It would be nice improvement to Drupal user interface if -working snippets here
http://drupal.org/node/20630

with options of module , node and block integration on the front page with an interface
like;

insert -> module-> [pulldownmenu of modules]
insert -> node----> [pulldownmenu of nodes/numbers or short urls]
insert -> block-> [pulldownmenu of blocks]

taking a step further
introduction of columns -maybe with collimator.module integration?

row one |
column one | insert > module-> [pulldownmenu of modules]
----------------insert > node---> [pulldownmenu of nodes/numbers or short urls]
----------------insert > block-> [pulldownmenu of blocks]
column two | insert > module-> [pulldownmenu of modules]
----------------insert > node---> [pulldownmenu of nodes/numbers or short urls]
----------------insert > block-> [pulldownmenu of blocks]

row two |
column one | insert > module-> [pulldownmenu of modules]
----------------insert > node---> [pulldownmenu of nodes/numbers or short urls]
----------------insert > block-> [pulldownmenu of blocks]
column two | insert > module-> [pulldownmenu of modules]
----------------insert > node---> [pulldownmenu of nodes/numbers or short urls]
----------------insert > block-> [pulldownmenu of blocks]

etc.

I hope it makes sense and it is do-able...

Comments

nevets’s picture

nevets commented

I have layout module that will probably do what you want. You can read about it at http://drupal.org/node/18272.
Since that posting I have added the abity to layout sections vertically as well as horizontally. Also add was the ability to place a layout page in a node. If you are interested I can send you the latest copy.

Dublin Drupaller’s picture

Dublin Drupaller commented

Thanks for that Nevets...we're always looking for good ideas to improve the front_page.module...I think your idea is great, but, I think it would be better to do this online, rather than in the module...for a number of reasons:

(a) It will increase the size of the front_page.module with elements that the user may or may not use. Increasing the load time. The front_page.module is designed to be very lightweight and simple to use for newbies. Adding in the functionality you mentioned, I think, will increase its weight and make it more complicated to use...

(b) the php snippets are not restricted to the front_page.module, useful, but not unique to that. So it would make more sense to put energy and effort into creating an online "php snippet layout generator" rather than investing time & energy into just doing it for thr front_page.module.

Which means that the same energy and effort could be directed into generating a layout snippet thing that will work for ALL, regardless of module. And particularly useful for newbies who want to use php snippets in other areas of the site outside the main page.

(c) Some, more experienced, drupal users use php snippets for their front page instead of the module..so it would more sense to make the snippet layout thing available to those as well.

So, while I think you're idea is great...I'm not going to look at integrating it into the front_page.module at the moment...can I suggest you spend time creating an online function that allows users to specify php snippet layouts using something like this:

http://www.csscreator.com/version2/pagelayout.php

Where the equivalent generates the php snippet code that the user just pastes into their front_page.module settings page, a standard drupal page or whatever....

Hope that makes more sense.

Let me know how you get on.

Dub

Dublin Drupaller’s picture

Dublin Drupaller commented
Status: Active » Closed (won't fix)