Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

[gjh42]

Thanks for the encouragement, Linda! Right now I am using the example of the column_single files to bring arbitrary sideboxes into the "middlebox" system since I understand all the intricacies of it, but obviously if I can make the original single column settings work as intended that would be ideal. I would expect to include something like the multiple positions for center sidebox display, to keep the flexibility that the latest version of middleboxes has.

I have the outline of the code for calling sideboxes... still need a few more file modifications to make the middlebox system work equally with middleboxes and sideboxes, before I can test it. Nearly all of the mod files will change somewhat to accomplish this.
No sidebox files will need to be touched or cloned to use them in the middlebox system.

[DivaVocals]

Thanks for the encouragement, Linda! Right now I am using the example of the column_single files to bring arbitrary sideboxes into the "middlebox" system since I understand all the intricacies of it, but obviously if I can make the original single column settings work as intended that would be ideal. I would expect to include something like the multiple positions for center sidebox display, to keep the flexibility that the latest version of middleboxes has.

I have the outline of the code for calling sideboxes... still need a few more file modifications to make the middlebox system work equally with middleboxes and sideboxes, before I can test it. Nearly all of the mod files will change somewhat to accomplish this.
No sidebox files will need to be touched or cloned to use them in the middlebox system.

Whooo hoo!! That is AWESOME news Glenn.. I am sooo excited!! I will GLADLY be a willing guinea pig to test the code when it's ready for testing.. This will make this awesome add-on an even BETTER thing when you pull it off.. With this kind of flexibility shopowners will be able to easily pull off looks similar to what one can do with WordPress widgets.. I LOVE it!!

**does happy dance**

[gjh42]

After looking at all the pieces of code to handle sideboxes, I was able to rethink the process and greatly simplify it. With the sidebox filename in middlebox_filenames.php (replacing 'define_middlebox_x' with 'best_sellers'), the controller can handle them each appropriately. Making that one edit renders the corresponding define file irrelevant, as the sidebox will be called in its place during middlebox group processing. I still have to test it to make sure there isn't some other bump in the road (like Zen Cart define pages editor looking for a best_sellers define file and throwing an error??) which may require alternate coding...

[DivaVocals]

After looking at all the pieces of code to handle sideboxes, I was able to rethink the process and greatly simplify it. With the sidebox filename in middlebox_filenames.php (replacing 'define_middlebox_x' with 'best_sellers'), the controller can handle them each appropriately. Making that one edit renders the corresponding define file irrelevant, as the sidebox will be called in its place during middlebox group processing. I still have to test it to make sure there isn't some other bump in the road (like Zen Cart define pages editor looking for a best_sellers define file and throwing an error??) which may require alternate coding...

I think I could kiss you Glenn!!! This is exciting news.. I am ANXIOUSLY waiting to see the final code.. You are beyond awesome!!

[gjh42]

I have just gotten this working to display a sidebox in a middlebox group. I had the outline working, but ran into the fact that anything called from a function loses page variables unless they are explicitly declared "global"... which obviously is not acceptable for universal use. I had to rework the function into a module file (a bit more cumbersome to insert the call into the tpl_index_ files), but once I did that it worked like a charm.
I also bypassed the question of renaming FILENAME_DEFINE_ constants by putting the filename call into admin. Now you can set each middlebox location and whether you want a particular sidebox to appear in its place.

I need to migrate the working files back to the mod folder and do a few more tweaks, and then I can send out beta testing zips to anybody who wants to try it (Diva:).

[DivaVocals]

I have just gotten this working to display a sidebox in a middlebox group. I had the outline working, but ran into the fact that anything called from a function loses page variables unless they are explicitly declared "global"... which obviously is not acceptable for universal use. I had to rework the function into a module file (a bit more cumbersome to insert the call into the tpl_index_ files), but once I did that it worked like a charm.
I also bypassed the question of renaming FILENAME_DEFINE_ constants by putting the filename call into admin. Now you can set each middlebox location and whether you want a particular sidebox to appear in its place.

I need to migrate the working files back to the mod folder and do a few more tweaks, and then I can send out beta testing zips to anybody who wants to try it (Diva:).

Heck yeah I wanna try this!!!! Do you still have my e-mail address???

[gjh42]

It took a bunch of debugging for "minor" issues, but I think I now have it stable and tested for various configurations. Please try to break it so any remaining bugs can be worked out before submitting.
Diva, I have sent you a copy. Anybody else who wants one, please send me your e-mali address (broken up so the forum software doesn't xxxx it out).

Examples: