Forum Home Enhancements - [AJAX] Tabbed Forum Home

Tabbed Forum Home version 1.01

[AJAX] Tabbed Forum Home version 1.5.0 (BETA)

NOTE: Works with both 3.7x and 3.6x

Description: This MOD is for creating a "Tabbed" Forum Home Page to have Categories displayed within Tab containers (similar to what the new Profile System looks like on vb3.7). Please do not confuse this with the Tab Menu System here at vbulletin.org. They are totally different systems. These Tabs actually switch the content without leaving the main forums page.

I wrote the initial Non AJAX version based on reading many requests from members asking about how namepros created their custom tabbed forum home page. The first implementation I did was a request by bbwforums.net (which you can visit to see a working example). I have shared this version with many members already and decided to release it since it seems to be something that a lot of members are interested in.

UPDATE: I have released a BETA [AJAX] version for those that what something a little more robust and easier to install/configure. This Beta version will never go into production tho as version 2.0 will utilize the YUI AJAX Tabview Toolset. It IS stable tho and is currently running on a few live sites.

NOTE: Keep in mind, I wrote this with the assumption that you are fairly well versed and comfortable with editing files/templates and following the flow of things. If there is something you don't understand, PLEASE let me know so that I can help you understand it. This IS NOT a product that a novice can just plug and play and it takes a little bit of time to setup, but its well worth it in the end (if you want a custom unique look to your forum home page)... the next version (Don't ask when, cause its just on the drawing board) will be a product with ACP controls for easy setup

The attached Zip File(s) contain the Files and Instructions necessary to install each version.

DEMO: www.bbwforums.net or www.namepros.com
[Moderator Edit: The first URL has been un-linked as there has been reported malware on that domain. The mod author may edit this notice once the situation has been cleaned.]

Screen Shots: None, visit one or both of the above links as seeing them in action is better than some static image(s)..

Bobster

Change Log

version 1.01 -
tabcontent.js ver 2.2 to support remote links
updated install instructions (both in txt and rtf format)

version 1.5.0 -
BETA [AJAX] version

July 8, 2008 - Added xml file for WOL
Sep 2, 2008 - Updated xml file for WOL

[dazkeirle]

ok guys.

First: Anyone with a linux box, in the js file remove the "/" before clientscript in the source for the css and the loading gif. That will allow those to load.

Second: anybody noticing these display different by default on IE and firefox, It's because the line is added as a class to a break (<br>) instead of a div. Change to a div and all should be well.

I've installed the tabbing. And it looks nice: http://www.mygreatphone.com/forum

Only comments would be:

a) I'd really like it if i could add individual forums to a tab and not just categories.

b) A simple bit of code to show all cats (for my everything tab, instead of having to add everything)

c) The forums no longer show how many are viewing each forum, that would be a really welcome thing to have back, and may even be a deal breaker to whether i use this in the long term.

d)Would be great if it would degrade gracefully, so if no JS or ajax, that it loads the default or other non tabbed style.

Anyway, good for a work-print add-on, but a bit to go before it's perfect (ie. features not working like number viewing and lack of degradation.)

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by fib

Thank you for your response

Modern web thinking would mean that AJAX used in sites should degrade gracefully meaning if no ajax it works through normal page loads

this is what I think happens with the new template and the <!-- main --> stuff we moved to the new template

my impression was that it would revert to the old template when no java present

I shall have to look at this in more detail - Can the developer clarify which way this lies

We agree with you, however, there is currently no checking to see if JS is disabled. This is something that is being looked into for the future versions. We are aware of it and it is in our plans.

Originally Posted by dazkeirle

ok guys.

First: Anyone with a linux box, in the js file remove the "/" before clientscript in the source for the css and the loading gif. That will allow those to load.

Second: anybody noticing these display different by default on IE and firefox, It's because the line is added as a class to a break (<br>) instead of a div. Change to a div and all should be well.

I've installed the tabbing. And it looks nice: http://www.mygreatphone.com/forum

Only comments would be:

a) I'd really like it if i could add individual forums to a tab and not just categories.

b) A simple bit of code to show all cats (for my everything tab, instead of having to add everything)

c) The forums no longer show how many are viewing each forum, that would be a really welcome thing to have back, and may even be a deal breaker to whether i use this in the long term.

d)Would be great if it would degrade gracefully, so if no JS or ajax, that it loads the default or other non tabbed style.

Anyway, good for a work-print add-on, but a bit to go before it's perfect (ie. features not working like number viewing and lack of degradation.)

Thank you for the constructive feedback.. much appreciated..

a) This will be possible with the new version (the final release, not the beta). You will be able to use the recent threads module with the beta to pull this off in the mean time.

b) This is an ACP Option with version 2 as well as user group permissions for each tab.

c) This is "fixed" in version 2 as well as Mark Forums Read.

d) as addressed above, this is something that has been in our plans and is being currently looked into as a high priority.

[dazkeirle]

Originally Posted by bobster65

We agree with you, however, there is currently no checking to see if JS is disabled. This is something that is being looked into for the future versions. We are aware of it and it is in our plans.




Thank you for the constructive feedback.. much appreciated..

a) This will be possible with the new version (the final release, not the beta). You will be able to use the recent threads module with the beta to pull this off in the mean time.

b) This is an ACP Option with version 2 as well as user group permissions for each tab.

c) This is "fixed" in version 2 as well as Mark Forums Read.

d) as addressed above, this is something that has been in our plans and is being currently looked into as a high priority.

Well in that case well done you.

Good on you for wanting to mature the product. If you carry on like this it's going to be really popular.

Look forward to the updates.

[ArnyVee]

Originally Posted by King Kovifor

Soon...

WOO HOO!

Can't wait for 2.0....I've got my finger on the clicker and I'm ready to install!

[Morsolo]

This is a great mod and it is exact what I've been looking for, but it has one fatal flaw...

Its usability is horrible, yes I'm aware you need a fair amount of knowledge to operate it, which I have no problems with, but still the amount of hoops I need to jump through just to make it look different is ridiculous

I've been trying to make it look like the Member Tabs on the vBStyles GreenFox skin, but with no luck.
If anyone would like to edit it themselves and post a new CSS up here I would love you

[King Kovifor]

Originally Posted by Morsolo

This is a great mod and it is exact what I've been looking for, but it has one fatal flaw...

Its usability is horrible, yes I'm aware you need a fair amount of knowledge to operate it, which I have no problems with, but still the amount of hoops I need to jump through just to make it look different is ridiculous

I've been trying to make it look like the Member Tabs on the vBStyles GreenFox skin, but with no luck.
If anyone would like to edit it themselves and post a new CSS up here I would love you

I'm not a CSS guy, but 2.0 is much easier to set up - as almost no HTML / PHP knowledge is required because it now has an ACP back end. And YUI Tab View may have a simpler CSS - but I know we've cleaned it up for our specific release.

[Hornstar]

Originally Posted by King Kovifor

I'm not a CSS guy, but 2.0 is much easier to set up - as almost no HTML / PHP knowledge is required because it now has an ACP back end. And YUI Tab View may have a simpler CSS - but I know we've cleaned it up for our specific release.

Great because I couldnt get my css looking nice, so i'll just wait for version 2.
Thanks.

[Morsolo]

Originally Posted by King Kovifor

I'm not a CSS guy, but 2.0 is much easier to set up - as almost no HTML / PHP knowledge is required because it now has an ACP back end. And YUI Tab View may have a simpler CSS - but I know we've cleaned it up for our specific release.

Sorry if we're not a super cool Mod like yourself *Bows* - But we can't use 2.0 yet
So until 2.0 gets out, I guess I'll just have to sit quietly in the corner.

[bobster65]

Originally Posted by Morsolo

Sorry if we're not a super cool Mod like yourself *Bows* - But we can't use 2.0 yet
So until 2.0 gets out, I guess I'll just have to sit quietly in the corner.

KK being a MOD has nothing to do with it... he is one of my co-developers, that is why he responds to peoples inqueries..

Version 2 uses the YUI Tab View Component which uses the default Tab View CSS (same one that default vB bases the Profiles off of) the CSS Skin file is all commented, so it is super easy to edit for non CSS Guru's, but built so that Advanced users can also take advantage to customize beyond the basics if they so choose to.

We are just finishing up with the Install Doc. Beta 2.0 will be released by this weekend.

[Morsolo]

Originally Posted by bobster65

KK being a MOD has nothing to do with it... he is one of my co-developers, that is why he responds to peoples inqueries..

Version 2 uses the YUI Tab View Component which uses the default Tab View CSS (same one that default vB bases the Profiles off of) the CSS Skin file is all commented, so it is super easy to edit for non CSS Guru's, but built so that Advanced users can also take advantage to customize beyond the basics if they so choose to.

We are just finishing up with the Install Doc. Beta 2.0 will be released by this weekend.

I didn't mean it that way, I would have just said we aren't as lucky, but because he was Mod, I decided to pick on that
To any other member, I have just said "None of us are as lucky as you" or something.

Sounds great so far though, keep it up, I can't wait for 2.0