Set tags?

[Diaaabo]

I have no clue how hard or easy this might be to implement. It would consist of a tag applied to a set number that would lead to Brickset or even Bricklink, so that it would be easier to identify. On my LUG's forum we have that tool and it's quite useful, if you highlight the tagged text it shows a thumbnail image of the set conform it appears in BS. We also have that function for individual parts listed on BrickLink and Peeron.

What does the admin say about it? Would it be too hard to get here?

[Master Fetty]

Is that for when people post just the set number and expect people to know straight away what they're on about? Because something like that would be really useful.

[Solo]

That sounds really cool, do you know if your LUG forum uses phpBB?

[Gingerbeard Man]

Disclaimer: This is based on five minutes googling by a software engineer who has never actively used or configured phpBB himself...

Based on this article a simplistic version that links to the BrickLink site should be quite straightforward via Add a new BBCode on the admin panel:

BBCode usage

Code: Select all

[bricklink]{NUMBER}[/bricklink]

HTML replacement

Code: Select all

<a href=http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S={NUMBER}-1>{NUMBER}</a>

Having a thumbnail pop up is a little more tricky. I can think of various ways to do this in pure HTML + Javascript, but I have no idea how phpBB might interact with that. Maybe install something like Lightbox?

[Diaaabo]

Is that for when people post just the set number and expect people to know straight away what they're on about? Because something like that would be really useful.

Yes, that's the idea, it helps a lot if you are new into Lego or just don't know which set we are talking about.

That sounds really cool, do you know if your LUG forum uses phpBB?

I already sent a message to one of the admins, I'll let you know as soon as possible. But I think it works like Gingerbeard Man wrote on his post.

[possum]

+1 to this idea!

[Draykov]

Who would be in charge of creating these tags? Would they be user or staff generated? I'm wondering what might happen when someone happens to type in a 4 to 6 digit number that was not intended to be a set number.

[Gingerbeard Man]

As it stands my suggestion implies that the user (author) must explicitly add a [bricklink] tag around the number. It's basically just shorthand for the BrickLink set link. As you say, generating the links automatically could backfire. I wonder how difficult it would be to add an option that turns the feature on or off, e.g. like the smilies or automatic URL parsing?

@Diaaabo: Your LUG forum is Comunidade 0937 ? In that case the forum software is SMF, which is different from the phpBB used here.

Do you have an example of a message on the forum which shows a thumbnail? (Or does this only work for users who are logged in?) I found this message, which has a link to Brickset for set 6243 but I don't see a thumbnail anywhere.

[Diaaabo]

Yes, it is Comunidade 0937 and I also had their answer that the code is different. Right now our forum is going under some maintenance so the thumbnails are disabled. In case you typed a wrong set number it would just show you an empty page on Brickset. As for the functions of the tag, you just said it all, no work for the staff.

[dWhisper]

Fancy...

4502

[Robzula]

Now that's just awesome. Thanks for the idea Diaabo, thanks for implementing it staff guys.

[The Brain]

Wait, has the ability to do this gone to all the forum members yet? I don't quite see where/how to do it...

[Robzula]

Type [bricklink] then the four number code then [/bricklink]

4477

Is there anyway to get these to open in a new tab\window like any other links do?

[dWhisper]

I wonder if the same logic works here... 4502

[dWhisper]

Is there anyway to get these to open in a new tab\window like any other links do?

Nope, no way, absolutely not...

okay, maybe

[The Brain]

Type [bricklink] then the four number code then [/blicklink]

4477

Gotcha. Probably should've tried that first, haha, I just didn't see a button like there are for all of the other url/img options.

Is there anyway to get these to open in a new tab\window like any other links do?

I also had this question/suggestion. It's a very minor and ultimately unnecessary one, but it's a handy thing to have separate windows/tabs open versus going back to the previous page. Still, the fact that this improvement was completed is totally schweet, and it's going to save me a heck of a lot of trouble Googling set numbers from now on. Thanks admins, and thanks Diaaabo for suggesting it.

[meeotch]

You could always use the right click / ctrl + click plus "open in new tab" or equivalent command method.

[Diaaabo]

Glad you liked it, I think it's really helpful since I doubt anyone can memorize every set number existing. Thanks to the staff for putting it up

Just testing with 5 digits: [bricklink]10195[/blicklink]

EDIT: Oops... it doesn't seem to work for 5 digit sets. Is it possible to correct? Also, is it possible to add the tag to the Img/URL/etc buttons?

[The Brain]

You typed in "blicklink" for the second one.

10195

See? It does actually work.

[meeotch]

To be fair to him, it looks like he copied Robzula's tags. I couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny with that originally or not.