Custom Main Page With Dynamic URLs

[shazam_1973]

Hi. I am trying to figure out how to integrate the dynamic URL system into my custom menu on the main page. My menu consists of a thumbnail image for each category. I want each thumbnail to link to the dynamic ZC link for that category. Here's the code for my menu in define_main_page.php:

<div id="mainMenu">
<table>
<tr>
<td ><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_platters.gif"><br>Platters and Plates</a></td>
<td><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_bowls.gif"><br>Bowls</a></td>
<td><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_smallDishes.gif"><br>Small dishes</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_sconces.gif"><br>Sconces</a></td>
<td><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_wallPieces.gif"><br>Wall Pieces</a></td>
<td><a href="" ><img src="/images/t_windowHangings.gif"><br>Window Hangings</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

I think I might need to use a php function in the href but I'm not sure which one.

I searched a lot for this so hopefully it's not a repost.

My Specs: I'm using ZC v1.3.9h which has not been upgraded. I have not installed any add-ons.

[rbarbour]

could try:

<a href="/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1"><img src="<?php echo DIR_WS_TEMPLATE ?>images/t_platters.gif" border="0" /></a>

[Kim]

You know you can just turn on a list of categories from your Admin? No custom coding required.

[gjh42]

Yes, if you don't want your homepage category navigation to be in a sidebox, admin > Configuration > Layout Settings > Categories always show on main page
and
Main page opens with category -> set to 0

Then you can style the list as you like. See this site for an example: afzdesign .com/cadante

[shazam_1973]

Yes, if you don't want your homepage category navigation to be in a sidebox, admin > Configuration > Layout Settings > Categories always show on main page
and
Main page opens with category -> set to 0

Then you can style the list as you like. See this site for an example: afzdesign .com/cadante

This might work. What do I do if I want to leave out one category from the list?

[gjh42]

That depends on where the category is in the list. It would be possible to use CSS rules to hide the category in a particular position in the list, though if it moves in the list order a different category would be hidden instead. Is your top category list stable? Will it change often? Seeing your site live will let me give the exact CSS to hide a particular category.

[gjh42]

Copied from your other thread and extended so info stays where it is relevant:
You are already hardcoding the entire menu, so I see no benefit to calling zen functions here. Just use a straight HTML link.

<a href="index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=65"><img src="/images/t_platters.gif"><br>Platters and Plates</a>

Putting these in a table is antiquated coding practice and completely unnecessary. Especially if they are hardcoded, use a <ul id="customCategoriesMenu"> list and style them in your stylesheet under that id.