Shared Forum Mod -- latest version: 0.2.5.4

[perplexed]

hi  I have a few separate forums and after reading this, wish this mod had been available way back then, and I could have had them all in one database.  does anyone know how to merge a couple of forums together, so I could then have one but then try this mod to run them separately?

[Abangyarudo]

I have a custom theme I was wondering where the code for the forum button is so I can add it manually. Also to make sure I understand this would change the theme if they clicked the category and narrow it down correct if so how do I set it so that it does that but shows all the categories on the main index?

Was also wondering if there is any plans to be able to set the forum look through membergroup?

[Sarge]

hi  I have a few separate forums and after reading this, wish this mod had been available way back then, and I could have had them all in one database.  does anyone know how to merge a couple of forums together, so I could then have one but then try this mod to run them separately?

As I posted in the other topic, I think a few members are working on a merge script. For example:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=173198.0

[Sarge]

I have a custom theme I was wondering where the code for the forum button is so I can add it manually.

The mod's control panel is at Admin > Features and Options > Shared Forum tab. The tab itself should show up in all themes. To add mod strings to a custom theme, read one of my recent posts above:
http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=158330.msg1186571#msg1186571

Make sure to copy the strings from and to the correct language files. For example, if the "Default Forum Language" in Admin > Server Settings > Core Configuration tab is selected as English-utf8 (which is the case in some Fantastico SMF installs), you have to work with Modifications.english-utf8.php files. Same thing with any other languages that you have added to your forum and that are used by your forum members.

Also to make sure I understand this would change the theme if they clicked the category and narrow it down correct if so how do I set it so that it does that but shows all the categories on the main index?

I'm not sure if I understand you, but... to show all categories, create a subforum and list all categories there.

Was also wondering if there is any plans to be able to set the forum look through membergroup?

No, there are no plans for that at the moment.

Note: there's a mod to do that for a non-SFMod'ed forum: Change Theme Permission. I might expand that mod in the future to work with subforums.

[perplexed]

I had a quick look at your site and I wondered if it was possible to display one of the forums as default, rather than having to select one each time?

Also can a category belong to more than one forum?

Would this cause confusion among members as they try to find things or will it make it clearer do you think?  See I think it would be simpler but members don't always see it that way.

[Sarge]

I had a quick look at your site and I wondered if it was possible to display one of the forums as default, rather than having to select one each time?

Depends on what you mean. There's a "Default forum" option at the middle of the mod control panel page. By default, the first forum in the list is the default, but you can select any forum there.

What does it mean?... It means that a guest or member will see the default forum until they click on another forum. The last forum selected is the one the guest/member will see until their cookie expires. (The cookie doesn't expire if you have selected "Forever" or "Keep me logged in" when logging in.)

Also can a category belong to more than one forum?

Yes.

Would this cause confusion among members as they try to find things or will it make it clearer do you think?  See I think it would be simpler but members don't always see it that way.

True. Yes, it can cause confusion. It did in my forum. You would have to explain the way your forum operates to your forum members.

[perplexed]

ok that's cool, thanks for answering, all sounds good.  I like the idea and its good there is a default option, I think that would be less confusing for people.

Are there any problems with google indexing the forum or finding the forums?

[perplexed]

sorry I just tried to install this in package manager and got this

Installations actions for "Shared Forum Mod":
Installing this package will perform the following actions:
   Type    Action    Description
1.    Extract File    ./Sources/SharedForum.php    
2.    Execute Modification    -    Modification parse error

I have had this with a few mods recently and have tried everything suggested to no avail, so it looks like I won't be able to try this mod until they come up with a fix for the problem.

[Sarge]

Post the information from SMF Admin > Support and Credits > Version Information section. I think you're running SMF 1.1.2 and PHP 5.2.x; if so, update your forum to SMF 1.1.3 (there should be a link in Package Manager to do this). SMF 1.1.3 fixes some issues with PHP 5.2.x and mod installation.

[perplexed]

ah ok, yes I am on 1.1.2, can't upgrade at the moment.  Didnt realise it was 1.1.3 only, my bad.
I will try the mod again after I have upgraded

[Sarge]

ah ok, yes I am on 1.1.2, can't upgrade at the moment.  Didnt realise it was 1.1.3 only, my bad.
I will try the mod again after I have upgraded

Well, it should work for 1.1.2 -- version 0.2.3 of the mod was finished before SMF 1.1.3 came out. The problem, as I explained above, lies with Package Manager and mod installation under PHP 5.2.x, which results in "Modification Parse Error" for fairly large mods; this is fixed in SMF 1.1.3.

[perplexed]

ah ok, yes I am on 1.1.2, can't upgrade at the moment.  Didnt realise it was 1.1.3 only, my bad.
I will try the mod again after I have upgraded

Well, it should work for 1.1.2 -- version 0.2.3 of the mod was finished before SMF 1.1.3 came out. The problem, as I explained above, lies with Package Manager and mod installation under PHP 5.2.x, which results in "Modification Parse Error" for fairly large mods; this is fixed in SMF 1.1.3.

really?  It's fixed for 1.1.3 - I hadn't heard that.  I might have to upgrade sooner than expected in that case, as that is preventing me from installing a few things

thanks for the info

[Abangyarudo]

out of curiousity would it be hard to code the sub-forum look being determined by membergroup?

[Flying Drupalist]

Hello Sarge, we chatted briefly about tp in the irc but I was unfortunately called away and didn't catch your answer. I had tp installed at one point but now I'm relying more on SSI and extensive theme changes, custom actions, and a bunch of other nice stuff rather than tp. However your mod would make my site much much better. I was wondering what must be edited on my site to allow Shared Forum compatability.

Thanks.

[Sarge]

out of curiousity would it be hard to code the sub-forum look being determined by membergroup?

May I ask why? I'd like an example of why this would be useful, if you don't mind.

[Sarge]

I was wondering what must be edited on my site to allow Shared Forum compatability.

You need to edit the templates and put your subforum links there, because the mod won't list them anywhere for you, except in the mod page in Admin > Features and Options > Shared Forum Mod. If you do that, I can create an SMF-only version.

I'm working on a new (SMF-only) version that will also feature a custom menu for links to subforums. TP support will be added either through a patch (a supplemental mod) or a separate package. However, I can't say when I'll release it, maybe in a month or two.

[Abangyarudo]

I was wondering what must be edited on my site to allow Shared Forum compatability.

You need to edit the templates and put your subforum links there, because the mod won't list them anywhere for you, except in the mod page in Admin > Features and Options > Shared Forum Mod. If you do that, I can create an SMF-only version.

I'm working on a new (SMF-only) version that will also feature a custom menu for links to subforums. TP support will be added either through a patch (a supplemental mod) or a separate package. However, I can't say when I'll release it, maybe in a month or two.

I have a role playing forum where most of my member's characters are in membergroups for the game.  I was planning on creating a different banner and look for each game.

[ogmios]

Try chmodding Themes/default/index.template.php to 777 (or maybe 755).

How do I chmod? / what is chmod?

the folders 'theme' and 'babylon' are set at 755...

index.template.php was at 644... i tried 755 first - no luck, then 777 - no luck...

same errors (lines 50 and 51)...

sarge, would you happen to have any more suggestions for what i can do to get the shared forum mod installed?

thanks again

[Flying Drupalist]

Sarge, that's fine. But is it safe for me to install your mod without TP? I just don't want to kill anything...

[momsandtots]

Any Progress on showint the post for all forums at the same time?