Mobile-optimized forums for phpBB

phpBB is a popular open source web forums service designed for viewing on PC browsers.

subSilver_mobile is phpBB template that is optimized for PDAs and mobile phones. It is based on the “subSilver template”:http://www.phpbbhacks.com/download/890

I have stripped out images and non-essential elements from the subSilver template to better suit small screens, while retaining posting and other essential functionality. A small patch to functions.php ensures that this template is used for mobile devices rather than the default one.

This template is of course licensed under the GPL.

Installation

To install:

Download subSilver_mobile.zip
Unzip the zip file in your templates directory.
Apply the functions.diff patch to include/functions.php in your phpbb directory.

Version History

0.11 Uploaded corrected file (3-13-06)
0.1 Initial Version

24 Comments so far
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[…] If you’d like to create your own forums that work well on both PCs and mobile devices, the template is available for download. […]

[…] When you search for Seattle restaurants on Berry 411, a link is displayed to Berry Seattle Restaurant Picks, a search forum using a mobile optimized forum template for phpBB2. […]

Rather than adding a new theme, the zip file seems to replace the existing subSilver folder and doesn’t seem to make mention of “subSilver_mobile” anywhere in the file anywhere except the patch and the readme..

The patch refers to a “subSilver_mobile” theme - but I’m not sure how this would work if “mobile” is not mentioned anywhere in the included subSilver subfolder.

Additionally the themes in the subSilver subfolder seem to make hardcoded reference to the actual subSilver theme (if one was to suggest just renaming the folder).

Am I missing something, or has the wrong zip file been uploaded - not a dig, we need more themes like this - I’m just not sure I got the right files.

$ grep -rliI mobile *
README
functions.diff
$ grep -rIc “/subSilver/” * | grep -v “:0$”
subSilver/admin/index_navigate.tpl:1
subSilver/admin/index_body.tpl:1
subSilver/admin/page_header.tpl:5
subSilver/admin/forum_admin_body.tpl:1
subSilver/posting_preview.tpl:2
subSilver/index_body.tpl:4
subSilver/posting_topic_review.tpl:1
subSilver/privmsgs_body.tpl:1
subSilver/viewonline_body.tpl:1
subSilver/simple_header.tpl:5
subSilver/viewtopic_poll_result.tpl:2
subSilver/overall_header.tpl:8
subSilver/modcp_split.tpl:2
subSilver/faq_body.tpl:1
subSilver/viewtopic_body.tpl:1
subSilver/search_results_posts.tpl:1

Regards,
ADFH AU

Thank you very much for your note. I have replaced the zip file with the correct version– as you guessed I uploaded the wrong file.

[…] See the Project Page for more info. […]

This seems to be throwing up an error when I try to open a thread:

Template->make_filename(): Error - file viewtopic_quickreply.tpl does not exist

I do have a Quick Reply mod on my forum, I guess this is the problem ?

disregard my above post .. :P

In case someone cannot understand the patch instructions:
#
#—–[ OPEN ]————————————————
#
includes/functions.php
#
#—–[ FIND ]————————————————
#
# approx line 442
#
$template_path = ‘templates/’ ;
$template_name = $row[’template_name’] ;
#
#—–[ AFTER, ADD ]——————————————
#
// subSilver_mobile patch will cause this template
// to be applied automatically to mobile devices.
$user_agent = $_SERVER[’HTTP_USER_AGENT’];
$is_mobile = preg_match(’/(up-browser)|(blackberry)|(windows ce)|symbian|palm|nokia/i’, $user_agent);
if ($is_mobile) {
$template_name = “subSilver_mobile”;
}
// end subSilver_mobile patch

My forum is new and will be getting going soon. I am interested in having it work on mobile devices but wondered if it is possible to have a seperate version of the phpbb site pointing at the same SQL database so that you have one “nice” looking bb and a stripped down version? If this is what this download does already forgive me.

This feature would mainly be for my own benefit so I could keep tabs on the board while out and about.

I have just installed it on my forum and it’s very cool and such a simple ideea.

I recommend this to anyone that’s looking for a phpbb MOBILE MOD !

Thanks again Phil !

Hi Phil,

I was scouting the net for a phpbb mobile template and here I am, 2 months after Mike’s posting. I got your template working but I am guessing it doesn’t connect to the css stylesheet. For I can only see standard style characteristics like a white background, black colored fonts and underscored blue links that turn purple when you visit them. Is this what everybody’s seeing or am I doing something wrong here?

greetings,

from the Netherlands

Rozjee

does it work on psp?

Please i wish all explications on sub silver mobile because i don’t understand the patch???

Many thanks. Have modded it about a bit to suit my own needs (hope you don’t mind) as I wanted the pm’s to work etc and also added navigation links in the viewtopic.tpl and viewforum.tpl and other minor changes. The template switch works perfectly.
Excellent work.

PsiDOC

tried installing on my site, but it makes the forum inaccessible as soon as i load the patched version of the functions.php file. i just get blank browser with no errors.

nice thank you very much, ive been looking for something like this for forever

good job*thumbs up*

You can add ipod|iphone to the end of the detection line to pick them up.

has anyone tried this on phpbb3 yet….

Please tell me does it work in phpbb3 or not?? and please tell me what changes should be made in functions.php file to make it work… i dont know about patching.. if you refer me to good patching tutorial, i ll be thankful.

I would also love to know a) if this works on PHPBB 3 and b) how do I apply a .diff file?

Any update on whether this has been adapted for phpBB3? If anyone can design a Mobile theme for my website, please lmk at admin (at) forumosa . com

Hi, i’m trying to install this patch, but when i open the functions.php, i dont see that $template_path = ‘templates/’ ;
$template_name = $row[’template_name’] ;

Note: This mobiles template is compatible with the phpBB3 version.

If it is compatible please help me and tell me where i must add the patch code

Regards David

Hi there if your struggling to get this code working you only have to make a few changes.

$is_mobile = preg_match(”/(up-browser)|(blackberry)|(windows ce)|symbian|palm|nokia|ipod|iphone|sonyericsson/i”, $user_agent);
if ($is_mobile) {
$template_name = ’subSilver_mobile’;
}

remove ‘ from the preg_match and replace with ” and remove ” from template name and replace with ‘

all working fine :) great template and great code.

Where do you apply the .diff changes in functions.php in 3.0.6? I can’t find the this code in my functions.php -

$template_path = ‘templates/’ ;
$template_name = $row[’template_name’] ;

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