Would be feasible or a good idea to be able to select multiple contexts. We're using Context node with the Delta module and this would open up the ability to make very powerful theme customisations from the node.

For example, we have have 3 delta and 3 contexts for sidebar: both left, both right and split. These can be selected on the node.
We also have 2 other context for page title position. As it currently stands (unless i've missed something) we'd have to make all possible permutations of these settings to achieve what we want - so n squared contexts and deltas.

If we could multi select contexts that would make the theming combinations super flexible.

Comments

hixster’s picture

hixster commented

Polite bump ** anyone got any thoughts on this?

lelizondo’s picture

lelizondo commented

The problem with this approach is that will complicate the UI, so right now the only solution is to make all possible combinations as you said. Also, I don't really know how context handles a conflicting situation where a user selects two contexts that use different layouts. You could end with a very bad UX as well. If I see a patch or at least a wireframe with a nice UI that proves me wrong about my two points, I could change my opinion but I won't be working on this until then. I am sorry.

hixster’s picture

hixster commented

Hey lelizondo, I take your points - although we use multiple contexts all the time, mixing sidebar block layouts with section menus etc.. each in different contexts.
Ironically as things stand the UI is more unmanageable - If i had 9 contexts , I would currently I would need to make 81 variations!
You might rightly ask why I would need 9 contexts and you'd be right :-)
I feel mixing contexts is one of the main attractions of the module and what makes it infinitely more flexible that the regular block system and writing php snippets to control visibility. Of course with power comes responsibility.
From a UI standpoint, I don't think it needs to be any more complex that a multi select box.
We'll have a look at patching this ourselves maybe and if we find it useful (I'm sure we will) , I post it back.
Thanks again for coming back in this.

lelizondo’s picture

lelizondo commented

I get the idea of multiple contexts, I use them all the time, but I know what I'm doing and I know when I can use multiple contexts or not. The user won't and this is a module I created for users, not for admins or site builders.

But I also must accept that this could work if the admins do a good job organizing contexts, but if they dont, the user won't understand. I'll give you an example. Imagine you have 2 contexts and you use those contexts to position te search box in different regions. What would happen if the user selects both contexts? The search will show up twice on the screen and that's probably not what you want.

And that's an easy example, if you are using context layouts (awesome functionality btw) what context is going to be used if both are selected? As you can see, the way I see it is that there are multiple considerations that we have to analyze before we start coding. I am not closed to the idea but I won't accept a patch if we dont solve those issues first. I really don't want to complicate a really simple module. I would actually want to make it easier to use, maybe by adding cool images that represent what the context is doing instead of using radios.

But maybe I am complicating myself a bit which sometimes I do :)

I would like to read more opinions on this.

lelizondo’s picture

lelizondo commented
Status: Active » Postponed