Main_page_content to remain constant

[rwoody]

I'm working on a new template and there is content that I want to remain constant on the main page in the center column.

How would I go about adjusting the tpl_main_page so that it works basically as the index_default does. What I'm referring to is when the categories and other links are clicked I want that content to continue to appear below the location of the main_page content vs. having it disappear and the modules move up.

I've been looking at both files, but I can't quite get my brain around modifying the main_page to accomplish this.

I hope I haven't confused anyone.

Any ideas?

[kobra]

I'm working on a new template and there is content that I want to remain constant

Where is this content entered? main_page.php? or elsewhere?

[rwoody]

Hi there Kobra! I know you probably have the answer right up your sleeve : ' }

What I have is an image (we'll call it an information banner) that I want located exactly where the main content sits if you were to use the define. I've been playing with this and have positioned it using css... but... it really causes many issues doing that. It throws the template out of wack and way to much adjusting is required to the balance of the layout using css, so it just doesn't seem to overall be a good idea.

So my thought is I could lay the image in a file and place it in the main page define area, but when a catagory or other link is clicked and you leave the index page, I don't want the content to disappear as it normally does. So basically what I want to do is have the content be static all the time as it is on the index page when you first arrive at the home page and have the other module's content appear below it as new or featured products appears.

Hope I haven't confused you.

[Kim]

Ruth-

Can you show me a mock up of where on the page you are wanting this content? I am not grasping it from your description.

[gjh42]

You could edit tpl_main_page.php to insert your image in a div say just after the breadcrumbs, and wrap that in an if test to display as long as you are not on certain pages (I presume you wouldn't want the image on say the shopping cart or login).
A clearboth after it may keep complications from arising(?), and reserve a positive block of space. It would want some playing with...

[rwoody]

Actually I want it all the time -

Kim - here's the design as I originally did it (Click Here to See Site) and its a mess, so I'm ripping it apart and starting over. Things move and wank based on browser and page view. I want to figure this out as I have other ideas that I want to do this same thing with for future designs also. I'm also changing the menu to pure css as it is also an issue due to absolute positioning.

Here you will see that I hard coded the image using positioning in a <div> At first glance it works - but not really. Opera thows up over this entire design and I have more adjustments in the css than you can shake a stick at and its just down right messy, just trying to stablize everything.

So - that said - If I could just place the image in the main_page define which calls it to the proper location in the home page and have it "not" go away when links are clicked it would solve all the issues I'm dealing with. I'm also going to be getting rid of the right hand upper menu and placing the banners on the right back into a blank side box, which did not work with the current center image layout. On certain page views the right hand banner ended up in the basement...lol.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thanks

Ruth

[Kim]

Ruth-

You will prolly just fall off your chair - but there is a banner position right there and I would use it to manage that image. ( It is called header position 3)

[rwoody]

You have got to be kidding me... ok, getting off the floor I'm "assuming" i can set it to always show? Hmmm after this one I will need a quick hair transplant as I've pulled much of it out trying to get this to work. You can bet, I'll pull that out and see how it works.

Guess who's my best friend today???

[rwoody]

Absolutely fits like a glove works beautifully (set it up on the new one locally) I'm so thrilled. Are there any docs on the other banner locations that might not be obvious? I've just never had a need before and now I'd like to make sure I'm not overlooking other options I've missed in the past.

Thank you again for such a simple wonderful solution.