4 files changed, 48 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/askbot/conf/__init__.py b/askbot/conf/__init__.py
index 026a6185..de1eeccc 100644
--- a/askbot/conf/__init__.py
+++ b/askbot/conf/__init__.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import askbot.conf.skin_general_settings
 import askbot.conf.sidebar_main
 import askbot.conf.sidebar_question
 import askbot.conf.sidebar_profile
+import askbot.conf.leading_sidebar
 import askbot.conf.spam_and_moderation
 import askbot.conf.user_settings
 import askbot.conf.markup
diff --git a/askbot/conf/leading_sidebar.py b/askbot/conf/leading_sidebar.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b3909961
--- /dev/null
+++ b/askbot/conf/leading_sidebar.py
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+"""
+Sidebar settings
+"""
+from askbot.conf.settings_wrapper import settings
+from askbot.deps.livesettings import ConfigurationGroup
+from askbot.deps.livesettings import values
+from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
+from askbot.conf.super_groups import CONTENT_AND_UI
+
+LEADING_SIDEBAR = ConfigurationGroup(
+                    'LEADING_SIDEBAR',
+                    _('Common left sidebar'),
+                    super_group = CONTENT_AND_UI
+                )
+
+settings.register(
+    values.BooleanValue(
+        LEADING_SIDEBAR,
+        'ENABLE_LEADING_SIDEBAR',
+        description = _('Enable left sidebar'),
+        default = False,
+    )
+)
+
+settings.register(
+    values.LongStringValue(
+        LEADING_SIDEBAR,
+        'LEADING_SIDEBAR',
+        description = _('HTML for the left sidebar'),
+        default = '',
+        help_text = _(
+            'Use this area to enter content at the LEFT sidebar'
+            'in HTML format.  When using this option, please '
+            'use the HTML validation service to make sure that '
+            'your input is valid and works well in all browsers.'
+        )
+    )
+)
diff --git a/askbot/skins/default/media/style/style.less b/askbot/skins/default/media/style/style.less
index 389a0acc..7b564d8a 100644
--- a/askbot/skins/default/media/style/style.less
+++ b/askbot/skins/default/media/style/style.less
@@ -3347,3 +3347,7 @@ pre.prettyprint { clear:both;padding: 3px; border: 0px solid #888; }
   .atn { color: #404; }
   .atv { color: #060; }
 }
+
+#leading-sidebar {
+    float: left;
+}
diff --git a/askbot/skins/default/templates/base.html b/askbot/skins/default/templates/base.html
index 39b89fe8..348ab23a 100644
--- a/askbot/skins/default/templates/base.html
+++ b/askbot/skins/default/templates/base.html
@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
         {% endif %}
         {% include "widgets/header.html" %} {# Logo, user tool navigation and meta navitation #}
         {% include "widgets/secondary_header.html" %} {# Scope selector, search input and ask button #}
+        {% if settings.ENABLE_LEADING_SIDEBAR %}
+        <div id="leading-sidebar">
+            {{ settings.LEADING_SIDEBAR|safe }}
+        </div>
+        {% endif %}
         <div class="content-wrapper">
             {% block body %}
             {% endblock %}