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Custom Sidebar Block Ideas Needed

Posted by (e) Eric, 21 January 2012 · 1,271 views

With the next release of Custom Sidebar Blocks (likely version 2.0, PM me for a copy of the BETA to help me test), we now have the ability to use PHP code in the custom block contents. This could be used for something as simple as:

return "Welcome to the Boards, ".$this->memberData['members_display_name'];

Or as complex as querying the database for the most recent pinned topics in forum #23 and displaying their most recent posts.

In part to help me test and also for possible Custom Sidebar Block plug-ins, I would like some feedback on sidebar block ideas. What would you love to place in your sidebar that isn't possible with the default tools (easily) or with basic html/js?

In other words, what have you wanted to place in sidebar blocks that you can't do with the current version of Custom Sidebar Blocks?

(Also, if anyone finds something missing from either of the included Read Me files, please let me know. According to the reviews, the installation details aren't good enough, but I really can't figure out what else they need.)

bgrd
Jan 22 2012 11:09 AM

Pinned topics sounds interesting, how would you query that?

Aethorn
Jan 22 2012 12:14 PM

A feature i would like to request is the following:

When you create a new block, could it automatically be converted to a hook? So you could easily place a custom block on the top of the sidebar and another on at the bottom

darkidan
Jan 22 2012 12:51 PM

an option to put the block before and after the forums.

(e) Eric
Jan 22 2012 01:34 PM

bgrd, on 22 January 2012 - 11:09 AM, said:

Pinned topics sounds interesting, how would you query that?

It would be easy enough, just query the topics database and use the pinned field and the forum field as constraints and then output some simple html rows for each result, with some set limit. Once the new version of the app is released, I could post an example block content for it.

Aethorn, on 22 January 2012 - 12:14 PM, said:

A feature i would like to request is the following:When you create a new block, could it automatically be converted to a hook? So you could easily place a custom block on the top of the sidebar and another on at the bottom

Wow, that is an interesting idea. I'll have to think about the logistics of that...

darkidan, on 22 January 2012 - 12:51 PM, said:

an option to put the block before and after the forums.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the forums", since the sidebar is on the side of the forums/categories list. But if you mean you want to reorder the blocks, you can already do that. Here is my FAQ topic for reordering CSB blocks.

Unless of course you really mean to place Custom Sidebar Blocks in the "main" index column where the forums are listed. If so, then no, I won't be doing that. You would need another hook for that.

Stenis
Jan 22 2012 01:52 PM

I miss "latest replies".

Indo-IPB
Jan 23 2012 12:34 AM

hmmm... how about option for global sidebar, not just board index sidebar

(e) Eric
Jan 23 2012 05:19 PM

Stenis, on 22 January 2012 - 01:52 PM, said:

I miss "latest replies".

I'll add it to the list, thanks! :smile:

Indo-IPB, on 23 January 2012 - 12:34 AM, said:

hmmm... how about option for global sidebar, not just board index sidebar

Actually, I'm not looking to expand/change the core functionality and placement of CSB, so just like my above answer about changing the position above/below the forums, you would need a separate hook for something like that

I am more looking for ideas about block contents, not new places to place the blocks. :smile:

So, I take it that no one can find any omissions in the Read Me?

Aethorn
Jan 24 2012 08:27 AM

another great premade block would be "Content I Follow" hook

Matt Rutherford
Jan 24 2012 08:57 AM

Anyway you could build an RSS feed into one of the blocks - that would mean one less hook required to get info from other sites.

I specifically would like to run an RSS feed of the latest posts on the wordpress blog associated with my forum.

excalibur300
Jan 25 2012 12:20 AM

Most Popular / Hot topics would be quite nice to have.

excalibur300
Jan 25 2012 12:23 AM

Oh and this isn't a block but a feature request, the ability to organize the blocks in any order like with the default blocks / hooks instead of the custom ones always being grouped together. If this is possible.

Aethorn
Jan 25 2012 04:43 PM

excalibur300, on 25 January 2012 - 12:23 AM, said:

Yup +1

I also proposed that one

excalibur300
Jan 25 2012 08:05 PM

Though I'm sure you probably weren't looking for feature requests here, But yeah as I said before the most popular / hot topics block would be a nice addition, if you're still in need of block ideas.

Indo-IPB
Jan 25 2012 08:30 PM

Today's Top Posters sidebar block with members photo (not overall top posters)

excalibur300
Jan 26 2012 03:31 AM

Indo-IPB, on 25 January 2012 - 08:30 PM, said:

Today's Top Posters sidebar block with members photo (not overall top posters)

I like this block idea as well.

(e) Eric
Jan 27 2012 08:30 PM

Cool ideas guys, I've added them to the drawing board.

And since it seems to be such a popular request, I'll most likely be implementing the "Exportable Block" (fully sortable) feature in addition to PHP support and other features.

(e) Eric
Jan 29 2012 05:19 PM

I've got a beta version of 2.0. If you haven't heard from me already, and want to test it for me, PM me.