So, the final piece of the IPB 2.1.0 puzzle has been dropped into place: the portal overhaul.
There are two major changes. One being that it’s now just another run-time module within the IPB framework. This means that there’s no separate index.php file for it and there’s no way for it to be run as a separate entity. This makes IPB -> IP.Dynamic integration much easier. For those who don’t wish to run IP.Dynamic but still want a front page in other folder other than their forum’s directory, then the supplied index.php file which contains a simple header redirect to the forum’s installation will suffice.
The other change is the removal of hard-coded features and the introduction of a simple plug-in system. Basically, you can now specifiy special tags which correspond with a particular portal plug in. A portal plug in is a run-time file and a configuration file. This means that blog owners will be able to show recently updated blogs on their portal and gallery owners random images and such – all without touching a line of code. It’s a simple case of “drop in and forget”. Mod authors can write their own modules to add functionality without needing to edit any IPB code.
Hurrah.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
That sounds like a *huge* improvement in portal functionality, top stuff!
This sounds good. I’m assuming that you can change specific settings inside each module?
Also, are you going to have some sort of template system so we can easily add our own stuff?
How is layout handled with all these components? Is it like Blog where you can drag and drop each content block to where you want it?
I currently use a heavily modified portal for my front page. (modified in the templates). I’d like to use Ip Dynamic, but that is still months away. Is this time between IPB 2.1 release and IPDynamic release going to hurt?
Right…
Yes, you can have portal settings, and some of the default ones do. You enter the conf_title_keyword group keyword in the config file, and it adds a link to the menu to “Edit Settings…”.
Yes, you can add your own HTML template bits.
No, there is no drag and drop, the tags are editable via skin_portal -> csite_template_skeleton.
If you wanted to bundle HTML template bits and settings, then you’ll need to export the template bits and export the settings and in the installation instructions instruct the end user to run the XML settings and XML template files via the relevant import section before using the plug-in module.
All of this will be covered in the documentation when ready.
To add: It’s likely a basic installer will be written to enable plug-in settings and template bits to be added without user intervention for IPB 3.0.
Great! Thanks for the explanation Matt.
Corrding to the RM (roadMap) you only have:
# Option to load other language files.
# Ability to “hold” an item in the mail queue for later processing
left to do. Or you could save those for future versions. . .
I was planning on coming out with a message board that had this type of feature that would allow you to interchange/edit/add/delete sections of the website by simply managing files in a given folder. All files would be run through index.php?cmd=example. This would allow for the exact same functionality over all sections, very easy official updates and modifications. A command administration module, relative to what you posted, would oversee access to the uploaded modules to the index.php file.
Looking at the screenshot I’m missing some essential plugins already:
Most usefull imho…
- Calendar: list upcomming x events
- News: full exported from specified forum(s)
- News: list x headlines
- RSS
SSI+ (MOD for ipb at invisionize.com) allows me to display such items, but after every IPB update it takes ages for updating the MOD.
I assume it will be possible to template the plugins aswell??
Looking at the screenshot I’m missing some essential plugins already:
Most usefull imho…
- Calendar: list upcomming x events
- News: full exported from specified forum(s)
- News: list x headlines
- RSS
SSI+ (MOD for ipb at invisionize.com) allows me to display such items, but after every IPB update it takes ages for updating the MOD.
I assume it will be possible to template the plugins aswell??
Hi, Great job…but i guess you need to fix the image link in this blog entry
2 days since the last commemnt . . . Wow. so active. _> >_<.
What a strange thing to say.
This is going to be awsome for modding, I got to say you overdid your self here matt
Keep it up
Hurrah!
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This means that blog owners will be able to show recently updated blogs on their portal and gallery owners random images and such – all without touching a line of code.
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Sounds really great. Less work for us, w00t.
One thing that IPB was not good at was the Search function not getting any results for 2 byte character sets. Japanase, Chinese, etc.
phpBB can search and give exact results. The search function not working on asian character set prevented me from migrating to IPB from phpBB. I hope this is resolved in IPB2.1 so I can go buy a license and shit from phpBB to IPB.
Good luck!
I just dropped by to say hello, but your blog looks quite interesting so maybe this won’t be my last. It’s amazing to see how much Invision Power Board has grown since the beginning! I knew from the beginning (5 years ago, I was 12 at the time) that [matt]he would turn out to be something extraodinarily successful — Apparently my prediction was right.
Even though I am going through my “OSS phase” (I do admit I use phpBB), I find IPB to be much more usable, and worth every single penny if you are interested in putting it up on a site. Keep up the good work Matt! I look up to you.
Path to the picture, for those who wonder:
http://blog.mattmecham.com/blogimages/acp-portalplugins.jpg
> I knew from the beginning (5 years ago, I was 12 at the time)
I feel so old!