Portal System

[peterska2]

Just a quick query here.

I know that a lot of people use vBAdvanced, but would anyone be interested in a simple but effective free alternative?

If you are interested, what sort of things would you be looking for in it? Remember though that we are talking about a portal here and not a CMS.

Also, would you prefer a modular system where you get a very basic package and then install add ons to provide the parts that you want (meaning that every installation is basically a custom portal for that site) or one where right out of the box everything is there and then you have to turn off the parts that you do not want to use?

Finally, if a modular system is developed, would you want it to be easy to create add ons for via the plugin system?


The system will be for 3.6.x only. Earlier versions than 3.6.0 will not be supported. It will also be released and supported here. It will only work in the same directory as your forums.

At the moment I don't have any preliminary screenshots (unless you really want to see a page of code ) but this is getting quite far into it's development cycle now hence the request for features that you would want to be included.

[Allan]

I'm interessed ^^

[Kalakov]

A little competition isnt bad

[jailer]

Originally Posted by peterska2

Just a quick query here.

I know that a lot of people use vBAdvanced, but would anyone be interested in a simple but effective free alternative?

Very much.
Kerry-Anne - just promise to give more support than vBA, and you're onto a winner right away.

If you are interested, what sort of things would you be looking for in it? Remember though that we are talking about a portal here and not a CMS.

Well, to be honest, anything that the vBA portal can do really.
Modular definitely.
And I'd like a nice classy Vista style user definable sidebar with a clock, auto-refreshing 'new thread' module and an RSS feed.

In short, I'd like people to want my forum to be their permanent desktop.
(well, you did ask..)

Also, would you prefer a modular system where you get a very basic package and then install add ons to provide the parts that you want (meaning that every installation is basically a custom portal for that site) or one where right out of the box everything is there and then you have to turn off the parts that you do not want to use?

I think basic first and install add-ons.
That way, people would be comfy from the outset with adding more add-ons as they were created?

Finally, if a modular system is developed, would you want it to be easy to create add ons for via the plugin system?

Yes.
Creating modules for vBA is tricky for most.

The only scary thing for me is removing vBA.
I've had to make several changes here and there to get it to behave the way I'd like it to.
VBA is great, and I'd be lost without it. But it worries me.
It just seems way over complicated at times.
So something simpler and less crowded would be a welcome addition.

[peterska2]

Thanks for your feedback so far guys.

Currently, the basic system contains the latest site news from one forum, with the option of the latest news below this from a second forum, and two blank custom boxes for content defined by the site admin. The Left and right columns will be able to be activated/de-activated by the admin shortly (I've not coded this bit yet but it isn't far off being done).

Also available as add-ons are

• WOL & Board Stats (one module)
• Top posters, latest threads, newest members (integrated with topXstats)
• Top posters, latest threads, newest members (stand alone version)
• Site navigation
• Guest welcome block
• Member Welcome Block

Planned Add-ons (being made before system becomes available)

• User Favorites Module (allows up to 10 favorite links to be added by the user which will be displayed)

I'll also see about a java clock, and I have an RSS function up my sleave which I have been working on for a while as a seperate modification but can also do as an add-on.

Documentation will be available for the basic product including how to install and create add-ons for this. Each add on will come with it's own installation manual too, and installation of these is very painless.

[jailer]

I look forward to seeing a beta.

Nice one.

[peterska2]

oh nearly forgot lol, the current live version (pre-release and a few mistakes in it) can be found at www.peterska2.co.uk

[jailer]

Looks great. Are the center modules collapsible?

[peterska2]

not as yet, but they can be if thats what would be prefered.

I'm doing some morw work on the base product at the moment, so let me see what I can come up with to do that.

[peterska2]

Ok, the news items now collapse nicely. I've not updated the live demo yet though. That will be done later as it will need a complete overhaul.