Given the new "table wrapper".... how much of that is done with Just CSS and what changes are required to the templates?
Template changes are tough, because with each up grade you've got to transfer your template changes. Although Rick says we shouldn't have too many template changes for a while, since 6.2 was so major.
That was all done with the "table wrappers" as far as any template chages go. I had to fix the ubbththreads.tmpl file as it had a hard coded closing of the table wrapper opening.
Under the Received and Sent PM box..... and below friends online. Wacky images and such.
Otherwise it looks good.
The more I look the more I like. I agree if Allen likes, would be cool to try here. Nice to keep changing this site and show that customization is possible.
I'll put together a few more colors tonight. You could also change the shape/texture of the graphics being used with the style sheets so that even the general form is changed.
I can put together a neon green one for your users... LOL
Well there are some size limits as far as the clear gif files I have holding the wrappers to a set size. But, while I was playing, I figured it should be easy to allow for multiple wrappers like IIP has and their use could be based on the selected stylesheet. That would be the ticket.
The page load times? Nothing really has changed in that it's just html added to the templates. That makes the page size larger so the there's more to transfer from the server to the browser.
You can accomplish a lot with the style sheets but editing the wrappers that enclose the blocks really helps the most in changing the looks.
When I have enough of them put together I'll be putting the package up here so everyone else can have some fun and learn how easy it is to change things now.
I'm very interested in this well! Instructions on how to do this type of mod would be very valuable! I don't like using someone elses templates cause I don't want my site to look like somone elses, but having the ability to do this type of mod myself would be very
You'll be able to go over the my files and get the idea of how it's done. I would try and write a "how to" but I absolutely hate trying to document something... lol Perhaps once Josh gets a hold of these he can put something together in the "How To" secton
When I first looked at your templates, I figured modifications were extensive. But in theory you only needed to modify 2 files, the tbopen.tmpl and tbclose.tmpl file.
The other 2 that you needed to edit fixed table wrapper bugs etc.. in threads. They should be fixed in the next release as Dave has given Rick the fixed files.
That is a major improvement in 6.2, using the table wrappers. Can't remember if it was you, or Allen (or both) who suggested it. But that's a really powerful change to threads.
LoL I used to think orange was only good to use when it was for Halloween... but this last year or at least the last 6 months I have been pointing out varoius "orange" themed websites to my wife saying... I like orange... This looks good... LoL
On the way to work this morning I was thinking about the way you did the transparent gifs for the 8 table cells that make up the border and something hit me: Couldn't you just cut four gifs, one for each corner? Since the table cells adjacent to the corners will take on the dimensions forced by the transparent gifs in the corners you should be able to cut the number of transparent gifs from 8 to 4...
On days like today I'm glad the car knows how to get to were I work...
I made the original suggestion, but Dave had already been working on them when I made it... besides, it was Rick who had them in 5.5, he had taken them out for the templates for 6.0
Anyways, it might be a while before we see 6.2.1, if you have the bugfixed versions of the templates, you might release them here so those trying to edit their tbopen / tbclose won't think they are messing something up
I understand what you're saying, but the four corners should effect the dimentions of the adjacent table cells. I'll set one up with just the corner gifs to test it out.
The logo graphic on my web site has a forground image in the left hand column that forces the other columns to be the same height (the middle cell doesn't shrink even though the only gif is a background image).
I think it's about 15 px where the cells start to fail in getting smaller than. And I can't say for sure if it's just IE specific or not. Netscape used to colapse to almost nothing if there wasn't something in it... lol
I have looked at my test site with Mozilla 1.2, Netscape 7.0 and IE 6.0 and they all rendered well. Out of curiosity I tested with a webtv emulator and all of the graphics are not visible because I guess it cant deal with css2 attributes in the style sheets. It just looked like a basic setup. No frills. lol
I downloaded Opera 7.0 pr2 today... have yet to install... curious as to how that's doing.
It's editable from the online template editer. It's width and what side it's on (left/right/off) is set in theme.inc.php. Users can opt to turn it off from their display prefs.
Oh... and it should work with php code so other things can be done in the template such as the users online hack display
Now someone will probably want me to document it or something... lol
[]Now someone will probably want me to document it or something... lol [/] Yes,
I had something close on measurection before my upgrade. They couldn't choose what side.... but they could turn it off.
I had the shoutbox in there to try and make the site more interactive. It seemed to slow things too much for me, but some liked it.
I always wanted to get "hot topic" working there etc.... but if you remember some of my posts for help (member functions etc.....) I finally gave up. LOL
Dave, do you mean that little sidebar on your template can contain ads/etc. but the user will have the option to have it not displayed if they don't want to see it?
I just think that's awesome, that you could now add features to the forum that can be seen from any page. And giving them the option to remove it just makes it more customized to the users liking. And occasionally you could change it up and throw in an ad or something if you wanted. As long as you keep changing it, they will keep checking it anyway, if they are a regular visitor, just to see what's different. I think that is a great option.
I'll attempt to put together some documentation on the sidebar sometime soon. (tomorrow night hopefuly)
I still would like about 5 more color variations for the package. Then with some effort the site's color can change daily for visitors. (users prefered choice would override of course)
In the pals directory there is a file called tablewrappers.tmpl that you need to edit. This contains both the opening and closing table values plus some additional settings.
In the pals directory there is a file called tablewrappers.tmpl that you need to edit. This contains both the opening and closing table values plus some additional settings. [/]
Can I use $tbopen and $tbclose in the tablewrappers.tmpl file?
You should be able to transfer the html you have in them over to the the tablewrappers.tmpl. The wrappers the pal boxes use include an additional "center" that is used after the header so that the header itself can be customized. Rick couldn't go that route with .threads because in a lot of cases he has much more going on in that area. The table wrappers that don't include the center are basicly the same as the .threads ones. With your wrappers layout you can place this into the center wrapper for the pal boxes:
</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">
This will close the header and open the body of the pal box.
May be a bit... lol I still got about 4 or 5 more color schemes to go...
Why not create one specific to your site as DaLanTech has done? Perhaps with corals and a few fish, some macro algae... LoL I can actually see a pretty cool layout in my mind for this...
Yes I do have a few things in mind with the images. However I was talking about the hack as I am following and I see what files you are talking about just a bit in the dark as to what to do with each one. I assume once you let everyone of us who are not quite so gifted at coding at how you did it I could change the graphics to what I want.
I'm trying to deside if I want to combine some of the content of my generic header and the ubbtregistered and ubbtunregistered template files so that there is one wrapper around both. I know how (did it once to see how it would look). The only problems are:
I'd lose the ability to easily make new logo banners for the site. As often as I mess with things this one is a real problem LOL!
The admin control panel is dorked. I had to edit the login.php script in the ubbthreads/admin directory cause the top frame wasn't big enough. It's all fun and games until you go into the admin control panel and lose the menu at the top...
I think I'll just put a break tag at the end of the generic header for now and sleep on it
[]Yes I do have a few things in mind with the images. However I was talking about the hack as I am following and I see what files you are talking about just a bit in the dark as to what to do with each one. I assume once you let everyone of us who are not quite so gifted at coding at how you did it I could change the graphics to what I want. [/]
What I did was leave the original html in the tbopen and tbclose template as is and added the html that I wanted for the border so that it was outside the original html in the two templates.
The trick is to create a 3 x 3 table. The graphics are background images set by CSS classes (you'll have to make them). Plus you have to cut clear gif files for forground images that act as "place holders" so the background images display correctly. Then you cut the table where the center cell begins and add that html to the tbopen.tmpl file (above the original html in the tbopen.tmpl file). The rest of the table goes after the original html in the tbclose.tmpl file. If it's not against Info Pop copy write I could attach my templates to this thread so you can an idea of what I'm talking about. Or wait for JustDave to post his mod.
The problem with this mod is that you just can't take someone elses templates and use them as is with your own graphics: If your images are not the same size as the ones that were used to design the templates then it won't work. You either have to install the whole mod (once it comes out) or reverse engineer what someone else has done and do it yourself (thank God for "view source"! JustDave, you should feel robbed ).
From looking at the source code I can see the tbopen and $tbclose are edited and class's defined of top left right bottom and images are assigned? At least that is my feable understanding of it so far. I guess I will wait and open up my test forum and play a bit. Best to wait till you document this to try it out on my main site.
[]From looking at the source code I can see the tbopen and $tbclose are edited and class's defined of top left right bottom and images are assigned? At least that is my feable understanding of it so far. I guess I will wait and open up my test forum and play a bit. Best to wait till you document this to try it out on my main site. [/]
8 new class statements. One for each corner and side. Plus the changes to the tbopen and tbclose templates.
Don't wait for me to document it: It's JustDaves mod. I wanted something unique so I figured it out on my own. If JustDave wants me to document this one I will, but it's up to him
Yes I read that. However he does great work just look at IIP. I can muddle through bad documentation. I setup my test site and am playing with everything now to see what I can come up with looking at the source code from yours and his sites. I beleive I know what to put in the tbopen and tbclosed templates. I do not know what I am to put in tablewrapper thing though.
I just cut and pasted the html I made for the wrap around in the IIP tablewrappers.tmpl file, again putting my script outside the original script in the template.
I didn't mess with the script in table_center, table_header_no_center, and table_footer_no_center (I don't seem to use those three).
[] Don't wait for me to document it: It's JustDaves mod. I wanted something unique so I figured it out on my own. If JustDave wants me to document this one I will, but it's up to him [/]
If your up to documenting the "How to" in creating the wrappers and explaining things in detail it would be great.
I'll document how to install my skins that I'm putting together but that was about it.
It would be nice to have such documentation posted in here, even in a sticky post, so that others may feel inclined to give it a try. Even if it's a first attempt it's better than no attempt. With the number of users we have around on a regular basis I would think we can put together a 100 such skins this year, easy. I'll be adding a total of 7 or 8 (maybe more) different color schemes myself.
Who ever is following this thread I challenge you to create just 1 skin to share with us all. There's 363 days left. (but don't wait till the there is only 1.. lol)
guy's you don't have to wait for the release of these you now LMAO
little thing called cache , the css & images will be there then edit tbopen and tbclosed templates... come on guy's thought you guy's are a little more advanced then that hehe .. sorry it's one of my bad habits to sort through my cache
I have to agree with Dave on this one. You can always view a source file and see how things are done. Most anyone here knows how to do that. I think any one of us here could rip off someone's work that way. There are some things we may know how to do that we do not do. Unless you are willing to make the code changes yourself and DESIGN your own graphics it is customary that one waits for the hack to be released. Otherwise that is just plain theft.
Dave gave plently of pointers on how to do this. He even told everyone which files. It is an easy mod. I for one look forward to designing quite a few graphic designs once Dave releases this hack. Until then everything is just in the testing stages.
oh come on dave I'm pulling your leg buddy . ok ok I was pulling both legs but it's all in good fun hehe sorry I'm in one of my moods today .. I'm waiting on your release of the files ..
[]guy's you don't have to wait for the release of these you now LMAO
little thing called cache , the css & images will be there then edit tbopen and tbclosed templates... come on guy's thought you guy's are a little more advanced then that hehe .. sorry it's one of my bad habits to sort through my cache [/]
I robbed JustDave by viewing source on his test site and I figured out how he was making the table borders. Once I had a grip on the concepts involoved I designed my own graphics and created my own CSS classes. Then I editted the tbopen and tbclose templates myself.
I was joking about robbing JustDave -I would never directly copy anyone elses work. I will "steal" ideas though
The only sad thing now is that when someone says something like that here it becomes an ethical thing. JustDave has closed his test forum it looks like and no one gets too see all the great work he is doing for Threads as a direct result of someone saying they can rip of someone's work. Thats the sad part here.
[]Well I really don't appreciate things being ripped without my consent. Thank You. [/]
This was in relation to the images/css files I'm working on. The html code to create the wrapper is so basic I can hardly take credit for it. All I wanted to do is show .threads users that they have the power to visually enhance their sites without a lot of editing or php knowledge.
I'll try and finish my skin package this week. There should be enough choices that the users of everyone's sites wont be able to complain (but some always will). I have named the graphic files in relation to their use so that users can see what went where in the style sheet. Everyone is welcome to use this package to learn from and or modify to their needs. The package and it's contents may not be offered for download or distributed except from ThreadsDev. I don't think that's much to ask for.
[]Well I really don't appreciate things being ripped without my consent. Thank You. [/]
All I got from your test site was how you were creating the tables. Once I figured out what you did I created everything else on my own (my graphics are not only different, they're not even the same dimentions).
I didn't even care that you looked at the source to see how to create the wrappers. Heck, that's the point of my package is to inspire others to create more of these.
The suggestion by Dslam to grab the files from cache just annoyed me since I'm not even done with them yet. After I'm done I wont care where someone gets the files, either from cache or downloading the zip made available here.
Honestly I was glad to see that you created your own as I think everyone should do so to give their sites a distinct look. I just want to provide a good base to start from. Perhaps you'll create some others to offer here as well.
Once you get this out I will release some graphics sets as well. I already have one done just for my site but that will most likely not fit anybody else's site. But there are others that we can do.
Just like you said if everyone can make a set we can have tons and tons of designs for someone to choose from.
The special one I already designed is as you already guessed related to coral reefs with fish and macro algae and corals.
I look forward to this easy design that you are doing to become quite a project where people who are just starting their board can come here and get everything they need to design and put out a great threads site.
I know I have recieved alot of great help and hacks as well the past year. This is what sets sites like this apart. Not only can we purchase a board from a software provider but we get unlimited support. In time hopefully all of us are able to give back.
I do believe we can since them files do not carry the copy right notice from Infopop. Also, the other template mods offered here have not come under fire either so I think it's safe to do so.
[]I do believe we can since them files do not carry the copy right notice from Infopop. Also, the other template mods offered here have not come under fire either so I think it's safe to do so.
(I'm intending on doing it...) [/]
Due to the nature of how the graphics are set in the table wrapper it would almost be impossible not to. Can you imagine the hack instructions on something like this...
Hey Dave, I'll work on the documentation this weekend and hopefully get a copy out to you for review before Monday. No promisses, since I've been swamped working on my own web site (you know how that goes).
I'll also try to get my table wrappers mod packaged so it's ready to release after you release yours
I haven't had much time this week as well. Not sure what the weekend will allow either. Don't wait for me though. If you have your changes ready and documented go ahead and post them.
I cleared my test site so there's nothing left to link to but Dalantech has his site up and running with his design. It's looking great too. I'll have to look but I think he has his site link posted here.
[]dave would you a link I could use in order to check out this ?
thanks [/]
You can take a look at my page (click on my signature).
I'm now using php script to define $tbopen, $tbclose, and call a header template file so when I edit the tbopen and tbclose template my logo border changes automaticly
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