CTA Featured Threads & Portal [Paid] 2.17.0

[Paul B]

It's explained here: https://xenforo.com/community/resources/cta-featured-threads-portal.2599/update?update=15373

 

[Paul B]

Although XF 2 is still a while away, I have updated the terms of the license to indicate that the initial license purchase provides 12 months of support and updates.

After that time, in order to download new versions or receive support, an annual renewal fee of £15 will have to be paid, on an ongoing basis.

However, that will only come into effect when it is rewritten for XF2.
At that time, development and support for the XF1 version will cease and regardless of when you purchased (or do purchase) the XF1 version, it will be necessary to purchase the renewal in order to update each license you hold to the XF2 version.
So if you purchased 2 years ago or you purchase now and XF2 comes out in 6 months, the fee will have to be paid.

I anticipate some of you may not be happy with the move to an annual renewal fee but I have provided free upgrades and support for the past two years and as a complete rewrite will be required for XF2, I can't justify the amount of work required without some form of recompense.

Essentially it just means existing license holders will only have to pay £15 for the XF2 version of the add-on, rather than full price.

 

[Martok]

I anticipate some of you may not be happy with the move to an annual renewal fee but I have provided free upgrades and support for the past two years and as a complete rewrite will be required for XF2, I can't justify the amount of work required without some form of recompense.

I think this move is actually quite generous. I'd have expected (and would be prepared) to purchase the XF2 version as a new add-on as well as pay an annual renewal fee for it.

 

[sbj]

So as long as we are on xf1, there is no fee, only when xf2 comes out and this add-on is re-written?
That sounds totally fair.

 

[Paul B]

That's correct.

I'll be using @Chris D's Product Manager on the support site, which will make it easy for license holders to renew and download the latest version.

 

[Bob_R]

Where do you upload the background image for featured thread to?

 

[Paul B]

You upload them for each featured thread when featuring or updating.

 

[Bob_R]

I do not understand.

What if one uses automatic featuring?

 

[Paul B]

Then you use the option to use one of the attached images.

https://xenforo.com/community/resources/cta-featured-threads-portal.2599/update?update=15373

 

[Dadparvar]

In option, I set "On The Right" as default setting for the avatar, but when I want to feature a new thread, I see it is "On The Left" as default.
Other default settings are working as I set.

 

[Paul B]

Try in a default style - it works for me on various installations.

 

[jauburn]

How do I use the portal so that it features the full post of one featured thread per page? I think this is possible but forgot how. Thanks.

 

[Paul B]

Set the Featured Threads Per Page option to 1.

When you feature the thread ensure you include all the content - set Maximum Characters to 0.

 

[FredC]

Essentially it just means existing license holders will only have to pay £15 for the XF2 version of the add-on, rather than full price.

Annually? Ehh, even then id be hard pressed to complain.. (and im good at it particularly when money is involved)

 

[Paul B]

Yes, it will be moving to an annual renewal fee, starting from the first XF2 compatible release.

To buy a new XF2 license:

• Existing license holders will have to pay £15 for each license they currently own
• New purchasers will pay full price, as now

From then on, it will be £15 annually for each license for support and upgrades.
No payment required to continue using the last available version available to you (the same as XF license renewal).

 

[Dadparvar]

What is the best dimensions to set for "Featured Thread Background" and "Featured Thread Slider"?
Leaving it blank or set it to 0 will cause some view problems in different sizes.
I think finding a good fix dimensions of blocks and sliders and their images will be neater.

Any opinion will be appreciated.

 

[Paul B]

It depends on your style.

Styles which have no fixed width are a lot harder to deal with, naturally, as they can stretch up to full width of extremely wide monitors.
So to avoid scaling, you need to have the minimum width of the maximum width of the widest monitor you want it to look good on.

I have a maximum fixed width on my site so I set the dimensions as that.

 

[Dadparvar]

My style's max page width is "1170px".
Which dimensions of background and slider image is best for this in your opinion?
Thanks

 

[Paul B]

Again, it depends on your style and any margins, padding, etc.

You can inspect the page source to see what the maximum available width is for the container and set it to that.

 

[Martok]

My dimensions for slider and background image are set to 1024 x 576 px. This is 16:9 ratio which is suitable for Ps4 and other gaming screenshots.

As Brogan says, the size is going to depend on your site, the style used as well as the content you feature. Photography sites for example would likely has a sizing based on 4:3 ratio. The best bet is to check things out as suggested and just try it to see what works for you.