[WIP] Menu Editor

[Matthew K.]

Hey everyone! I just thought I'd stop in and give a little update on what I've been doing lately...

Since June, ScottyBoy and I have been partnering up and coding a mod site. Which is why my activity on SMF itself has dropped a ton within the past couple months.

In turn, the mod site is just about done, and I have decided to take a short break from developing the actual mod site and it's systems to construct a highly requested mod, and also one that I have considered developing previously for quite a long time.

What am I developing? A Menu Editor.
Some may ask, how is it different from a mod such as this mod, this mod, or even this mod?

The answer is very simple. The mod that I am currently developing is completely database driven.
For version 1.0, you will have complete control over SMF's default menu, and the option to configure a top menu.

Here is the feature set for version 1.0.

Version 1.0 Feature Set

• Database Driven Base Navigation System
• Add Tabs
• Remove Tabs
• Re-Arrange Tabs
• Configure Top Navigation System - For sidewide navigation
• Restore to Defaults
• Completely Permission Based Editing
• Sub-Buttons with same featureset

I would most definitely like opinions. Or, if you have a question, feel free to ask.

I will post screenshots shortly.

Note: The feature set for 1.0 is not guaranteed and is subject to change. Screenshots taken during development are also not the final product as changes are still being made.

Labradoodle-360

[KensonPlays]

Great job so far!

[vbgamer45]

I would like it.

Hmm maybe someway to import menu options like if a mod is installed

[Matthew K.]

The Add a Button feature would work for that? However, I will probably release some Portal Patches if allowed by the portal author that add the portal button automatically.

[vbgamer45]

I was thinking at least with SMF 2.0 you can parse the array and check it against the database and if isn't found add a menu item.

[hadesflames]

This is actually a planned feature add on for the dream pages on DP. I planned to implement it around v1.0.1

[Matthew K.]

Cool! And thanks for the suggestion vbgamer, I'll look into that.

Not had any time to develop today, but the project is definitely coming well.

[KensonPlays]

That is a good sign ;P

[Matthew K.]

Thought it was about time I released a screenshot.

And of course, this is all subject to change.

Direct Link: http://i38.tinypic.com/mtpdv9.jpg

Labradoodle-360

[Oya]

what about submenus and stuff or what about permissions

[vbgamer45]

Looks nice I would add permissions too if you can by membergroup

[Matthew K.]

What do you mean? The "Show" field allows you to define who it shows to.

Looks nice I would add permissions too if you can by membergroup

Submenu's are coming. This is still in development, and I am doing one function at a time.

what about submenus and stuff or what about permissions

[Oranos]

What do you mean? The "Show" field allows you to define who it shows to.

Looks nice I would add permissions too if you can by membergroup

Because it's not at all user friendly. Also, using it like that means a bunch of unnecessarily complicated code.

[excaliburj]

I think that you would want plenty of explanatory text covering variables allowed in the 'Link To' (tokens for $boardurl and $scripturl at the least, I would suppose) and how to construct the 'Show' (would it take a regular in_array of group numbers; does it allow logical ORs/ANDs,what are some of the basic permission 'flag' names like can_admin/can_moderate/is_guest that can be used), either on this screen or in a Help popup (or some of both).

And, I fear the concerns about user-friendliness may be true. Unless you have this as the 'advanced' interface and a 'simple' one limited to checkboxes and/or select dropdowns, it's going to have a lot of users absolutely stymied (just what you're trying to alleviate by making menu modifications easier).

[KensonPlays]

so if you put in "true" field: "is_admin" only admins can see it? and only "is_guest" for guests?

[Matthew K.]

As these suggestions have come in, and I have considered the best approach to a better system, I am working on a complete overhaul of how the mod works.

Thanks guys! I'll post some updates as they come.
Labradoodle-360

[KensonPlays]

* Kcmartz thinks that Runic is incorrect.

* Kcmartz thinks this is very worth it!

[Deaks]

and we all know about you kcmartz dont we

[KensonPlays]

* Kcmartz says not. He can be unpredictable!

[Matthew K.]

Please, can we get this back on topic? This is for a Menu Editor. Not for discussing Kcmartz personality or predictability.

Also, Runic: I think that was very uncalled for, and it was definitely discouraging.