Freerepublic features (the run-down)

Myself | 10-15-2001 | Smith288

[steveegg]

Outstanding. Once I figure out how to allow Netscape/Mozilla users use a local copy of a style sheet ('tis a bit of a problem), will send you an updated style sheet based on the background images that works on all 3 main browsers (with the usual caveat that NS 4.x is rather buggy).

[steveegg]

You have FReep-mail regarding the headers. Found a global (or near-global, in the case of Nutscape 4.x) fix that allows fr_header to work in NS4 without installing a scroll bar in IE6.

[VinnyTex]

what are style sheets?

[George W. Bush]

Style sheets allow us to customize the entire appearance of a website, controlling fonts, colors, wallpapers, etc. JohnRob now allows us to customize FreeRepublic. You can see some examples of FR stylesheets at my unofficial FR stylesheet website.

[xm177e2]

Would you add one of my style sheets to your collection? I think people will like it. I started with your sheets and JohnRobs', and cannibalized them for pieces, changed some colors around...

.fr_collapsed { font: bold 12pt Verdana, Arial, Helvetica; text-align: center; } .fr_collapsed A { text-decoration: none; color: #666666; } .fr_collapsed A:hover { color: #000000; } .fr_page { font: bold 8pt/10pt Verdana; color: #DFBD90; text-align: center; background-color: #2A2A33; } .fr_page A:hover { color: white; } .fr_page_here { text-decoration: none; color: #FFF4DF; } .fr_page_goto { text-decoration: none; color: #DFBD90; } .fr_normal { border-style: outset; border-width: 1; border-color: #000000; font: bold 8pt/10pt Verdana; color: #111111; background-color: #FFF4DF; margin-bottom: 1em; } .fr_article .fr_header { font: 12pt Verdana, Arial, Helvetica; color: #DFBD90; border-bottom: thin groove ivory; padding: 1px 6px; background-color: #000000; } .fr_comment .fr_header { padding: 1px 6px; border-bottom: thin groove ivory; background-color: #000000; } .fr_normal .fr_header table { color: #DFBD90; font: bold 10pt/12pt; } .fr_normal .fr_header A { text-decoration: none; color: #FFF4DF; } .fr_normal .fr_header A:hover { text-decoration: none; color: white; } .fr_normal .fr_body { font: 10pt Verdana, serif; margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px; } .fr_removed { font: 18pt Exocet, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica; color: #DFBD90; background-color: #000000; margin-bottom: 1em; } .fr_removed .fr_header { font: bold 8pt/10pt Verdana; border-bottom: thin solid #2A2A33; } .fr_removed .fr_body { font: 10pt Verdana, serif; margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px; } .fr_menu { font: normal 12pt Verdana; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; color: #880000; margin-bottom: .5em; } .fr_menu B { font-weight: normal; } .fr_menu A { text-decoration: none; color: #BB0000; } .fr_menu A:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #EE0000; } .fr_copy { font: italic 8pt/10pt Verdana; text-decoration: none; color: #FFF4DF; } .fr_default { color: #2A2A33; } BODY { background-color: #2A2A33; } .fr_body A:link {color:#880000; text-decoration: none } .fr_body A:visited {color:"#440000"; text-decoration: none } .fr_body A:hover {text-decoration: underline} .hi { BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eeee00; }

[smith288]

Bump, for all those who want to know.

[Semper911]

Thanks for putting these links up. This is by far the best BBS on the planet.

[smith288]

Bump for who want to know.

[smith288]

another bump

[Rebelbase]

Discovery bump

[HairOfTheDog]

Anyone: How can I view all the registered names on FR?

[smith288]

Considering there are well over 700,000 members, I doubt there is a readily available list. Jim or John Robinson has the ability but im sure they wont provide such a tool because of the sheer volume of records.

[HairOfTheDog]

OK Then.... some people seem to be able to browse names and quote counts occasionally, so I wondered how to see it.

[smith288]

bump.

[Steve0113]

Considering there are well over 700,000 members...

Check with JohnRob, but I believe it's 70,000, not 700,000.

[smith288]

added a zero on accident.

[smith288]

any new features to add?

[John Robinson]

Well, I've made significant changes to the structure of the software system. Two weeks ago, most of the code was using my "Hermes" library. Since then I've changed over to my much improved "Focus" library, which has been a ground-up rewrite of the low-level internals, the very heart of Free Republic. This paves the way for new features, and more importantly, improved functionality of the existing features.

One of the most fantastic features this library provides is the ability to "Skin" the forum by implementing HTML templates to override the default. We'll finally have the presentation separated from the logic-- the HTML separated from the code-- which will allow others to easily create new or improved interfaces. And, with this separation, it should be feasible to implement alternative templates for wireless use, or to take advantage of the very latest in browser technology, while maintaining a trusted if only bland default.

This skinning ability made a brief appearance with the Template setting of several software versions ago. The Classic/Focus Template setting. That was maintained, with great difficulty, in code. This new library will allow those templates to actually be two (or more) distinct HTML files.

Furthermore, those files should be readily available to use in Dreamweaver, etc. We could accept user-submissions of the templates. A talented Freeper could completely recreate the look of Free Republic and share it with others. Such changes go far beyond style sheets (which, btw, are making a return.)

[CaptRon]

feasible to implement alternative templates for wireless use,

Cool! I've always wanted to be able to access FR from my Palm!

[smith288]

How in the world....
Ok, so we will just need to know the key internals of the page so that focus will know what to look for to build the page so people could totally build their own? Sounds like a winner if im understanding that.

so it could like this

Welcome to Freerepublic
<titleofthread>

<beginloop>
<username> <dateofthread>
<articlebody>

<loop>


a very generic example but kind how you would upload the template for Focus to recognize it as a viable template?