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Hyperion Custom Modules

Learn all about the exciting new RocketTheme exclusive modules that are included in the Hyperion template release. Here you can find instructions for installation and configuration for each of the custom modules.

General Module Setup

Step One: Installing the Module

Step Two: Publishing the Module

Recent Videos

Recent Videos is a video script which uses the power of flash to present its content. To setup Recent Videos, follow the instructions below

The first step is to create a custom module. To do this, navigate to Admin > Modules > Site Modules > New. This will take you to the Custom Module setup page. Fill out the normal parameters such as Title, Show Title, Menu Items, Position etc... On the demo, we are using the Advert1 position.

The next step is to add the custom script code into the Custom Output box which is as follows. Note the path where the scripts and file are being loaded from.

<script type="text/javascript" src="templates/rt_hyperion_j15/js/swfobject.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
window.addEvent('domready', function() {
var flashVars = {
titlesColor: '0x' + $$('a')[0].getStyle('color').substr(1)
};
var flashParams = {
wmode: 'transparent',
base: 'templates/rt_hyperion_j15/flash'
};
var rnd = $time() + $random(0, 10000);
swfobject.embedSWF("templates/rt_hyperion_j15/flash/hype_vid.swf?cache=" + rnd, "recent-videos-object", "635", "310", "9.0.0", "templates/rt_hyperion_j15/js/expressInstall.swf", flashVars, flashParams);
});
</script>
<div id="recent-videos">
<div id="recent-videos-object">
<h1></h1>
<p><a href="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"><img style="margin-top: 1em;" src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash player" /></a></p>
</div>
</div>

The final stage is to add your own content to Recent Videos. This is done via a XML file in the directory where the flash is placed, in the case of the demo, /templates/rt_hyperion_j15/flash and the file's name is video.xml.

<content>
<!-- Item 1 -->
<item>
<!-- title of the video item -->
<title>Realguys-RunFatboyRun</title>
<!-- description of the video item -->
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<!-- location of the custom video image relative to the base flash directory-->
<path>thumbs/image1.jpg</path>
<!-- location of the video fie -->
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Realguys-RunFatboyRun385.flv</data>
</item>
</content>

The contents of the file will mimic the snippet above, see snippet comments for details on what each element does. Simply copy the <ITEM> areas to add more videos. Below is the snippet from the demo to give you an example.

<content>
<item>
<title>Realguys-RunFatboyRun</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image1.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Realguys-RunFatboyRun385.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>Thomas Lennon Interview</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image2.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Mahalodaily-MD127Reno911ThomasLennonInterview458.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>60 Frames-Car Bangers</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image3.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/60Frames-CarBangers537.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>Moblogic-Georgia Covers The Death Penalty</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image4.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Moblogic-GeorgiaCoversTheDeathPenalty463.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>Realguys-RunFatboyRun</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image1.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Realguys-RunFatboyRun385.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>Thomas Lennon Interview</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image2.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Mahalodaily-MD127Reno911ThomasLennonInterview458.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>60 Frames-Car Bangers</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image3.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/60Frames-CarBangers537.flv</data>
</item>
<item>
<title>Moblogic-Georgia Covers The Death Penalty</title>
<description>We began with the belief that people are good.</description>
<path>thumbs/image4.jpg</path>
<data>http://blip.tv/file/get/Moblogic-GeorgiaCoversTheDeathPenalty463.flv</data>
</item>
</content>

Convert video files to FLV format

To convert video files to FLV format you will need a conversion application, usually referred to as a converter or encoder. Converters are fairly straightforward to use — you simply import a file, choose a preset (and customize the settings if required), then export as FLV. Good converters have additional features such as batch processing options.

There are many converter/encoders available — some free, some cheap, some expensive. If you do a search for "FLV converter" or "FLV encoder" you'll find plenty of options. Three of the most commonly-used converters are listed below.

  1. Macromedia Flash - The official Flash authoring program comes bundled with a utility called Flash 8 Video Encoder. Flash itself is very powerful (and correspondingly expensive) but the encoder doesn't actually produce the best quality FLV files. If you already own Flash, this is a good way to begin making FLV files but if you want the best possible quality you should try other options.
  2. Flix - Flix is a collection of encoders by On2 Technologies, the company which makes the VP6 codec used in Flash 8. There are various options including low-budget versions.
  3. Sorenson Squeeze - A powerful and versatile conversion application.

Other Solutions

Another way to do this is to use a third party service to host and stream your video files. Some of these third party services are "You Tube"and "Blip Tv and there are many others. Your third party service will need to use the FLV format for there videos. The advantage of using a third party service like these is that they provide you with admin and usually convert the videos to the flv format. All you need to do is get the path from them.

 

RokIntroScroller - Module

RokIntroScroller is a mootools based module that scrolls your articles in a horizontal manner. The module works by loading articles from designated categories/sections inside the styled, javascript effect.

We will take a quick look at the parameters you will find when you install this module.
  1. Title: Show
  2. Position: We recommend the advert1 position.
  3. Access level: Public
  4. Published: Yes
  5. Module Class Suffix: -scroller
  6. Show Scroller Title: No
  7. Link Scroller Title: No
  8. Enable Cache: No
  9. Module Mode: You have a choice of what type of content to choose from.
  10. Frontpage items: Show or Hide
  11. Count: Enter how many items you would like to show in the RokIntroScroller.
  12. Category: Choose which Category to pull your stories from.
  13. Section: Choose which Section to pull your stories from.
  14. Click Title: You have the option to have the effect start when you mouseover the title or when you click on the title.
  15. Include Mootools library: Set to no, unless using this module with a template that does not include mootools javascript.
  16. Show Read More: Show Read More text allowing your users to be taken to the full article.
  17. Read More Label: Enter any text such as Read On, or Learn More.
  18. Transition Duration: This is the time it takes to fade to the next article on mouseover or when the title is clicked.
  19. Preview Length: This is the time your article will display for.

Signal Login Module

This month, we have implemented a login module created by RT and Mod Squad member Chris S. We thank Chris and appreciate the effort he put into this module. The Signal Login module is installed using the procedure explained above. Once installed, we recommend publishing it to the top template position. The default options are fine as the module is styled from within the template.

RokContentRotator

RokContentRotator is a mootools based module that is used to display your articles in a sleek fading fashion. To set up RokContentRotator, follow the install instructions above.

We will take a quick look at the parameters you will find when you install this module.
  1. Title: Hide
  2. Position: We recommend the header position.
  3. Access level: Public
  4. Published: Yes
  5. Module Class Suffix and Cache: Most will leave empty by default.
  6. Module Mode: You have a choice of what type of content to choose from.
  7. Frontpage items: Show or Hide
  8. Count: Enter how many items you would like to show in the RokContentRotator.
  9. Category: Choose which Category to pull your stories from.
  10. Section: Choose which Section to pull your stories from.
  11. Click Title: You have the option to have the effect start when you mouseover the title or when you click on the title.
  12. Include Mootools library: Set to no, unless using this module with a template that does not include mootools javascript.
  13. Show Read More: Show Read More text allowing your users to be taken to the full article.
  14. Read More Label: Enter any text such as Read On, or Learn More.
  15. Transition Duration: This is the time it takes to fade to the next article on mouseover or when the title is clicked.
  16. Preview Length: This is the time your article will display for.