Factor common web left bar stuff to a common topic

Because the left bar tends to be similar in all webs, I decided to centralize the common stuff.

I deleted the WebLeftBars from most webs and created it in the TWiki instead. I put the common stuff in this TWiki.WebLeftBar and from that included WebLeftBarInsert.

The items that are particular to that web now sit on WebLeftBarInsert.

I propose to make the same alteration to Dakar - any objections?

Should it be SiteLeftBar and WebLeftBarInsert?

-- MartinCleaver - 13 Jul 2005

Martin, in general you are right about WebLeftBar redundancy. But actually I'd recommend not to add WebXYZ pages any more. This gets too complicated to maintain. Instead, the engine should use TWiki.WebLeftBar when there's no %WEB%.WebLeftBar (status quo?); otherwise the %WEB%.WebLeftBars should INCLUDE the TWiki.WebLeftBar which exports common stuff in a STARTINCLUDE...STOPINCLUDE section.

-- MichaelDaum - 14 Jul 2005

Indeed. This gives the option of each web being able to "opt out".

The differences between TWiki and Main webs are significant and a 'one size fits all' approach doens't work.

Including WebLeftBarsList is a good example of how it should be done. Something similar that does:

• Topics - (Detailed)
• Changes - Recent - (Detailed)
• Search — (Advanced)
• — by Categories
• Topics of interest
• Statistics

On my site I have enhanced these by use of ArthurClemens' icons and the %ICON{}% construct. You may want to try this out and consider a similar thing for the other boiler plate %INCLUDE%s

%WEBLIST{"   * <a href=\"%SCRIPTURL%/view%SCRIPTSUFFIX%/$name/%HOMETOPIC%\"> <span style=\"background-color: %$markerVAR{\"WEBBGCOLOR\" web=$qname}$marker%\"> %$markerICON{\"folder\"}$marker% <b> $name </b> </span></a> [[$name.WebRss][%$markerICON{"rss-feed"}$marker%]]" }% 

-- AntonAylward - 14 Jul 2005

while i agree that increased use of icons would be nice (see http://develop.twiki.org/~develop/cgi-bin/view/Bugs/), i happen to think the folder icons are rather ugly, and do a disservice as we move away from strict hierarchies.

as far as other improvements to WebLeftBar go, i'd like to add a TableOfContents, as i added to http://ntwiki.ethermage.net/~develop/cgi-bin/view/TestCases/

-- WillNorris - 15 Jul 2005

Its funny, the folder icon seelcted by the =%ICON{}% is ugly. However on my site I use the explicitly addressed ones at %PUBURL%/TWiki/TWikiDocGraphics/folder.gif and they look much better. Perhaps Arthur will do something about this (hint).

-- AntonAylward - 15 Jul 2005

I reckon this has been done to death. Marking as done.

-- CrawfordCurrie - 28 Aug 2005

More icons will come after other work has been finished.

-- ArthurClemens - 28 Aug 2005

Hi.. guys.. I have a problem with structure of the WebLeftBar on PatternSkin. I need to block the changes permission in the TWikiWeb Main maintaining the funcionality of WebLeftBar. Then.. I do (WebPreferences):

Set ALLOWWEBCHANGE = TWikiAdminGroup

Additionaly, I created a TWikiWeb "Leftbars" and I changed the search on WebLeftBarPersonalTemplate and WebLeftBarLogin for indicated web "Leftbars" (in true.. %LEFTBARSWEB% defined in TWikiPreferences). I setup the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = Main.AmadeuJunior on WebLeftBarPersonalTemplate.

I'd like to suggest this change to WebLeftBar .. Is it possible?

Thank's and sorry for some mistakes.

-- AmadeuJunior - 27 Jul 2006

Hmmm, five years down the line and it seems as though the WebLeftBarPersonalTemplate in TWiki web does not use the ALLOWTOPICCHANGE or even the ALLOWTOPICVIEW settings as a default which allows anyone to view / change a users (personalised) LeftBar. I am sure this is not what people expect from the development?

-- MatWitts - 2011-02-24

Thanks for the feedback Mat.

The bullets in WebLeftBarPersonalTemplate are now used for menu items in the "Account" pulldown menu below "My links".

TWiki is a wiki where almost all content can be changed by everybody who has access. Although possible to lock down the user profile pages and the personal link page I am not sure if this is needed or desired. I am concerned that it will send a wrong message if we ship the topic locked down to the user, but this is up to debate.

-- PeterThoeny - 2011-02-24