Changing Smileys

[linche]

I see that many people have real trouble trying to replace the default smileys on their boards.  After reading the eight pages of questions and answers, I'm as lost as the rest of them.  Either the instructions don't work (like hoving over "Admin" and getting no drop-down menu) or just not understanding because they are too complicated for people who have zero knowledge of coding.

I don't believe that people using hosted message boards should have to have skills beyond what it takes to post a post.  Yet board owners like to make changes in themes, etc. even if they are clueless about plug-ins, etc.

Wouldn't it make more sense for ProBoards to add an a page in the Admin area that's just a plain list (numbered 1., 2., 3. etc) where we only have to enter the URL of a smiley (or however many), the new image would replace whatever smiley is already in that slot and then click a save button at the end of the list?

Personally, I really don't like the outdated default smileys but, even if I understood how to use the plug-in process to change them, it seems like a lot of work for each individual board admin to have to go through when I'm sure ProBoards could set something up pretty easily to make it far more simple for us admins.

[Night]

Hello! 

ProBoards already has a feature just like you have suggested.  In order to access it, either the Admin or other staff member with enabled powers will need to follow these directions: Admin>Themes>Theme Manager.  Then while Hovering/Holding your mouse over the theme you wish to edit (most likely the one you have marked as Default) you should have more options, like a button that says "Images".  Once in the Theme Settings and on the Images area, you should be able to scroll down to see a place where you can Replace and Upload your own Smileys. 

I do not know which question and answer thread you have looked through for before this, but this is the method I know of that will allow you to modify and add smileys.

Hopefully this makes more sense.

Edit: It should look like this!

[Todge]

Apr 19, 2018 21:11:44 GMT -8 linche said:

I see that many people have real trouble trying to replace the default smileys on their boards.  After reading the eight pages of questions and answers, I'm as lost as the rest of them.  Either the instructions don't work (like hoving over "Admin" and getting no drop-down menu) or just not understanding because they are too complicated for people who have zero knowledge of coding.

I don't believe that people using hosted message boards should have to have skills beyond what it takes to post a post.  Yet board owners like to make changes in themes, etc. even if they are clueless about plug-ins, etc.

Wouldn't it make more sense for ProBoards to add an a page in the Admin area that's just a plain list (numbered 1., 2., 3. etc) where we only have to enter the URL of a smiley (or however many), the new image would replace whatever smiley is already in that slot and then click a save button at the end of the list?

Personally, I really don't like the outdated default smileys but, even if I understood how to use the plug-in process to change them, it seems like a lot of work for each individual board admin to have to go through when I'm sure ProBoards could set something up pretty easily to make it far more simple for us admins.

Apr 19, 2018 21:55:59 GMT -8 Night said:

Hello! 

ProBoards already has a feature just like you have suggested.  In order to access it, either the Admin or other staff member with enabled powers will need to follow these directions: Admin>Themes>Theme Manager.  Then while Hovering/Holding your mouse over the theme you wish to edit (most likely the one you have marked as Default) you should have more options, like a button that says "Images".  Once in the Theme Settings and on the Images area, you should be able to scroll down to see a place where you can Replace and Upload your own Smileys. 

I do not know which question and answer thread you have looked through for before this, but this is the method I know of that will allow you to modify and add smileys.

Hopefully this makes more sense.

Edit: It should look like this!

What Night said above is quite correct, you do not need a plugin to change your default smilies.

What I think you are talking about is the use of a plugin that allows you to have many, many MORE smilies.. That plugin, if you want to use it, can be found here, and the help thread for it can be found here.

There is an 'add-on' plugin that adds the dropdown you mentioned in your opening post. That is not needed, but if you do want to try it, then by all means, take a look here and feel free to ask if you need any help.

[linche]

Hi - First of all, this is the thread I read through:  support.proboards.com/thread/482490/smiley-management-plugin

And actually I want to replace the default smileys; not add to them.

I'll give it another try and let your know how I make out, lol.

Thanks to both of you!

[linche]

I've been aware of the smilies area where you can change individual smilies.

I was hoping there was a main place to change/manage your smilies for all your themes at once and perhaps even have a checkbox in front of each one (checked ones would show and unchecked ones would not which you could "customize" depending on the theme you're using.


As to these instructions, not knowing HTML or CSS (unless I play around with some that is already there) I'm lost, which is why I suggested ProBoards set it up so all the board admins have to enter is a URL and (going by the example below) ::cheerful::

I colored my comments in blue and terms I don't understand in red.

I don't know how many admins there are in ProBoards but I can't be the only one who doesn't know anything about coding.  I don't understand why each admin must learn and go through all this to change some smilies.  I would think ProBoards would make this small, fun part of having a board as easy as possible to use.  It looks like it's just not worth it to go through all this "figuring out" and work.  I'm assuming people open boards to communicate with other people; not to have to learn HTML and CSS.

Sorry if that sounded rude. I honestly don't mean to be but I've been messing around with this, off and on, for weeks now and I'm frustrated.

Thanks,
Linche

Plug-in
Current Version 3.2.0

Direct Link

There is now a plugin to help you create and edit your smiley array.

Put your smilie array in the large box entitled 'List your smilies here'...  (I never found "List your smilies here")

'URL OF SMILIE';
URL OF SMILIE      (Should each of these have apostrophies and a semi-colon after each URL?)
URL OF SMILIE
URL OF SMILIE
etc..

You can add titles/categories to your smilies by putting the title into the smilie array..

<b>Happy Smileys</b>
URL OF SMILIE
URL OF SMILIE       (Should each of these have apostrophies and a semi-colon after each URL?)
URL OF SMILIE
etc..

Notice you can use simple HTML to style the title.

The rest of the settings are fairly self explanatory (I hope).

This plugin creates the smiley code from the image filename, for example, if you have an image with the URL 'http://myhost/mysmilies/cheerful.png', the smiley code will be ::cheerful::, taking that into account, if your filename is 'cheerful_123_456_xyp.png', then you'll end up with a smiley code of '::cheerful_123_456_xyp::', not very helpful if you want to type it directly.
Please take that into consideration when uploading your smiley images.

There is also a new tab, 'Popup CSS'. Here you can use CSS styling to edit the look of the entire coding.   ()
The classes you need are:-

.smTop {} The top of the smilie box, containing the dropdown selector.
.smMiddle {} The middle of the smilie box, where the selected smilie is displayed.
.smBottom {} The bottom of the smilie box, containing the 'View all smilies' button.

.showsmilies {} The pop-up itself.
.smTitle {} The title bar at the top of the pop-up.
.smTable {} The table containing all the smilies within the pop-up.
.smCell {} The boxes containing each smilie.
.smGroup {} The subtitle cells which separate the smilie groups within the smilie table.

You can also have 'Board Specific' smilies by placing this code in the HEADER of the board(s) you wish to have it's own smilies..

<script type="text/javascript">
// Board Smilies for Smiley Drop Down Plugin

var smilie = new Array(
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL' // NOTE: The last smiley URL has no comma!!!
);

</script>

[Todge]

Apr 26, 2018 20:45:09 GMT -8 linche said:

I've been aware of the smilies area where you can change individual smilies.

I was hoping there was a main place to change/manage your smilies for all your themes at once and perhaps even have a checkbox in front of each one (checked ones would show and unchecked ones would not which you could "customize" depending on the theme you're using.


As to these instructions, not knowing HTML or CSS (unless I play around with some that is already there) I'm lost, which is why I suggested ProBoards set it up so all the board admins have to enter is a URL and (going by the example below) ::cheerful::

I colored my comments in blue and terms I don't understand in red.

I don't know how many admins there are in ProBoards but I can't be the only one who doesn't know anything about coding.  I don't understand why each admin must learn and go through all this to change some smilies.  I would think ProBoards would make this small, fun part of having a board as easy as possible to use.  It looks like it's just not worth it to go through all this "figuring out" and work.  I'm assuming people open boards to communicate with other people; not to have to learn HTML and CSS.

Sorry if that sounded rude. I honestly don't mean to be but I've been messing around with this, off and on, for weeks now and I'm frustrated.

Thanks,
Linche

No worries.. I'll explain what is needed to hopefully get you going, then we can cover other thing as and when they come up..

Plug-in
Current Version 3.2.0

Direct Link

There is now a plugin to help you create and edit your smiley array.

Put your smilie array in the large box entitled 'List your smilies here'...  (I never found "List your smilies here")

In the smilie plugin, click on the 'Smilies and Settings' tab and the 'list your smilies here' box is the first vig box you come to as you scroll down..

'URL OF SMILIE';
URL OF SMILIE      (Should each of these have apostrophies and a semi-colon after each URL?)
URL OF SMILIE
URL OF SMILIE
etc..

You can add titles/categories to your smilies by putting the title into the smilie array..

<b>Happy Smileys</b>
URL OF SMILIE
URL OF SMILIE       (Should each of these have apostrophies and a semi-colon after each URL?)
URL OF SMILIE
etc..

The plugin will work with or without semi-colons, so you are quite safe to leave them out. So long as each URL is on a new line.

Notice you can use simple HTML to style the title.

The rest of the settings are fairly self explanatory (I hope).

This plugin creates the smiley code from the image filename, for example, if you have an image with the URL 'http://myhost/mysmilies/cheerful.png', the smiley code will be ::cheerful::, taking that into account, if your filename is 'cheerful_123_456_xyp.png', then you'll end up with a smiley code of '::cheerful_123_456_xyp::', not very helpful if you want to type it directly.
Please take that into consideration when uploading your smiley images.

There is also a new tab, 'Popup CSS'. Here you can use CSS styling to edit the look of the entire coding.   ()
The classes you need are:-

.smTop {} The top of the smilie box, containing the dropdown selector.
.smMiddle {} The middle of the smilie box, where the selected smilie is displayed.
.smBottom {} The bottom of the smilie box, containing the 'View all smilies' button.

.showsmilies {} The pop-up itself.
.smTitle {} The title bar at the top of the pop-up.
.smTable {} The table containing all the smilies within the pop-up.
.smCell {} The boxes containing each smilie.
.smGroup {} The subtitle cells which separate the smilie groups within the smilie table.

You can also have 'Board Specific' smilies by placing this code in the HEADER of the board(s) you wish to have it's own smilies..

<script type="text/javascript">
// Board Smilies for Smiley Drop Down Plugin

var smilie = new Array(
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL',
'SMILEY URL' // NOTE: The last smiley URL has no comma!!!
);

</script>

Everything you listed in red can be ignored for now. We can cover them if you want change things, but the plugin should work just fine without any of the red parts being touched.

[linche]

Okay, thanks, Todge.  I think "baby steps" are the way to go!  Good idea, lol.