Blank sidebox

[scorpio4646]

Just installed a new blank sidebox.
Could someone explain the difference between putting data into the blank_sidebox_defines.php or the tpl_blank_sidebox.php. If I remove the message in blank_sidebox_defines.php ie define('TEXT_BLANK_SIDEBOX', 'Replace this text with your HTML content.'); then I get a blank area at the top of the sidebox . Help Please

[scorpio4646]

Another thing I cannot understand is the Layout Boxes Controller. Not Sure how the different settings effect the boxes, namely the LEFT/RIGHT COLUMN Status and SINGLE COLUMN Status

[scorpio4646]

Could someone please expalin why it takes so long to answer a query

[DrByte]

Could someone please expalin why it takes so long to answer a query

Perhaps if you posted more information about what you were trying to replace that text with, answers might be more forthcoming.

[DrByte]

Another thing I cannot understand is the Layout Boxes Controller. Not Sure how the different settings effect the boxes, namely the LEFT/RIGHT COLUMN Status and SINGLE COLUMN Status

The left/right column status is used to determine whether to display the particular sidebox in the ... um ... left or right column.

Single column status is not used in the current version of Zen Cart. It's an old feature kept for backwards compatibility only. It may be removed or replaced in a future release.

[DrByte]

then I get a blank area at the top of the sidebox .

What exactly do you mean?
Perhaps a URL to see it in action would be helpful.

[scorpio4646]

Thanks for the explanation of the single column feature in layout control. As to the other question here is the URL
http://www.coolers-computers.com
The sidebox in question is "Our sponsors" on the right hand side of the page. notice there is a large white space above the Image

[DrByte]

You've got some really bad HTML in there.

If you click on View Source in your browser, you'll see that the sidebox is drawn from this information:

<!--// bof: blanksidebox //-->
<div class="rightBoxContainer" id="blanksidebox" style="width: 150px">
<h3 class="rightBoxHeading" id="blanksideboxHeading">Our Sponsors</h3>
<div id="blanksideboxContent" class="sideBoxContent"><p><p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.cool-fm.net" target="_blank"><img src="images/sponsor.jpg" alt="CoolFM internet Radio" width="142" height="227" border="0" /></a></div>
</body>
</div></p></p></div></div>
<!--// eof: blanksidebox //-->

1. Get rid of the </body> line. You shouldn't be ending your "body" tag in the middle of the page.
2. Get rid of the extra <p> and </p> and </div> tags as shown.
Those are all in the sidebox template file where you inserted your own stuff.



And, you could have used the Banners system to do the Sponsors sidebox, instead of installing a new sidebox.
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=80

[scorpio4646]

Thanks very much for that information I will look into it. So using the banner box would be better for this.

[scorpio4646]

ok tried that looks much better and easy to install thanks once again. As you will have noticed I am completely new to this (about six weeks) but I am learning thanks to you guys