Fixed Sidebar On All Pages (left side)

This modification provides a fixed sidebar on the left side of your forums.

In IE7 and Firefox, the sidebar scrolls to remain stationary on the page. However, in IE6 it works as a normal sidebar and moves with the content.

Installation instructions are in the attached text file.




FAQ's

I've got it installed, how do I edit it?
In the header template you will find the main body of the column. This is in a tabular format consistant with all content in vBulletin.
By default I have included one (1) heading and eight (8) content rows.
To edit these locate the text Heading in the header template and replace it with whatever you wish to have it say. Repeat the process for the content.

It's too wide, can I make it narrower?
It's too narrow, can I make it wider?
Yes this is possible. However, it requires a few changes to the code not just tot he table with in the header template.
Start by changing the with in your header template, then in the additional CSS definitions change the 160 in the navigation section to the same as your width of your table, and the 165 in the content section to the width of your table plus 5.

The top of the column overlaps my header.
The top of my column is not in line with my navbar.
In the additional CSS definitions find

top:105px;

Change the number as appropriate for your style. You may need to experiment with this. The default value is correct for on the default vBulletin style.
Remember that the lower down the page your column sits, the less content you can place in it (see why do I need to watch the height of my content?).

Why do I need to watch the length of my content?
Because this sidebar stays in place when the forums scroll, it is important to pay attention to the length of the content. If you fill your side column with content based on your screen resolution, then anything at the bottom will be hidden from users with a smaller resolution. In total, the length of your column plus the top margin (default 105) should not exceed 580px. This is to allow for users with an 800x600 screen resolution.

Can you release this as a plugin/product?
No. Due to the additional CSS definitions requirements it is not possible to release this as a product or plugin. I have no intention of attempting this further in the near future.

So you are not releasing it as a product. Does that mean that someone else can?
Can I translate this modification?
Can I redistribute this modification?
Any ports of this modification to other versions or to be a product will be carried out by myself. No permission is given for ports, translations, or distributions. The only exception to this is translation for release at vBHacks-Germany.org

Are there any plans for a right sided version?
Yes. However, due to current time restraints (and current lack of internet access) this will not happen until later in the year. Please don't keep asking about it, when I have done it you will all know about it.

This is released for 3.6.2 but I run 3.x.x. Can I still use it?
This has been tested only on 3.6.2 but as it is a template modification, there is no reason why it shouldn't work on any site running vBulletin 3.x.x



Thats all the boring stuff out of the way.

If you use this modification please click install. By clicking install you will be notified of any updates, bug fixes, and other important information relating to this release.

If you like this modification, please click nominate for modification of the month. It might only be a little template mod, but I'm quite proud of this one.



The attached screenshots are taking in FF 1.5.x and IE6. IE7 has been tested and displays the same as FF. I've left the top of the browser intact for identification between each one.


A big thanks goes to [name]mikeylikesitz[/name] for his help testing in IE7

Finally, if someone could let me have a link to use as a live demo, it would be appreciated.


Enjoy it, and have fun.

[peterska2]

The way it works in IE6 is available in tabular format in a modification by amykhar. You cannot get it to stay in one place on the screen as it does in firefox and IE7 using tables - believe me I tried for ages.

[LICryptkeeper]

Originally Posted by peterska2

The way it works in IE6 is available in tabular format in a modification by amykhar. You cannot get it to stay in one place on the screen as it does in firefox and IE7 using tables - believe me I tried for ages.

are you reffering to my post?

If yes, I was not reffering to the "feature" of it staying in place as the rest of the page scrolls. I was implying that it floats a certian distance from the left side of the screen, the horizontal alignment does not work with sites that use a fixed width, since on 1024X768, its located 50px from the left side, a user in 1600X1200 rez will still have it 50 px from the left, meaning its out of location.


I fixed it on my clients side by switching to tables, deleted the css, added in a new column, and aligned it to the top. yes it dosent "float" but i didnt need it to.

[AzzidReign]

Thanks! Works good!

peterska2 -
If you've been to demonoid, they have something quite like this but for an ad and I was wondering if you happen to know how they do it. They have it so when you scroll a certain amount, then the ad will start scrolling down with you.

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by AzzidReign

Is this suppose to be able to scroll up and down the length of the forum? That's what it looks like it does in the attachments, but I can't get it to do that.

It does not scroll in IE6 due to IE's bad CSS support. However, in IE7 and FireFox it scrolls.

[AzzidReign]

Yeah, I read that after I posted so I edited and I guess you had quoted me before I edit Sorry.

[Ohiosweetheart]

Question.... Your "left-side column on forum home only" fits beneath the breadcrumb and navbar. From what I can see of the screenshots above, this one is to the side of the breadcrumb/navbar.

How would one place it beneath?

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by Ohiosweetheart

Question.... Your "left-side column on forum home only" fits beneath the breadcrumb and navbar. From what I can see of the screenshots above, this one is to the side of the breadcrumb/navbar.

How would one place it beneath?

Quite simply, you wouldn't. Due to the nature of this modification, it is not possible to have it located within a table, therefore it needs to be at the side of the navbar. Also, if you located it below the navbar it would seriously break your style on all pages outside the forumhome.

[Hornstar]

Will this be on the forumhome only, or also on all pages on the forums?

I'm trying to find a hack that will be on every page.

[peterska2]

Originally Posted by hornstar1337

Will this be on the forumhome only, or also on all pages on the forums?

I'm trying to find a hack that will be on every page.

Yes, as per the modification title, this is on all pages.

[hawork]

Very nice! This is just what I was looking for. I've tried to make several tables in the same column (left of course) to write different kind of quick links but i'm not able to do it. I would be very pleased if someone could help me.

Thanks peterska2 for this useful code!