Sidebox Anywhere mod - Please Help

[TJR Stores]

I downloaded the Searchbox Anywhere mod and installed it yesterday.

The instructions seem to be a little vague to me. Can anuone help me get this onto a page and in working order too please.

USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
 *   1. Upload this single_sidebox.php file to the same folder as your Zen Cart files.
 *   2. On a PHP page where you desire to show Zen Cart sidebox content, insert the following code:
 *        $zcSBmodule = 'name.php';  // name of sidebox or centerbox to be displayed (see filenames in the /includes/modules/sideboxes folder) (if not set, uses "whats_new.php")
 *        $zcSBlayout = 'left';      // 'left' or 'right' sidebox template style (if not specified, uses 'left')
 *        require ("path/to/zencart/single_sidebox.php");

Now can someone tell me what format the require ("path/to/etc should be?

Also when I put it into a page all that is displayed is the text quoted above.

Could someone help with the correct coding to have this displaying correctly?
The pages I am looking to insert this too are all similar. The code ends and thats where i want this box displayed then, at the end of the page.

Also would it be possible to have this displayed using HTML or BBC for use in forum boards and as part of an affiliate programme?

Thanks
Rob

[Website Rob]

Haven't installed this Mod myself, but your 'path/to/etc' would probably be something like:

includes/templates/tjrwatches/sideboxes/single_sidebox.php

If you haven't one already, you will need to create the 'sideboxes' dir.

You cannot use BBC code but should be no problems with HTML.

[TJR Stores]

Thanks for the reply.

But how do I then insert it into a page so that it displays correctly?

EDITED TO ADD: I have added the whole file so you can see what i have missed (no doubt i have missed alot :$)

<?php
/**
 * single_sidebox.php used to display a Zen Cart sidebox on some external resource
 *
 * @package general
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2008 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: single_sidebox.php 2008-01-03 01:01:18Z drbyte $
 */
/*
 *   USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
 *   1. Upload this single_sidebox.php file to the same folder as your Zen Cart files.
 *   2. On a PHP page where you desire to show Zen Cart sidebox content, insert the following code:
 *        $zcSBmodule = 'name.php';  // name of sidebox or centerbox to be displayed (see filenames in the /includes/modules/sideboxes folder) (if not set, uses "whats_new.php")
 *        $zcSBlayout = 'left';      // 'left' or 'right' sidebox template style (if not specified, uses 'left')
 *        require ("includes/templates/tjrwatches/sideboxes/single_sidebox.php");
 *
 *
 *   DEFAULTS:
 *   $zcSBmodule = (if not set, uses "whats_new.php")
 *   $zcSBlayout = (optional) (if not specified, uses 'left')
 *   $zcSBwidth  = (optional) If not specified, uses Zen Cart store defaults
 *
*/
/******************** SINGLE_SIDEBOX.PHP SCRIPT CODE ********************/
/*
 * Determine working directory
 */
  $startingDir = getcwd();
  $zcDir = realpath(dirname(__FILE__));
  chdir($zcDir);
	define('STRICT_ERROR_REPORTING', false);
/*
 * Set default image dir, which overrides the usual Zen Cart settings in case the working dir is not the same
 */
//  define('DIR_WS_IMAGES', $zcDir . '/images/');
/**
 * Load common library stuff 
 */
  require('includes/application_top.php');

 /**
  *   module and layout determination
	*/
  if (!isset($zcSBmodule)) $zcSBmodule = (isset($_GET['module'])) ? zen_db_input($_GET['module']) : 'whats_new.php';
  if (!isset($zcSBcolumn)) $zcSBcolumn = (isset($_GET['layout'])) ? zen_db_input($_GET['layout']) : 'left';
  if (!isset($zcSBwidth)) $zcSBwidth  = (isset($_GET['width'])) ? zen_db_input($_GET['width']) : 0;
  if (substr($zcSBmodule, -4) != '.php') $zcSBmodule .= '.php';
  $column_width = (int)$zcSBwidth;
  if ($column_width == 0) $column_width = ($zcSBcolumn == 'right') ? COLUMN_WIDTH_RIGHT : COLUMN_WIDTH_LEFT;
  $column_box_default = ($zcSBcolumn == 'right') ? 'tpl_box_default_right.php' : 'tpl_box_default_left.php';

/**
 * Load required functions and processing to generate the output:
 */
  $language_page_directory = DIR_WS_LANGUAGES . $_SESSION['language'] . '/';
  $box_id = zen_get_box_id($zcSBmodule);
/**
 * Cycle through possible override options, first for sideboxes, and then for modules if no matching sidebox found
 */
  $paths_to_try = array();
  $paths_to_try[] = DIR_WS_MODULES . 'sideboxes/' . $template_dir . '/' . $zcSBmodule;
  $paths_to_try[] = DIR_WS_MODULES . 'sideboxes/' . $zcSBmodule;
  $paths_to_try[] = DIR_WS_MODULES . $template_dir . '/' . $zcSBmodule;
  $paths_to_try[] = DIR_WS_MODULES . $zcSBmodule;
  $found_object = false;
  for ($i=0, $n=sizeof($paths_to_try); $i < $n; $i++) {
    if ( file_exists($zcDir . '/' . $paths_to_try[$i]) ) {
      $found_object = true;
      require($paths_to_try[$i]);
      break;
    }
  }
/**
 * If nothing found yet, assume regular template
 */
  if (!$found_object && file_exists($template->get_template_dir($zcSBmodule, DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, 'index', 'templates') . '/' . $zcSBmodule)) {
    require($template->get_template_dir($zcSBmodule, DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, 'index', 'templates') . '/' . $zcSBmodule);
  } else if (isset($list_box_contents) && is_array($list_box_contents)) {
    require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_columnar_display.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common'). '/tpl_columnar_display.php');
  }
/**
 * Load general code which runs before page closes
 */
  require(DIR_WS_INCLUDES . 'application_bottom.php'); 
  chdir($startingDir);
?>

[Website Rob]

For output of desired Text, create a file (example: zcSidebox.php) and upload it here:
/includes/modules/sideboxes/zcSidebox.php

To output the Sidebox on your desired page(s) you insert this code wherever you want, in the other PHP script:

$zcSBmodule = 'zcSidebox.php';

[TJR Stores]

Thank you for the reply.

What do I put in this new file i created?
Do I need to put anything in it?

[Website Rob]

What you put in the other PHP file should include both lines.

$zcSBmodule = 'zcSidebox.php';
require("/home/yourID/public_html/includes/templates/tjrwatches/sideboxes/single_sidebox.php");

In the above example, you would put normal HTML code in the 'zcSidebox.php' file. Do not put in full page code.

i.e
Do not put:
<html
<head
<body

</body
</html

Only put in HTML code for what you actually want displayed. Be it a Table, Div, etc.

[DrByte]

You haven't said "where" you intend to use it.
I have no idea what exactly you're trying to do at this point.

It's already been stated that the Sidebox Anywhere mod is written to be used on PHP pages, not HTML pages. It is a PHP script. It is called from within existing PHP scripts. A simple PHP "require" command is all that's needed.

The instructions seem to be a little vague to me.

USAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
 *   1. Upload this single_sidebox.php file to the same folder as your Zen Cart files.
 *   2. On a PHP page where you desire to show Zen Cart sidebox content, insert the following code:
 *        $zcSBmodule = 'name.php';  // name of sidebox or centerbox to be displayed (see filenames in the /includes/modules/sideboxes folder) (if not set, uses "whats_new.php")
 *        $zcSBlayout = 'left';      // 'left' or 'right' sidebox template style (if not specified, uses 'left')
 *        require ("path/to/zencart/single_sidebox.php");

Now can someone tell me what format the require ("path/to/etc should be?

Translation:
1. Upload the single_sidebox.php file, as instructed, to the same folder as your Zen Cart files. Make no changes to it.

2. On a PHP page ... ie: one that has a .php extension, (not a .html extension), insert the 3 lines of code shown. Usually this would be an existing PHP page on your site.

3. the "path/to/zencart/" would be the server's filesystem path to your Zen Cart store, such as /home/yourname/public_html/store/

Can anuone help me get this onto a page and in working order too please.

Sure.
1. Upload single_sidebox.php as instructed.
2. Create a call_my_sidebox.php file in your /public_html/ folder.
3. Put this in it, making appropriate edits to suit your server:

<?php
  $zcSBmodule = 'whats_new.php';
  $zcSBlayout = 'left';
  require ("/home/tjrstores_user_name/public_html/zencart/single_sidebox.php");
?>

4. Run the file in your browser: www.tjrstores.com/call_my_sidebox.php
Your Zen Cart whats-new sidebox content will show up in the browser.

[TJR Stores]

Thank you fr the clear instruction.

Maybe a slight update to the file in the downloads section to avoind this in future could be a good idea..?

[TJR Stores]

OK I got it working on its own separate page, thank you DrByte for that.

My question is what code do I need to insert it in this section of the page...

  <div align="center"><a href="rss_feed.php"><img src="themes/<?=$setts['default_theme'];?>/img/system/rss.gif" border="0" alt="" align="absmiddle"></a></div>
HERE IS WHERE I WANT TO INSERT THE SIDEBOX
      <div><img src="themes/<?=$setts['default_theme'];?>/img/pixel.gif" width="180" height="1"></div></td>
   <td width="100%">

This piece of code is related to this website www.iwacstores.com/testsite/index.php

and will place it under the RSS Auctions image on the left hand side.

BUT I also would need to know if the code used would be suitable to use on any page, as most are similar to this one.

Thanks
Rob

[TJR Stores]

Wouldn't let me edit the post for some reason..

would like to add in http://www.tjrstores.com/new_stock.php which is the link to how the side box is displayed.