Image Handler 2 (for ZC v1.3.8 ONLY) Support

[tpeck]

I've spent a few hours tracking down the reason for the zen_href_link('', '', 'NONSSL') error I was getting when trying to use the Image Manager...

The problem was first(?) noticed and commented about by mrmarcus66 in posts #42 and #56, pages 5 and 6 respectively, in 2006(!) in this very same thread.

Once again I think I found what was causing errors with my installation of IH.

The image file name was:
rubber_latex_arm_band(1_stripe)7578_01

the image file name was renamed to:
rubber_latex_arm_band_1_stripe_7578_01

Notice the new file name does not have the ().

Can anyone else try an image with () in the filename and try to add additional images and see what behavour happens.

He didn't get an answer to his question in this thread (unless I missed it), but perhaps he did in another thread:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...t=67679&page=2


It seems that circular brackets (parentheses to Americans) in image filenames...these things: ()...do indeed send IH2 into a spin. Oddly enough (except to coders I suppose), square brackets [] do not. (I can confirm this.)

Given that naming files with parentheses is a common enough (although apparently frowned upon) way to name files, I would highly recommend this information be included in the IH2 readme file (it isn't, I checked).


Isn't life interesting? Especially when fossicking about you find such tidbits as these:

(On the Microsft website re Excel: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/123577)

Note Microsoft does not recommend using brackets or other special characters in paths or filenames.

(Thanks Bill! er Ballmer. I wish I'd known this years ago.)

Desiderius Erasmus coined the term lunula to refer to the rounded parentheses (), recalling the round shape of the moon.

http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/erasmus.html

Erasmus stands as the supreme type of cultivated common sense applied to human affairs.

That's what's been missing in my life.

Some authors follow the convention in mathematical equations that, when parentheses have one level of nesting, the inner pair are parentheses and the outer pair are square brackets.

So there you have it - it was lunula all along.


************************************


One other thing I discovered was how to remove the annoying "alt" display overlapping the Image Handler mouseover image zooms: (timkroeger post #44 of this thread)

(Purists should turn away now...)

You could also edit line 78 of includes/functions/extra_functions/functions_bmz_image_handler.php (line number may be different for you) to pass an empty string for alt

...replace:

return array($src, '', intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

with

return array($src, $alt, intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

Thanks DivaVocals for your valiant attempts to help - it was and is appreciated. And yes, you do have to have SAFE MODE turned off in the php.ini file in the home directory. BTW this is the default. And, yes, of course, the image folders do have to be writeable.

But for me it was those loonytune lunulas.

[tpeck]

Erasmus you forsook me!

I got it round the wrong way! To stop the alt display (and it's not necessarily recommended)...

replace:

return array($src, $alt, intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

with

return array($src, '', intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

...around line 78 of includes/functions/extra_functions/functions_bmz_image_handler.php

Sorry.

[gilby]

I've spent a few hours tracking down the reason for the zen_href_link('', '', 'NONSSL') error I was getting when trying to use the Image Manager...

The problem was first(?) noticed and commented about by mrmarcus66 in posts #42 and #56, pages 5 and 6 respectively, in 2006(!) in this very same thread.

Quote:
Once again I think I found what was causing errors with my installation of IH.

The image file name was:
rubber_latex_arm_band(1_stripe)7578_01

the image file name was renamed to:
rubber_latex_arm_band_1_stripe_7578_01

Notice the new file name does not have the ().

Can anyone else try an image with () in the filename and try to add additional images and see what behavour happens.

He didn't get an answer to his question in this thread (unless I missed it), but perhaps he did in another thread:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...t=67679&page=2

It seems that circular brackets (parentheses to Americans) in image filenames...these things: ()...do indeed send IH2 into a spin. Oddly enough (except to coders I suppose), square brackets [] do not. (I can confirm this.)

Given that naming files with parentheses is a common enough (although apparently frowned upon) way to name files, I would highly recommend this information be included in the IH2 readme file (it isn't, I checked).

This seems logical.
You are trying to evaluate a function: rubber_latex_arm_band()
with a parameter: 1_stripe
As neither exist you are getting an empty '' result.

Always bad practice to use curved brackets like this.

As well square brackets [] and other mathematical symbols should probably be avoided as well.
You never know when you will get "unexpected" results when they are evaluated.

[DivaVocals]

You're welcome.. and I'm glad you found your answer..

Like I said earlier.. in my looksee through some of the posts where this error came about that regardless of which module was triggering the error (because it was more than just IH2 where this error is reported), it always appeared that the solution was be related to server configuration or file naming conventions (as in product and category names) used by shop owners.. Without more information from you it's a shot in the dark as to the specific nature of your issue.. and again, it's not reported often here and it appeared to be isolated incidents.. so I was not aware of any other threads on the topic.. (I don't spend that much time trolling this forum..)

In GENERAL image file names, as well as Product and Cateories should NOT contain ANY characters. (with the exception of perhaps underscores and dashes.) and image file names should avoid using spaces in the file names.. This isn't just an IH2 recommendation it's just a general Zen Cart recommendation. I recommend to my clients that if they MUST have more meaningful image file names to use upper and lower case files names. For example: SheaButterCream.jpg This way the file name is meaningful and it avoids all the other naming pitfalls.

NOW.. would YOU like to try the newest IH2 files?? I think you will be happy now that you found out that IH2 does indeed work.. Wouldn't it be great to have the latest version now??

PM if interested..

I've spent a few hours tracking down the reason for the zen_href_link('', '', 'NONSSL') error I was getting when trying to use the Image Manager...

The problem was first(?) noticed and commented about by mrmarcus66 in posts #42 and #56, pages 5 and 6 respectively, in 2006(!) in this very same thread.




He didn't get an answer to his question in this thread (unless I missed it), but perhaps he did in another thread:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...t=67679&page=2


It seems that circular brackets (parentheses to Americans) in image filenames...these things: ()...do indeed send IH2 into a spin. Oddly enough (except to coders I suppose), square brackets [] do not. (I can confirm this.)

Given that naming files with parentheses is a common enough (although apparently frowned upon) way to name files, I would highly recommend this information be included in the IH2 readme file (it isn't, I checked).


Isn't life interesting? Especially when fossicking about you find such tidbits as these:

(On the Microsft website re Excel: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/123577) (Thanks Bill! er Ballmer. I wish I'd known this years ago.)



http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/erasmus.html

That's what's been missing in my life.



So there you have it - it was lunula all along.


************************************


One other thing I discovered was how to remove the annoying "alt" display overlapping the Image Handler mouseover image zooms: (timkroeger post #44 of this thread)

(Purists should turn away now...)



...replace:

return array($src, '', intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

with

return array($src, $alt, intval($width), intval($height), $parameters);

Thanks DivaVocals for your valiant attempts to help - it was and is appreciated. And yes, you do have to have SAFE MODE turned off in the php.ini file in the home directory. BTW this is the default. And, yes, of course, the image folders do have to be writeable.

But for me it was those loonytune lunulas.

[DivaVocals]

This seems logical.
You are trying to evaluate a function: rubber_latex_arm_band()
with a parameter: 1_stripe
As neither exist you are getting an empty '' result.

Always bad practice to use curved brackets like this.

As well square brackets [] and other mathematical symbols should probably be avoided as well.
You never know when you will get "unexpected" results when they are evaluated.

I agree.. NO special characters in file names is always the safest filenaming approach.. and same holds true for product, category names.. I've seen special characters in product names cause issues with other mods and Zen Cart in general..

[tpeck]

Thanks DivaVocals, I'm becoming a convert!

I really do recommend that this information be included in the otherwise excellent readme file. Or, of course, some bright person attempt to "fix" the code if at all possible to allow image filenames with parentheses to be uploaded without error. After all, it's not common knowledge that () can cause problems.

Testing with such an image file I can easily upload one with brackets to, say, http://www.freeimagehosting.net/upload.php

Now that it works well, the program is sweet, no two ways about it, but it's obvious that others do name their files this way (it's not exactly forbidden) or the error wouldn't be posted so often and stump much smarter people than me.

Image Handler exists almost solely to manage files (isn't the zooming considered a sort of side benefit?), so it reallly does behoove the distributor to at least mention this hiccup in the documentation - along with the other supposedly known problem with long filenames (I haven't tested this).

And yes, I would LOVE to try the newest files. Thanks.

[DivaVocals]

Honestly the file naming issue is really less of an IH2 issue than it is just GENERALLY just not a good idea whether you use IH2 or not.. It's more of a matter of educating folks rather than enabling what truly is a BAD practice... (I spend quite a bit of time education my clients so they do NOT continue these bad habits) The fact of the matter is that there really isn't a GOOD reason why they (parentheses) should be a part of any image name.. I'll give adding it to the readme some thought.. (no promises)

Thanks DivaVocals, I'm becoming a convert!

I really do recommend that this information be included in the otherwise excellent readme file. Or, of course, some bright person attempt to "fix" the code if at all possible to allow image filenames with parentheses to be uploaded without error. After all, it's not common knowledge that () can cause problems.

Testing with such an image file I can easily upload one with brackets to, say, http://www.freeimagehosting.net/upload.php

Now that it works well, the program is sweet, no two ways about it, but it's obvious that others do name their files this way (it's not exactly forbidden) or the error wouldn't be posted so often and stump much smarter people than me.

Image Handler exists almost solely to manage files (isn't the zooming considered a sort of side benefit?), so it reallly does behoove the distributor to at least mention this hiccup in the documentation - along with the other supposedly known problem with long filenames (I haven't tested this).

And yes, I would LOVE to try the newest files. Thanks.

[FragaGeddon]

When I put my mouse over the New Products in the left column, I get this bar that appears at the very top and will display whatever I hover over. It will display the description and the picture.
What do I need to fix this.

[FragaGeddon]

Forgot to copy some files into my custom template. *slaps forehead*

When I put my mouse over the New Products in the left column, I get this bar that appears at the very top and will display whatever I hover over. It will display the description and the picture.
What do I need to fix this.

[tpeck]

I'm sure you'll all be thoroughly bored by the brackets in filenames topic, but in the interest of thoroughness I'll finish this off.

The reason I didn't twig that the filename was causing the issue was because...

a) I don't have the skills to read these errors meaningfully
and
b) I installed the mod (add-on or whatever) with the images already uploaded. Thus when I went to use the Image Manager and attempted to upload an image with an ordinary "no-brackets" name, it failed. I was unaware that it was the existing images (with brackets in the names) that were the problem.

The revelation is kind of hidden when you spend hours trying to upload all manner of file types UNLESS you upload to a spot behind a no-brackets image. And then you are flummoxed because there seems no rhyme nor reason to the intermittent nature of the error.

Anyway, that's all. I'll certainly be naming my files differently in future.