Topic: Block positions?

[kai920]

Is it possible to add in new block positions? ie. in addition to top, bottom, left, and right?

[[SiNaN]]

Of course. But you'll need to make a lot of modifications.

[kai920]

"A lot" means database modifications? What else is required?  (I'm only familiar with Joomla's method of loading "module positions")

If I don't "add" block positions to SP, which file(s) should I look at in order to "hardcode" PHP/HTML so that it can show up:

a) in portal frontpage
b) in forum's index
c) both (a) and (b)?

Would the files be in the default template?

Thanks!

[[SiNaN]]

"A lot" means database modifications? What else is required?  (I'm only familiar with Joomla's method of loading "module positions")

Not database changes. Many modification in source files. If you can achieve that successfully, you could become an SP Developer.

If I don't "add" block positions to SP, which file(s) should I look at in order to "hardcode" PHP/HTML so that it can show up:

a) in portal frontpage
b) in forum's index
c) both (a) and (b)?

a) Portal.template.php
b) BoardIndex.template.php
c) index.template.php

Would the files be in the default template?

Yes.

[kai920]

Not database changes. Many modification in source files. If you can achieve that successfully, you could become an SP Developer.

While I might be able to hack the source files to add in more module positions... I don't think it would be wise for me to do so as each new release of SP will nullify the changes. Well, unless, I was a SP developer

I'll wait for next versions of SMF and SP and see what I should do.

I'm probably just wanting to put more code on the portal homepage.

[Eliana Tamerin]

Where, though, would you want the new block positions? Perhaps its something you can achieve already or through some minor coding.

[kai920]

Not sure yet. Maybe 2 positions side-by-side (ie 2 columns) above the "top" position;

or a position that spans the width of the forum above L, top, and R.

[kai920]

Just had another idea... put L and R next to each other, and the mainbody (forum) off to one side.

Sort of like this.

[Nathaniel]

Just had another idea... put L and R next to each other, and the mainbody (forum) off to one side.

Sort of like this.

That would be incredibly easy to do, because it doesn't involve adding new sides. (I can show you how if you want.)

[kai920]

Just had another idea... put L and R next to each other, and the mainbody (forum) off to one side.

Sort of like this.

That would be incredibly easy to do, because it doesn't involve adding new sides. (I can show you how if you want.)

I wouldn't mind seeing the solution just for reference... probably not going to make any mods to my forum until RC2 comes out though

Would it just be 2 straight columns side by side, or could we include some modules that span both columns? (refer to the joystiq link I posted)

[Eliana Tamerin]

The joystiq page is more of a module that has two columns in itself, as the rest of the blocks span the width of those two top ones. So really, it's only using the right side blocks, in SP terms.

You could do something similar using php/html to make a table to divide it into two columns, and then insert your block code.

[kai920]

Nathaniel, how would I go about moving the left column to the right so that 2 columns are side by side?

[Nathaniel]

These edits are for SP 2.3 and SMF 2 RC1.2.

File: '/Themes/default/Portal.template.php':

Code: ("Cut this code") [Select]

if (!empty($modSettings['showright']) && !empty($context['SPortal']['blocks'][4]))
{
echo '
<td id="sp_right"', !empty($modSettings['rightwidth']) ? ' width="' . $modSettings['rightwidth'] . '"' : '', $context['SPortal']['sides'][4]['collapsed'] && empty($modSettings['sp_disable_side_collapse']) ? ' style="display: none;"' : '', '>';

foreach ($context['SPortal']['blocks'][4] as $block)
template_block($block);

echo '
</td>';
}

Code: ("Paste the last code block, just before the code below") [Select]

echo '
<td id="sp_center">';
That will show both the left + right columns on the left side of your forum.

[kai920]

Cool, thanks. I'll probably want to move both columns to the right side but with your tips that should be easily doable.

I was also thinking I could have just one wider right column and have dual blocks like Eliana described...  I wonder if it'd be easy to create a "split block" that lets you choose from available block types, instead of manually copy/pasting PHP code.

[N-Joy]

Cool, thanks. I'll probably want to move both columns to the right side but with your tips that should be easily doable.

I was also thinking I could have just one wider right column and have dual blocks like Eliana described...  I wonder if it'd be easy to create a "split block" that lets you choose from available block types, instead of manually copy/pasting PHP code.

How?

[Nathaniel]

Read my last post in this topic...

Moving them to the other side is similar.

[N-Joy]

Read my last post in this topic...

Moving them to the other side is similar.

But whenever I try to move the "leftwidth" code above the "sp_center" code, I still have a column on the right side, and one on the left side.. :s

[Nathaniel]

I said 'similar', not identical.

Cut this code:

Code: [Select]

if (!empty($modSettings['showleft']) && !empty($context['SPortal']['blocks'][1]))
{
echo '
<td id="sp_left"', !empty($modSettings['leftwidth']) ? ' width="' . $modSettings['leftwidth'] . '"' : '', $context['SPortal']['sides'][1]['collapsed'] && empty($modSettings['sp_disable_side_collapse']) ? ' style="display: none;"' : '', '>';

foreach ($context['SPortal']['blocks'][1] as $block)
template_block($block);

echo '
</td>';
}
Put it above this code:

Code: [Select]

if (!empty($modSettings['showright']) && !empty($context['SPortal']['blocks'][4]))