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Module CMPS: AJAX Tabbed Content · **Released**: 08-07-2007

AJAX Tabs - Version 1.5

Note: Version 1.0 is still available as a secondary option and is located in post 2 of this thread.

Note 2: Altho this "How To" is written for implementation within CMPS, this can be easily implemented within vB , ie on custom vB pages or within current vB pages.

Whats changed within this release?: This new version (based on the AJAX Tabs script written by Dynamic Drive - http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamici...tent/index.htm) utilizes Ajax to display a selection of external content on your page inside a DIV and via CSS tabs. Below lists the features of this script that together make it highly adaptable in the real world:

Fetch and display an external page (from the same domain) inside a container when a tab is clicked on.
Add a "default" content inside the container to either be shown while no tabs are selected, or to be associated with a specific tab. The default content is added directly to your page and not fetched via Ajax, for sake of server efficiency.
For each tab, you can not only fetch an external page to be shown, but also load external .css and .js files associated with that page if desired.
Supports session only persistence, so the last tab user clicked on is remembered if he/she returns to the page within the same browser session.
Supports multiple Ajax Tabs Contents on the same page.
Fully unobtrusive, search engine friendly script. The tabs are simply list based links. For search engines or browsers with JavaScript disabled, the contents will just load as actual pages (instead of inline via Ajax).

As I mentioned in the previous release, I received many emails & PMs about how I implemented AJAX Tabbed Modules within vBadvance & vB, so instead of replying to each one seperately, I went ahead and wrote up this "how to". I hope that its easy to follow along, answers your questions and meets your needs. If you are reading this and wondering what a tabbed module is, check out the attached screen shots for a visual.

This is what I've done so far to implement AJAX Tabs functionality within vBadvance for my websites and others....

CMPS Version Note: Coded for CMPS v3.0 RC1. Modifications can be made to the php files (Require Back-End) to work with CMPS v2.x

CMPS Module Type: TEMPLATE w/Alternative Module Wrapper Template
Templates: adv_portal_Tab_Block, adv_portal_alt_module_wrapper (optional)
Files: ajaxtabs.js, ajaxtabs.css, Sample Content Files, images(3)

Note: I've included sample files in the attached Zip File to use with the step by step how to.

Step 1. Upload the ajaxtabs directory (located in the attached Zip File) to the FORUMS Root.
This directory contains the ajaxtabs.js file & the ajaxtabs.css file
path example: /www/forums/ajaxtabs/ajaxtabs.js

Step 2. Modify CSS file.
Change paths to images to reflect your domain and forum root (2 lines)...

Note: Additional Modifications to this file can be made once you get the initial sample system up and running.

CSS file - Name: ajaxtabs.css

Code:

.shadetabs{
padding: 3px 0;
margin-left: 0;
margin-top: 1px;
margin-bottom: 0;
font: bold 12px Verdana;
list-style-type: none;
text-align: left; /*set to left, center, or right to align the menu as desired*/
}

.shadetabs li{
display: inline;
margin: 0;
}

.shadetabs li a{
text-decoration: none;
padding: 3px 7px;
margin-right: 3px;
border: 1px solid #778;
color: #FFFFFF;
background: #343958 url(http://www.domain.com/forums/ajaxtabs/shade.gif) top left repeat-x;
}

.shadetabs li a:visited{
color: #FFFFFF;
}

.shadetabs li a:hover{
text-decoration: underline;
color: #FFFFFF;
}

.shadetabs li.selected{
position: relative;
top: 1px;
}

.shadetabs li.selected a{ /*selected main tab style */
background-image: url(http://www.domain.com/forums/ajaxtabs/shadeactive.gif);
border-bottom-color: gray;
}

.shadetabs li.selected a:hover{ /*selected main tab style */
text-decoration: none;
}

.contentstyle{
border: 1px solid gray;
width: 425px;
margin-bottom: 0em; padding: 2px;
background: white;
}

Step 3. Create, Name and Upload Multiple "Content" files.
I've included working samples in the attached Zip File.
The location I chose for these was the FORUMS root.
path example: /www/forums
You can name these files anything you want. For example, I chose a naming convention - tabexternal.htm, tabexternal2.php, tabrecentnews.php, tabvbookie.php, ..etc etc

Note: Modifications to these files can be made once you get the initial system up and running.

Sample PHP "Content" file - Sample name: tabexternal.php

PHP Code:


			
<?php 



// ####################### SET PHP ENVIRONMENT ###########################  

error_reporting(E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE);  



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

define('NO_REGISTER_GLOBALS', 1);  

define('THIS_SCRIPT', 'tabcontent'); // 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(  

    'TAB',  

);  



// pre-cache templates used by specific actions  

$actiontemplates = array(  



);  



// ######################### REQUIRE BACK-END ############################  

require_once('./global.php');  

require_once('./includes/vba_cmps_include_template.php'); 

require_once('./includes/vba_cmps_global.php'); 



// #######################################################################  

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

// #######################################################################  





?> 



<?php



echo 'HELLO WORLD!  Welcome to AJAX TABs ....';



?>

Sample HTM "Content" file - Sample name: tabexternal.htm

Code:

<img src="ajaxtabs/bird.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0 10px 5px; border: 1px solid gray" />
Birds are bipedal, warm-blooded, oviparous vertebrate animals characterized primarily by feathers, forelimbs modified as wings, and hollow bones.
<br style="clear: left" />

Step 4. (optional) Create an Alternative Module Wrapper Template.
I chose to do this, because I didn't want to use the standard Module Wrapper that comes default with vBadvanced.
NOTE: Use the default wrapper if you choose not to create your own custom one. I named mine - adv_portal_alt_module_wrapper

Alternative Module Wrapper Template - Sample name: adv_portal_alt_module_wrapper

Code:

<div style="padding-bottom:$vba_style[portal_vspace]px">
	<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="$stylevar[cellpadding]" cellspacing="$stylevar[cellspacing]"  width="100%">
		
		<tbody id="collapseobj_module_$mods[collapse]" style="$modcollapse">
			<if condition="$show['tablerow']">
				<tr>
					<td class="$bgclass">
						$modulehtml
					</td>
				</tr>
			<else />
				$modulehtml
			</if>
		</tbody>
	</table>
</div>

Step 5. Create a new Template.
This template will be the one that you include with the module that you will create in Step 6. I've included the code for the template below, HOWEVER, there are some edits that you will need to make to the code based upon steps 1-3 above.

Custom Template Sample name: adv_portal_Tab_Block_Main

Code:

<tr><td>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/forums/ajaxtabs/ajaxtabs.css" />
<script type="text/javascript" src="/forums/ajaxtabs/ajaxtabs.js">
/***********************************************
* Ajax Tabs Content script- ? Dynamic Drive DHTML code library (www.dynamicdrive.com)
* This notice MUST stay intact for legal use
* Visit Dynamic Drive at http://www.dynamicdrive.com/ for full source code
***********************************************/
</script>
</head>
<body>

<ul id="maintab" class="shadetabs">
<li class="selected"><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal2.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal3.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 3</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal4.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 4</a></li>
</ul>

<div id="ajaxcontentarea" class="contentstyle">
<p>Congrats, AJAX Tabbed Content is working on your site!</p>
</div>

<script type="text/javascript">
//Start Ajax tabs script for UL with id="maintab" Separate multiple ids each with a comma.
startajaxtabs("maintab")
</script>
</body>
</td></tr>

EDITS NEEDED TO THE ABOVE TEMPLATE:

EDIT 1 - Path location of the ajaxtabs.css file created in step 2. Simply edit this line in the template to the correct path.

Code:

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/forums/ajaxtabs/ajaxtabs.css" />

EDIT 2 - Path location of the ajaxtabs.js file in step 1. Simply edit this line in the template to the correct path where you uploaded the ahahLib.js file.

Code:

<script type="text/javascript" src="/forums/ajaxtabs/ajaxtabs.js">

EDIT 3 - Path location of the "Content" file(s) created in step 3. Simply edit the line(s) in the template to the correct path where you uploaded the PHP file(s).

Code:

<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal4.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 4</a></li>

Step 6. Create a new CMPS TEMPLATE Module.
Name it what ever you like. Include the template that you created in Step 5 above. Make sure that you either use the Module Wrapper Template OR the Alternative Module Wrapper Template that you created in optional Step 4 above. Give permission(s) to the user groups that you want to be able to view this.

Step 7. Add the Module to a CMPS page.
Add the module created in Step 6 above to any CMPS page (make a test page if you want to)...

Step 8. Load the CMPS page that you added the module to.
If you performed the above steps correctly, the result will be a tabbed block module with 4 tabs named Tab 1, Tab 2, Tab 3, Tab 4. The content for Tab 1 will initially say "Congrats, AJAX Tabbed Content is working on your site!" as that will preload, Click on Tab 1 and it will retrieve via AJAX, the code created in the external file for tab 1. Click on the other tabs to retrieve the info created within those external files..

CUSTOMIZATION

Style: Modify CSS File in Step 2 to match the Style of your site.

Tab Names: Modify Template created in Step 5 to change the NAME of the tabs themselves - ie.. from Tab 1 to Announcements (see below)

Code:

<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Announcements</a></li>

Content: Modify "Content" File(s) created in Step 3 to generate content. You can add static content or Dynamic Content. Below is a very very basic sample of what can be done.

Sample mix of static and dynamic content

PHP Code:


			
<?php



echo '<table cellspacing="2" cellpadding="0" width=100%><tr> <td class="alt2"><span class="smallfont">Welcome Back To YOURSITENAMEHERE&nbsp;<b>' . $vbulletin->userinfo['username'] . '!</b><br><br>Hope you are enjoying the off season so far.<br><br> The Draft, Mini Camps & Hall of Fame Weekend Events are complete, Train Camps are in full swing and Preseason Games have started to kick off!<br><br>

Im sure these next few weeks will be fun to follow and make the upcoming season even more exciting. <br><br>Good luck with your team&nbsp;<b>' .  $vbulletin->userinfo['username'] . '.</b></span></td></tr>';



?>

NOTE: You can get as creative as you want to with content (Both static and Dynamic). For example, I took code from the recentthreads.php file, modified it and included that as tabbed content to display recent threads within a tab on my site (as seen in the screen shots attached in Post 1 of this thread). (I've included samples with instructions of this within the zip file. Side Note: use/modify these samples at your own risk)

ADDING MORE TABS

To add more tabs, you will need to modify the template created in Step 5 and create a new "content" file for each new tab (as explained in Step 3).

Step 1. Add the following line of code to the Template that you created in Step 5 for each new Tab that you want to appear. Its a good idea when you add the lines that you keep them in order with the other lines currently in the file.

Code:

<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/CONTENT FILE" rel="ajaxcontentarea">TAB NAME</a></li>

Example:

Code:

<li><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabcontent5.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Sports News</a></li>

Step 2. Upload the newly created "Content" file (as explained in Step 3) to your FORUMS root.

If you want to read up on AJAX Tabs, check out the Ajax Tabs Content script over at Dynamic Drive (http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamici...tent/index.htm)

....thats it in a nutshell.... I do hope that I explained things well enough to at least get a head start on AJAX Tabbed Modules. Let me know if you have any problems or need further explanation on anything...

Thanks and enjoy

Bobster

Screen Shots Explained:

The 1st is an example of some dynamic content based on the user.
The 2nd is an example of modified recentthreads.php used within a tab.
The 3rd is an example of using modified vbarticles within a tab.
The 4th and 5th are examples of custom dynamic content within a tab.

radarhunter · #52 08-15-2007, 05:02 PM

the one u`ve updated now i`ve been using this script for a very long time.....

Anyways nice to see it here too

But what i`m not able to figure out is how to embeb latest posts module codes into this ...........

bobster65 · #53 08-15-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radarhunter

the one u`ve updated now i`ve been using this script for a very long time.....

Anyways nice to see it here too

But what i`m not able to figure out is how to embeb latest posts module codes into this ...........

download the zip file and check out the sample php files (read the instructions.txt file as well) .. this should get you what you are after

efil · #54 08-16-2007, 04:43 AM

Hi,
Thank you for the useful mod.:up:

I have some problems with version 2.

1. The tabexterna does not fit the screen. (see attach pic).

2. My site is in hebrew, i need the tabs from right to left.

It's not working good with rtl? (see attach pic in explorer and in firefox).

2. How can i force open a specific tab as default?

bobster65 · #55 08-16-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efil

Hi,
Thank you for the useful mod.:up:

I have some problems with version 2.

1. The tabexterna does not fit the screen. (see attach pic).

2. My site is in hebrew, i need the tabs from right to left.

It's not working good with rtl? (see attach pic in explorer and in firefox).

2. How can i force open a specific tab as default?

That is a CSS issue. Looks like you need to right justify. Just play around with the CSS file a little. I'll try and simulate it and see if I can come up with a solution for ya..

rainyleaves · #56 08-17-2007, 03:55 AM

You didn't upload 'AJAX Tabs - Version 2.0' zip file.
Please upload...

bobster65 · #57 08-17-2007, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainyleaves

You didn't upload 'AJAX Tabs - Version 2.0' zip file.
Please upload...

weird.. I uploaded it, then took it off to upload a new one with a few more examples and uploaded it again.. it was on before I left last night lol.... anywho, its there now :up:

rainyleaves · #58 08-17-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobster65

weird.. I uploaded it, then took it off to upload a new one with a few more examples and uploaded it again.. it was on before I left last night lol.... anywho, its there now :up:

Thanks

bobster65 · #59 08-17-2007, 05:35 PM

I fixed a small problem in the .js file that was causing the "selected" tab not to preload with session persistance on (worked with it off).. it now preloads correctly... attached is the new .js file (which I will add to the zip file as well)..

Thanks... Bobster

bobster65 · #60 08-17-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efil

2. How can i force open a specific tab as default?

add class="selected" to the li tag of the Tab you wish to force open.

Code:

<li class="selected"><a href="http://www.domain.com/forums/tabexternal.php" rel="ajaxcontentarea">Tab 1</a></li>

THEN

either edit the .js file from this

Code:

var enabletabpersistence=1

to this

Code:

var enabletabpersistence=0

OR

download the new .js file that I attached in the above post or grab it from the attached zip file from the main post of this thread....

The issue was a bug with persistence which has been fixed now. They both work together as long as you use the new .js file.

Thanks.. Bobster

bobster65 · #61 08-17-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efil

Hi,
Thank you for the useful mod.:up:

I have some problems with version 2.

1. The tabexterna does not fit the screen. (see attach pic).

2. My site is in hebrew, i need the tabs from right to left.

It's not working good with rtl? (see attach pic in explorer and in firefox).

To right align the tabs, just find this line in the CSS file:

Code:

text-align: right; /*set to left, center, or right to align the menu as desired*/

A value of "right" like above should do it.

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