Installing plugins

Hi, after hearing how easy it is to install vB plugins i decided to give it a go. I searched high and low for a simple how to guide with no luck.

Could someone possibly point me to one or kindly write me a simple how to.

I managed to download a plugin and upload it to my products on a test board - but its not working :(

there were three template changes - and that's where i got stuck.

Many thanks.

hmmm..I'm not sure that there IS a stock how-to guide, shell. Every hack comes with it's own set of instructions for installation. Uploading the plugin is the easiest part.

Is it the plugin that has you stuck or the template edits? If you got the plugin installed, it's working... but you're not going to 'see' it working, until the template edits are complete.

OSH is right on. What hack are you having issues with? We need to see it to help.

Hi guys, its my v first time in adding anything to a vb, i only transfered from excoboard a few months ago..

anyhow i thought it was about time i started so opted for the easy plugins

i chose this one http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=94869 i uploaded it and at first it said it was a product - so i uploaded it as a product - it says installed - but now i am clueless - tbh - i dont even know where the templates are...

on the exco we accessed custom templates via the admin c/p and when adding an hack it meant just copying and pasting the right bit into the right spot... but i've no idea here...

ah ok gotcha. well since I don't know where you are knowledge-wise regarding the admincp, I'll start there.

1. After you've installed your plugin, then log in to your admin CP. Go to Styles and Templates >>> click on style manager. In the pane on the right, you'll see your style name, and to the right of that you'll see "all style options" with a drop down menu. Click on the down-pointing arrow and click on edit templates. (Now remember, if you have more than one style, you're going to edit the template called for, in every style)

2. If the hack instructions call for an edit in say, postbit or postbit legacy, then scroll down to Postbit Templates and double click on it. Now, if you use the legacy postbit (member info on the left of post) then click on postbit_legacy. If you use a horizontal postbit (member info above post) then click on postbit.
Now, go back to your instructions... it's going to give you a phrase to look for in the template. for example: $post[musername]

So what I like to do is copy that phrase from the instuctions, and paste it into the search box provided just below the template code that you're editing, then click 'find' and it'll show you the phrase in the template, highlighted.

Back to instructions... they will tell you that you're going to put a piece of code either above or below that phrase, or replace that phrase (it's not often you have to replace it). So highlight the code from the instructions and paste it where the instructions tell you to.

In most hacks there are a few different templates to edit, in some there are only one or two. So read those intructions carefully and follow them closely.

I hope this helped.

Thanks Peggy - i'll give that a try when i can - very much appriciated, just wish i had the time to get my head around it now - but ive a houseful of teenage girls high on chocolate milk and boybands :)

I'll let you know how i get on

shell... if you'd like some help just let me know. but as the guys here are fond of saying, it really is better to do it yourself. Nothing like hands-on learning ;)

Thanks, i'll definatly keep that in mind :)

The hack author should give complete instructions as part of his hack. Usually they are pretty good, although some are kinda technical.

Well today i added my very first couple of plugins :) no template changes- i'm still scared but i have a test board set up ready to be blown away and i'm not afraid to do it lol

LOL.. you're funny shell. Any chance of seeing your test board?

lol the scary thing is hun i've been added them straight onto my new board, ive not touched the testboard lately lol

btw - just added my first hack that needed a template change :)

and i didnt blow it away pmsl

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=111949

new board
www.purerobbie.com :)

LOL... I'm proud of you!!! MOST hacks are fairly easy to install IF you read the instructions carefully. It's the hacks whose creators don't do a very good job of writing clear instructions that blow you away.


Hey I LOVE the yellow/black theme. NICE! Everyone around here knows that I'm NOT a fan of dark styles, but when it's set up like this one... dark background with light body, then it's a winner. Thing is.......... THIS style would look good with just about any color in place of the yellow, such as red (MY favorite color). But wow that yellow really kicks ;)