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]

reserved for if some kind person can do some screenshots in IE7 or other browsers

[shadowevil]

Mod nice .... i like it ...
*installed*

[Brandon Sheley]

is this to replace your sidecolumns hack ?

[peterska2]

nope. this is just an alternative that i'd had a few requests for so i finally did it

[ChavMagnet]

V. nice work

[Brandon Sheley]

Originally Posted by peterska2

nope. this is just an alternative that i'd had a few requests for so i finally did it

ah okay.. I'll wait till the right side comes out to change over

thanks peterska

[smoknz28]

Anyone had time to toy with the code and phpAdsNew? This would work great for my site if it could work with phpAdsNew.

Thanks gang,
Markl

[peterska2]

I don't see why it wouldn't. Just put the code in one of the content placeholders.

[LICryptkeeper]

I completely integrated it into my clients site. he msged me back telling me it was out of alignment.

after all that time i realised it does not work on fixed width layouts if the user is using a different resolution.

wouldent it be easier to use this as a fixed sidebar if it was in a table?