Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

[mc12345678]

v1.5.7b PHP 7.3 responsive classic template

I would like to use this plugin again (have for years) - previously in v1.5.5f / westminster_new

I AM HOPELESS AT MERGNG FILES .... it has been my biggest issue over the years in not merging correctly and creating problems - so it is terrifying to see lots of colored lines on each side of the ledger when comparing the template files from this plugin and responsive classic in two of the three files - I dread even attempting it (if it is something that I regard as simple and obvious enough I will attempt it, but that is a big 'if')

2 questions;
1. if I am only ever going to use just one box on the main page, not anywhere else, can I install just a merged includes/templates/my template/templates/tpl_index_default.php and ignore the other two template files - the merge for tpl_index_default is simplistic so I think (caveat) I can mage that one.
In looking at my equivalent files in v1.5.5f where I had this plugin installed I only had tpl_index_default merged and not the other two, that I can see, and (eventually, with lots of help and extreme tolerance from mc12345678) I had it working well on the home page - all other files were installed.

2. if not, then is it possible to get some guidance on merging the other two files?

includes/templates/mytemplate/common/tpl_main_page.php
the following I think should be copied across to the existing site file;

<?php
$box_loc = '8';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

<?php 
$box_loc = '9';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

<!--bof- parse time display -->
<?php
  if (DISPLAY_PAGE_PARSE_TIME == 'true') {
?>
<div class="smallText center">Parse Time: <?php echo $parse_time; ?> - Number of Queries: <?php echo $db->queryCount(); ?> - Query Time: <?php echo $db->queryTime(); ?></div>
<?php
  }
?>
<!--eof- parse time display -->
########################################

includes/templates/my template/templates/tpl_index_categories.php
the following I think should be copied across to the existing site file;

<!-- deprecated - to use - uncomment
<?php if (TEXT_MAIN) { ?>
<div id="" class="content"><?php echo TEXT_MAIN; ?></div>
<?php } ?>-->

<!-- deprecated - to use - uncomment
<?php if (TEXT_INFORMATION) { ?>
<div id="" class="content"><?php echo TEXT_INFORMATION; ?></div>
<?php } ?>-->

<?php 
$box_loc = '4';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

<?php 
$box_loc = '5';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

<?php 
$box_loc = '6';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

<?php 
$box_loc = '7';//middlebox group
require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_middleboxes.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/tpl_middleboxes.php');
?>

</div>
####################___

the rest of what I see as variations appear to my untrained eye to just be changes in versions between 2012 and 2016 / 2020



I am trying harder these days to do my own problem solving before jumping headlong into the forum for help - but this is really scary to me.

cheers,
Mike

GOOD SLEUTHING!

So, you obviously figured out some file differences. Specifically differences that would (could) change what the page(s) display.

Some of the identified differences though are actually changes that were made to the Zen Cart template and have nothing to do with this plugin. I guess I actually should say that some of those changes do not impact the intended use of the plugin.

So, to back out from that a little, you only ever really, truly, fully need to install the software that is necessary to get the result you need/want. Now, huge caveat there, anything other than a full package may cause questions to be asked the next time around if there are not good notes/documentation... for example, right now are asking why do your current files (those becoming "old") only incorporate a portion of this plugin and is it possible to continue to operate that way?

Welp, think you have your answer, don't you?

From the template changes identified above, the "two" lines where '$box_loc =' and the require just after it are needed to display the box that is assigned to the location identified by that number. Any <?php and/or ?> surrounding that are needed based on where in the page content they are being placed. Content between those tags is php while outside of it is the html space.