Layout questions from a phpMyBB convert

[Wildcard]

Hello. I'm a phpMyBB convert trying out MyBB for the first time, on the recommendation of many colleagues. So far, the installation and administration of my new forums has been a breeze - and I'm very impressed.

Welcome

Is there a standard method to add my own custom code to all pages (index, forum, individual post, etc) in these "outside" areas? What is the best approach here?

Each page (generally speaking) has its own template and then possibly many other templates that make up the 'pieces' of the page. index.php, for example uses templates in the 'Index' group of each template set, the main template is simply named 'index'.

So to put something in the 'outside' areas everywhere means editing all of the affected templates.

First, I want to create a sidebar where I can incorporate some social media widgets - for which I already have the code for. I'm also interested in customizing the header with not only my own banner but also with a twitter scrolling ticker - for which I have the code also.

If you want a sidebar with static content then you could edit all of your templates to include the sidebar table configuration and your custom HTML.

If you want something easier and more powerful (latest threads, who's online, etc.) then you can use Advanced Sidebox. With it you won't have to edit any of your forum's templates to create sidebars. And you can use your custom HTML or one of several PHP modules that deliver dynamic content.