NewsBar by Forum Images.com Forum Images
 
About
This is an animated news ticker that is more of an add-on than a MODification as it does not use any of the phpBB files and/or database and therefore can be used on any web page. It is suitable for use with any theme.
The javascript file it uses is not original, it was based on NewsBar v1.2 by Vasil Dinkov and, as all the features were not needed, it was reduced in size and complexity by SamG. Thank you to both Sam for his skills and to Vasil for allowing us to distribute the script.
 
Usage
You may use this script free of charge, but if you wish to, please feel free to place a link somewhere on your site/forum linking back to our main site at http://www.forumimages.com/
 
Installation
Installation of the script is simply a matter of adding one line of code to wherever you want the NewsBar to appear;
 
<script src="fi_newsbar.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
 
Installation Options
As the javascript is in an external file you have a great deal of flexibility in what you can do with it and where you place it. We currently use it on our Forum and the output and code is shown in the example code below.
If you place the javascript in the forum root directory it can be used by all your available themes. Alternatively you could place a copy in each template directory (or save a copy using a different name) and have a per theme message display. You could also have a different version the the script for different pages, e.g. one on the index page and one on the forum view.
You cannot, however, have more than one iteration of the script running at one time - the second one will display static text only.
Be aware that you could annoy your visitors with this script and might consider hiding it with switches (see the demonstration on the Forum Images web site). Using switches also opens up the opportunity of showing one message to logged out users and a different one to logged in users.
Finally, it is not beyond possibility to combine the script with a MOD to show the content of the forum (new posts, announcements, etc..) The javascript would need to be placed in one of the templates for this.
 
Text/Link Configuration Options in the Javascript File
There are a few options with the script and comments have been added/left in place to assist you, but an important note is that if you need to add further lines then all but the last have a comma at the end;
 
["http://www.forumimages.com/", "Forum Images NewsBar", "_blank"],
 
Limitations
The javascript is compatible with many browsers, but will only show static text with Opera.
 
Updates
December 27, 2002
Some changes were made to improve the javascript file as well as adding a variable (newsBarStyle) to allow for changes to the font size, etc..
December 21, 2002
We change the javascript line that goes in the templates as it was not displaying in Mozilla.
We have altered the javascript slightly so that the text displays at a reasonable size with subSilver themes (or direct derivatives) by changing this line;
 
Original Code:
document.write("<div id=\"newsbar\" style=\"position: relative\">" + defaultText + "</div>");
 
Edited Code:
document.write("<div id=\"newsbar\" style=\"position: relative;font-size:12px\">" + defaultText + "</div>");
 
Example code (for phpBB)
We are currently using this on our own Forum and below is the code that is added to the top of the index_body.tpl file. The switches (shown in red) are used to hide the NewsBar from logged in users.
 
<!-- BEGIN switch_user_logged_out -->
<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" class="forumline">
<tr>
<th height=28 width="100%">News</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td height="28" align="center" class="row1"><script src="fi_newsbar.js" type="text/javascript"></script></td>
</tr>
</table>
<br />
<!-- END switch_user_logged_out -->
 
Contents Of This Archive
FI NewsBar
File Version: 1.02
Date: December 27, 2002
 
Help
Please check the Forum Images web site for details of assistance.
 
Distribution
This file should accompany the other files if you are re-distributing this archive. No charge is to be made for the supply of these files.
 
Contacting Us
The most reliable way in which to contact us is via the phpBB Community forum;
Member Name: Daz
Profile: http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2135
Email contact is available at the Forum Images web site for those that need to, although we do not accept requests through the web site.
 
Legal Information
Unless stated otherwise, all files are copyright © Darren Burnhill 2002
If you feel we have in any way infringed on your rights as a company or individual, please contact us via the Forum Images web site.