RSS Feeds?

[Shawn]

Hi David,

It would be great if there was a way to download the forums as RSS feeds. Is there a way to add this functionality to the forums? That way, we could all keep up with reading the forums on our cellphones and other mobile devices.

More and more people these days have Windows Mobile or Palm devices (cellphones and/or PDA) and it's very easy to set up RSS readers on these. When I sync my device, all my feeds automatically get transferred to the device for easy reading away from the PC. I usually keep up with news by reading while travelling (not driving!).

Best regards,
Shawn

[david]

Dear Shawn, et al.

I really try to be responsive to the requests of others concerning features of this forum.

However in this case I just cannot figure out how to implement an RSS feed. It appears that there is a mod for the board that can do this. But remember; mods by there very nature care a risk. This risk, with coupled with the fact that I just do not have the skill to implement it, makes me a bit wary. However, I would like to hear from others.

If there is an overwhelming desire from others to implement this feature, then I will find someone to help me with it, and do so.

However, if the interest in this mod is lackluster, then I certainly am not going to risk breaking the board in order to implement this feature.

Well folks it is up to you. What do you want?

Peace and Solidartity
David Courtney

[shen]

I think it's a great idea - I would definitely subscribe to it. Blogs and RSS feeds still haven't really taken off in the wider internet community. For example, the only ICM bloggers I know of are myself and Shawn (new thread if you have any suggestions!?). But it's definitely the way of the future.

The phpBB RSS Feed 2.2.4 Mod I just looked at has an installation level of easy, so I don't think it would be a big risk. Copying the 6 files which are replaced should avert any danger.

(This is the first time I've seen David on the forum so I'd like to put in a quick request to make the style for linked text more attractive - why not use the same font as regular text?)

[shen]

After making my last post on this thread, I noticed that another forum I follow has an RSS feed. Since subscribing to it I've found that I participate even more in that forum, because
a) I see all new threads without having to remember to visit the forum, and
b) I see interesting threads in sub-forums I would not usually check.

I am sure that if you installed an RSS feed on this forum the result would be the same.

[Shawn]

I agree!

Regards,
Shawn

[TirakitAlex]

Yes, please, bring it on.

Checked the online documentation and the RSS module files seem to be separate from anything else - in short, no code editing of existing files required. The extension has been out there for over 2 years now so we can assume it's solid.

As for the links font - if your browser doesn't have a default font of verdana, it looks weird. Solution: go to the main stylesheet for the bulletin board and find a block that looks like this:

Code: Select all

a{
color:#3366ff
}

and add the following inside the curly braces:

Code: Select all

font-family:Verdana,sans;

Then the link font will be in step with everything else regardless of browser settings. Feel free to PM if questions.

Cheers, TRKTA

[david]

The rss is now working. You will find it at:

http://forums.chandrakantha.com/rss.php

Peace and Solidarity
David Courtney

[Shawn]

This is great, thanks David! Now I can read the forums on my cellphone when I'm taking the metro (subway).

[david]

I will get a link up in a few days. For now you will have to put the url in your favorites.

Peace and Solidarity

David Courtney

[david]

The link is now up.

Peace

David Courtney