JenSocial: Social Web Directory and Ning Tips

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Floating Images and Links, on All Pages

SEE CRITICAL UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF THIS TIP, BEFORE YOU USE THIS ON NING.

You need to know how to upload an image, and copy/paste the image path (URL) to the example code provided below.

Have you ever wanted to add an image in a location (maybe upper right, bottom right, or lower left) on your Ning Network, that can't be added via Text Boxes - - or within the designated column space?

If you look on JenSocial in the bottom right corner - - you will see an image that appears to be floating outside of the main part of the Ning site. This is what I call a floating image. Although technically it's not floating. It is positioned on the page using the CSS element for a fixed position, with the top and right values for the element: position. The element values: top, right, bottom, left, enable you to instruct the CSS how far from each value you want to place your image. The image on JenSocial usually has a link. You can add a link to your image (clickable image), or not. That's up to you.

Example #1 - Code with Link - Location Bottom Right:

<a target='_blank' href='http://yourlink.com' text='About your link'><img src='yourimagepath.jpg' alt='About your image' style='position: fixed; bottom: 25px; right: 10px;'></a>

Example #2 - Code without Link - Location Top Right:

<img src='yourimagepath.jpg' alt='About your image' style='position: fixed; top: 10px; right: 10px;'>

Look at the code above (example with a link). Find the parameter for position. This is where you want to focus.
The position: fixed means:
An element with fixed position is positioned relative to the browser window. It will not move even if the window is scrolled.

The parameter for bottom: 25px; -- instructs your CSS to place this image 25 pixels from the bottom of your active window.

The parameter for right: 10px; -- instructs your CSS to place this image 10 pixels from the right of your active window.

Instructions:

Edit the code above. Be sure to add your link, or remove the <a></a> tag. See 2nd example "Code without Link".
Add your image path. You can upload your image via a Ning blog, or use the File Manager. Either way, copy/paste the image code where you see <img src='yourimagepath.jpg'...
Edit the position. If you want your image to float in top right portion of screen, change bottom to top, and adjust your pixels appropriately.
When you have finished editing the code, add it to your Custom Code Box, via: My Network/Tools/Custom Code and SAVE.

Notice: Position will be different, for each screen resolution. If you make the browser window smaller (not minimized), just drag the bottom right corner to make it smaller - - you will see how the floating image will be repositioned to the right. With the standard resolution being around 1024 by 768 - - this shouldn't be an issue. And, the higher the resolution, it won't matter at all. Just be aware of this. You do not want to cover up important content on smaller screen resolutions. However, with the fixed position, the image can always be scrolled past, up or down.

Hi Everyone! CRITICAL UPDATE!

It was graciously brought to my attention this morning, here (thank you Ayla!) that the floating images on JenSocial were covering up important platform buttons under: Settings/Profile/Change Password

I had no clue this was happening. I have tried to figure out why, and how to fix this. It appears that Ning is using a frame within the change password page, probably calling a secure server location. By using the frame, it is positioning floating or "fixed position" images within the frame, as if the frame is the entire window. This is NOT a GOOD user experience to say the least. PLEASE MAKE SURE you are not doing this on your site. I have tried to assign classes to my floating images, and remove the images from that page only, with CSS. For some reason, it will not work. It could be because the CSS can't be invoked on that special page. :(

I will continue to try and find a solution, probably with javascript. But please make sure this isn't happening on your Network.

On JenSocial, I removed the bottom right floating cloud (image below). I did not remove the VIP button because it's not preventing an action. But, it's unattractive on this special password page, and unnecessary.

Please let me know if you see this happening anywhere else on JenSocial. And, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you Ayla for your gracious way of reporting this serious issue "a little storm", LOL

Best Regards,

Jen

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Romanian Society For Preventing Cruelty To Animals on November 11, 2009 at 7:16am

This it's so cool!!!! Thx 4 sharing! I will definitely use it!

Permalink Reply by Lameez Francis Bailey on March 24, 2010 at 5:54am

Hi there I've attempted to add this feature to our Ning but something has gone terribly wrong!!! I copied the code you gave above and then thought I was entering the path of my image I wanted to have floating. Anyway, this is what I've entered into the CSS:

Now all my main tabs are invisible unless I am using that specific application. And I've also noticed that certain lines are no longer visible - like the lines that separate the videos, music, text boxes on my home page. Could you PLEASE!!!! assist with this? Much appreciated Lameez

Permalink Reply by JenSocial on March 24, 2010 at 9:20am

You will notice in the instructions, you enter this code in the Analytics Box. Did you add to the Advanced CSS?

Permalink Reply by Bill Vasko on July 27, 2010 at 11:06am

Got this working on my site--love it! Wondering if it is possible to have one floating image on the main page, and a completely different one on all other pages. My thought--main page will have a sign up today image, and all other pages will have an image that points to the chat room, because none of my members can find it....

Permalink Reply by Bill Vasko on July 27, 2010 at 11:07am

I also think this is a great way to add advertising!!

Permalink Reply by GirlRiders on October 16, 2010 at 11:36am

JEN!! I love this it looks great on my network! Please take a peak... (remains stationary bottom right) http://girlriders.ning.com/ Very proud :)

But...My alt text isn't working :( Any thoughts?

Permalink Reply by GirlRiders on October 19, 2010 at 6:13pm

Fixed my "alt" text... Learned the difference between alt and title text, then needed to move the title text to after the image instead of the link to get it to work.

Permalink Reply by Writer Chick on January 8, 2011 at 3:38pm

I'd like to try this, but I wondered what size I should make the image if I want it to look like yours?

Permalink Reply by JenSocial on January 9, 2011 at 11:33am

Writer Chick,

Just so you know, in FireFox you can right-click and click on View Image Info. to find out image dimensions. In IE I think it's right-click, properties.

The exact dimensions of the image I'm using are:

110px width × 306px height

72 resolution

Hope that helps,

Jen

Permalink Reply by Writer Chick on January 9, 2011 at 4:24pm

Geez...senior citizen brain cramp! Of course I knew that. LOL But it got lost along the line somewhere.

thanks Jen!!!

Permalink Reply by Predestined by God on January 11, 2011 at 3:32pm