hideCategories

29 Nov 2006, 06:30

#1

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
Posts:: 1,033
Plugin Contributions:: 3

hideCategories

Designed specifically for our store, I thought it might be of use to others so I released it as a contrib. However, I'm not sure how useful it will be.

In our case, we often have to put together custom packages for customers... basically, that means we make a 'product' just for them and send them a link. Unfortunately, that means that custom product is visible to the public. This contrib addresses that.

You can declare specific folders to be 'hidden'. There are two levels of hidden:

1) Hidden from menus: This setting only hides the folder from the main categories sidebox and the main index categories listing. It will still show up elsewhere, including searches. We don't use this - I just conceived it might be useful so I added it. I guess if you have an "others" category but you don't want to show it on the menu for asthetic reasons.

2) Fully hidden: This setting hides it from the two places above, but also from the "all products", "new products", "featured products" links as well as the search function and the bestsellers sidebox. *NOTE* That is all! There may be other places that it shows up that we don't use!!!

In either case, you can still directly link to the product and it can still go through checkout as normal.

Enjoy if its any use to you!

Here's a link to the download: link

- Steven

29 Nov 2006, 07:42

#2

misty

Inactive

Join Date:: Apr 2004
Posts:: 5,752
Plugin Contributions:: 1

Re: hideCategories

Great contribution..thanks..does it only work with ZenCart 1.36*
i.e. been tested on 1.2*/1.3*?

29 Nov 2006, 07:45

#3

s_mack

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
Posts:: 1,033
Plugin Contributions:: 3

Re: hideCategories

Not tested on anything before 1.36, but I think you can be pretty sure it WONT work on 1.2x versions. Probably works on 1.3x, but untested.

- Steven

29 Nov 2006, 07:57

#4

misty

Inactive

Join Date:: Apr 2004
Posts:: 5,752
Plugin Contributions:: 1

Re: hideCategories

Thanks for prompt response,s_mack.. for members using 1.2*/1.3* and
don't wish to use/try this contribution.. thread at
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38293&highlight=hide+category will come in handy

03 Dec 2006, 18:33

#5

s_mack

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Re: hideCategories

Not really for 1.3x... when you read through that "solution", you should find this contrib to be a lot more useful and easier to implement.

- Steven

06 Dec 2006, 10:24

#6

john95051

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jun 2005
Posts:: 34
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

I am having problem on the 1.36 ZC.

I got following when I click "New Product",
===
1146 Table 'jun9505_jlcxxxxxx.products_description' doesn't exist
in:
[select count(*) as total FROM jun9505_products p LEFT JOIN jun9505_manufacturers m ON (p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id) LEFT JOIN jun9505_hide_categories h ON (p.master_categories_id = h.categories_id), products_description pd WHERE (h.visibility_status < 2 OR h.visibility_status IS NULL) AND p.products_status = 1 AND p.products_id = pd.products_id AND pd.language_id = 1 ]
===

Note, jlcxxxxxx is the database name, jun9505 is the prefix.
If everything is right, It should looking for Table 'jun9505_products_description'. Any idea on why this happen?

Thanks.

06 Dec 2006, 16:08

#7

s_mack

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
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Re: hideCategories

When you put in the included SQL, how did you do it? I've seen this problem come up and this question asked on just about every contrib support forum out there :) I don't know how table prefixes work because mine don't use them (I don't understand why anyone's do)... but the answer always seems to be "input the SQL into phpmyadmin, NOT the SQL tool in your Zen admin!"

Good luck. I'm pretty sure its not a problem with this contrib though.

- Steven

01 Jan 2007, 02:43

#8

bettysue

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Join Date:: May 2004
Posts:: 747
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

<added after post - I just realized that Image Handler also uses that same file. I just need to figure out, which of the 2 authors is calling the stock portion</added>

I tried this mod in v1.37 and am getting a strange error message.

When in Admin in the Products/Categories section, I'm getting an error by the icons (i.e. X C M A) etc.

It's looking for an icon: 'icon_stock_manager.gif' which leads to a page: stock_manager.php. The calls are being made inside the admin/includes/modules/category_product_listing.php file.

When I used the developers tool to search for it, this is where it found it in the category_product_listing.php file:

Line #341 : <?php echo '<a href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_STOCK_MANAGER, 'cPath=' . $cPath . '&product_type=' . $products->fields['products_type'] . '&pID=' . $products->fields['products_id'] .'&action=stock_manager' ) . '">' . zen_image(DIR_WS_IMAGES . 'icon_stock_manager.gif', ICON_STOCK_MANAGER) . '</a>'; ?>

Do I just remove that line from the file, or do Ihave to install a second mod to use the first?

thank you,

betty

01 Jan 2007, 09:59

#9

s_mack

Totally Zenned

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Posts:: 1,033
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Re: hideCategories

wow.. suprised this never came up before :)

stockManager is another mod I've done... not released to the public though, so its just remnants of that in the code. Remove it and it should be good.

- Steven

01 Jan 2007, 18:58

#10

bettysue

Inactive

Join Date:: May 2004
Posts:: 747
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

s_mack:
wow.. suprised this never came up before :)

stockManager is another mod I've done... not released to the public though, so its just remnants of that in the code. Remove it and it should be good.

- Steven

Hi Steven,

Leave it to me to find anything that can go wrong :cry:

I removed the line as you suggested and all is well. So from all appearances the mod is also v1.37 compatible.

thank you,

betty

17 Jan 2007, 09:04

#11

sanji

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Join Date:: Jan 2005
Posts:: 138
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

This mod seems very useful (to me, at least).

However, one extra feature would be really great : the possibility to hide the categories for everyone, but display them for specific group of users.

It then would be possible to create a let's say "Premium customers" group, and give them access to extra products put in those hidden categories.

The contrib can not do that at the present time, am I right?

Thanks,

sanji

17 Jan 2007, 09:13

#12

s_mack

Totally Zenned

Join Date:: Jun 2005
Posts:: 1,033
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Re: hideCategories

No, it can't do that as-is. But I'm sure it could be modified to do so with some work.

That's not something my client needs so I have no plans for it.

- Steven

19 Jan 2007, 07:36

#13

redheads

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Join Date:: May 2006
Posts:: 119
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Re: hideCategories

Hi s_mack. Just thought I would pop in and let you know that your mod seems to be working perfectly in 1.3.0.1 (my bad, I believed the header when it tells me I am up to date! -- Yikes!!) :blush:

So, questions is... is there any reason you know of that I should NOT be running it in V1.3.0.1 ? :unsure:

I backed everything up, ran sql, turned off 'all products' link, installed mod and 'hid' a few products I had already added but left inactive, just knowing I could hide them someday. So far so good. :D

Which brings me to the next question... since I am guessing my admin header is not correct and I AM several versions behind I should update, then start this install again, yes? :wacko:

Thank you so much for the great mod and the time you spend answering questions!!:yes:

Lori -- wishing she had her Zen-Cart hat to wear while coding... :jump:

19 Jan 2007, 07:44

#14

s_mack

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Re: hideCategories

You really should upgrade to the current zen version Lori... there have been a LOT of security and bug fixes. However, if the contrib works then no, I have no particular reason why you should upgrade just for the sake of this contrib.

- Steven

19 Jan 2007, 08:14

#15

redheads

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Join Date:: May 2006
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Re: hideCategories

Thanks - I was just over there reading all of the things I have missed while merrily using my cart and reading the little 'your version of zen cart appears to be current' message... not good. Looks like I have a bit of catching up to do. I appreciate your note and your mod -- will sit down and check all of my mods to see how much time I need to set aside for a serious upgrade!

Cool that your mod works in the earlier version, and I am very excited to know this will work in the new cart in addition to better security :blush: (almost as glad as I am to see the paypal fix in the new cart - that stuck paypal issue has been a pain in the typing fingers!)

Thanks again.

Lori

21 Jan 2007, 21:48

#16

boggled

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Join Date:: Mar 2006
Posts:: 286
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

Hi!

Love this mod! It's exactly what I've been looking for. :smile:

I think I've run into a minor glitch though.
I just installed it on a v1.3.7 with a template using BetterCategoriesEZ (downloaded template - this mod was already integrated with it).

I *tried* using WinMerge (I say tried because I'd never done it before and not sure if I did it correctly) on the tpl_categories file.

The hidden category still shows up in the Category list, but does not show in the All Products, New Products lists or Search. Yeah!

I did a work around by disabling the category completely, but leaving the test product in it enabled. Now it doesn't show up in the Category list or the other lists. Great!!

BUT...if I turn on my "Whats New" sidebox it still shows up there. :down:
Is this normal behavior for this mod or is the BetterCategories mod conflicting with it? Is there a workaround?

Any and all suggestions, fixes, etc welcomed!!

27 Jan 2007, 19:56

#17

eaglewu

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jan 2007
Posts:: 82
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

I read the readme.txt of hideCategories

Installation:
First, use the included sql file to update your database (adds a new table - edits nothing). If you don't know how to do this, seek help on the ZenCart forums.

How to do this? didn't find a solution after I search the forum.

27 Jan 2007, 20:18

#18

s_mack

Totally Zenned

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Re: hideCategories

I understand that things can be difficult for beginners. However, this isn't the place for that question. The operation in question is a basic sql task and the answer you're not looking for (but probably the most helpful) is "until you learn how php and sql work you probably shouldn't be installing mods". Try asking how to use a *.sql file in the general forum. That's what I meant by "seek help on the ZenCart forums".

I want to clarify my position here: Its not that I'm trying to be rude or unhelpful, but there needs to be a progression of steps before anyone can really help. It doesn't really do you any good to have "the answer" and not understand what is happening. And frankly, its not the contrib author's responsibility to teach basic php/sql techniques. Sorry, I don't know how to say that without sounding like a prick.

- Steven

27 Jan 2007, 20:49

#19

eaglewu

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Join Date:: Jan 2007
Posts:: 82
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Re: hideCategories

s_mack:
I understand that things can be difficult for beginners. However, this isn't the place for that question. The operation in question is a basic sql task and the answer you're not looking for (but probably the most helpful) is "until you learn how php and sql work you probably shouldn't be installing mods". Try asking how to use a *.sql file in the general forum. That's what I meant by "seek help on the ZenCart forums".

I want to clarify my position here: Its not that I'm trying to be rude or unhelpful, but there needs to be a progression of steps before anyone can really help. It doesn't really do you any good to have "the answer" and not understand what is happening. And frankly, its not the contrib author's responsibility to teach basic php/sql techniques. Sorry, I don't know how to say that without sounding like a prick.

- Steven

Thank you for your quick reply. I have no background of php and sql.
My previous expericen is on asp and mdb.

Is this the place I creat new table?

http://www.***/dh_phpmyadmin/my.***/

http://www.hotdealspot.net/dh_phpmyadmin/mysql.hotdealspot.net/themes/original/img/b_newtbl.pngCreate new table on database********
Name:
Number of fields:

1) What's the name should I put? Whatever I want?
2) Number of fields? What's that.

Please be patient, I may not as smart as others.

28 Jan 2007, 01:52

#20

eaglewu

New Zenner

Join Date:: Jan 2007
Posts:: 82
Plugin Contributions:: 0

Re: hideCategories

Hello:

Here is the sql file I run. All the tables have prefix deals_.
If I do not add the prefix in

CREATE TABLE `hide_categories` (

I got an error.

DROP TABLE IF EXISTS `deals_hide_categories` ;# MySQL returned an empty result set (i.e. zero rows).
# MySQL returned an empty result set (i.e. zero rows).
CREATE TABLE `deals_hide_categories` (
`hide_categories_id` int( 11 ) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT ,
`categories_id` int( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
`visibility_status` int( 11 ) NOT NULL ,
PRIMARY KEY ( `hide_categories_id` )
);# MySQL returned an empty result set (i.e. zero rows).
# MySQL returned an empty result set (i.e. zero rows).

However, I can't see the hide option in admin? Anything wrong?

Please help.
Thanks