Why won't any side columns work properly in showthread?

[shibby2]

I've come to the conclusion that none of the side columns offered around here work properly in showthread.

I've been testing the heck out of this, on different forums, and it just doesn't happen.


If you use a fixed-width, they will push the columns off the forum page. This happens because the width of the posts RETAINS the set width of the forum. Example; If you have your forum width set to 800px, the posts will also be 800px wide, making no room for the side columns, thus pushing them off the page.

If you use a fluid width, they will show properly, but the posts will ALSO be the width of the forum width you chose. Example; If you made your forum to 70% width, the width of the posts will also be 70% of the width between the side bar and forum page, making them squished.

Why is this? I just don't get it.

Is there anyone out there that has columns that work correctly in showthread? I can't believe there is! lol

Thanks to Max Taxable for also helping in finding this out. :up:

[shibby2]

Anyone ever accomplish this succesfully?

[Lynne]

Sounds like this is just a matter of playing with the CSS. Did you make any CSS changes when you added the sidebar?

[shibby2]

Nope, didn't change anything in the CSS.

If anyone has successfully installed a sidebar on their showthread, I would lloovveeee to see how you did it.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by shibby2

Nope, didn't change anything in the CSS.

If anyone has successfully installed a sidebar on their showthread, I would lloovveeee to see how you did it.

Remember I did it on your test forum, but by using a new vB stock style with no parent installed.

There's something in the style you want to use that is causing your issue in showthread, when using fixed width.

I still don't understand the desire for fixed width. Dynamic, fluid width is better in all cases.

[shibby2]

I didnt know you messed with the CSS, my bad.

I'm using a default style ( a lil modified, but still default). I've also tried it on other completely stock forums, with the same result.

It's not only fixed-width that it doesn't work with....it doesn't work properly with fluid either, UNLESS it's set to 100%.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by shibby2

I didnt know you messed with the CSS, my bad.

I'm using a default style ( a lil modified, but still default). I've also tried it on other completely stock forums, with the same result.

It's not only fixed-width that it doesn't work with....it doesn't work properly with fluid either, UNLESS it's set to 100%.

I didn't mess with the CSS at all, but I did get the original sidebar mod working perfectly in fluid width of any percentage, as you'll recall.

You installed a different sidebar mod after that, and I haven't looked that over yet.

Again I ask - what is the deal with fixed width? It doesn't give you any advantages nor does it present any layout problems.

[shibby2]

I just need to use fixed-width for this project. Sorry, but I have to. lol

Either way, I don't think that's a suitable solution to my problem by just being forced to use another method. That's just a band-aid sort of.

And actually, it didn't work properly in any fluid width...just 100%. With either sidebar, or either style, it will not show properly in anything BUT 100% in showthread.

The posting area is squished together because for some reason, it will resize the posts to whatever the forum width is set to.

Example; if I set it to 50% forum width, the forum will be 50%, BUT the posting will also be 50% the width of the area between the sidebars.

Go check it out.


This happens with either style, and either sidebar.

[Max Taxable]

Originally Posted by shibby2

I just need to use fixed-width for this project. Sorry, but I have to. lol

Have to why? What is the compelling factor?

[shibby2]

Because that's how I design. Am I not allowed to use fixed-width? Am I the only person in the world using it? lol

I don't see why I should change everything up right now just because I cant get a sidebar to work.

And like I said, even if I decide to use fluid, it's not working with that either.

Let's pretend I want to be able to use a fluid width, around 80%. Let's fix that problem, because I have a hunch that if we can get that to work properly, it will also work properly in a fixed-width.