XF 2.2 Custom home page

[Ricsca]

Is there a way to create a home page that only shows the latest posts posted in the forum instead of the various nodes?

And also the latest articles and the latest photos from the Gallery.

Thank you

 

[Davyc]

You can change the index route filter in 'Basic Options' to this:


Your home page will be all the latest posts and replies that have occurred since a member's last visit.

 

[Ricsca]

I already have the news item. I wanted to create a page with the latest discussions and then add widgets that interested me.

 

[Davyc]

OK then you will need to create a page for that and then add widgets to it. Something like the home pages I have on my sites - these are made as pages with some HTML added and custom CSS but the widgets are very easy to add. Take a look at my movie site, link in my signature.

 

[Ricsca]

Ok I'll try thanks

 

[Davyc]

When you want to add widgets just access them with the widget key that you entered when creating a widget. I used this:

<xf:widget key="latest_movies" />

Just change the key part and add that code where you want the widget to appear. The rest of the HTML will be easy if you're familiar with it, if not then I can give you a few pointers if you tell me what you want to do

 

[Ricsca]

can they be inserted on the right?

 

[Davyc]

can they be inserted on the right?

Not 100% sure but that may be in the positioning section you choose when creating the widget. I've never tried myself as I don't use sidebars, so give it a try and see

 

[Ricsca]

Ok, very thanks

 

[Lee]

You can add them in <xf:sidebar> widget here </xf:sidebar> tags to get them on the right.

 

[Ricsca]

One example with <xf:widget key="latest_movies" />?
Thanks

 

[TPerry]

One example with <xf:widget key="latest_movies" />?
Thanks

Hit my site... you can see an example of what he's talking about... I'm just starting implementing it there.

An example widget:


The created template HTML in the Page node.
I changed the latest posts to the latest threads. They don't show the same information so you have to decide which is more important to you.




As for creating a home page... there is a resource here for that.

Page as portal homepage

With XF2 it's really simple to add a Page as the homepage and populate it with widgets to create a "portal" page. As a few people have asked how to do it I thought I'd post this quick guide. Go to admin.php?nodes/ and click Add a Node Select...

xenforo.com

 

[Ricsca]

<xf: widget key="portal_latest_posts" />

what should I write to show the widget with the latest topics as if it were the forum?
Thanks

 

[TPerry]

Errr... they don't "show as a forum".. they are a widget that links to the posts of them.



As for what widget you would use, if wanting "new posts" then I'd use that widget.



If latest threads (topics)... then again, choose the correct widget.



They are two separate things... posts simply show the latest posts.. threads show the latest threads, apparently irrespective of post content, based simply on when the thread was started.

 

[Ricsca]

Found... I have it by default..
whats_new_new_posts

 

[TPerry]

Found... I have it by default..
whats_new_new_posts

You may not want to use the "default" ones as they are set up for the forum use... I create additional ones that are specific for use on the portal, that way they don't interfere with the "basic" ones for the main forum.

 

[Ricsca]

I managed to make the customized page, I just need to finish putting the "Post Threads..." button at the top right

 

[TPerry]

I managed to make the customized page, I just need to finish putting the "Post Threads..." button at the top right

Honestly.... for my landing page, I probably would not put anything to do with posting new content.. you really want to bring attention to the content itself, and then the users can click on something they are interested in and go from there. To add a "post threads" button is going to take a lot more template customization than you may be comfortable with. And as in my landing page.. it deals with a LOT more than simple threads/posts, so it would be rather cumbersome to link to creating each type of content shown.

 

[Ricsca]

What a simple home page should have is the News page with the right widgets.
The problem is that if you set the default xf last thread page to registered users it shows only unread messages and therefore most of the time they find the home page empty.

 

[TPerry]

Really? I don't think so.... I use the "latest threads" widget and am logged in.. guess what I see.
Why would you want to force it to "registered users"? By default, if logged in it shows the latest for the registered users... if not logged in then the most recent posted.



There is a difference between the "Whats New" page and using widgets to provide the information.

If you want to show the "what's new" page that is built in, then point your route index at it.