Mystery Sidebox Invisible Prior to Login

[Get Em Fast]

No problem. I'll get back to you sometime today. It may be a tonight, as I've got to work a couple of hours today, go pick up parts for my sons Bronco, work on it, and visit an uncle of mine that I haven't seen in a year. But don't give up on me......I won't leave you hanging. It's just going to be a busy day.
If I don't get it done by tonight at........say 8:00 P.M. central time, I'll still let you know.

[samadhi]

I'll be here. Patience is a virtue, right? ;-)
Thanks!

[Get Em Fast]

Got it! It's only 2 short files, and I'm going to add it to the contributions. If it gets accepted as a contribution, will be another story.
But you will have it, anyway.

I've added it as an attachment to this post. I've never attached anything to a post in this forum, so if it don't work, don't blame me, just let me know, and I'll e-mail it to you.

What this does is show the box all the time with a message that reads "Log In to see what surprise awaits you!"

Then, after the user is logged in, it shows your hidden content (which you will have to replace, as I just added the line "your hidden content goes here"

Hope you like it. It was a little challenge, but I enjoyed making something useful for everyone to use.

[Get Em Fast]

Oops, already updated! Use this one instead!!

[samadhi]

Not exactly what I had in mind (invisible prior to login), but perhaps it will take me a step closer. Thanks for your help! I'll check it out ASAP.

[samadhi]

Invisible or not, this "works a treat" as the Brits say. TY! Now how do I add it to the catalog pull-down in Admin so that I can easily update products ala "specials"?

[DrByte]

I'd like to configure a sidebox which is activated by user login in a effort to encourage registration. Any insight would be most appreciated!

Now how do I add it to the catalog pull-down in Admin so that I can easily update products ala "specials"?

I think it would help if you were to explain what exactly you are wanting to accomplish ...
There might be built-in features already established that might do what you want just by flipping a switch.

[DrByte]

Now how do I add it to the catalog pull-down in Admin so that I can easily update products ala "specials"?

What exactly do you mean by this?

[clydejones]

Oops, already updated! Use this one instead!!

If you want this sidebox to show up only after someone has logged in

change mystery_box.php as follows.

 $show_mystery_box = false;
 
if ($_SESSION['customer_id']) { 
$show_mystery_box = true;
}

  if ($show_mystery_box == true) {
    require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_mystery_box.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'sideboxes'). '/tpl_mystery_box.php');

// if no active banner in the specified banner group then the box will not show
// uses banners in the defined group $banner_box_group
//    if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {

      $title =  'Mystery Box';
      $title_link = false;
      require($template->get_template_dir($column_box_default, DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common') . '/' . $column_box_default);
}

This triggers the box to show only after login.

[samadhi]

Cool! What's the best way to embed product info & photos in this?