Make a simple SMF blog using 3 existing mods

[Mick.]

Per request on how i made 3 mods to work together to create an actual blog.

http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php?action=blog

For SMF 2.0 only!

Mods needed and installed:
SSI Multiple Board News
SMFBlog
Custom Action

Creating the category and boards

1. Let's create our new forum category by going to:
    admin---->forum---->create new category     

    a. Name it: ie, "Blog"

2. Lets create a few boards inside the newly created category. ... (for blog categories purposes)
    admin----->forum---->add board

   a. board #1
   b. board #2
   c. board #3
   d. board #4
   e. board #5
   f. make sure to checkmark: "Use this board as a blog?".

3. Lets hide the "Blog" category from the forum:
    admin---->features & options--->Blog

    a. checkmark: "Hide blog boards?".



Creating the custom actions

1. Lets create the main "blog" page.
    admin---->features & options--->custom actions

   a. Action Name: Blog
   b. Action URL: blog
   c. Type: PHP
   d. Permissions Mode: Visible to everyone
   e. Enabled: yes

2. The code.

   a. rename ('board' => array(1,2,3,4,5)) with the actual board ID's you want to use.
   b. rename "yourforum.com" with your own URL
   c. rename the board category and action.

   

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Blog Home - blog description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(1,2,3,4,5),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category1">category 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category2">category 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category3">category 3</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category4">category 4</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category5">category 5</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';


3. The code for the second, third, fourth, fifth category.

1. Lets create the main "category 1" page.
    admin---->features & options--->custom actions

   a. Action Name: Category 1
   b. Action URL: category1
   c. Type: PHP
   d. Permissions Mode: Visible to everyone
   e. Enabled: yes

2. The code.

   a. rename ('board' => array(99999,1)) with the actual board ID's you want to use. (leave 99999 alone)
   b. rename "yourforum.com" with your own URL
   c. rename the board category and action.

   

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Category 1 - category 1 small description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(99999,1),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category1">category 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category2">category 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category3">category 3</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category4">category 4</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category5">category 5</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';


3. The code for the second category.

1. Lets create the main "category 2" page.
    admin---->features & options--->custom actions

   a. Action Name: Category 2
   b. Action URL: category2
   c. Type: PHP
   d. Permissions Mode: Visible to everyone
   e. Enabled: yes

2. The code.

   a. rename ('board' => array(99999,2)) with the actual board ID's you want to use. (leave 99999 alone)
   b. rename "yourforum.com" with your own URL
   c. rename the board category and action.

   

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Category 2 - category 2 small description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(99999,2),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category1">category 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category2">category 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category3">category 3</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category4">category 4</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.yourforum.com/index.php?action=category5">category 5</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';



Continue creating more custom action.  That's it! Have fun





   

[Masterd]

This is great!

[Mick.]

This is great!

thanks.  I do have a better code.  I'll post it tonight.

[Masterd]

I can't wait to see that.

[Chair]

This tutorial doesn't work at all on my site I tried it 10 times and I don't see what I'm doing wrong...



Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /home/speed64/public_html/Sources/Load.php(2185) : eval()'d code(20) : eval()'d code on line 1

I'm using smf 2.0 rc4, emulated the SSI_boardnews mod install for 2.0rc3

[Mick.]

This tutorial doesn't work at all on my site I tried it 10 times and I don't see what I'm doing wrong...



Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /home/speed64/public_html/Sources/Load.php(2185) : eval()'d code(20) : eval()'d code on line 1

I'm using smf 2.0 rc4, emulated the SSI_boardnews mod install for 2.0rc3

Yeah, i forgot to add the echo on line 1.

[Masterd]

When you will update this?

[Mick.]

When you will update this?

Later i think.  Im busy updating my other website.

[Chair]

Okay I fixed both instances of code but the blog is all squashed and the titles have no padding and the news isn't showing up on the blog! have a look:

www.speedscapers.com/index.php?action=blog

www.speedscapers.com/index.php?action=news

[kingkingston]

make it in to a mod lol

[Masterd]

make it in to a mod lol

I'm confused with this. He is already useing 3 mods.

[kingkingston]

make it in to a mod lol

I'm confused with this. He is already useing 3 mods.

i mean join the 3 together and think up a name for it

[Arantor]

Except that it requires permission from all three of the original mod authors to do that (not the current maintainers, but the original owners where copyright's concerned) and I wouldn't give permission for that for ssi_multiBoardNews.

[Matthew K.]

Don't worry. I'll eventually write a strong blog mod for SMF.

make it in to a mod lol

[Masterd]

Don't worry. I'll eventually write a strong blog mod for SMF.

I wanted to that in the near future.

[kingkingston]

Don't worry. I'll eventually write a strong blog mod for SMF.

make it in to a mod lol

Labradoodle to the rescue

[donjazzy]

@ BlueDevil, I like your master piece handwork here, such a nice blog/smf powered  http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/. Actually I have been looking for a way to start my blogging website but low skill/know skill at all would never allow me to until I stumble upon that link above. From A-Z modding of that website, I simply love everything more especially the "pause and play" picture display powered by JavaScript.

I just want to start my SMF blog-like website from the scratch to capture what you have there with mine totally taking a different NICHE. I will like to pay for the service (themes and others) otherwise please please please you will take me along on every bit of steps as I embark on this wonderful journey. I am a lover of SMF but I never knew smf has such a remarkable software teaks, you are a coding genius to the core. Hope you will help. Thank you.

[Mick.]

@ BlueDevil, I like your master piece handwork here, such a nice blog/smf powered  http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/. Actually I have been looking for a way to start my blogging website but low skill/know skill at all would never allow me to until I stumble upon that link above. From A-Z modding of that website, I simply love everything more especially the "pause and play" picture display powered by JavaScript.

I just want to start my SMF blog-like website from the scratch to capture what you have there with mine totally taking a different NICHE. I will like to pay for the service (themes and others) otherwise please please please you will take me along on every bit of steps as I embark on this wonderful journey. I am a lover of SMF but I never knew smf has such a remarkable software teaks, you are a coding genius to the core. Hope you will help. Thank you.

Thank Don for the kind words.  Really everything ive done to my forums is 'trial & error'.  Usually i use an original theme in my test site and tinker there before i make the edits to my live site.  That way i dont break the website.

Im not good at coding or designing.  I am good at modding existing mods to my own likings and i surf the web looking for websites to see how they've done theirs.   I also read a lot here in SMF and search google a lot.

The code provided above is straight forward.  On that note im not for hire but i can help you or anyone.

The slider you saw on my front page is a paid slider for Joomla and any PHP based sites.
http://www.joomlaworks.gr/content/view/24/42/

Here are some free ones as well.
http://visionwidget.com/inspiration/web/295-jquery-content-sliders.html

[Harry33]

@ BlueDevil, I like your master piece handwork here, such a nice blog/smf powered  http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/. Actually I have been looking for a way to start my blogging website but low skill/know skill at all would never allow me to until I stumble upon that link above. From A-Z modding of that website, I simply love everything more especially the "pause and play" picture display powered by JavaScript.

I just want to start my SMF blog-like website from the scratch to capture what you have there with mine totally taking a different NICHE. I will like to pay for the service (themes and others) otherwise please please please you will take me along on every bit of steps as I embark on this wonderful journey. I am a lover of SMF but I never knew smf has such a remarkable software teaks, you are a coding genius to the core. Hope you will help. Thank you.

Thank Don for the kind words.  Really everything ive done to my forums is 'trial & error'.  Usually i use an original theme in my test site and tinker there before i make the edits to my live site.  That way i dont break the website.

Im not good at coding or designing.  I am good at modding existing mods to my own likings and i surf the web looking for websites to see how they've done theirs.   I also read a lot here in SMF and search google a lot.

The code provided above is straight forward.  On that note im not for hire but i can help you or anyone.

The slider you saw on my front page is a paid slider for Joomla and any PHP based sites.
http://www.joomlaworks.gr/content/view/24/42/

Here are some free ones as well.
http://visionwidget.com/inspiration/web/295-jquery-content-sliders.html

I appreciate your support so much as that poster has saie. I run a small forum only here www.appiiforum.com and I have so much passion for blogging but I don't have the web-skill for blogging templates like wordpress to tweak things the way I desire. But after taking a close look at www.bluedevilcustoms.com, www.chevyavalancheclub.com, it is proper I saw the need for me to stick to SMF while having the front page turn into blog.  Hopefully let me see how things work out when I install those mods. Thanks

[NHWD]

when I try the first code for the main blog page, I get this error

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_CLASS, expecting ',' or ';' in /home/sftestgb/public_html/rfg/f/Sources/Load.php(2200) : eval()'d code(20) : eval()'d code on line 37

what do you think it is?

[kiddoman]

Seems pretty complex to me, a newbie! Anyway, I am working on to learn it!   

[Umbro]

Very interesting. I've been looking for something like this.

[TheListener]

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_CLASS, expecting ',' or ';' in /home/miltonke/public_html/mkaforum/Sources/CustomAction.php(90) : eval()'d code on line 39

Also how do I get the Categories to show in the Blog instead of as menutabs.

An error there somewhere methinks.

(On my beehalf of course).

[Masterd]

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_CLASS, expecting ',' or ';' in /home/miltonke/public_html/mkaforum/Sources/CustomAction.php(90) : eval()'d code on line 39

Disable template evaluation and then check it again.

[TheListener]

Problem there is it is already disabled.

[Masterd]

Oh, my god. That's unbeliveable. Did you posted your problem im mod's support topic?

[TheListener]

Oh, my god. That's unbeliveable. Did you posted your problem im mod's support topic?

Already done.

Just hope the mods not inactive.



I did get the following on my test forum though.

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING, expecting ')' in /home/xxxx/public_html/xxxxx/Sources/ManagePermissions.php on line 1510

Will leave an attachment when I get time later.

[TKoos]

Hi,

I have tried to follow your excellent guide and  I think that I've got everything done as it should be.
However when I click the "Blog" button in the menu, or surf to "index.php?action=blog" it does not show anything bloggish.

I see my header, the menu and then it's all empty down to the footer.

Since I am all new to SMF it's kind of complicater to debug what's not working for me.
The "custom actions" mod, how can I verify that it's working - like create a "test" action and have it to show "hello world" or something nice?

[n1ce_hat]

BUMP!

I would LOVE to see this work.

I have SMF 2.0.2 @ www.bitcointrading.com [nofollow] (but using a sandbox SMF installation for testing)

I..

1) Installed those 3 mods.  For the SSL one, it said it wouldn't install because the mod was not designed for 2.0.2, but I modified the packageinfo file and it accepted it, so all 3 mods successfully installed.

2) Followed your instructions.

3) Got the same parsing error as the others.

I would absolutely love to have this working, and I'll even pay to have someone help me set it up.

Email at maplesyrupghost [at] bitcointrading [dot] com, PM me (n1ce_hat) on this forum, or reply to this thread.

Pretty please with a cherry on top!

Thanks in advance!

-maplesyrupghost

[labyo]

Thanks....

[tMicky]

Thanks....

hello, did you get it to work without the parse error?
Care to share how?

[labyo]

Thanks....

hello, did you get it to work without the parse error?
Care to share how?

Yes it work for me.

What your problem?

[wittylady]

I have requested a paid mod to do this with no results ...

At the moment I am using a "page" mod and replicating my website posts there.

It does the job but is not really professional enough in my book ... See for yourself

http://www.simomania.com/forum/index.php?action=page;id=51 [nofollow]

I would love it if someone were to take this up and create one as I am sure it would be very popular
as not everyone wants a front page portal.

I hope Labradoodle-360 does decide to do this mod.  I use his Menu editor lite and its fantastic !

[Kindred]

There are 2 or 3 "blog" mods that do the full blog-type and layout thing already without aneed for a paid mod...
Or you can do just what this thread demonstrates....

[CapadY]

There are 2 or 3 "blog" mods that do the full blog-type and layout thing already without aneed for a paid mod...
Or you can do just what this thread demonstrates....

There are 2 or 3 "blog" mods that do the full blog-type and layout thing already without aneed for a paid mod...
Or you can do just what this thread demonstrates....

There are SMFBlog and ADKBlog.

SMFBlog is still a beta
ADKBlog is generating an awfull lot of errors in the errorlist, you absolutely don't want to use it, it shouldn't even be in the MOD-list because of this errors.

So, a good working alternative one is very welcome.

[Kindred]

Actually, I run ADK Blog on on of my sites and I don't seem to be getting errors like that.

However, I think that feline also has a blog system...

[Smythe]

Ok so I am having issues.... I dont think I understand how/where to put portions of the code and how it's supposed to look when its complete.

I have installed all 3 mods

I am using SMF 2.0.4

I have created/hidden the Blog Category, and the boards to go with... only 2 boards.

Inserted the following codes: Custom Action for Blog

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Blog Home - blog description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(2,3),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=khujatosblog">Khuja'to's Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=leadersblog">FC Leaders Blog</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';

Custom Action: FC Leaders Blog

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Category 1 - category 1 small description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(99999,2,3),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=khujatosblog">Khuja'to's Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=leadersblog">FC Leaders Blog</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';

Custom Action : Khuja'to's Blog

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Category 2 - category 2 small description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(99999,2,3),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=khujatosblog">Khuja'to's Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=leadersblog">FC Leaders Blog</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';

ERROR for all 3 custom actions

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected 'to' (T_STRING), expecting ',' or ';' in xxx\xxx\xxx\Themes\default\CustomAction.template.php(20) : eval()'d code on line 30

I am sure I am just an idiot and trying to read into it too much.....

Any help would be greatly appreciated ..... thanks

[Kindred]

Whatever else you do, you really need to upgrade ASAP

[margarett]

The issue is probably here:

Code Select Expand


>Khuja'to's Blog

(last chunk of code you put there)
The quotes have to be escaped, like this:

Code Select Expand


>Khuja\'to\'s Blog


Whatever else you do, you really need to upgrade ASAP

^^ This

[Smythe]

OK now that I have cleared that issue up.... of course I get new errors....

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected 'class' (T_CLASS), expecting ',' or ';' in C:\xampp\htdocs\2.0.7\Themes\default\CustomAction.template.php(20) : eval()'d code on line 36

Code Select Expand

echo'
<div align="center"><table width="915px" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" bgcolor="f9f7f5">
<tr valign="top">
<td>
<div> <h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Blog Home - blog description goes here
</h3>
<div class="roundframe grid">';
$parameters = array(
  'limit' => 10,
  'board' => array(2,3),
  'board_disp' => false,
  'category_disp' => false,
  'length' => '300',
  'attachments' => 'none', 
);
ssi_multiBoardNews($parameters);
echo'
</div>
</td>
<td>
<div>
<h3 class="titlebg grid_header"><span class="left"></span>
Categories
</h3>
<table class="tborder" width="100%">
<tr class="windowbg">
<td><li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=blog">Blog Home</a></li>
<hr />
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=khujatosblog">Khuja\'to\'s Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="relicblade.sytes.net/index.php?action=leadersblog">FC Leaders Blog</a></li></td></tr>
</table>
<br />

echo'
<span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>
<br class="clear">
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</table></div>';

Line 36 = <span class="lowerframe"><span><!-- // --></span></span>

[johnpaul2k2]

any mod for this yet

[Kindred]

for what?   There are at least three mods that do Blogs for SMF... and two more that make blog-like bords

[johnpaul2k2]

for what?   There are at least three mods that do Blogs for SMF... and two more that make blog-like bords

Don't worry. I'll eventually write a strong blog mod for SMF

what are the 2 more please?

[Kindred]

http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?action=search;basic_search=blog