Implemented xenPorta Blocks

Marking this "Open for Discussion" to both gather who is interested and what kinda things are people wanting. I don't use it myself, so I know absolutely nothing about it (just being dead honest). If there are enough licensed owners interested in this, then I will figure out what I need to do to make a few blocks for it.

 

I guess? Like I said, I don't know how it works, cause I don't use it. Never have installed it, so I have no idea what it can and can not do, nor do I have any idea how to write integration for it. Its something I'd have to figure out once I have an idea of things that people might want. My best guess would be similar stuff to what I've done for the [bd] widget framework.

 

Guys, until you post any suggestions, I won't be doing anything with this. I need to know what people want. I am NOT going to guess, so take some time and explain (in detail) what you want.

 

Please keep this discussion XenPorta specific.

 

hehe.. of course.

 

The following XenPorta sidebar Blocks have been completed:

• Tabbed Items
• Featured Items
• Top Rated Items
• Most Popular Items
• Recent Items

NOTE: These are all small width sidebar blocks only. They are not built for Center Content.

 

Image Focused Blocks are up next. I am only going to do a couple. basic ones tho. More advanced blocks/Widgets are going to be per paid request only as they just take way to much time to build and maintain.

 

As I mentioned 2 posts up, Imaged Focused Blocks are up next. One of them IS a center block for XenPorta. The planned module looks similar to the blocks for the Main Landing page for showcase itself (Large image, some text, rating/views and will link to the showcase item). These will be available with the next release of showcase, which will be mid Jan time frame. If you can't wait until then, I will have to require it be a paid custom request. A block like this will be around $25 USD as long as its given back to the community. Just shoot me an inbox if you need something ASAP.

 

Just wanted to give a shoutout to davespanzer (http://addons.nfljunkies.com/members/davespanzer.311/) for donating the new XenPorta Showcase Images Block back to the community. The new module will be included with the next release of showcase, but you can grab it now via this post.

This new Block is a CENTER block and is similar to the Modules on the Showcase Home page (cept that its more configurable).

Block Options:

Title: Custom Title for the block so you don't have to edit a phrase when you want to change the block type.
Block Type: You can choose the type of block you want to be configured... Most Recent, Most Popular, Top Rated or Featured
Number of Images: You can set the amount of images you want to display
Content: Choose the content of the image block. You can have just the image displayed or you can choose to have the title or description or rating/views (or a combo).

This block has its own template and its own CSS file, so you can customize it to your wildest dreams without effecting other blocks on the page or any showcase modules/layouts..

Here are a few screen shots of what you can do...

 

no, currently all blocks and widgets pull globally as the methods do not support passing in an array of category IDs to formulate a where clause. This is something that probably happen until a much later version of the core addon. Until then, the only way to do it is to write separate methods that are only used for Blocks and Widgets that you can pass in category information.

The block 1 post above is only for the CENTER column only. All the other blocks are sidebar blocks only. I can't spend a ton of time on doing blocks and widgets for other peoples addons, so I make a few that people can use to build their own. You should be able to make your own very easy based on the ones I've already made