A new version of ARF has just be released and can be downloaded from the SPWorks site.
This version contains numerous new features to make your SharePoint site build simpler and faster. They include
Added widget functionality
This allows you to specify small chunks of functionality in an ASCX file. A field control is then added to the page which allows page authors to add a 'widget' to the page.
By default widget properties are stored in the field control, but a widget can store it properties in a cookie. This allows anonymous users with the ability to modify the look and feel of controls on the page. To facilitate this widgets also come with a widget edit control.
The ARF solution adds a sample control which shows a block of color. By clicking on edit the color can be changed.
<ARFField:WidgetField runat="server" FieldName="Widgets"
WidgetFolder="/ARF/Widgets" WidgetList="ARF Widget List" UseCookieStorage="true"/>
The feature adds a new list called "ARF Widget List", which defines the widgets available.
The <ARF:ListItemXml/> control can use the query string to get the ItemID
This allows you to create a dynamic page based on list items. The query string is used to retrieve the item from the list.
Floating console
It is now possible to have the ArfConsole float. Its position is remeber across page navigation and it can also be collaped to save screen real estate.
Firstly you would need to register the ASCX control.
<%@ Register TagPrefix="ARFConsole" TagName="Console" src="~/_controltemplates/ARF/ARFConsole.ascx" %>
Then you can place the console on your page. If it is floating then it does not matter where, otherwise you should be able to place it in the same location as the SiteActions menu.
<ARFConsole:Console runat="server" IsFloating="True"/>
Once added you will have a toolbar which can be moved around the page...
If you have not used the ARF console control, it is just a direct replacement for the publishing toolbar and makes your master page easier to read by removing all the console markup from it.
Items can be added to a DropDown directly from a List in a BasicContactForm
A small piece of functionality which makes a lot of sense. A drop down list on a basic contact form can now be initialised directly from a SharePoint list, without having to write any code.
The definition would be....Category;idCategory;D;ListNameHere. The list would have to be in the root site collection and is optional.