Integrating PHP Link Directory to Site Layout

[cornelio0202]

Integrating PHP Link Directory to Site Layout

The URL below is a concept demo layout**



For the Links Directory, I included a "pageheader.php" and "pagefooter.php" to the 'index.php" to create the "outer shell" (consisting of modules of the logo sections, tabulated navigation links) similar to the demo page above -- resulting in the demo layout for the Link Directory below:



As you can see the "spacings" of resulting layout of the outershell for the "Link Directory" is not exactly similar to that of the first demo URL.

In this regard, there are two CSS in the Link Directory:

I assumed that it is the "main.css" the one that controls the layout of the index.php for the Link Directory. [Is this assumption correct?]

I prefer the "layout spacings" in the first URL. I tried to change the "main.css" of the Link Directory, but I cannot seem to get the aesthetic appearance of the outershell of the first URL.

Part of the discrepancy in the overall layout of the two URLs is that the first URL has a corresponding simple CSS, but at present, its CSS mainly specifies the appearance of the characters, headings, etc. However, since I am not as well-versed yet with using CSS to create the overall layout, I used "tables within tables" to format the entire page for the above demo page for the first URL.

Then, I just copied the corresponding modules of the pageheader and pagefooter of the first URL (with some rearrangements of the modules and slight modifications) to create the outershell of the Links Directory.

Does anyone with expertise in CSS have any suggestion on how to reconcile the two? As I stated above, I prefer the "layout spacings" in the first URL.

Also, for aesthetic reasons, I want to place the link of "Link Directory" in the "pagefooter section", along with the box containing generic details about the site, e.g., "About Us, Copyright, etc."

I cannot seem to find the script that defines the link of "Link Directory" in the "index.php"

Thanks in advance for any help.

cornelio0202
_______
N.B.
** Many of the tabulated navigation links are just "concept links" and may not be functional or are themselves demo.

***Both pages use a frame format. The "main.css" of the Link Directory only affect the "main_section", i.e. the layout of "index.php". For the Link Directory, this will be:




The "pageheader.php" itselfs consists of multiple modules that define the "top logo section", "left navigation column", the top of the middle column" before the main part of the "index.php" of the main directory

The "pagefootrer.php" itselfs consists of multiple modules that define the bottom of the "index.php" starting with the navigation link "Top", as well as the "modules in the right column" and "modules in the bottom section"

[kickass]

To my knowledge all css is in the main.css.

You might find some links in my webgeek resources directory in the css section helpful.

As to helping you with a table layout- sorry, I haven't used tables in a couple years now and have never styled them. You'll have to wait until one of the "old fashioned" coders comes in to help.

[vkaryl]

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That's located in the very end of the stuff in templates/footer.tpl.

[cornelio0202]

Thanks!
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Thanks bj. There is another .css for Internet Explorer (IE). The other link diirectory that I was testing worked with the three browsers that I have tested -- Safari, Netscape and Firefox. But, it did not work with IE. I did not have that problem with CSS layout of the Link Directory here, so that is one minor reason, why I am exploring this link directory that you guys are developing. I am also encouraged by the fact that the core group seem very active -- so that whatever desirable features that are not present right now may eventually be incorporated.

One concern that I have is the lack of encryption in the passwords. [I discussed that in a separate post, so I will not explore it here.]

I am still trying to learn how to layout using the syntax of CSS. I will look more into the links in the "layout section" of your site. I copied some of them already, and will study the others.

I am reading some of the comments in the other threads here also, like that on the main.tpl.

{url not currently in service}

I may post some questions in these other posts.

However, one issue that was not asked there: When I tried the link directory, the relative width of the two-column presentation of the categories seem to be variable rather than fixed, depending on the length of the "text of the categories" found in each column.

Is there a way to fix this so that both columns would be of relatively equal width? Which script defines this in the main.css?

Interesting, I looked at the ".tpl" files, they seem to still use html scripts for tables, rows and cells?

Content visible to registered users only.That's located in the very end of the stuff in templates/footer.tpl.[/quote]
Thanks vkaryl.

I see the scripts of the ".tpl" files now, using my Fetch edit. When I clicked on the ".tpl" files, from my computer, they open as "stickies" and I did not see anything. It turned out I can view them also using my "PageSpinner".

Right now, in the layout shown in

{url not currently in service}

I placed my own "pageheader.php" and "pagefooter.php" modules outside of the scripts and separate from the files of the Link Directory -- sort of wrapping the Link Directory page.

It looks like I could integrate my own "pageheader.php" and "pagefooter.php" modules with the "header.tpl", "top.tpl" and "footer.tpl" of the Link Directory?

I just have to learn the scripting used in the '.tpl" files, so that I could integrate the "include" and require scripts of my own "pageheader.php" and "pagefooter.php" modules to that of the respective ".tpl" files of the Link Directory?

I have never encountered ".tpl" files before. I am slightly familiar with basic PHP scripting. What sort of scripting language is used in ".tpl"? It looks like the scripting symbols are slightly different from PHP, but I see similarities also.

Among the differences, that I noticed so far, seem to be the use of {strip} {/strip} or {php} {/php} instead of <?php "..."; ?> I take it that {* ... *} are the comments, just like /* ... */ in php? So many { }???

Do you have some suggestion on basic internet tutorial for the scripting language used for the ".tpl" files?

Some of my questions are answered in this link:
{url not currently in service}

but I would be interested to get more basic background if possible in the scripting of the ".tpl"

By the way: Is it OK with the core group of Link Directory, if I move the link so that they will be placed with the other related footer links?

[cornelio0202]

OK, I found these threads
{url not currently in service}
it may answer some of my reference questions to vkaryl, but may still require more guidance.

Another relevant link:

{url not currently in service}

that included this link:

{url not currently in service}

Wow, Link Directory is so liberal about where the "Link Directory" acknowledgement is located.

This refers to another "open source":
It looks like phpBB is also as liberal? This forum has removed the icon of phpBB. This is not a violation of the phpBB fair use policy? There was no indication but I am not yet that familiar with the limits of "open source" usage and restrictions.

[vkaryl]

I'm not on here much right now, so if you need something further answered from the standpoint of .tpl=html or something, you can email me at the link in my sig.

Happy to help, just a bit busy elsewhere right now.

[cornelio0202]

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Thanks vkaryl, I will do that.

[kickass]

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What you're seeing are Smarty Templating Tags. Google it and you'll find all sorts of info. Smarty separates out the xhtml/css from the php code in much the same way that css separates out the layout and appearance from xhtml.

Oh, and you don't have to use outmoded, outdated and semantically incorrect tables for layout with this script. Check page source on both vkaryl's directory and mine.

[Ap0s7le]

Hey BJ,

Comments like "old fashioned" can stop.

It would be appreciated, and causes more tension than what's needed around here.

Thanks

-Casey

[yktan]

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Hi cornelio0202, just wanted to answer your question regarding phpBB's icon. If you search phpBB's community section (forums), you will find that it is perfectly acceptable and legal to remove the logo of phpBB.

As for the tpl files, why not get the information straight from the horse's mouth:
http://smarty.php.net/

I'll be glad to help if you have any problems.

Regards,
York Kie

[yktan]

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:lol: While I respect the fact that you have the freedom to express your opinion, these sort of statements may not be the most constructive in discussion forums. Whether or not you like tables is your own decision and I would appreciate it if you can keep that opinion to yourself. You might want to stop and think about it... those "old fashion" people are also pioneers in web applications and have expertise in the field since a few decades ago. While you are contented to follow the recommended guidelines from whichever organisation since it's your own personal web sites, many real world programmers have no choice in the matter since not all decision makers (who knows better) in multi-million-dollars organisation gives a **censored****censored****censored****censored** about "recommended guidelines". I'm not just blabbering nonsense, I speak this from my experience with huge (and I mean HUGE) projects.

Try http://www.msn.com

Whoa tables! Evil! Yeah, they might be but do you think they even care of the "guidelines"? I know one mantra in the professional coders' world, which says: "Don't change something that is working".

Please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to denounce your opinion (in fact I do not have anything against CSS layout at all), just please stop forcing your opinion on other people.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Content visible to registered users only. I agree.