Contest System [support thread]

joyjoy:

Here you go:
http://www.funhn.com/shop/index.php?main_page=contest

I realize that it's not set up properly with the prize but I'm just trying to adjust the layout right now.

If you click on the "rules" and "winners" pages, you'll see what I mean about the layout.

However, I would like to note that it does display properly in Firefox.

Is there a way to remove these links out of the form and just insert as regular text links to an actual rules and winners page? That might work too. I'm not too familiar with forms.

Thank you!

I have the same Problem only on explorer, ones the contest is over and after sending the contest mail.

the contest is over:
http://naspex.info/spiritwear/designer.t-shirt.tshirt.tee/index.php?main_page=contest

rules" and "winners" pages,
http://naspex.info/spiritwear/designer.t-shirt.tshirt.tee/index.php?main_page=contest&action=winner

In Firefox Contest System display properly.
display properly Is there a way to solve this proplem?
Thanks for help.

I have the same Problem only on explorer, ones the contest is over and after sending the contest mail.

You are running an older version you might want to try version 1.6.4

Skip

Thanks for help,:smile:
I install now the new contest_system_v1-6-4 works OK.

But I like to let only register visitors to be in the contest.

That’s not possible, Internet Explorer have problem to show it correct.
I have to change something on my template?

http://naspex.info/spiritwear/designer.t-shirt.tshirt.tee/index.php?main_page=contest

Thanks

Skip, I'm using zen 1.3.9h, and the template apparel_boutique. I've uploaded all the files, changed the name of MY TEMPLATE and ADMIN as instructed. I show new entries in Admin/Configuration and Admin/Reports/Contest Prize Entries, but there's nothing in the admin/tools/Layout Box Controller showing 'contest_sidebox.php' to allow me to set the display to left or right column. As a result, nothing shows up on the home page at www.houseofjoypublishing.com.

I'm sure I've done something wrong... any clues?

Thanks for your help!

Ken

Ken Joy:

Skip, I'm using zen 1.3.9h, and the template apparel_boutique. I've uploaded all the files, changed the name of MY TEMPLATE and ADMIN as instructed. I show new entries in Admin/Configuration and Admin/Reports/Contest Prize Entries, but there's nothing in the admin/tools/Layout Box Controller showing 'contest_sidebox.php' to allow me to set the display to left or right column. As a result, nothing shows up on the home page at www.houseofjoypublishing.com.

I'm sure I've done something wrong... any clues?

Thanks for your help!

Ken

Check includes/templates/apparel_boutique/sideboxes/tpl_contest_sidebox.php
This is the files that would show up in the Layout Box Controller

Skip

Skip,

Thanks for a great mod! I've used it for three weeks now, and it's driving traffic to my site like crazy. But now it's stopped working for some reason. The only thing I did different this time, was when I chose a winner by clicking the choose a winner button, I followed the prompts to create a new contest, rather than going back and doing it manually in configuration/contests.

Now, now matter what I choose, whether I ask a qualifying question or not, it only shows the "contest has ended" message. I've checked and the date format is correct for start and stop of contest, and all other settings are the same.

Any ideas what might be happening? I'm using your contest v. 1.6.4 in zencart 1.3.9h. Like I said, it worked fine the first three weeks. The site is https://www.houseofjoypublishing.com

Thanks for your help!
Ken

Check that the settings under admin->configuration->contests is setup correct.

Example:

Show contest invitation ..................................... true
To Enter Contest must have a Product Review .... false
Prize ............................................................... 432
Contest Start Date ........................................... 01/01/2011
Contest Date Display Format ............................. F d Y
Contest Close Date ........................................... 01/31/2011
Allow guest to enter contes ............................... true
Allow customers to enter contest ........................ true
Contest Reference Code .................................... 121
Display a qualifing question to enter contest ........ true
Contest Question ....... The Sun is A=Cold B=Hot C=Pink
Contest Answer.. B

Skip

Skip, thanks....

duh... I typed in the contest end date incorrectly... man.. sorry for the bother :) but thanks for your incredible speedy reply.

I highly recommend this module to ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DRIVE TRAFFIC TO THEIR SITE!!

Hi Skip,

Is there a way that I can possibly add customers to the contest in admin manually instead of only by the customer order listing?

joyjoy:

Hi Skip,

Is there a way that I can possibly add customers to the contest in admin manually instead of only by the customer order listing?

No

The add customer button adds customers based on:
orders_status = 3 (payment received)
date_purchased >=start date and <=end date

When you say add customers what type of customer?

If there is just a few enter them from the front end as if you where them.

Skip

Well one of the ways that I am encouraging feedback is to allow an extra entry for feedback left for purchases so I was hoping that I could add the extra entry in admin...if I enter it through the store front it'll come back as already entered.

Thank you.

One more question I had...is there a way to set up your contests in advance? I run the drawing monthly from the 1st through the end of the month. But each contest is exclusive to the contest settings...I was hoping to set it up for each month so it would be a smooth transition when the current contest ends.

Any ideas or am I stuck doing the manual reconfigure each month? I don't mind the set up I just don't want people losing out if it's not done immediately...since entries cannot be input manually. This kind of ties in to my other inquiry too i guess. :smile:

Thank you.

joyjoy:

Well one of the ways that I am encouraging feedback is to allow an extra entry for feedback left for purchases so I was hoping that I could add the extra entry in admin...if I enter it through the store front it'll come back as already entered.

Thank you.
joyjoy:

One more question I had...is there a way to set up your contests in advance? I run the drawing monthly from the 1st through the end of the month. But each contest is exclusive to the contest settings...I was hoping to set it up for each month so it would be a smooth transition when the current contest ends.

Any ideas or am I stuck doing the manual reconfigure each month? I don't mind the set up I just don't want people losing out if it's not done immediately...since entries cannot be input manually. This kind of ties in to my other inquiry too i guess. :smile:

Thank you.

These are two good ideas but for now there is no built in options for these.

I will look into adding something along these lines to the mod in the future.

Skip

Skip,

Is there an easy way to add another column to include City/State on the contestwinners page?

TinMan780:

Skip,

Is there an easy way to add another column to include City/State on the contestwinners page?

Find file /includes/languages/english/html_includes/YOUR_TEMPLATE/define_contestwinner.php
Make it look like this.

<!-- bof define_contestwinner-->
<center>
<table width="90%" border="0">
  <tr>
    <td class="productListing-rowheading">Winners Name</td>
    <td class="productListing-rowheading">City State</td>
    <td class="productListing-rowheading">Contest Date</td>
    <td class="productListing-rowheading">Prize</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Skip Water</td>
    <td>City State</td>
    <td>10/30/2008</td>
    <td>$25.00 Gift Card</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td> </td>
    <td> </td>
    <td> </td>
    <td> </td>
  </tr>
</table>
</center>
<!-- eof define_contestwinner -->

That works perfectly! Thanks so very much Skip

I have just tried to install the contest mod on a fresh install of Zen Cart v1.3.9h running on MySQL 5.1.56 and 5.2.16 (Zend: 2.2.0)

When I tried to run the install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php in Zen Cart admin I got the following error

1064 You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'in:
[ 11.06.08 To run place this file in your admin folder and then point your browser to it http://www.yoursite.com/admin/install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php Added contestant_ip_address field 11/20/2008 Added DB PREFIX 01.31.09 Added CONTEST_DATE_DISPLAY_FORMAT 09/09/09 Added CONTEST_REVIEWS_REQUIRED 11.19.2010 */ require('includes/application_top.php');]
If you were entering information, press the BACK button in your browser and re-check the information you had entered to be sure you left no blank fields.

I am wondering if I have misunderstood the instructions with respect to the install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php file. Please help by clarifying what I need to do to make this mod work. Thank you for your time:dontgetit

http://www.yoursite.com/install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php
installs the sql

Tried what you suggested Tinman and just get a broken link even though the file is definitely in the admin/includes folder

How would I manually add to the database?

bookwise:

I have just tried to install the contest mod on a fresh install of Zen Cart v1.3.9h running on MySQL 5.1.56 and 5.2.16 (Zend: 2.2.0)

When I tried to run the install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php in Zen Cart admin I got the following error

1064 You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'in:
[ 11.06.08 To run place this file in your admin folder and then point your browser to it http://www.yoursite.com/admin/install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php Added contestant_ip_address field 11/20/2008 Added DB PREFIX 01.31.09 Added CONTEST_DATE_DISPLAY_FORMAT 09/09/09 Added CONTEST_REVIEWS_REQUIRED 11.19.2010 */ require('includes/application_top.php');]
If you were entering information, press the BACK button in your browser and re-check the information you had entered to be sure you left no blank fields.

I am wondering if I have misunderstood the instructions with respect to the install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php file. Please help by clarifying what I need to do to make this mod work. Thank you for your time:dontgetit

bookwise

That error should not be. That is comment information within the php file.

Try this log in into you ZC admin.
Once logged in change your url to ```
http://www.yoursite.com/your_admin/install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php

That should run install-sql-contest-v1.6.4.php

Skip