Before we begin, you may want to familiarize yourself with the following documentations:
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Changing Board Images-
Externally Hosted CodesIntroductionAlright, this documentation is to help you not only save board wrapper space, but in many cases will allow you to drastically improve loading time for many of the pages on your forum. The two techniques I will explain are using your image space for page specific codes, and hosting codes to save time and space.
1. Utilizing Image Space For Page Specific CodesWhen most of us find a new code, we usually just stick it right in the board wrappers and hope it works. After all, it's easy, and thats what the instructions tell us to do in most cases. Well, unfortunately, as we add more and more codes, we realize that it starts taking longer to load and navigate our forums. This is because the board wrappers are made to load on every page, and the thing is, many times we only need the code for just one spot, such as the index, or when viewing a topic, and etc. Though not possible through the wrappers, there is a way by using the Images section of the ACP. All you have to do is find an image that loads on just the page that you want, and put the code in there with the image. Below is a guide on how to coordinate which images you should use for each place. Make sure you are familiar with the Images section of the ACP before you begin (there's a guide on how to use it at the top).
Index Only Codes > Stats MarkerIf you have a code that you only want to work on your index, it belongs in the "Stats Marker" area. To get there, go to
Admin CP -> Skinning & Styles -> Images, then hit ctrl+f to open up "Find", then type in "Stats Marker". An example of a code that you would put in here would be a "Member Legend" code such as the one found on the index of Big Boards. Simply add it below the image tags and your set.
Forum Only Codes > Moved FolderIf you have a code that you only want to work in your forums, it belongs in the "Moved Folder" area. To get there, go to
Admin CP -> Skinning & Styles -> Images, then hit ctrl+f to open up "Find", then type in "Moved Folder". An example of a code that you would put in here would be the "Inline Moderation" code (adds checkmarks next to topics for mod options like in IPB). Simply add it below the image tags and your set. The only occasional problem with this is if you have several moved topics in that forum. This causes it to repeat the code, which may or may not affect usability. I just recommend never having redirect topics like that.
Viewing Topic Only Codes > Topic OptionsIf you have a code that you only want to work while viewing a topic, it belongs in the "Topic Options" area. To get there, go to
Admin CP -> Skinning & Styles -> Images, then hit ctrl+f to open up "Find", and type in "Topic Options". An example of a code that you would put in here would be a "Quick Edit" post code such as the one found here on Big Boards. Simply add it below the image tags and your set.
Not all places have conveniently located images that are found exclusively on that page. If you want a code in the portal you put it in the affiliates box. If you want one in the the board rules or one of your forum rules, just slip it in there along with everything else. Unfortunately, codes for places such as posting or replying to topics need to be kept it the board wrappers, as there are no other reliable places to have them.
2. Hosting Codes To Save Time And SpaceAnother way to save wrappers and loading time is to host all your codes in a single file. Read the guide on how to do this from your board located at the top. This obviously helps save space, but how does it save time you might ask? Caching is the answer. Caching is basically where your computer saves stuff such as images and files for later, so when you view a page again, they loads faster. If the code is in the html of the page, it wont be cached unless the whole page is cached (which is not a good thing for a board because it wont show you any updated information). Luckily, pages themselves usually don't get cached. For scripts that don't change often or at all however, just host them like in the guide and depending on their size, you might see a slight speed boost.