Upgrade Suggestion for Dolphin Software

To Whom It May Concern;

I still do not know who is the person(s) who make the software for dolphin, but I have a upgrade suggestion:

- Create a way for members to be able to change the template layout for there profile page. Currently  the only thing members can do is just change the background image. I think that if there was a way that members could add there own code to change their profile template then this would open up way more options for using site owners websites.

For example if you go to soundclick.com, as a vip user you are able to add your own html and css code and change up your profile template to any design you want.

If some could look into making this one of the standard functions as an update then that would be great. Thanks.

Actually, one can add to the configuration of the Profile Customiser and change any aspect of the page they wish.  You can add it so the sub menu bar; the one with the member's avatar and menu to their stuff, blogs, timeline, etc, can have a border around it and can have a separate background from the page background.  Each block on the page can have an background image; keep in mind that most blocks are using design box one so will all have the same backgoround.  I even have it where my members can change the profile comment box although I don't let them change the editor window from white or put a background there.  You can allow fonts to be changed as well and even separate out the header font from other fonts.  It is really simple to add to the Profile Customiser settings.

As for adding blocks, there is a really nice module in the Market, Profile Composer.  I have it on my site and my members really like the control it gives them for adding and moving blocks around.

http://www.boonex.com/m/Profile_Composer_2010_08_11

It is not a cheap module but it does add a lot to let members change their profile page.

Geek girl, thank you for your reply but I think your miss reading what I am requesting. I am not requesting just to be able to change the back, but rather the whole profile template itself. There is no way to do so. Here is an example from soundclick of what I am referring to.

First click this link:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1050330

This first link is of a regular members profile on soundclick who has not changed their profile template.

Now click this link:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandid=1298880

This second link is of a member who has changed the template of they profile.

See the difference?

Currently their is no way to allow a member of your website to change the whole profile template of they profile. The member can only change the back image or boarders of they boxes as you mentioned or add custom boxes. I am looking for a more advanced option. Make since now?

May Help...

http://www.boonex.com/m/Profile_Composer_2010_08_11

• • create HTML block – It means member can create block and add any HTML content to it. Of course, you, as admin, can check block before place it to member's profile.

• • create Text blocks – In this case member can add only text using TinyMce.

• • create Rss block –  In this case member can add RSS link to any site he/she liks.

• • can share their blocks with other members - It means other members can use the  most interesting blocks of other members in their profiles.

• • can remove blocks from their profiles - Any block can be removed from the page, but your as admin can control which block can be removed.

• • change Privacy of the blocks - It means member can control who can see the block(and which block).

• • change blocks position on the page – Members can place block to any position of the page. Such as Column and position in this Column.

• • edit their own blocks.

• collapse blocks to the head.

This functionality is already avaliable in the bonex market.... I used to use it. I think it may have been one of antons profile or account modules? It allowed the user to style their profile to look how they want it.

Expertzkris and DRautenbach

No the profile composer will not work. Once again as mentioned in my original discussion, I want to change my whole Profile Template layout. Not just the profile Blocks. I was able to test out this profile composer and it doesnt do what I am talking about. You guys keep talking about PROFILE BLOCKS, which is different from the PROFILE TEMPLATE LAYOUT.

Here is another example of what I am talking about. Look at this soundclick.com custom profile page:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=905129

Notice that this code entered to make this profile page requires custom css and html code.

Now take a look at the orginal profile page of how it looks on soundclick profile:

http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=abrigano

Now once again there is no way currently to add custom css and html code in order to allow members or your site to change they profile template. I understand that members can change they profile blocks, but in order to allow members to enter code to have they profile look like the first example link, it is not possible as of right now.

Make sense now?

The built in Dolphin Profile Customiser module will allow a member to change the template for their profile.  They can change the page background or add backgrounds to the profile blocks.  They can change the font face and size for blocks.  They can add borders around the blocks, solid, dashed, double and change the sizes of these borders.  The can add a background to the block headers.  They can change the submenu adding a border and background to it; the submenu is the one that holds the avatar and status message.  Any element on the page that has a css can be styled.

To do all this you may need to go into the admin area and add the entries to the Profile Customiser module.  Dolphin ships with a limited number of entries but it is easy to add them.  I am sure that forum members here will be happy to share some of the customiser entries they have added if you are interested in expanding what the Profile Customiser can do with a member's profile template.  These templates can be stored so a member can have a holiday template to load in at the various holidays.  Templates can also be shared with other members.

Another note:  I prefer the Profile Customiser over the methods where members can add CSS directly.  For one, it can cause a support problem.  Also, there is nothing to prevent members from adding CSS that you might not want on the site.  One of the worst things is changing the cursor.  I have been to sites where trying to click was problematic because the cursor had been changed.  Third, the Profile Customiser allows any member the ability to change their template by following a simple menu that outlines the area to be changed.  Finally, the profile customiser mod allows easy sharing of themes among members.

Yes they can change the background, font, and borders but not the whole template itself which is what I am looking to offer to my members.