Adding functionality to phorum

Hi,

I am trying to add some functionality to a phorum installation to allow users to store and share their favourite (motorbike) riding routes. I've worked out that the easiest way of doing this is to use the built in posting functionality and allow an attachment to be added to the message, the attachment will be a google maps kml file so I can automatically display a map and overlay the route. I have a couple of questions however:

1) Google maps needs to be able to download the kml file from the site, this works fine with the attachments functionality. However, we would like to make the forum section for members only, the also appears to make the attachments hidden as well. Is there any way round this behaviour ?

2) I've linked to my development copy of the site below to show the functionality I am creating. Currently the only way I can find of achieving the functionality is to have a special template for the forum. Does the module archtecture behind phorum allow for this level of modification to the functionality of the site, or am I already following the best development path.

[tsdev.ciantrius.co.uk]

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any help that can be given.

1) Is the download for the kml file done from the google server then? I thought the file was downloaded from the browser that is running the maps application, in which case the cookies would still apply and the map should download.

2) Sounds like you're already taking the correct route here (no pun intended ;) Once layout really starts to change, then templating it is.

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Maurice Makaay
Phorum Development Team
my blog linkedin profile secret sauce

Hi Maurice,

Thanks for the reply.

As far as I can see the google maps server has to be able to download the file directly. I've searched for uploading kml files from a local computer and the first few results that I read all said it wasn't possible. Apparently there are 3rd party libraries that will parse a local kml file and then add the points to the map, that might have to be the way I have to go if there is no way round the attachments security.

I guessed that templating was they way to go, just thought I'd ask incase I could get away with it using modules. I'm going to restyle the section so it specifically not trying to look like the rest of the forum, will make it easier with multiple templates being supported.