Contest System [support thread]

Due to the hard times that we are in, my customers needed new traffic to their sites.
So I created the Zen Cart Contest System module that you can get here Marketing Tools Contest System Free Software Add Ons.
The Contest System allows the admin to control a contest on there Zen Cart site.
Contest System is easy to setup and run the winner is randomly chosen.
Admin: sets the start date and ending date.
Admin: selects a prize / product from your shop.

The rules page is not all encompassing (ICTIMTR*) you should read!!! and see if your state/country allows this
type of contest before starting.

For more information see the readme_install.txt file.
There are screen shots in the zip file.

Thinking that most of Zen users are not into contests I have collected a list of links
that will help you in getting the word out you are running a contest.

The following sites allow you to list your contest for free.
Some require a reciprocal link back to their site.

Submit to Contest Websites:
www.online-sweepstakes.com
www.contestguide.com
www.contestalley.com
www.familysweeps.net
www.sandysrealm.com
www.grandmajam.com
www.cashnetsweeps.com
www.cyber-sweeps.com
www.sweepstalk.com
www.contesthound.com
www.contestlistings.com
www.flamingoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php

Other Websites with contest sections:
www.internetbasedmoms.com/bb/
www.absolutefreebiestuff.com
www.where2go.com
www.killerfreebies.com
tbadeals.us
www.sweepthenet.com
www.dailyspice.com
www.frugalshopper.com
wahmteam.com/contests.shtml

Canadian Sites - If you have a contest that Canadian residents are eligible.

www.canuckcash.ca
www.canadasweepstakes.com
www.frugalshopper.ca
www.somewhereincanada.com
sweepsfrenzy.com

Note:
I have no connection to these sites and have no comments about them.
(I placed them in the window so they would not be hot links)

This will be the support thread for Zen Cart Contest System.
So if you have any question please post them here.

Hope we all WIN!!!

Skip

*I code therefore I make the rules

Hello Skip,

Many thanks for this mod, it works brilliantly. I just spotted one minor thing, in that the the page with item dislplays the MSRP in $. We are in the UK, so our default currency is GBP, but we do have a currency convertor if needed by visitors.

Regards,

Heathenmagic :smile:

HeathenMagic:

Hello Skip,

Many thanks for this mod, it works brilliantly. I just spotted one minor thing, in that the the page with item dislplays the MSRP in $. We are in the UK, so our default currency is GBP, but we do have a currency convertor if needed by visitors.

Regards,

Heathenmagic :smile:

Was not even thinking of that.

You can find and change in includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_contest_default.php
Just change the '$' to & # 1 6 3; with out the spaces to show £

Around line 179 find:

[php]
echo '<br/>MSRP $' . number_format($contest_prize->fields['products_price'],2);
[/php]

The value of monies is coming from the product price so if you are using pounds the number will be pounds. Just not the right sign.

Or you could just remove the '$'.

Skip

Hello Skip,

Wow, many thanks for your reply. That did the trick, many thanks.

Regards,

Heathenmagic :smile:

skipwater:

Was not even thinking of that.

You can find and change in includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_contest_default.php
Just change the '$' to & # 1 6 3; with out the spaces to show £

Around line 179 find:

[php]
echo '<br/>MSRP $' . number_format($contest_prize->fields['products_price'],2);
[/php]

The value of monies is coming from the product price so if you are using pounds the number will be pounds. Just not the right sign.

Or you could just remove the '$'.

Skip

Here is the correct fix :
File: includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_contest_default.php
Around line 179 find:

[php]
echo '<br/>MSRP $' . number_format($contest_prize->fields['products_price'],2);
[/php]

Replace the line with:
[php]
echo '<br/>MSRP ' . ((zen_has_product_attributes_values((int)$contest_prize->fields['products_id']) and $flag_show_product_info_starting_at == 1) ? TEXT_BASE_PRICE : '') . zen_get_products_display_price((int)$contest_prize->fields['products_id']);
[/php]

This will display the correct currency that zen cart is set for.

Rember to backup your file first before editing.

This fix will be in v1.2 of the Contest System.

Thanks skipwater, this is awesome!
I did notice in the template files you have a zj_silver along with the CUSTOM. I deleted them before uploading as I assumed (I know...bad word) that may have been your personal files. Didn't seem to affect the function, am I ok in this thought?

Yes that was the last install :oops:Yes deleting is good they are not needed.
I am working on v1.2 and when I upload it maybe I will get it right.

hello,

Thanks for this great mod! I just installed it and am testing it right now. I don't know if I did anything wrong but it seems that there is nothing being captured on the "entry".

When I pick the right answer as "C" for instance, it doesn't show it in the entry column, all of it is blank right now so I have no way of knowing if the customer picked the right answer before validating.

Some assistance would be appreciated! Thanks!!

Hi!

Big problem! On the contest end page, see attached. My sideboxes are all pushed to the right!

This only happens on the contest end page. When the contest is ongoing all the pages related to the contest is centered.

Where should I adjust this? Thanks!!

sunflowertami:

hello,

Thanks for this great mod! I just installed it and am testing it right now. I don't know if I did anything wrong but it seems that there is nothing being captured on the "entry".

When I pick the right answer as "C" for instance, it doesn't show it in the entry column, all of it is blank right now so I have no way of knowing if the customer picked the right answer before validating.

Some assistance would be appreciated! Thanks!!

The first thing that comes to mind is that you had a bad upload of the files. Try and upload just the files again.

That answer was based on both of your post.

skipwater:

Yes that was the last install :oops:Yes deleting is good they are not needed.
I am working on v1.2 and when I upload it maybe I will get it right.

I have installed every thing but I cant see the contest under the admin section. Pls advice

Oops sorry man Its working there were some files I needed to upload. Thanks for the Module I am trying it out now

bouga:

I have installed every thing but I cant see the contest under the admin section. Pls advice

Oops sorry man Its working there were some files I needed to upload. Thanks for the Module I am trying it out now

FYI Version 1.2 is available for download now so the first thing is to get the newest files.

As for contest not showing in admin.
1. You ran the install-sql-contest-v1.?.php to update your database?

2. If so is Contest showing under Admin>Configuration>Contest ?
Also is it showing under Admin>Reports>Contest Prize Entries?

Skip

Hi Skipwater,

This problem has gotten me intrigued! I uploaded all the files again, and still get the same problem.

1. on the admin, not seeing any value under column ENTRY, I assume that is normal because on your screenshot it shows the same thing, nothing on ENTRY whether the entry is validated or not so I assume there really isnt anything there.

2. My main problem is still the fact that the left and right sideboxes goes screwy on the contest end page. It only seems to be affected on the contest end. The other pages where you enter your answer and or see who won comes out ok. So my question is what drives the template of the contest end?

I was toying with definecontestend.php and trying to see where the problem is. I deleted the whole code on it and it still show that the sideboxes are screwed up and the middle portion is blank.

So I went to the tpl_contest_default.php and was looking to see what drives the center template. Took out the button, and still shows the sideboxes pushed to the right.

I'm using Cherry Zen template. Maybe some css code is affecting the display of the contest end page.

I don't know... maybe you could shed some light on what the difference is in the coding of the rest of the contest page as compared to the contest end page? Thanks!!

skipwater:

The first thing that comes to mind is that you had a bad upload of the files. Try and upload just the files again.

That answer was based on both of your post.

Hi there,

I use the same template, so it definitely must be something to do with CSS.

How to correct? there must be a code somewhere. Did it work on yours without problem?

Hi Skipwater!

Thank you for this great contribution! I had some problems getting the SQL patch installed on my 1.3.7.1. I use the prefix zen_ and your script wouldn't append the prefix to the SQL queries or to the contest table so I had to go into the SQL script and change the table names to include zen_. A suggestion for the next update is to include auto appending the database prefix to table names. I have it sorted now and am testing it out on my live test site.

Thanks again!

I'm using Cherry Zen template. Maybe some css code is affecting the display of the contest end page.

sunflower

There is only one difference that I can see that might be css code breaking your templet that is the pageHeading.
in /includes/languages/english/html_includes/YOUR_TEMPLATE /define_contestend.php

<table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10">
<tr>
  <td class="pageHeading"" width=100% align="center" valign="top">
  <font size="5"><strong>CONTEST HAS ENDED</strong></font><br/>
  </td>
</tr>
<tr>
  <td class="main" align="center">
  <p class="biggerText"> <strong>There Will be a NEW contest soon please check back.</strong></p>
  </td>
</tr>
</table>

How is the rules and winner page display?

lankeeyankee:

Hi Skipwater!

Thank you for this great contribution! I had some problems getting the SQL patch installed on my 1.3.7.1. I use the prefix zen_ and your script wouldn't append the prefix to the SQL queries or to the contest table so I had to go into the SQL script and change the table names to include zen_. A suggestion for the next update is to include auto appending the database prefix to table names. I have it sorted now and am testing it out on my live test site.

Thanks again!

Thanks for your input . I will look into it and add it to the next upgrade.

sunflowertami and HeathenMagic

Here is the fix for your cherry_zen template and I have test on others and seems to work on all.
Replace this file with the zip attached here. Or you can just edit as below.
/includes/languages/english/html_includes/YOUR_TEMPLATE /define_contestend.php

<!-- bof define_contestend -->  
<div class='centerColumn' id='contest'>
<h1 id='contest-heading'><?php echo HEADING_TITLE; ?></h1>
	<div id='contest-content' class='content'>

	<table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10">
		<tr>
			<td class="pageHeading"" width=100% align="center" valign="top">
			<font size="5"><strong>CONTEST HAS ENDED</strong></font><br/>
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td class="main" align="center">
			<p class="biggerText"> <strong>There Will be a NEW contest soon please check back.</strong></p>
			</td>
		</tr>
	</table>

<!-- eof define_contestend DO NOT close with the two div -->

EDIT: I saw the above post which fixed the problem!

Thanks again Skipwater!!