I've been working on custom views very heavily lately, and have been able to complete 75% of what I'm trying to do. I've managed to create a floating panel that has individual panels that load custom views. Each panel is setup to where I can load any module in those locations. I've loaded all the panels into the below image to illustrate the power of what can be done with jQuery and CSS. The panels are visible only one at a time and stays open until clicked outside the panel or closed. Data inside, such as links also work properly. I will eventually share with everyone how I did this, but time is short right now.

Now, to my question. I've managed to create a "my groups" list filtered by userid, "online friends" filtered by userid and online users. All is working properly in my panels. What I'm trying to do now is create a custom view for messages and notifications. I think I'm on the right track but need a little more help to get there, if it's even possible at this time. I just couldn't find any good template examples throughout the code to guide my way.

Will, Ben, anyone? I've attached my custom view for notifications in the below textfile. Any help on this from anyone is greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure if it will be possible to create a custom view with the messaging controls. I would start by trying something like this in your customview:



If the code above works, then create a new template file and go from there. Look at MessageInbox.ascx as a guide.

I got it to work with custom views. The new inbox count and new alert count works properly. Currently will only display messages and not notifications. And shows all messages which is fine, because I think new messages get pushed to the top of the list.

The only problem I have now is being able to filter on message type. I checked the DB and it seems this will be the only way to display notifications separate from regular messages. Looks like message types are from 0-5?  Zero being regular PM messages and all the others being notifications.

Can we record this as a feature to be added to a future release? filterbymessagetype="0,1,2,3,4,5" or messagetype="1,2,3"

Many Thanks! That put me on the right track.

Jeff,
This is amazing work. Any plan to or chance that you'll share some of this work.

Edit - just read that you're buried and short on time before you an share.  No worries...if I can help with a write up let me know.

Well done, Jeff!

Awesome Job, let us know when you have more time to share!

The only problem I have now is being able to filter on message type. I checked the DB and it seems this will be the only way to display notifications separate from regular messages. Looks like message types are from 0-5?  Zero being regular PM messages and all the others being notifications.

Can we record this as a feature to be added to a future release? filterbymessagetype="0,1,2,3,4,5" or messagetype="1,2,3"

Should I submit this request to the "feature requests & topics" forum?

On a side note, I have expanded on my previous custom views to include a login panel that opens with a custom view. In another month or so, I will have the time to share this with the community.

Yes, please submit a feature request.

Amazing work!

Just saw this thread - that looks incredible Jeff - hope you can share some tips soon!

Agree..just saw it as well...awesome!

At it again! Just added a custom view embedded in my skin this time. Couldn't quite get the AS Controls to behave in a module pane. This is just a simple account pane with quick links.

That looks great Jeff. I like the idea of putting it in the skin. Excellent work

Are you using the mini login / welcome center on your site at all? Are you allowing any testing on your site? It would be good to see how some of your custom views are working.

Cliff

Had some issues with parsing, so I had to take the code out of the skin and create a custom view after all. Was able to get it to work this time and still works the same as it did in the skin.

I'm using the welcomecenter code for part of my skin in the bottom panes for notifications and the user link. Custom views loaded into a module pane for messages, friends online, groups. Code from the mini login as a custom view for the login pane loaded into another module pane.

I'm securing the module panes and views with server code inside the skin, so they get properly displayed to guests and registered users. Also using some fancy jQuery to display the panes and gracefully degrades to links only. I do plan on sharing all this, just haven't had the needed time to get it out there. However, I've finally got my site in a dev environment online. Just not quite public yet. But I'm close!

The screenshots look fantastic ! Really look forward to the code share :)

Show off :)