WP Side Bar Hacking Problem

[mtskys]

Hello All: I am trying to take advantage of the "Blog Trade" plugin for WP and am having trouble (as usual). I followed all the steps put forth by the Wankmaster in the readme, everything seems set inside of WordPress. I then went to Presentation, Theme Editor, and then selected sidebar.php. I insterted the following code (just picked a spot, as I am clueless of where it should actually go).

<li>
<?php _e('<h2>Toplist</h2>'); ?>
<ul>
<?php
function blogtrade_output($url,$name,$count) {
echo '<li><a href="' . $url . '"' . 'target="_blank"' . '>' . $name . '</a></li>';
}
blogtrade_show();
?>
</ul>
</li>

When I go to my site it does not show up. I am wondering though, when I scroll through the sidebar file, even though it is way above my head at the moment, the code seems to be what the default sidebar that came with the template. Since I started rearranging it with widgets and where I want things, those items are not listed in this file, so I am wondering if there is another side bar file that is my customized settings? Thanks for any insight.

[odysseus]

Depending on your theme, there may well be more than 1 sidebar file. Also, if you are editing from WP Admin --> Presentation --> Theme editor, you will need to make sure that the files you are trying to edit are writable. If you have a host with 1 click install, then they probably already are. However, if you installed WP yourself, then you may have to adjust the file permissions in order to edit using the Theme Editor. When you open the Theme Editor, look to the bottom of the page. If you see "If this file were writable, you'd be able to edit this." or something to that effect, then it's a permissions problem. If you don't see that, then it's something else.

[mtskys]

Thank you. I did check to make sure I have the permsissions to edit the file this way and that seems to be good (as I have seen that message you mentioned above on another blog I had permission issues with). It does save the changes.

I looked in the folder and subfolders to see if I could find another sidebar.php file and do not (unless it is located somewhere else and I didn't find it yet). I notice that the sidebar.php file is dated the same date that I installed word press, not the date that I edited the file (although my changes are saved if I reopen the file). Also, when I edit the sidebar file - I see like Calendar stuff (which is in the default view with the Theme before I moved Calendar out and put down in the unused section of widgets). So, I am guessing it is another file, but it seems to be a mystery of what it is or where it is. Thanks for any insight.

[mtskys]

Originally posted by mtskys
Thank you. I did check to make sure I have the permsissions to edit the file this way and that seems to be good (as I have seen that message you mentioned above on another blog I had permission issues with). It does save the changes.

I looked in the folder and subfolders to see if I could find another sidebar.php file and do not (unless it is located somewhere else and I didn't find it yet). I notice that the sidebar.php file is dated the same date that I installed word press, not the date that I edited the file (although my changes are saved if I reopen the file). Also, when I edit the sidebar file - I see like Calendar stuff (which is in the default view with the Theme before I moved Calendar out and put down in the unused section of widgets). So, I am guessing it is another file, but it seems to be a mystery of what it is or where it is. Thanks for any insight.

Correction on that the date is the same as when I installed the theme. The date does reflect that sidebar.php was modified on 7/26/07, which is when I inserted the code. I only see one sidebar.php in that folder, so again, I am sure there is another portion of all the custom widgets I have inserted and where I probably need to add this blog trade code.... but where? Thanks

[odysseus]

Which theme are you using? Do you know the link to download the theme?

[mtskys]

Originally posted by odysseus
Which theme are you using? Do you know the link to download the theme?

Yes - the theme is Finishing Touch and I believe I found it on the WP site, but I found it on another site that "looks" the same - not sure if I should dig up the actual original source for you? But I found it listed on http://www.theme-time.com/ - Thanks Odysseus.

[odysseus]

Ok, I found it. I'll take a closer look at it tomorrow and see if I can help you out at all. At a quick glance, both the left and right sidebars are in that sidebar.php file. I don't know much about the widget thing, so I don't know if that's causing you any problems or not.

[theviking]

Most of the time, if you are using widgets, the static changes you make in the file won't show up. Turn off the widgets and you will be fine.

[mtskys]

Originally posted by theviking
Most of the time, if you are using widgets, the static changes you make in the file won't show up. Turn off the widgets and you will be fine.

If I do this, won't I lose the current setup of sidebars that I have customized? I have used text boxes and the like for link lists, banners, etc, would that change then default it back to the authors original sidebar layout (which was unusable), thus losing what I have customized?

Or are you saying you can turn the widgets off - (which, I am not sure where or how to do this) - then make the coding change in the file, and turn widgets back on to restore my current configuration? Thanks

[theviking]

Originally posted by mtskys
If I do this, won't I lose the current setup of sidebars that I have customized?

I have never used widgets, but i suppose you won't loose any custommade widgets by just comment out the widgets in the sidebar file.

However, you can not use both widgets and the static content in the sidebar file (i think).

Why not just leave the widgets, and put the hardlinktrade in the footer file?
It is mainly for PR purposes anyway, right?

[porn punk]

You can use widgets on the sidebars you want and it won't affect the sidebars you aren't using them on and you can still hack your other sidebar with the toplist code.

This goes for that particular toplist code as I'm doing that now. Not sure about other types of hacks

[porn punk]

Originally posted by theviking
I have never used widgets, but i suppose you won't loose any custommade widgets by just comment out the widgets in the sidebar file.

However, you can not use both widgets and the static content in the sidebar file (i think).

Why not just leave the widgets, and put the hardlinktrade in the footer file?
It is mainly for PR purposes anyway, right?

Just started using widgets a couple days ago myself, but thought I'd give you the heads up. I've started using wp 2.2 and the widgets are only built into certain templates unless you want to install, and I started using them for a backlinks plug in so I can't give you too much info about them, but they don't seem to affect too much physically.

Not sure yet how they'll affect seo

[odysseus]

Just quickly reading about widgets, it seems that making "text widgets" is really easy. There is a plugin that works kind of like text widgets, but allows for execution of PHP code in it. I think that if you use this plugin, put the blogtrade code in it, then you should be able to move it all around just like a text widget and have it show on your side bar no problems.

Here is the plugin, take a look at it and see if it seems like it might help.
http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2006/04...-with-widgets/
Look for the ExecPHP plugin.

[mtskys]

Originally posted by theviking
I have never used widgets, but i suppose you won't loose any custommade widgets by just comment out the widgets in the sidebar file.

However, you can not use both widgets and the static content in the sidebar file (i think).

Why not just leave the widgets, and put the hardlinktrade in the footer file?
It is mainly for PR purposes anyway, right?

Thanks Viking - When I tried this - I edited the footer.php file which contained:

<?PHP

// Do you want to remove the footer links in Finishing Touch
// Please purchase a branding free license
// Over at http://www.theme-time.com/26/

?>

When I added the code earlier in the post, it did not show in the footer, still just shows copyright info, etc. So I think it is "locked down"? So, I think I am still stuck without going through them with a branding license (which I don't know about yet)? I appreciate your input. Thanks

[mtskys]

Originally posted by odysseus
Just quickly reading about widgets, it seems that making "text widgets" is really easy. There is a plugin that works kind of like text widgets, but allows for execution of PHP code in it. I think that if you use this plugin, put the blogtrade code in it, then you should be able to move it all around just like a text widget and have it show on your side bar no problems.

Here is the plugin, take a look at it and see if it seems like it might help.
http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2006/04...-with-widgets/
Look for the ExecPHP plugin.

Thank you Odysseus - I will give that a try as if you see my earlier post, I think I am kind of locked up with this particular template. I will give it a shot - thanks very much for your help - I will post the results once I have given it a shot. Thanks again.

[mynameisjim]

The branding license is just what he does so people buy the template.

I use the "mind break" template from the same guy. I paid the $10 and he sends you a zip without the extra links. You can remove them yourself, but at least pay the $10 first if you can afford it.

For long term, I would say pay the $10 and remove the links. Having those random outbound links for home decor or whatever it is looks weird on a porn blog. Plus it might hurt your SEO.

[mtskys]

Originally posted by mynameisjim
The branding license is just what he does so people buy the template.

I use the "mind break" template from the same guy. I paid the $10 and he sends you a zip without the extra links. You can remove them yourself, but at least pay the $10 first if you can afford it.

For long term, I would say pay the $10 and remove the links. Having those random outbound links for home decor or whatever it is looks weird on a porn blog. Plus it might hurt your SEO.

Thanks Jim - I am not quite sure if I know what links you mean as if I change the widgets to a custom side bar, his links go away, but I think you are saying they are still somewhere in the template? Maybe I will just pay the $10 - I will try Odysseus's suggestion as well - but maybe look at the purchase of it, I didn't know how much it was (or if you have to pay that for each site you actually use it on). I will look into it. Thanks.

[mtskys]

Originally posted by odysseus
Just quickly reading about widgets, it seems that making "text widgets" is really easy. There is a plugin that works kind of like text widgets, but allows for execution of PHP code in it. I think that if you use this plugin, put the blogtrade code in it, then you should be able to move it all around just like a text widget and have it show on your side bar no problems.

Here is the plugin, take a look at it and see if it seems like it might help.
http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2006/04...-with-widgets/
Look for the ExecPHP plugin.

This did it!! It gives you up to 9 text boxes that you can plug in PHP code - I plugged in the code I had posted above and now it lists the Top List on my page! Thanks all for your input - Odysseus - great widget you have found here I think! Thanks man!

[odysseus]

Glad it worked for you. BTW, got your email.