How To Implement A Random / Rotating Banner

Many people ask how they can use multiple header banners and have them change with every page view. There are many ways to do this. Here is a simple method.


Enable Your Plugin System

You need to use a plugin for this, so first make sure your plugin system is enabled:Admin CP -> vBulletin Options -> Plugin/Hook System -> Enable Plugin/Hook SystemCreate New Plugin

Now create a new plugin for the parse_templates hook location:Admin CP -> Plugin System -> Add New PluginUse this PHP code in the plugin:
$random_number = rand(1, 5);
$random_banner[1] = '<a href="http://www.link1.com/"><img src="path/to/banner1.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>';
$random_banner[2] = '<a href="http://www.link2.com/"><img src="path/to/banner2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>';
$random_banner[3] = '<a href="http://www.link3.com/"><img src="path/to/banner3.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>';
$random_banner[4] = '<a href="http://www.link4.com/"><img src="path/to/banner4.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>';
$random_banner[5] = '<a href="http://www.link5.com/"><img src="path/to/banner5.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>';



The blue numbers represent the range of random numbers to be generated, or the number of banners you have in your rotation. You need to edit the top two numbers appropriately, and then create a $random_banner[X] line for each number in the range. In the above code, the random number is between 1 and 5, inclusive, and there are five banners defined.Change the red code appropriately for each banner. You can have each banner link to a different part of your site if you like or all to the same link.Display The BannerUse this code in any template to display the random banner:

$random_banner[$random_number]

The header template is a common place to insert banners:

Admin CP -> Styles & Templates -> Style Manager -> Common Templates (in the menu) -> header

Replace the BOLD code:



<!-- logo -->
<a name="top"></a>
<table border="0" width="$stylevar[outertablewidth]" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" align="center">
<tr>
<td align="$stylevar[left]"><a href="$vboptions[forumhome].php$session[sessionurl_q]"><img src="$stylevar[titleimage]" border="0" alt="$vboptions[bbtitle]" /></a></td>
<td align="$stylevar[right]">
&nbsp;
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<!-- /logo -->
<!-- content table -->
$spacer_open
$_phpinclude_output




...with:
$random_banner[$random_number]






Calling Specific BannersYou can call a specific banner in the templates by using that banner's number. For example: $random_banner[3]

Very useful mod, thanks. :)

You say replace the BOLD code....but I don't see anything bold. It's either blue or red.

Also, how would I get it to lets say...rotate a 468 x 80 banner size, in the area I have noted in this picture:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c173/NickT1998/Photoshopped%20images/wbodyforum.jpg

Is there some sort of like <align right> code I have to do....? If so where?

Fixed the BOLD code.

There are alot of ways to do what you ask - One way would be to make 2 tables for the header - one on the left one on the right.

Is this a creative alternative to something like phpAdsNew so you don't have to worry about that staying up to date? Also, do you know offhand if this is a FIX for Norton Security. I use phpAdsNew myself, but Norton Security users don't see my ads since they get blocked by that software, and maybe others I don't know about yet.

-Raymond

This is a simple banner rotater. It could be used for ad banners, or header banners, among other things. PHPadsnew is a whole ads management system.

You can also accomplish this with the vB Ad Management (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=131150&highlight=vB+Ad+Management) hack or the vB Banner Rotator (http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=129418&highlight=rotating+banner) hack.

Sweet, I installed this tonight. Works like a charm. And it's easy to add banners into it. Before I had to run through the whole process of taking banners into photoshop, and imageready and animating them, and then saving them as a GIF and then compressing them. And then loading them up into the FTP, and then adding code into the template and blah blah blah....this is much easier.

Yup - this is very easy and simple.

Is there code I can add/replace to get it to where the banners rotate every ten seconds or so?

very thanks :)
super a mod

Can this be used with adsense/shoppingads code, and if so, how?

Awesome.... works perfectly. However, what's the trick to make it happen with my title image?

EDIT: Nevermind... got it.

This does not seem to work. I did exactly what was said to do and put the code in my navbar and nothing happens.

Any help would be great. I have installed many modules in the past and this one just didn't work at all.

Well, works for everyone else.... Go back and make certain you did everything.

Fixed the BOLD code.

There are alot of ways to do what you ask - One way would be to make 2 tables for the header - one on the left one on the right.

Hello,

First, let me say i apologize for upping a thread from 2 years ago but i didn't find an answer for my problem and i didn't wanted to open a new thread,

I have the same problem, i want to add aother image to the header of my forum,
i'm new to php and vb, how do i add another table? the rotating gif i can make with gif animator or such, and on that note, lets say i want 3 images, how do i center the main logo and put an image in each side of it?

I know how to edit templates and use the admincp, just need some direction,

Thanks a million,

Erez.

lets say i want 3 images, how do i center the main logo and put an image in each side of it?
Just make the table row three columns wide. Your basic structure would be:

<table>
<tr>
<td> left hand content </td>
<td> center content </td>
<td> right hand content </td>
</tr>
</table>