? Right column not displaying in template 241

Just started customizing my zencart and I'm using template '241' which the demo has displaying both left & right columns.

I think I have it figured that there are TWO places to control the sideboxes. Under admin menu option 'configuration : layout settings' and then also under admin menu option 'tools : layout boxes controller'.

I have the 'Column Left Status' and 'Column Right Status' (located in configuration : layout settings) set to '1' which is "on".

I have the 'best_sellers.php' and 'featured.php' options turned 'on' for the 'right column' (located in tools : layout boxes controller).

I've experimented with the Column Left Status and am able to turn the left column 'off' [not displaying] but can NOT seem to effect the right column.

What am I missing?

Suggestions appreciated.

Jann

http://www.a-stonehousedesign.com

Look in the template's COMMON folder for tpl_main_page.php and see if the settings there have been configured to hide the right column.

OK -- found the 'tpl_main_page.php' file...and have found code referencing the right column...HOWEVER... I don't know PHP so exactly what am I looking for? ie; what would "settings" in PHP code look like ?

I am not saying that tpl_main_page.php IS your problem... but that it MIGHT be your problem...

Look at the long list of commented code at the top...

If you see anything were the following line is being rendered ACTIVE

$flag_disable_right = true;

Then it is possible that this is your issue. You can DE-activate it by COMMENTING it out - probably by putting an asterisk in front of it (if it is still in this header text)

 *  $flag_disable_right = true;

... or by using php comment tags //

//  $flag_disable_right = true;

Look also at the line that says:

// the following IF statement can be duplicated/modified as needed to set additional flags
  if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'list_pages_to_skip_all_right_sideboxes_on_here,separated_by_commas,and_no_spaces')) ) {
    $flag_disable_right = true;
  }

if the text:

list_pages_to_skip_all_right_sideboxes_on_here,separated_by_commas,and_no_spaces

... is not there, and you see a** list **of pages being referenced instead, (EG: index,contact_us,checkout_shipping,shopping_cart,...)

Then DELETE all these page names, so that the lines of code look like this:

// the following IF statement can be duplicated/modified as needed to set additional flags
  if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'')) ) {
    $flag_disable_right = true;
  }

It is important to retain the php SYNTAX here... if you omit one single quote mark, you will break the page...

My example is proper syntax.

• Yes -- I understand that you are suggesting to just 'check' the tpl_main_page.php page and it may NOT be the issue.

• OK -- found all the commented code at the top and did find the PHP code "$flag_disable_right = true;" ...but it has the "*" in front of it so it's still a comment.

• This is the other reference to the right-column:```php

<?php //if (COLUMN_RIGHT_STATUS == 0 || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL == '1' and $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '') || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_COLUMN_RIGHT_OFF == 'true' && $_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0)) { if (COLUMN_RIGHT_STATUS == 0 || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL == '1' and $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '') || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_COLUMN_RIGHT_OFF == 'true' and ($_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0 or $_SESSION['customer_id'] == ''))) { // global disable of column_right $flag_disable_right = true; } if (!isset($flag_disable_right) || !$flag_disable_right) { ?> <td id="navColumnTwo" class="columnRight"> <?php /** * prepares and displays right column sideboxes * */ ?> <div id="navColumnTwoWrapper"><?php require(DIR_WS_MODULES . zen_get_module_directory('column_right.php')); ?></div></td> <?php } ?> </tr> </table> ```

Where did you get the template?

Template 241 is available on the demo page listing all the Free Templates;

http://(sorry, site offline)/templates.html

Hopefully the author will pop in to help then.

Yes -- that would be nice if the author of template 241 could share some insight.
...

I was able to get the 'shopping cart status' to display in the right-column by editing in the 'configuration : layout settings' to 'always'. Not sure WHY this box appears but the others do NOT.??

So there appears to be some sort of relationship between the 'configuration : layout settings' and the 'tools : layout boxes controller'. However, I don't see any references on the layout settings list to the other boxes [ "best sellers" or "featured" or "order history"] that I've indicated to display on the right column so I'm NOT seeing a pattern to this relationship. ???

It seems to me that if you have the 'Column Right Status - Global' set to "1" [on] then even if you don't assign any 'sideboxes' to the right column, the column space should still be reserved. ie; the center column should NOT take up the right-column space.

I'm noticing that in the 'layout settings' options description for the Column Right Status feature it says "1= Column Right is on, unless page override" -- how do I know if there is a 'page override' ?

jannz:

how do I know if there is a 'page override' ?

I just showed you... page overrides are specified in tpl_main_page.php .

Thanks 'schoolboy',

oh -- OK. I didn't realize that when you suggested to look in the 'tpl_main_page.php' file that it was an OVERRIDE file -- ??? ---

When you opened the override file, did it require the "fixes" as suggested?

Sorry 'schoolboy'...

I may NOT be understanding your question...???...however the following is what is in the comments at the top of the tpl_main_page.php file:

* to override the global settings and turn off columns un-comment the lines below for the correct column to turn off<br />
 * to turn off the header and/or footer uncomment the lines below<br />
 * Note: header can be disabled in the tpl_header.php<br />
 * Note: footer can be disabled in the tpl_footer.php<br />
 * <br />
 * $flag_disable_header = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_left = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_footer = true;<br />
 * <br />
 * // example to not display right column on main page when Always Show Categories is OFF<br />
 * <br />
 * if ($current_page_base == 'index' and $cPath == '') {<br />
 *  $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * }<br />
 * <br />
 * example to not display right column on main page when Always Show Categories is ON and set to categories_id 3<br />
 * <br />
 * if ($current_page_base == 'index' and $cPath == '' or $cPath == '3') {<br />
 *  $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * }<br />
 *

I may NOT understand how the PHP code works but since the flag is STILL a 'comment' [ie; "*" a the beginning of the line] my presumption is that there is NO override in play. ???

Post the WHOLE FILE here, in php tags...

OK -- here's template 241's "tpl_main_page.php" file:

<?php
/**
 * Common Template - tpl_main_page.php
 *
 * Governs the overall layout of an entire page<br />
 * Normally consisting of a header, left side column. center column. right side column and footer<br />
 * For customizing, this file can be copied to /templates/your_template_dir/pagename<br />
 * example: to override the privacy page<br />
 * - make a directory /templates/my_template/privacy<br />
 * - copy /templates/templates_defaults/common/tpl_main_page.php to /templates/my_template/privacy/tpl_main_page.php<br />
 * <br />
 * to override the global settings and turn off columns un-comment the lines below for the correct column to turn off<br />
 * to turn off the header and/or footer uncomment the lines below<br />
 * Note: header can be disabled in the tpl_header.php<br />
 * Note: footer can be disabled in the tpl_footer.php<br />
 * <br />
 * $flag_disable_header = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_left = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * $flag_disable_footer = true;<br />
 * <br />
 * // example to not display right column on main page when Always Show Categories is OFF<br />
 * <br />
 * if ($current_page_base == 'index' and $cPath == '') {<br />
 *  $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * }<br />
 * <br />
 * example to not display right column on main page when Always Show Categories is ON and set to categories_id 3<br />
 * <br />
 * if ($current_page_base == 'index' and $cPath == '' or $cPath == '3') {<br />
 *  $flag_disable_right = true;<br />
 * }<br />
 *
 * @package templateSystem
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 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: tpl_main_page.php 7085 2007-09-22 04:56:31Z ajeh $
 */

// the following IF statement can be duplicated/modified as needed to set additional flags
  if (in_array($current_page_base,explode(",",'list_pages_to_skip_all_right_sideboxes_on_here,separated_by_commas,and_no_spaces')) ) {
    $flag_disable_right = true;
  }


  $header_template = 'tpl_header.php';
  $footer_template = 'tpl_footer.php';
  $left_column_file = 'column_left.php';
  $right_column_file = 'column_right.php';
  $body_id = ($this_is_home_page) ? 'indexHome' : str_replace('_', '', $_GET['main_page']);
?>
<body id="<?php echo $body_id . 'Body'; ?>"<?php if($zv_onload !='') echo ' onload="'.$zv_onload.'"'; ?>>
<?php
  if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET1 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET1)) {
    if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {
?>
<div id="bannerOne" class="banners"><?php echo zen_display_banner('static', $banner); ?></div>
<?php
    }
  }
?>

<div id="mainWrapper">
<?php
 /**
  * prepares and displays header output
  *
  */
  if (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_HEADER_OFF == 'true' and ($_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0 or $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '')) {
    $flag_disable_header = true;
  }
  require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_header.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common'). '/tpl_header.php');?>

<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="contentMainWrapper">
  <tr>
<?php
if (COLUMN_LEFT_STATUS == 0 || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL == '1' and $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '') || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_COLUMN_LEFT_OFF == 'true' and ($_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0 or $_SESSION['customer_id'] == ''))) {
  // global disable of column_left
  $flag_disable_left = true;
}
if (!isset($flag_disable_left) || !$flag_disable_left) {
?>

 <td id="navColumnOne" class="columnLeft">
<?php
 /**
  * prepares and displays left column sideboxes
  *
  */
?>
<div id="navColumnOneWrapper"><?php require(DIR_WS_MODULES . zen_get_module_directory('column_left.php')); ?>

<div class="leftBoxContainer">

</div> 
</div></td>
<?php
}
?>
    <td valign="top" id="centerBackground">
<?php
  if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET3 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET3)) {
    if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {
?>
<div id="bannerThree" class="banners"><?php echo zen_display_banner('static', $banner); ?></div>
<?php
    }
  }
?>

<!-- bof upload alerts -->
<?php if ($messageStack->size('upload') > 0) echo $messageStack->output('upload'); ?>
<!-- eof upload alerts -->

<div id="centerHeaderBackground"></div>
<?php
 /**
  * prepares and displays center column
  *
  */
 require($body_code); ?>

<?php
  if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET4 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET4)) {
    if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {
?>
<div id="bannerFour" class="banners"><?php echo zen_display_banner('static', $banner); ?></div>
<?php
    }
  }
?></td>

<?php
//if (COLUMN_RIGHT_STATUS == 0 || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL == '1' and $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '') || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_COLUMN_RIGHT_OFF == 'true' && $_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0)) {
if (COLUMN_RIGHT_STATUS == 0 || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL == '1' and $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '') || (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_COLUMN_RIGHT_OFF == 'true' and ($_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0 or $_SESSION['customer_id'] == ''))) {
  // global disable of column_right
  $flag_disable_right = true;
}
if (!isset($flag_disable_right) || !$flag_disable_right) {
?>
<td id="navColumnTwo" class="columnRight">
<?php
 /**
  * prepares and displays right column sideboxes
  *
  */
?>
<div id="navColumnTwoWrapper"><?php require(DIR_WS_MODULES . zen_get_module_directory('column_right.php')); ?></div></td>
<?php
}
?>
  </tr>
</table>

<?php
 /**
  * prepares and displays footer output
  *
  */
  if (CUSTOMERS_APPROVAL_AUTHORIZATION == 1 && CUSTOMERS_AUTHORIZATION_FOOTER_OFF == 'true' and ($_SESSION['customers_authorization'] != 0 or $_SESSION['customer_id'] == '')) {
    $flag_disable_footer = true;
  }
  require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_footer.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common'). '/tpl_footer.php');
?>

</div>
<!--bof- parse time display -->
<?php
  if (DISPLAY_PAGE_PARSE_TIME == 'true') {
?>
<div class="smallText center">Parse Time: <?php echo $parse_time; ?> - Number of Queries: <?php echo $db->queryCount(); ?> - Query Time: <?php echo $db->queryTime(); ?></div>
<?php
  }
?>
<!--eof- parse time display -->
<!--bof- banner #6 display -->
<?php
  if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET6 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET6)) {
    if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {
?>
<div id="bannerSix" class="banners"><?php echo zen_display_banner('static', $banner); ?></div>
<?php
    }
  }
?>
<!--eof- banner #6 display -->
</body>

Featured and bestseller sideboxes will only display if you have featured products, or have completed sales to have bestsellers.

Do you have these?

OK -- I've been doing some more experimenting and I've been able to get the 'shopping cart' and a 'search' box to display on the right.

However, still NOT seeing the 'best_seller', 'featured', 'order_history', boxes display which is what I really want on the right. Are there conditions that need to be in place in order for those to show up ?

Ahh Glenn, you must have been typing as I just posted that thought.

No... I've just started setting up my ZenCart 2 days ago -- so don't have any sales yet. I was just trying to determine what the best best layout would be.

Just put a couple of throwaway sideboxes in the right column for now, to get the look of it being populated. Putting particular sideboxes in the desired places later is trivial. The important thing to do is get a feel for the overall look and shape of the site.

gjh42:

Featured and bestseller sideboxes will only display if you have featured products, or have completed sales to have bestsellers.

Do you have these?

You see it takes an expert (gjh42) to separate the wood from the trees!

Here's me thinking it's a COLUMN issue, when it's a SIDEBOX issue all along...