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Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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9 Oct 2012, 1:19 AM
#201
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Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

I looked around and found that there is actually a set of files to handle the "single column" layout boxes controller setting. I don't know what is missing to make that feature fully functional, and I may look into it later, but for now I am pretty sure I can use adaptations of the files to handle any sidebox called from a define_middlebox file, as long as that file also sets some variable values appropriately (to make the sidebox files use the custom versions of the handlers). This should function without having to make a template-specific copy of the sidebox file(s).

9 Oct 2012, 2:37 AM
#202
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

gjh42:

I looked around and found that there is actually a set of files to handle the "single column" layout boxes controller setting. I don't know what is missing to make that feature fully functional, and I may look into it later, but for now I am pretty sure I can use adaptations of the files to handle any sidebox called from a define_middlebox file, as long as that file also sets some variable values appropriately (to make the sidebox files use the custom versions of the handlers). This should function without having to make a template-specific copy of the sidebox file(s).
Oh Glenn.. You are beyond AWESOME!!! You would be my hero if you can come up with a way to make this work.. I figured the "single column" setting was the trick. I just can't seem to figure out what code I need to use to make the sidebox display in the middlebox without getting PHP errors.. I hope you can fill in the blanks for me.. Am I correct in assuming that if this is to work without interfering with the sidebox in the normal location would I have to "clone" the sidebox I wanted to display in the define_middlebox file??

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9 Oct 2012, 3:51 AM
#203
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

glen ... you have the right idea ... the single what originally designed for managing two or single column sidebox settings ... but you can always adapt it as you are not, by default, using those settings for anything ...

column_single.php is what is in the code to use those settings but I have not played with it in ions so I cannot say how much it would help you ... :smile:

Linda McGrath
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9 Oct 2012, 3:53 AM
#204
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

Ajeh:

glen ... you have the right idea ... the single what originally designed for managing two or single column sidebox settings ... but you can always adapt it as you are not, by default, using those settings for anything ...

column_single.php is what is in the code to use those settings but I have not played with it in ions so I cannot say how much it would help you ... :smile:
Well well well.. We've got Linda McGrath weighing in..:clap: I can feel a solution coming on.. :smile:

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9 Oct 2012, 3:57 AM
#205
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

I am just giving hints ... and perhaps a shove ... to have at it ... :cool:

Linda McGrath
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9 Oct 2012, 4:34 AM
#206
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

Ajeh:

I am just giving hints ... and perhaps a shove ... to have at it ... :cool:Whatever works to get to the answer..:smile: I am stumped and clearly my "throw everything at the wall to see what sticks" method is not working for me..:laugh:

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9 Oct 2012, 6:22 AM
#207
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

gjh42:

To set standard middlebox wrapper styling in the stylesheet, change the
#navColumnMiddleWrapper {
to
.navColumnMiddleWrapper {
The #navColumnMiddleWrapper1 {} rules can then be added for any individual wrapper/group styling desired.

Without touching PHP files, there are already handles to address all middlebox headings:
.middleboxContainer h2 {}
or specific headings:
#middlebox_1 h2 {}

I don't recall how much I did with the stylesheet; it may want a makeover to reflect the full scope of the latest version.

Okay.. so based on your post I rolled back my changes to the middlebox_controller. Then I took a GOOD look at the stylesheet and I made the following changes.. I'd appreciate your feedback..

I replaced this:

#navColumnMiddleWrapper {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

With this:

.navColumnMiddleWrapper {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

#navColumnMiddleWrapper1 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper2 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper3 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper4 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper5 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper6 {}

#navColumnMiddleWrapper7 {}

I discovered that I needed to use the specific middleboxes styles to get the middlebox headings to format correctly..

For example... this worked:

#middlebox_1 h2, #middlebox_1 h2 a {
    font-size: 2em;
    color: #6f6c63;
    text-decoration: none;
    text-align: center;
    margin: 0em;
    padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
    }
#middlebox_1 h2 a:hover {
    color: #FFFF33;
    text-decoration: none;
    }

This did not:

.middleboxContainer h2, .middleboxContainer h2 a {
    font-size: 2em;
    color: #6f6c63;
    text-decoration: none;
    text-align: center;
    margin: 0em;
    padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
    }
.middleboxContainer h2 a:hover {
    color: #FFFF33;
    text-decoration: none;
    }

Finally, I added a border-radius setting to my own middleboxes (border-radius is not part of the default stylesheet). For whatever reason the border-radius was not being applied to the bottom of the middleboxes (the top of the middleboxes were rounded, but the bottom was not) until I added this:

.middleBoxContainer {
    margin: auto;
    overflow:hidden; 
    }

Not entirely sure why:laugh: that worked, but that made the border-radius settings work on the bottom of the middleboxes..

Finally I removed all of these declarations as it appears that they are no longer needed:

#middlebox1Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox2Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox3Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox4Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }
    
#middlebox5Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox6Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

#middlebox7Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

#middlebox8Content {
    background:#c0c0c0;
    }

#middlebox9Content {
    background:#e0d0d0;
    }

and here is the development site with all these changes applied: **http : // clientlaserdiscvault (dot) overthehillweb (dot) com/ **

The only issue I am still trying to figure out (and could use a little help with) is how to get the border-radius bottoms on the middleboxes to display correctly in Opera.. The border-radius on the middleboxes appears correctly in every other browser I tested with with except Opera.. Can't figure this out..:huh:

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9 Oct 2012, 12:12 PM
#208
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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.

9 Oct 2012, 12:56 PM
#209
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Re: 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.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

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10 Oct 2012, 7:18 PM
#210
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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...

11 Oct 2012, 5:18 AM
#211
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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...

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

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12 Oct 2012, 7:46 PM
#212
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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:).

12 Oct 2012, 11:55 PM
#213
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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

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13 Oct 2012, 4:35 AM
#214
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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:
Attachment 11300Attachment 11301

13 Oct 2012, 12:56 PM
#215
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

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:
Attachment 11300Attachment 11301
Does the happy dance!! Glenn you are the BEST!!!:clap:

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14 Oct 2012, 9:38 AM
#216
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

just to let you know ive installed the beta and everything installed without a problem

quickly put 3 boxes on my front page at bottom, nice addon

https://www.catchagrip.co.uk

thanks
bn

14 Oct 2012, 1:12 PM
#217
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

Very nice! The new feature is particularly suitable for being able to use stock sideboxes when you have a single-column layout as you do. Nicely styled, too, to fit with your site's look.

15 Oct 2012, 3:05 AM
#218
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

gjh42:

Very nice! The new feature is particularly suitable for being able to use stock sideboxes when you have a single-column layout as you do. Nicely styled, too, to fit with your site's look.I agree with Glenn.. Well done indeed!!!

gjh42:

Very nice! The new feature is particularly suitable for being able to use stock sideboxes when you have a single-column layout as you do. Nicely styled, too, to fit with your site's look.
OMG Glenn!! This is simply awesome!!! Really outstanding work.. I had to make some adjustments to get the middleboxes to line up at the bottom while keeping my rounded borders on the bottom.. (I think I did this right as I must confess that I still don't fully understand why my "fix" works..:laugh:)

http : // clientlaserdiscvault(dot)overthehillweb(dot)com/

With this add-on I can now create some cool looks with Zen Cart that are similar to looks I can achieve with WordPress.. Being able to put sideboxes wherever I want them to appear on the site adds some much needed flexibility to styling Zen Cart.. This will provide me with some cool options I can explore if I pair this with the already existing options to turn on and off sideboxes on certain pages..

Seriously Glenn... this is well done.. You REALLY took this add-on to the next level!!!

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15 Oct 2012, 6:06 PM
#219
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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

V3.0 has been submitted to Plugins. I have added two new middlebox locations, to appear on all pages either above or below individual page content. This will facilitate use of stock sideboxes on single-column websites.

18 Oct 2012, 5:16 AM
#220
renz avatar

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Re: Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

Hi All
I am trying to install version 1.0 which is suitable for my zen 1.3.8a, all went well and each file is where it's supposed to be.
I can see them in the define pages editor.
However I cannot see anything in the template (on the web site itself)
I have hunted around and I cannot find an on off switch anywhere. Seems strange as there was no SQL to ru and there were no files to put into the admin folder.
So I cannot figure out how this module is controlled. Any assistance would be much appreciated
Thank you
Regards
Renz