Template and Forum questions

[Tank]

Hi Forum,

I would like to build a Game website for the game "Legends of Three Kingdoms".

Anyway, I have a question, can Elxis currently use different Templates for different pages? On this site there are different templates and layouts, it seems for most pages.
If not, any advice on how I can go about achieving the effect?

Secondly, is anyone developing a Forum type of system for Elxis? Is it possible with the current article framework? Can it be easily linked (maybe a module) to phpbb or such? .... and... If not, if I try to make one, is it better to make a module or component?

I still do not know/understand when a new feature should be a module or component.

Thank you!

Note: Sorry if this is a double post. I posted one before but got deleted maybe because I liked to the game. My apologies, I did not mean it to be spam, I only wanted to show an example of what I mean. I sincerely ask these questions because I really want to use Elxis for the development. Thanks.

[datahell]

Elxis 4.x accepts a single template for the site but this does not limits you on changing the style and layout depending on the page.
We have discussed how this can be done in this forum. Here is a related post.

As for the forum, the proper extension type is component. You can try make component eForum Elxis 4.x compatible although I think it is a hard task as eForum is huge... I will help you if you need assistance in something like that.

[Tank]

Elxis 4.x accepts a single template for the site but this does not limits you on changing the style and layout depending on the page.
We have discussed how this can be done in this forum. Here is a related post.

As for the forum, the proper extension type is component. You can try make component eForum Elxis 4.x compatible although I think it is a hard task as eForum is huge... I will help you if you need assistance in something like that.

Thanks for the reply, I will read on that about the templates.

You are right, eforum is a complicated issue. Will this be a better alternative to incorporate an already mature eforum (such as phpbb or SMF) and somehow integrate, maybe by module (or maybe component)?
Please forgive me to post this link. https://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=4016875
I am reading how to best do this. I understand PHPBB API can be done easily. I believe the only issue is to simultaneously store/verify user session. If this is a faster method to achieve forum + elxis which a novice programmer can achieve, I will be happy to create it and share with the community.

I'm very interested in this and thank you for offering your help.

[maple]

Hi,

how I can integrate phpBB or SMF inside an Elxis 4.1 template structure?

ps: forum need to be in a different database. No need a single login to website and forum.

thanks

[datahell]

You can use the wrapper.

[maple]

By using wrapper, will index properly all forum subjects and posts on google?

[datahell]

A wrapper is nothing more than an iframe. By following the links inside the iframe google will index the standard forum links without the surrounding wrapper.
If I was in your case I would install the forum in a sub-domain or inside a folder and place to it a top horizontal menu very similar to the one the main site has. So the visitor will get the picture that it is under the same site. He can navigate the forum and also click on the menu items and get back to the main site quickly. The trick is the site and the forum to have similar appearance (colours, style) and share a common menu. That's all you need to have perfect results.

[maple]

Perfect! That's exactly what I want. What is the best for google indexing and visitor experience, sub-domain or a folder? And why are you using SMF instead of phpBB or vBulletin, any especial reason?

[datahell]

sub-domain is the best choice. As for the forum software I can't propose something chose the one you prefer most.

[wbread]

You can try make component eForum Elxis 4.x compatible...

wow