Web design tools - CHAPTER 11 MODIFYING PHPBB 345 # #—–[
CHAPTER 11 MODIFYING PHPBB 345 # #—–[ SAVE/CLOSE ALL FILES ]—————————————– # # EoM While this example is a bit simplistic, it is fairly straightforward to follow, and it gives you a general idea of how the standard template operates. You fill in the appropriate header information (including your name and contact information, which is important). You then get started with the modification proper. Use the OPEN directive to instruct the user to open the file. Always make sure you provide a good reference point for the user to find when giving instructions. Do not use line numbers, as they are subject to serious change between versions of phpBB or due to other modifications. If the same line appears in the same place throughout the file, give a few surrounding lines for the user to find in addition to that line, but don t give the user too much to look for. Finding the right balance between brevity and context is important. At the end of the modification, make sure you instruct the user to save and close all files, as a good reminder. Be sure to have a look around the Web to see how others template their phpBB hacks, as they can also provide a good guide to how to do it. Now that you ve templated your hack instructions, it s time to start getting people to test your hack to make sure it s fit for release. Beta Testing Hacks When creating a hack designed for public consumption, letting the public test your hack and give feedback is a solid step toward releasing a robust modification. Many of the hacks-oriented sites on the Internet provide a forum for you to release your hacks for testing purposes and permit you to receive feedback. phpBB.com and phpBBHacks.comboth provide forums for testing hacks in development. Use these forums to your advantage, as they are there to help. You will get valuable insight on your work from seasoned phpBB hackers, who have been there and done that. Plus, you can offer advice to others as you learn. Again, you have this tight community available to assist you, so take advantage! Submitting Your Finished Work When you have retraced the steps for your hack in the template, packaged them into a file, tested it, revised it, and tested it again, feel free to submit it to the various hack sites. The official phpBB site is a little more stringent with their submission requirements; use its modification validator tool at http://www.phpbb.com/mods/to make sure your hack is up to snuff. Since you will have beta tested it extensively (I hope!), the hack should have no problem being accepted and used around the Internet. After submitting your work and getting it accepted, make sure you make yourself available for support. This helps your public image, and also helps you further perfect your work. The better you support and keep your hack maintained, the more likely it will be adopted. If you like phpBB hacking, feel free to create more modifications! Most hack authors have several different modifications to choose from, and they gain quite a bit of notoriety doing so (and who knows where that could lead?).
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