I have been working on a plugin, which allows you to build and display additional pages from within the Links SQL admin. Simple examples would be: "About Us" page, "FAQ" page.

Features (so far);

1. Page definitions are stored in database (including descriptions, keywords, meta-tags etc.)

2. The pages are completely template based, and you will be able to use all the globals/includes of your default category.

3. Pages can be viewed in static and/or dynamic mode (configurable per page)

4. The pages are related amongst themselves through a page hierarchiy (i.e. page A is subpage of page B). This allows for automatic breadcrumb navigation (like the category struction in Links SQL)

5. There are various page types: simple (e.g. "About Us") pages, but also pages associated with a link, a category, a user, an editor, a review. This feature is very powerful, because it allows you to build any number of pages for e.g. a link (detailed view 2, printable view) or a user (user details).

6. Pages can have build conditions: for link/user etc pages, you can specify for which link/user etc the page is built (e.g. only for links which have are premium links)

7. Page can be viewed conditionally. This allows you to only give access to the page to certain people (e.g. the owner of the link, registered users) or to everybody (this is only for the dynamic mode, of course).



I would like to hear some feedback on this, comments, suggestions, feature requests etc etc.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Very cool Idea Yogi.



I was just taking about an editor profile page recently and I can see how creating this would allow a person to be closer to creating a whole website just from LinksSQL.



A couple ideas:

1. Doorway pages: Allow for the creation of multiple front door pages to be tailored to specific search engines in the meta tagging and content. Can this be done and still only show the top level URL?

2. Use policy, privacy statement, copyright, faq, about us, general contact, advertising, affiliate program, etc... could use this function of page creation and keep it all within the LinksSQL site.

3. The creation of a wireless friendly format page would be cool as well.



Great Idea!

Yes, the idea is exactly that a whole website can be built very easily from within Links SQL.

1. You could for example build pages for every category, or for every link. Meta tags could be whatever is in the category/links database.

What do you precisely mean by "show the top level URL"?

2. Exactly.

3. What is a "wireless" friendly page format?

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

1. Each search engine has its own algorythm. So having a front page for each that can be modified for each engine is a major plus. Showing top level URL only means www.you.com rather than www.you.com/google.htm, www.you.com/altavista.htm, etc...

3. Wireless friendly comes in multiple applications. WAP and HTML are the most common and in the future the HTML side will surely win. Wireless friendly would put the content in a format that could be read by a handheld device such as a cell phone. The format is generally VERY basic and much smaller in size. WAP requires something more to be seen as well.

1. You could certainly create all the different pages with the PageBuilder plugin. To actually make the search engines believe they see the top level URL would involve your webserver directly (a redirection based on UserAgent), as far as I can see.

2. If you want your whole site in WAP, you are probably better off building a complete template set. If you want some additional pages (for every link, let's say) that are "wireless friendly", that could be done through the plugin.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Very cool Yogi.

Sounds like a nice piece of work. I look forward to it.



Thanks!

Good one Ivan,

This is something Links needs.


http://www.iuni.com/...tware/web/index.html
Links Plugins

Yep, would be a great addition. Super!

------------------------------------------

I have finished a beta version of the plugin.

At the moment, it supports simple pages, pages per link, and pages per category. You can view the pages you created in static mode, or in dynamic mode. In dynamic mode you simply point your browser to page.cgi?page=about (or whatever the name of the page is).

I have attached some screenshots of different page types.

If you are interested in beta-testing it, email or PM me.

BTW: you need Links SQL version 2.1.1 for this plugin.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Cool plugin, hope it'll be release soon! thank you!

I just tried to build an extra detailed page and got this:

__________________________________________

Unable to build link page: detailed4.
Filename and/or directory should contain of one the following tags:


All done. Total Time: (0.00 s)


______________________________________________

It doesn't have any tags listed ... Yogi ?

I will be able to have a look at it tomorrow. Sorry for the troubles.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Hi all,

I have fixed the bugs, as far as I can see. I will send the updated version to the beta-testers.

Here is some documentation, mainly on what the fields on the add page screen mean:

1. every page has a name (Page Name), which has to be unique. When you add a new page, a template with the corresponding name (+ .html) is added in the pagebuilder template directory. You can edit the template from the plugin menu.

2. Page Title -> no special meaning, just plain page title

3. Build directory: relative directory from build_root (you can specify build_root in "Plugins -> PageBuilder -> Edit", if empty the build_root of links will be taken).

3. Build filename: filename, if empty -> build_index (e.g. index.html). If you are defining a link page (see below), you need to choose a unique filename or directory, i.e. you need to put in <%LinkID%> in one of the two fields. Filename could be e.g. test-<%LinkID%>.html (<%LinkID%> will be replaced by the corresponding LinkID

4. Page Type: Simple -> simple page, Link -> build such a page for every link (you can use all the tags of the link in the corresponding template), Category -> analogous to Link

5. Parent page: like parent category, establishes hierarchy.

6. Breadcrumb type: simple -> use hierarchy defined by parent page, Link (only for link pages) -> Home: Cat: SubCat: ... : Detailed: This Page, Category -> same as above, leave out the Detailed stuff. Play with the settings and you will know how it works.

7. Build Condition: here you can enter a simple build condition SQL style (for static building, as well as for dynamic displaying), e.g this could be Description LIKE %New York% (building pages for all links which contain 'New York' in the description field).

8. Build static: yes/no

9. View permissions for dynamic mode. Restrict access depending on user status.

10. Display dynamic: yes/no

I hope that gets you going.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Wow, it works fine now . I am impressed.

Hi Yogi:

Sounds very impressive and exciting. A couple of things that you may like to consider.....

I have a build_root directory of /directory.

My Home Page is in the websites root directory ie. one level ABOVE the build_root directory - I use SSI to mirror the index.shtml contained in /directory (there are a number of very good reasons why I opted for this). Will there be an option to place pages ABOVE the build_root directory?

You mentioned that each page needs to have a 'unique' name. Does this mean that if you have a directory structure, where you need an index.html file in each one, then this will not be possible with this plugin? If so, it will limit its functionality somewhat.

Just a couple of thoughts .... and .....

Keep up the good work!

Regards,



Clint.
--------------------------
http://AffiliatesDirectory.com
The Affiliate Programs Directory

Hi Clint,

1. You can select the PageBuilder root directory and root URL. This allows you to do what you want, i.e place the PageBuilder root directory above your Links SQL root directory. You could also place it below, if you wish to do so.

2. There is a difference between what I call "Page Name" and the directory/filename of that page. The "Page Name" field is indeed required to be unique, since the corresponding template will be named accordingly. The directory/filename is completely decoupled from the "page name", and it can be anything you like. So you can have as many index.html files in as many directories you like, provided they all have a unique "page name".

I hope that answers your question.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Ivan:

Answers my questions .... sure does!

.... and it sounds very impressive. I believe it could be exactly what I have been looking for.

All the best,



Clint.
--------------------------
http://AffiliatesDirectory.com
The Affiliate Programs Directory

Yogi,



would it be possible to have the "build page" function called each time I do Build > Build changes ?

As it is now, I have to build changes and then build pages in the plug in section. Isn't there one to may here, or do I not really need to build "twice" in static mode?

Also, when I created a page that has a link page as a "bread crumb", the page spanning that works on the "normal" link page is not working on the "second" link page.Why? Can you help me with this please?



Just an idea. Great plug in.

PS: When do I pay you?

I might make an option for the automatic building.

Could you elaborate more on the "bread crumb" and the "second" link page?

It should work like this: if you have a "link" page, and this page has father pages (i.e. pages higher up in the hierarchy) that are also link pages, the breadcrumb should be fine. It does not work if you have "simple" page, which has a "link" page as father page (because that does not make sense in my opinion).

As regards paying: now that's what I call a good customer! I suggest you pay once the plugin is 'officially' released.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

For me I think it is a must. I also have your links forum plugin so that make three synchronizing steps for each link addition... A bit confusing sometimes.





I have a second detailed page that has a link bread crumb. I would like to be able to go to the next and previous link page in the category just like on a regular detailed page. This also is a must for me. We already have over 2000 links and I would like the browsing to be as smooth and quick as possible.

Hey, I really hate having to even ask my clients for paying me when I always try to give them the best I got.

How do I get the plug in If I wanna Try it?

Sounds good?
Regards
KaTaBd

Users plug In - Multi Search And Remote Search plug in - WebRing plug in - Muslims Directory

I haven't thought before of integrating the building into the normal building process because I mainly use the plugin for "simple" static pages, i.e. pages like "About Us". They change not so often, so I would rebuild them when I change something on those pages.

But it's a good point you are making.

Thanks for the explanation, now I understand the spanning thing. I will add that of course. You will get a new version tomorrow.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Cool, I will be waiting

PS: This plugin can do much more than just build static "about us" pages, trust me Yogi

What kinds of things can it do that you are referring to? I really like the idea of this plugin, am curious about it's potential uses.

Just a quick update:

1. the plugin can now also handle user specific pages (in dynamic mode, there are still some issues to be solved for static mode).

2. the building of the pages can now be linked to the normal building process (there are admin options to switch this on/off).

3. the "List All" feature has been improved. It now gives a nice overview of all the pages, see attached screenshot.


First release will be soon.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Yogi,

Can you tell me what the 'user pages' are for? I do not quite understand how I can use them.



Thank you for your time.

These are pages for all the registered users (i.e. the users in the Users table).

You could for example make a page where you list: name, number of links, number of reviews. On a user page template, you can use the following additional tags:

link_loop
link_total
llink_toolbar

and analogous for review_.

All user details are accessible as

display_XXX (e.g. display_Username).


Does that make sense?

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Looking forward to this one. Thanks!

------------------------------------------

Very interesting plugin. Seems quite useful, especially for beginner users.

Keep up the good job!

Best regards,
Webmaster33

---

Paid Support from Webmaster33. Expert in Perl programming & Gossamer Threads applications. (click here for prices)
Webmaster33's products (upd.2004.09.26) | Private message | Contact me | Was my post helpful? Donate my help...

I have been experimenting a bit with PDF files (thanks to Wil and Paul for hints on useful modules/programs).

It seems that it would be possible to automatically create PDF files (in static or dynamic mode). You could e.g. produce printable detailed pages in pdf format with the PageBuilder plugin.

Unfortunately, all perl modules I was looking at have quite low-level interfaces, and it would therefore be very difficult to use templates for the pdf files. HTMLdoc, which is a free and runs on most Unix/lLinux and Windows OSs, can make nice pdf pages out of html files. The drawback of HTMLdoc is that it is not written in perl, and you would need shell access, and a good compiler to compile HTMLdoc on your webserver. That is of course a potential problem for many users. The plugin will certainly also work without HTMLdoc installed (no pdf files, though).

If people are interested, I can pursue this further.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Hi Yogi,



PLease tell me what this means:



Oops, we had the following problem:
PB_NO_ID



Thank you.

It means PB_NO_ID is a missing language var.

Okay, But what does that mean ? ?

Add a new laguage var from the control panel with that name and you'll see the error you enter.

All in all. I do not know what to do. The script is not returning the pages... I am getting that PB_NO_ID error message and I think I need some "baby talk" type of explanation.

Build > User Language > General > New

Yogi may need to fix this anyway but following that trail of options above will sort it out.

Okay, I did that. I created a language var for

PB_NO_ID that was left blank and got still got it as an error message

You probably need to add something in the textarea like "No such ID"

This is an error message that is displayed when you want to view e.g. a page corresponding to a link but you did not pass in a link ID. You would have to do something like

page.cgi?page=mypage;link=123

The error message says PB_NO_ID because this is still a beta version. I will of course put in real messages once it is released (next week Tuesday?).

Hope this helps.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Thank you Paul & Ivan.

Hi Yogi

>>(next week Tuesday?)

Will that be a beta also?
Regards
KaTaBd

Users plug In - Multi Search And Remote Search plug in - WebRing plug in - Muslims Directory

No, that will be the first release.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Will there be any changes from teh beta You mailed me few weeks back or it will be just a clean up version?
And if possible can you highlight the features in this forum (there are no where) and I think a lot of users will love this plug in..
Thanks
Regards
KaTaBd

Users plug In - Multi Search And Remote Search plug in - WebRing plug in - Muslims Directory

It will basically be a cleaned up version you have.

One small change is that the generated templates will now only be stored in the "local" directory in order to save space.

I will post a full feature list when it is released, in the meantime:
- the plugin allows you to build dynamic and static pages very easily
- you can create pages for every link, category etc
- conditional building: pages only for certain links, categories, etc
- conditional viewing: in dynamic mode, you can control who is allowed to see which page
- build HTML pages, but also PDF or Postscript pages.
- there is also some information at the beginning of this thread

That's it for the moment. I'm doing some final clean up and testing, if no major bugs come up, the plugin willl certainly be released by Tuesday.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Sounds Nice ..
Thanks for the explenation
Regards
KaTaBd

Users plug In - Multi Search And Remote Search plug in - WebRing plug in - Muslims Directory

I have a problem with pagebuilder.
It just wount to write pdf files.

When I trying to build it to pdf dir, it show me building process, 1 2 3 links builded.
but it wount to write(generate?) this files to disk.

please help to fix pagebuilder.

P.S. all other files like html, txt generated(writed) perfectly

PP.S. when I run my htmldoc from shell, its too working well.

=problem in pagebuilder?

I am currently having same problem..any clues?

---

Indigo Clothing is a t-shirt printing company based in the UK.
Indigo Clothing | Promotional Clothing | T-Shirt Printing | Embroidery

bump

still in need of help on this one - any guidance much appreciated.

Alex

---

Indigo Clothing is a t-shirt printing company based in the UK.
Indigo Clothing | Promotional Clothing | T-Shirt Printing | Embroidery

Have you got the

installed? as required in the plugin 'about' section

Yes installed and like hmc:

Quote:

when I run my htmldoc from shell, its to working well

.

---

Indigo Clothing is a t-shirt printing company based in the UK.
Indigo Clothing | Promotional Clothing | T-Shirt Printing | Embroidery

This seems to be a bug that is caused by the new behaviour of HTMLDOC in the latest version. They included an environment varivable HTMLDOC_NOCGI which has to be set, if you want to run HTMLDOC on a webserver.

If have uploaded a new version (1.0.6) to the server which should fix the problem.

Ivan
-----
Iyengar Yoga Resources / GT Plugins

Hi Ivan,

Any ideas on a mod_rewrite rule to work with your hashing method of static files?

i.e /cached/12/4343412.html , /cached/51/455451.html ... etc

I've been bugging myself over this for AGES now, but can't seem to get it right :(

TIA!

Andy (mod)
andy@ultranerds.co.uk

---

Want to give me something back for my help? Please see my Amazon Wish List
GLinks ULTRA Package | GLinks ULTRA Package PRO
Links SQL Plugins | Website Design and SEO | UltraNerds | ULTRAGLobals Plugin | Pre-Made Template Sets | FREE GLinks Plugins!

Hello,
i try to make a userpage with pagebuilder,
in static mode it works all fine, and i can use all tags of the users table.

But in dynamic mode the
Page Condition: Status = guest doesn t work.

it works good if Page Condition: Status = registered for registered users,

but if i set Page Condition: Status = guest
i see only the pagebuilder template and the
user tags will not be taken from the users table.

I hope somebody can imagine where the problem can be??
Please help,...smile...

best regards
manne



http://www.edelsteine.de

I have the solution......





the tags for dynamic mode start with

displayuser_

i am stupid a little...smile...

regards
manne


http://www.edelsteine.de