Hello, I'm using Commons 3.2 with utility_links 7.x.3.1 and commons_origins theme, which i have branched into a subtheme.
I would like to be able to control where the links appear. Right now they always appear in the header, but I would like to be able to remove them if I desire.
How can I do this?

In the blocks listing there is the commons_utility_links block that I can position where I want, but it is always in addition to the links that are always always in the header.
Put another way, even when the utility_links block is shown as "disabled" in admin/structure/block, the links still always appear up in the header.

I'm not sure if this is related or not: when I do place the additional utility links block somewhere, it will display correctly, but oftentimes the links are actually not clickable. The html seems correct when I inspect the element, but they are not rendering as links that I can click. This issue seems to come and go.

thanks.

Comments

stupiddingo’s picture

stupiddingo commented

If you have access to your database you can manually change the region in your block table or disable the bid for the record where module="commons_utility_links" and delta="utility_links" and theme="commons_origins". It is most likely bid 3. The record with the same details but a delta of "commons_utility_links" (bid 108 typically) is the copy that appears under admin/structure/blocks in the UI.

WebSinPat’s picture

WebSinPat commented

@stupiddingo, thank you, that solution seems to work. (though i might say i think a more intuitive way to control the placement would be a good feature/documentation request)

Now I can remove the links from where I do not want them. But I am still having this issue with the commons_utility_links block:

when I do place the additional utility links block somewhere, it will display correctly, but oftentimes the links are actually not clickable. The html seems correct when I inspect the element, but they are not rendering as links that I can click. This issue seems to come and go.

is this related, or should I file it as a separate issue?
(So it means that I cant actually remove the unwanted links per my original post yet, because I cannot guarantee that the links which appear where i want them will actually function.)

thanks.

stupiddingo’s picture

stupiddingo commented
Project: Commons Utility Links » Drupal Commons
Version: 7.x-3.1 » 7.x-3.2

The behavior you describe suggests a css float or another element is overlapping the utility links. I can't say for certain, since I can't see your website. One way to check this is to right-click over the unclickable hyperlink and choose "Inspect Element" in Firefox or Chrome. It will typically show you what box is under your cursor and overlapping.

Custom theme implementations are difficult to troubleshoot remotely and if this behavior is not reproducible on a clean installation it really isn't a commons issue, but I'll try to help. Since they are correctly rendered as links when you view source some sort of css overlap is most likely to blame. You can try moving the utility links block to the footer region where overlap is unlikely to verify it is loading correctly. You also could use a browser extension like the firefox web developer toolbar to disable css and see if the behavior persists. You can then individually disable stylesheets to find the culprit. Troubleshooting css will be easier with css performance options disabled.

If this is reproducible on a clean install of Commons then it would be best placed in a separate issue in the main Commons Distribution Issue Queue. I just updated this issue to move it to the central queue as well.

WebSinPat’s picture

WebSinPat commented

@stupiddingo, aha yes it does seem to be a css overlap issue. i appreciate your help, and the extra tips for debugging future css issues as well. :) thanks.

stupiddingo’s picture

stupiddingo commented
Status: Active » Fixed
thyx-1’s picture

thyx-1 commented

Delete the record where module="commons_utility_links" and delta="utility_links" and theme="commons_origins" caused the overlap problem(css error). Remember to alter the delta of "commons_utility_links" (bid 108 or 208 etc) back to "utility_links",that will create the correct id for the utility links block(correspond with the css).

That's not the solution, we still cannot change the block with delta="utility_links". So maybe it's caused by module update (different delta in different version) or the module which support the commons_utility_links block.

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed -- issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.