Featured Topics Extended is a plugin for creating lists of topics and featuring them on different areas of the forum.
There are two types of lists: User Lists and Global Lists.
The default user list is "Blog".
Each user has their own unique set of lists.
Topics are added manually to a User List by using the Post Tools menu on the FIRST POST of a topic.
Lists are managed on the /user/<user>/featured page.
The topics featured in the default Blog list are automatically displayed on the /user/<user>/blog page.
The default admin list is "News"
All admins and global moderators share the same set of lists.
Topics are added manually to a Global List by using the Topic Tools menu of a topic.
Lists are managed on the /featured page.
The topics featured in the default News list are automatically displayed on the /news page.
The style of the news page is very customisable from within the ACP settings page. You can also select from a list of styles that mimic popular blogging sites.
The are an extensive amount of widgets for Featured Topics Extended. With widgets, you can place a Featured Topic List almost anywhere on your forum. Widgets are available that match parts of your forum's theme exactly or that mimic widgets from other plugins such as widget-essentials.
The news page itself is also available in widget form. In this way, you can have any page display blog-like topics using their own list and their own style.