Blocks

[Harkster]

Mod has not approved my last and I got another.

But first the install PDF is the best install documentation this humble one has ever seen.

Now, as per the Web site

We have a growing number of pre-programmed ”Blocks” which you can use to enrich your website content. A “Block” is a specific content unit which you can put in anywhere you like. It ranges from content such as: Hot Link, Random Link, RSS Feed, to AdSense and Search Field. You can even create and easily plug in your own blocks in IndexU™

and custom blocks is very important to my plans. I hope it isn't a 'tweak the template thing'.

I have installed the free for evaluation and see nothing in admin area dealing with blocks.

[Bruceper]

Thanks for the nice words on the install documentation. It took me a long time to make that and was recently improved upon by adding a few things and slimming some of the images down.

The blocks are simple, if you take a look at the side of demo you will see the Top 10, Directory Stats, the login, page rank etc. Those are all blocks.

Also, popular tags, latest new, random links and the yahoo news feed in the main section, those are all blocks as well.

A block in IndexU consists of two files, a php file and an html file. They are very simple and can be put pretty much anywhere and can appear on only one page or on all of them or on one type of page (all the detail pages for example). Think of them like an include (if you know what that means) so that the same data appears on multiple pages, but to update all of those pages you just change it in one place.

To see the blocks go to the admin panel - templates - edit template - choose the kosmos theme and you will see a section called blocks.

[Harkster]

Thanks. Was coming to that conclusion. Being a Drupal user and loving their functionality which is similar th what can be done with eSyn... was what I was hoping to see. I know that has to be built into the template when designed. May not be possible without the smarty engine?

Right now I am looking at lots of $$$ to move to IndexU as I need several mods to do what I want. Oh well, life in the slow lane.

Thanks for the quick replies. I imagine you know the situation from my posts on another forum.

Richard

[mpdaddy]

Right now I am looking at lots of $$$ to move to IndexU as I need several mods to do what I want. Oh well, life in the slow lane.

Richard

What type of mods do you need? Maybe we can cut down some of the $$$ for you to move to IndexU. Give us an idea of what you are looking for.

Wayne

[Harkster]

A couple that come to my mind from the list is random link of the day, since I need articles ability maybe the integrating wordpress, and thought I recalled something about additional description text in details. A way to have news submitted by visitors such as gallery openings, calls for entries etc. etc.

Been doing so much reading and evaluating different scripts lately that the brain cells are in revolt.

I spend 90% of my life trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Oh for the old simpler days when if I wanted something I just sat down and wrote it.

Oh yes, I am also not fond of the standard templates - I always end up tweaking.

[Bruceper]

Template editing is all up to you, and it's not too ahrd to do.

The wordpress integration mod is available on the forum here.

Adding description text is simplistic. As is adding things like fields for phone, fax, address color, size, weight etc. The ability to add custom fields easily is a great feature of indexu.

random link of the day, I know I saw a mod for that but I can't remember if it was on this forum or on indexudirectory.com

[mpdaddy]

What bruce said hits the nail right on the head.

There are more and more mods coming out everyday for this script. Most of what you want is already available somewhere, you just need to find all of them and impliment them. I also love to continually tweak things and make them do what I need them to do. I am sure if you can't find a mod that you need, we can create it for you.

Wayne

[Harkster]

Hmmmm, you mean http://www.indexudirectory.com/blog/...our-directory/ isn't the place to get the wordpress integration where one must buy a subscription to see the details.

Random site of the day at http://www.indexudirectory.com/blog/...te-of-the-day/ is same.

When my budget for this first directory is mid $XXX and I realistically will be very lucky to ever see it back I have to watch what I am doing.

My next 2 possible projects may be more likely to pay but everything will be targeted niches.

Another question. A directory of lets say artists without a Web site where the index would contain both. Hard to do?

I am down to 2 possibilities or stick with the no-support support one. Will be evaluating the other the next couple of days. If I move I want it to be the last time.

BTW, thanks guys.

Think I just saw the answer to last question. Delete some fields and add others. Also, the listing form could have introduction text and description by doing something similar.

I am not incapable - just that the technology is leaving me in the dust - a retired software engineer who wrote his first Fortran circa 1975. http://www.hiqfm.com/index.php was my learn some php project.

Oh yes, I see the template system seems to be more like the Aardvark stuff than smarty.

[FSGDAG]

Hmmmm, you mean http://www.indexudirectory.com/blog/...our-directory/ isn't the place to get the wordpress integration where one must buy a subscription to see the details.

Random site of the day at http://www.indexudirectory.com/blog/...te-of-the-day/ is same.

To answer these two questions, yes... this is where you can get those Mods.. For $39.99 you can get ALL of the 40+ Mods Zubby has, plus any new ones within the 1 year subscription. Its a GREAT price for all the great Mods he has

[Crackboy]

I recommend signing up for www.Indexudirectory.com. Zubby has been very helpful and created a mod for me for free b/c I'm a member. I would recommend it. He's probably saved me months of coding.