Call me A skeptic but...

[hey]

Call me A skeptic but all the sites I have seen with this Portal script seem to have the same look .


Is there anyway that they were not able to customize the script without possibly breaking it due to no flexibility of the code or they just did not have the time to?


Not that I have anything against the Script Persey but I will surely not invest in anything that I can not possibly alter to suite my needs and that includes been able to create modifications myself without breaking the core files.


So here comes my question which,

1. Is this script customizable and modifiable without breaking it

2. Will some one show me a real world example of a modified version on it ie. Templates, Mods etc... and I don't mean any of the three(3) templates that already come with the script



Waiting for a response from anyone

Thankx

[nordal]

I think the most customized example right now is kankakeecounty.com, but obviously you still see the elements from the template. To my knowledge there are no 100% modified templates yet.
The reason for this? Since this is not an old script I think users have spent more time setting up their sites and promoting them than messing with the templates. This is starting now though I can see.

As for changing the script there are two aspects; changing the code (php) which is possible on some pages, but others are encoded for a number of reasons. So, you will not get an open source script that you can modify as you want. The other aspect is the templates which are based on HTML and CSS and are 100% open. This means you can edit them yourself, hire a designer or get a quote from our designers. Currently the price for a new unique template runs in a few hundred dollars so there are several options for getting a 100% unique site.

Included in the next script update there will also be included more templates.

[hey]

First of al I like to Than you for your response

So here is what I want you to clarify

1. Are you intend saying that there can be a full template modification without any performance effect to your code?

2.Giving these encryption that you mentioned is it at all possible for a costumer of your script to modify or rather add some php code either to change certain behaviors in the script so as to enhance or enrich a users experience on the site.

And will it function in you honest opinion.

[nordal]

So let me clarify:

1. Yes, the templates are html and css and can be fully modified or remade. There are some variables that the php uses, e.g. %%weather_widget%% which decides where the widget goes. These can be replaced but should not be removed, unless you want to get rid of the module of course.

2. We try to keep a minimal of the files encrypted, so that users can edit some things if they want, also php functionalities. The files that are unlikely to be edited, are encrypted, so it depends on how big your changes are. Unless we're talking major script rewriting I would think the current level of open files should be enough for most people. If someone needs a few more files to be opened for special reasons/cases, there is a good change we're helpful with that.

Hope this clarifies it more.

[JamesDavid]

I hope you dont mind me chipping in as an end user. I think the easiest way to find out if your "changes" are possible is to tell us what changes/upgrades you are trying to do. I am no expert but I have worked with this code.

Frankly the layout and colors fit my site just fine but I have changed them in the past just to see what I can do.

The files allow you to add Javascript, HTML, PHP code etc. I woudl compare it to a CMS (Content Management System) of sorts. There is the basic structure and while the basic strucutre itself cannot be changed the layouts/themes can be, as well as "modules" and code added to the site...

Hope it helps from another perspective.

[hey]

Looking to get a major project under way soon and I have been looking at scripts to use as the base as u can tell a portal will grow if it is worked. Then there comes the issue of growth meaning u will have to add on more functionality sooner or later.

So I just wanted to make sure there will not be a hindrance ie. if there is no flexibility in any script I wanted to find out before I found myself say with 50000+ users on a script I can not scale, modify or remodulate

Thats all.

I think I have my answers now and its on my top 5 so far

Your templates reminds anyone of yahoo's home page and every body I know loves yahoos homepage so there u go:D

Good Job. keep it up

I will be keeping up with your forum posts

[targetdirect]

This solution is also in my top five. I currently have a turnkey type solution for my city portal but I want something better, more web 2.0 looking, etc.

Can the real estate module be turned off with this portal? Every one I've seen has the real estate block right up on page one above the fold and my town has way too many real estate sites as is!

Thanks

[nordal]

The real estate section can be removed yes. It is done in the template files, basically it's about removing the link in the menu, and substituting the content of the box with something else that you want. You will find suggestions and ideas to alternative modules or "boxes" in the forum and how to add them.
If you are unhappy with the design/templates they can be either redesigned through HTML/CSS by you or we can quote you pricing for a new and unique design.