlesr]

When I said I use the CMS, I mean I use vb articles as my homepage. Look at Bordersdown.net
I use metro mobile theme and styled version of the vb theme for my full screen style

[lange]

Checked Bordersdown.net. It's not responsive at all and there are many errors HTML in the source code (the errors are in red color).

[charlesr]

If by responsive you mean one style that resizes itself perfectly for every device, then good luck with that in vb4....
But it switches to metro style on a mobile (it won't do this if you just switch to mobile mode in chrome inspect tool - you have to actually use a mobile device, or select it from the style picker drop down) and Google thinks it's mobile friendly with Google Search Console reporting no mobile issues.

It's not perfect but looks decent and works

[lange]

Originally Posted by charlesr

If by responsive you mean one style that resizes itself perfectly for every device, then good luck with that in vb4....

Yes, I mean one style that resizes itself perfectly for every device. I think it's more complicated with nested stylesheets of vB4 + vB CMS; maybe easier on a forum with tables like vB3.

[gnrx]

Originally Posted by charlesr

When I said I use the CMS, I mean I use vb articles as my homepage. Look at Bordersdown.net
I use metro mobile theme and styled version of the vb theme for my full screen style

Yes, I view the site and I like a lot.
But you can and use CMS-Articles, true?
I don't have CMS-Articles, and with my license, if I want install CMS-Articles I need upgrade my license (about 159$)...I think its very expensive, but your site have good look and its like I want my site...

Originally Posted by charlesr

...
But it switches to metro style on a mobile (it won't do this if you just switch to mobile mode in chrome inspect tool - you have to actually use a mobile device, or select it from the style picker drop down) and Google thinks it's mobile friendly with Google Search Console reporting no mobile issues.

It's not perfect but looks decent and works

About t his, the vendor/owner of metro mobile syte respone to me yesterday, he indicate that, is not good for google, but you indicate its good for your for google and not have errors with google search console, then, I think its good.

I will be guided by your experience, although the seller has told me that it is not good for google, if it is for you, I understand that it is.

I am not looking for a theme that is the same in the desktop version as in the mobile version, the theme that I have in the desktop version I like very much (and users too) has dark blue tones, the mobile version, I am looking for it that is light, with light colors and Above all, good for Google, and I think that the metro version that you have advised me meets those conditions.

When the seller told me that it was not good for google, then it gave me "some fear" and I did not make the purchase at that time, but if you say it is good for google, I will make the purchase, the load, how about? I have tried it from my mobile device, and I see it as good. Google Insights gives you a very good score on your website with metro mobile theme.

Therefore, my doubts were resolved, I will acquire this theme for my mobile version.

Too bad I don't have CMS-Articles, really, the design of your site is the one I would like to have.
Accessing the index of your mobile site, it also has a very good appearance, it will not be responsive, but as if it were.

I greatly appreciate your comments.

[charlesr]

Originally Posted by gnrx

snip...

the design of your site is the one I would like to have.
Accessing the index of your mobile site, it also has a very good appearance, it will not be responsive, but as if it were.

I greatly appreciate your comments.

Note that I added in extra buttons to the mobile header to make navigation easier.

Here's the code for my mobile style header template. Please don't just copy paste - it won't work. You need to read mine, compare it to yours and understand the changes and then write the changes needed to yours, plus add relevant button images.

I also added an easy link to the full size style, because editing posts on mobile style is a nightmare

<div data-role="page" data-theme="d" id="page-home">

<div id="header">
	<div id="header-left">
		<a href="{vb:link forumhome}" class="logo-image" rel="external"><img src="{vb:stylevar titleimage}" width="100%" alt="{vb:rawphrase x_powered_by_vbulletin, {vb:raw vboptions.bbtitle}}" /></a>
	</div>
	<div id="header-right">
		<vb:if condition="$vboptions['enablefacebookconnect']">
			{vb:raw facebook_header}
		</vb:if>
		<vb:if condition="$show['member']">
			<vb:if condition="$notifications_total">
				<a href="mobile.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=notifications" data-role="button" data-inline="true" data-theme="e" class="notifications_total hidden"><span class="notifications_total_count"></span></a>
			</vb:if>
		<vb:else />
			<a href="mobile.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=login" class="headericon" rel="external"><img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_mobile}/login.png" /></a>
		</vb:if>
		<a href="/" class="headericon"><img src="customgfx/homebuttonmob.png" /></a>
		<a href="forum.php" class="headericon"><img src="customgfx/forumbutton.png" /></a>
		<a href="search.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=getnew" class="headericon"><img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_mobile}/whatsnew.png" /></a>
		<a href="mobile.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}do=gridmenu" class="headericon"><img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_mobile}/gridmenu.png" /></a>
		<a href="search.php?{vb:raw session.sessionurl}search_type=1&amp;contenttype=vBForum_Post" class="headericon" rel="external"><img src="{vb:stylevar imgdir_mobile}/search.png" /></a>
	</div>

	<vb:if condition="$notifications_total">
	<ul id="dummylist" class="hidden">
		{vb:raw notifications_menubits}
	</ul>
	</vb:if>
</div>
<div>
   <a href="{vb:raw vboptions.forumhome}/?styleid={vb:raw vboptions.styleid}">{vb:rawphrase full_site}</a> | 
   <a href="<vb:if condition="$vboptions['vbcms_url']">{vb:raw vboptions.vbcms_url}/{vb:raw vboptions.site_tab_url}{vb:raw session.sessionurl_q}<vb:else />{vb:raw vboptions.site_tab_url}{vb:raw session.sessionurl_q}</vb:if>" rel="external">{vb:rawphrase articles}</a>
</div>

[gnrx]

Originally Posted by charlesr

Note that I added in extra buttons to the mobile header to make navigation easier.

Here's the code for my mobile style header template. Please don't just copy paste - it won't work. You need to read mine, compare it to yours and understand the changes and then write the changes needed to yours, plus add relevant button images.

I also added an easy link to the full size style, because editing posts on mobile style is a nightmare

...

Hi,

I really appreciate your comments and help.

Indeed, yesterday when I was looking at your site with my mobile through metro theme mobile, I saw what you mentioned, some icons above for better interaction with the user, and in the footer, the full size option.

I did not know that the option to edit is a nightmare (a pity) because really, the theme is not responsive, but as I told you, yesterday when I browsed it, I really liked it and it seems almost responsive, it looked really good. I looked at those top menu options.

Analyzed with google insights gives a really excellent result, all this contradicts what the author told me, I almost did not advise him, he said that it was not good for google, but it is.

I appreciate your comments, I am guided and trust more of them than those of the author.

At the same time, I thank you for the code, as you say, it is not copy and paste, I do not like to do that, I like to look at it, see what it does, adapt it, in some things my knowledge comes, in others maybe not, but even where my knowledge does not arrive, I try to know what it does and why. I have already seen certain parts of the code that I will adapt to mine, I have variable phrases changed on my site, so I will adapt it to mine. I will make the comparison, see and adapt it. As I comment, I thank you very much for your comments and directions.

I'm going to buy the theme, I hope to have it installed and adapted this week, as soon as I have it, I'll let you know.

Thank you!