Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

[gjh42]

I looked around and found that there is actually a set of files to handle the "single column" layout boxes controller setting. I don't know what is missing to make that feature fully functional, and I may look into it later, but for now I am pretty sure I can use adaptations of the files to handle any sidebox called from a define_middlebox file, as long as that file also sets some variable values appropriately (to make the sidebox files use the custom versions of the handlers). This should function without having to make a template-specific copy of the sidebox file(s).

[DivaVocals]

I looked around and found that there is actually a set of files to handle the "single column" layout boxes controller setting. I don't know what is missing to make that feature fully functional, and I may look into it later, but for now I am pretty sure I can use adaptations of the files to handle any sidebox called from a define_middlebox file, as long as that file also sets some variable values appropriately (to make the sidebox files use the custom versions of the handlers). This should function without having to make a template-specific copy of the sidebox file(s).

Oh Glenn.. You are beyond AWESOME!!! You would be my hero if you can come up with a way to make this work.. I figured the "single column" setting was the trick. I just can't seem to figure out what code I need to use to make the sidebox display in the middlebox without getting PHP errors.. I hope you can fill in the blanks for me.. Am I correct in assuming that if this is to work without interfering with the sidebox in the normal location would I have to "clone" the sidebox I wanted to display in the define_middlebox file??

[Ajeh]

glen ... you have the right idea ... the single what originally designed for managing two or single column sidebox settings ... but you can always adapt it as you are not, by default, using those settings for anything ...

column_single.php is what is in the code to use those settings but I have not played with it in ions so I cannot say how much it would help you ...

[DivaVocals]

glen ... you have the right idea ... the single what originally designed for managing two or single column sidebox settings ... but you can always adapt it as you are not, by default, using those settings for anything ...

column_single.php is what is in the code to use those settings but I have not played with it in ions so I cannot say how much it would help you ...

Well well well.. We've got Linda McGrath weighing in.. I can feel a solution coming on..

[Ajeh]

I am just giving hints ... and perhaps a shove ... to have at it ...

[DivaVocals]

I am just giving hints ... and perhaps a shove ... to have at it ...

Whatever works to get to the answer.. I am stumped and clearly my "throw everything at the wall to see what sticks" method is not working for me..

[DivaVocals]

To set standard middlebox wrapper styling in the stylesheet, change the
#navColumnMiddleWrapper {
to
.navColumnMiddleWrapper {
The #navColumnMiddleWrapper1 {} rules can then be added for any individual wrapper/group styling desired.

Without touching PHP files, there are already handles to address all middlebox headings:
.middleboxContainer h2 {}
or specific headings:
#middlebox_1 h2 {}

I don't recall how much I did with the stylesheet; it may want a makeover to reflect the full scope of the latest version.

Okay.. so based on your post I rolled back my changes to the middlebox_controller. Then I took a GOOD look at the stylesheet and I made the following changes.. I'd appreciate your feedback..

I replaced this:

#navColumnMiddleWrapper {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

With this:

.navColumnMiddleWrapper {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

#navColumnMiddleWrapper1 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper2 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper3 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper4 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper5 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper6 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper7 {}

I discovered that I needed to use the specific middleboxes styles to get the middlebox headings to format correctly..

For example... this worked:

#middlebox_1 h2, #middlebox_1 h2 a {
    font-size: 2em;
    color: #6f6c63;
    text-decoration: none;
    text-align: center;
    margin: 0em;
    padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
    }
#middlebox_1 h2 a:hover {
    color: #FFFF33;
    text-decoration: none;
    }

This did not:

.middleboxContainer h2, .middleboxContainer h2 a {
    font-size: 2em;
    color: #6f6c63;
    text-decoration: none;
    text-align: center;
    margin: 0em;
    padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
    }
.middleboxContainer h2 a:hover {
    color: #FFFF33;
    text-decoration: none;
    }

Finally, I added a border-radius setting to my own middleboxes (border-radius is not part of the default stylesheet). For whatever reason the border-radius was not being applied to the bottom of the middleboxes (the top of the middleboxes were rounded, but the bottom was not) until I added this:

.middleBoxContainer {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

Not entirely sure why that worked, but that made the border-radius settings work on the bottom of the middleboxes..


Finally I removed all of these declarations as it appears that they are no longer needed:

#middlebox1Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox2Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox3Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox4Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox5Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox6Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

#middlebox7Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

#middlebox8Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox9Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

and here is the development site with all these changes applied: http : // clientlaserdiscvault (dot) overthehillweb (dot) com/

The only issue I am still trying to figure out (and could use a little help with) is how to get the border-radius bottoms on the middleboxes to display correctly in Opera.. The border-radius on the middleboxes appears correctly in every other browser I tested with with except Opera.. Can't figure this out..

[gjh42]

Thanks for the encouragement, Linda! Right now I am using the example of the column_single files to bring arbitrary sideboxes into the "middlebox" system since I understand all the intricacies of it, but obviously if I can make the original single column settings work as intended that would be ideal. I would expect to include something like the multiple positions for center sidebox display, to keep the flexibility that the latest version of middleboxes has.

I have the outline of the code for calling sideboxes... still need a few more file modifications to make the middlebox system work equally with middleboxes and sideboxes, before I can test it. Nearly all of the mod files will change somewhat to accomplish this.
No sidebox files will need to be touched or cloned to use them in the middlebox system.

[DivaVocals]

Thanks for the encouragement, Linda! Right now I am using the example of the column_single files to bring arbitrary sideboxes into the "middlebox" system since I understand all the intricacies of it, but obviously if I can make the original single column settings work as intended that would be ideal. I would expect to include something like the multiple positions for center sidebox display, to keep the flexibility that the latest version of middleboxes has.

I have the outline of the code for calling sideboxes... still need a few more file modifications to make the middlebox system work equally with middleboxes and sideboxes, before I can test it. Nearly all of the mod files will change somewhat to accomplish this.
No sidebox files will need to be touched or cloned to use them in the middlebox system.

Whooo hoo!! That is AWESOME news Glenn.. I am sooo excited!! I will GLADLY be a willing guinea pig to test the code when it's ready for testing.. This will make this awesome add-on an even BETTER thing when you pull it off.. With this kind of flexibility shopowners will be able to easily pull off looks similar to what one can do with WordPress widgets.. I LOVE it!!

**does happy dance**

[gjh42]

After looking at all the pieces of code to handle sideboxes, I was able to rethink the process and greatly simplify it. With the sidebox filename in middlebox_filenames.php (replacing 'define_middlebox_x' with 'best_sellers'), the controller can handle them each appropriately. Making that one edit renders the corresponding define file irrelevant, as the sidebox will be called in its place during middlebox group processing. I still have to test it to make sure there isn't some other bump in the road (like Zen Cart define pages editor looking for a best_sellers define file and throwing an error??) which may require alternate coding...