left or right side column

I see alot of forums, like this one who use a left or right side column,
sometimes placing the calendar or whatever there.

How easy is it to do that, and once done, how easy is it to make use of it?

they are hacks at vb.org

The one I use - http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=148321

i am currently working on my own side bar u can find it here..... and im also in the stage of updateing it..... ith ectras like login / register as well as latest posts / threads which will be avalible in the near futur.........

Link: http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10152
Register add-on preview: http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1669&d=1188942452

Thanks
Half Pint

I assume you all think that it looks better, and makes better use of the space?

I assume you all think that it looks better, and makes better use of the space?

Yh i think it makes it look better, and yeah its a good use of space...... personally i prefer using a sidebar then not using one.......

btw if you use my side bar i can make custom modules for it... within my capabilities :D
(and thats not a bribe to make you use my side bar, becuase it doesnt really bother me if you do or don't i just like coding things and helping others)

I am looking at yours, I do like it.

Is it possible to have a random picture of the day or week show up in the side bar, maybe taken from the photoplog on my site?

Now in my opinion, that would be really cool!

Yh i think it makes it look better, and yeah its a good use of space...... personally i prefer using a sidebar then not using one.......

btw if you use my side bar i can make custom modules for it... within my capabilities :D
(and thats not a bribe to make you use my side bar, becuase it doesnt really bother me if you do or don't i just like coding things and helping others)

well i donno about the random picture because i have never used photoplog before, so do not know its coding etc....... i can do a lil amount of research and see what i find out.....

Gee, thank you, thats more than I can ask for.

Gee, thank you, thats more than I can ask for.

Hey there, i think i have figured this out, i am now just testing it out on my own site...... (even though i don't have photoplog) lol all you need is all the images you want to appear random in one folder and it should just randomly pick one out of the folder and display it......

so the therie goes lol.....

i'll let u know how its goes in a bit! :D

Hey, appearantly the images are stored in one folder.

I'm kinda lost by your last statement though, after having installed your side bar add-on, how would I initiate the random photos appearing in the side bar?

I don't know photo plog, but I would think you need to query the DB for random records and get the url to the photo. Then plug it into a bits template.

So you need the main template, a bits template, and a php file driver.

Well, that's one way to do it and the norm anyway. There are likely other ways.

Hey, appearantly the images are stored in one folder.

I'm kinda lost by your last statement though, after having installed your side bar add-on, how would I initiate the random photos appearing in the side bar?

I'd make an updated version of the side bar and u re install it.....

I don't know photo plog, but I would think you need to query the DB for random records and get the url to the photo. Then plug it into a bits template.

So you need the main template, a bits template, and a php file driver.

Well, that's one way to do it and the norm anyway. There are likely other ways.

nah.... i made a php file and all u have to do is add that to the image folder and put the path into the ACP page i have made and it works fine! :D

How can I get the updated version you've made?

Well, of course you can read the folder and choose a random name.

But the overhead for that will grow as more photos get put in the folder.

A DB query on a properly keyed table would be better long term.

But as I always say, there's more then one way to skin a cat.

How can I get the updated version you've made?

im just finishing it off, its not made yet... i have checked it works. so i'll just have to package it... then ill giv you a link to it.

noppid: i don't disagree with you there probably is a better way by doing it via a DB querry, but this way is the way i know, and untill i get better this is the way im gunna have to use.

greenpassion: heres the updated versions. please read the read me file..... and you are the first person to have this so if you have any problems please PM me here at vB-FAQ so i can give you support.....

(see attachments for package.)

Thanks
Half Pint

I did get an error on installation of the random.php file, the error reads:
XML Error: unknown at Line 0

noppid: i don't disagree with you there probably is a better way by doing it via a DB querry, but this way is the way i know, and untill i get better this is the way im gunna have to use.

You'll learn it pretty quick once you see some examples. This idea is a great one to cut your teeth on.

Good luck. :)

I did get an error on installation of the random.php file, the error reads:
XML Error: unknown at Line 0

Walk me through what you did.....

I did exactly what the readme file said to do.
In order, I edited the templates, after I finished, I saved the templates.

Than I did Install part 2:
Plugins & Products --> Manage Products --> [Add/Import Product]
Click 'browse' and look for 'product-customvb_sbar'then click 'import'

All is fine so far, than I did Part 3:
ohhh crud, I see my mistake! I'm sorry, I tried to import the random.php file into products, rather than to upload it.

My bad, I apologize, and I am off to try to do that part again....
thank for your help.
Peace

I did exactly what the readme file said to do.
In order, I edited the templates, after I finished, I saved the templates.

Than I did Install part 2:
Plugins & Products --> Manage Products --> [Add/Import Product]
Click 'browse' and look for 'product-customvb_sbar'then click 'import'

All is fine so far, than I did Part 3:
ohhh crud, I see my mistake! I'm sorry, I tried to import the random.php file into products, rather than to upload it.

My bad, I apologize, and I am off to try to do that part again....
thank for your help.
Peace

ok, no problem if you get stuck just say so and ill do my best 2 help you out! :D

Hey half pint, I do have a thought. I haven't given it alot of thought, but the box you supply in admincp to add html into the side column, it may be advantageous to have several of these.

I could think of alot of uses for having several, such as advertisements. I'm sure theres other uses too, just give me a day or two and I'll think of some.

Just some of my late day ramblings, thanks for listening!

Hey half pint, I do have a thought. I haven't given it alot of thought, but the box you supply in admincp to add html into the side column, it may be advantageous to have several of these.

I could think of alot of uses for having several, such as advertisements. I'm sure theres other uses too, just give me a day or two and I'll think of some.

Just some of my late day ramblings, thanks for listening!

im still perfecting this mod, im going to make it very customizable, im gathering ideas at the moment, so i might include that idea, or just add a custom code box and let people add what they want.

Hey half pint, for now I am going to keep the design we are using.
But I would like to add the calendar to the side column,

My pictures in the side column are 225w x 300h in pixels
I'd like the calendar to be the same size.

Hey half pint, for now I am going to keep the design we are using.
But I would like to add the calendar to the side column,

My pictures in the side column are 225w x 300h in pixels
I'd like the calendar to be the same size.

Ok greenpassion, ill look into the calendar part, and let you know what i find in a bit :D yh?

Great, thank you!

Hey half pint, purely out of curiosity, is it a big deal to switcjh the random picture and the html box?

Meaning the random picture appears on top of the html box.

Hey half pint, purely out of curiosity, is it a big deal to switcjh the random picture and the html box?

Meaning the random picture appears on top of the html box.

not really, if you want i can do it for you now, and repost the code for you, or if you wait a little while (which could be days i don't know lol) i am perfecting a better version of my mod where you will be able to choice where each module is..... but up too you, i don't mind either way!

I can wait, no problem, and thank you!