Editable Home Page Centerboxes [Support]

Hey Glenn.. Wanted to get your take about adding the javascript solution I found to this module and submitting an update to this add-on.. Wanted to get your three cents.. I've had a few days to play with the javascript and it works as one would expect without any issues (equalizes the height of the row based on the tallest middlebox in each row) and the best part is it works in cough cough IE8 and IE9.

I think that I need to include the proper modified template files which load the latest version of jQuery from jQuery's CDN. However, I will want to update the readme documents with information to help guide folks into cleaning up potential conflicting jQuery libraries they may already have in their template files from other add-ons..

Your thoughts??

DivaVocals:

So I'm still playing.. As I was Googling for solutions, I kept running into more jQuery solutions versus CSS solutions.. Tried a NUMBER of them, and some work, others do not work QUITE as I would like/expect.. After some trial and error, I finally settled on one from this site: http://blog.huidesign.com/make-equal-height-columns-by-jquery/

<script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready( function(){ function equalHeight(obj){ var heightArray = obj.children("div").map( function(){ return $(this).height(); }).get(); var maxHeight = Math.max.apply( Math, heightArray); obj.children("div").height(maxHeight); } $(".navColumnMiddleWrapper").each( function(){ equalHeight( $(this)); }) $("a.showLink").click(function(){ $(this).parents().children("span").toggle(); $(this).parents(".navColumnMiddleWrapper").children().removeAttr("style"); equalHeight( $(this).parents("div")); }); }) </script>

> 
> The beauty of this one is it's a solution that works specifically well when there is dynamic content.. and in the layout I'm tweaking I really don't want the height of the second row to be based on the longest item in the first row.. It seems to equalize each row separately (which is what I do want). The big advantage of this method is that it probably also works in that browser we all love to hate *coughIE6/7cough*.. 
> 
> Because I'd really like to get a pure CSS solution eventually, I am gonna mess around with display: table-cell and hammer out a solution.. I found a good guide to help with me understand how I need to set it up (<http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/200405/equal_height_boxes_with_css/>). In the meantime I may stick with the javascript solution because it appears that a pure CSS solution will equalize ALL the rows, and that's not quite what I want...

If you have a js solution that works simply and reliably, go ahead and submit it. I'll look at what it will take to make a CSS solution that handles different rows correctly.

gjh42:

If you have a js solution that works simply and reliably, go ahead and submit it. I'll look at what it will take to make a CSS solution that handles different rows correctly.Fair enough..:smile: If you find one that works reliably with the browser we dare not speak of that would be awesome.. In the meantime I'll package up an update and I'll remove the so called column length "fix" that's already in the stylesheet (since it isn't working)..

It looks like a CSS solution will be able to work in IE8 & 9, possibly with some extra tlc for 8. I just have to work up a good way to treat the boxes in different rows separately. I'm not concerned about design perfection (since that's all it really is) for IE7 or below.

Hi - I am looking for a way to add editable text content to the main page for SEO purposes in addition to standard define pages text editor and wondered if this plugin could be used for that purpose (using one rather than 3 boxes) - I am using Abbington Mega template (Picaflor Azul) so would want this additional text box to be under the new,featured,specials table on the home page - or can you suggest another plugin that will do the job successfully.

cheers,
Mike

This will certainly do the job. You can make settings as desired to get the layout as you want it. I don't know of another mod that will put the defined content in a centerbox, only a sidebox or a whole separate page.

Hello Diva,

I am still having problems with the Editable Home Page Centerboxes plugin for V1.3.9h using Abbington Mega template. Anne's suggestion of maybe I hadn't merged includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_default did the trick in restoring the New, Featured, Specials tabs on the main centre box however in doing that the editable centrebox would not load. I have spent some time reading and re-reading the installation instructions and have also re-loaded the installation files. I even deleted the zip folder from my hard drive and downloaded it again from Zen Cart to ensure I didn't have any corrupt files. I even loaded the plugin on to another site with this same template to see if I could get it to work but again to no avail - it is either editable centrebox showing but new, featured & specials tabs gone or it is maintan these tabs and no editable centrebox showing.

my site is http://www.treeoflifejewellery.com - I would appreciate it if you could look at page source and find my error.

many thanks,
Mike

Both your featured and new centerboxes have content, but the whatsnew div is hidden by styling. Presumably this is for the tab operation; you must have some javascript that is supposed to make the tabs and switch action, but this is somehow disabled or absent. I don't think it is possible to tell more from the outside. You will need to check all downloaded files associated with template and middleboxes to see if there are any overlaps you have not yet merged. Perhaps you did not merge something correctly; someone familiar with both the middlebox and template code would have to look at that.

DivaVocals:

I'll be happy to answer this question on the appropriate support thread for the Editable Home Page Centerboxes.. or the support thread for the Tabbed Home Page Modules (sorry..)

I am NOT hijacking the **Abbington Mega Template **support thread for a module related issue.. As I have stated previously MORE community members will benefit from the answer, not just the users of this template if the question and answers are posted in the RIGHT place....:smile: (and that is NOT here)

Hint: if you search the **Tabbed Home Page Modules **support thread for "tpl_index_categories.php", you might find your answer..

Hello Diva,

Thanks very much for your response but I am now utterly confused - I have already posted this query in the 'appropriate' support thread, so do I now await your response? I have now read every post in the Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread and not found an answer - could be for two reasons, I do not have that module installed (unless of course it is included by default in this template) and secondly I am not a coder (the answer may well have been there but my limited knowledge of coding obviously did not recognize it), I am just a very simple man of 60 years of age trying my best to make websites for my own purposes and sometimes, make that often, I need help and this is one of those occasions. I do try very hard to work by the rules in here so if I do 'stray' then some tolerance would be appreciated.

So with all banter aside, can you help me? ........... in the appropriate support thread of course.

cheers,
Mike
p.s. I know it is not the normally accepted protocol to 'double post' however because I am so confused as to where I should be posting on this subject I have posted this also in the 'Editable Home Page Centerboxes' support thread.
p.p.s. note that the version I am using is ......... Editable Home Page Centerboxes - Version: 1.1

gjh42:

Both your featured and new centerboxes have content, but the whatsnew div is hidden by styling. Presumably this is for the tab operation; you must have some javascript that is supposed to make the tabs and switch action, but this is somehow disabled or absent. I don't think it is possible to tell more from the outside. You will need to check all downloaded files associated with template and middleboxes to see if there are any overlaps you have not yet merged. Perhaps you did not merge something correctly; someone familiar with both the middlebox and template code would have to look at that.

Many thanks Glenn ....... am trying hard to have two parties look at this for me, the person who wrote the template and a person familiar with the plugin. Will see what transpires.

Thanks again,
Mike

shags38:

Many thanks Glenn ....... am trying hard to have two parties look at this for me, the person who wrote the template and a person familiar with the plugin. Will see what transpires.

Thanks again,
Mike
Ahem.. umm Glenn IS ALSO MORE THAN familar with this add-on.. he wrote 98% of the code in the current version.. I only authored v1.0..

The reason I keep pushing you OUT of the Abbington Mega template thread and over here is that the issue you are reporting isn't SPECIFIC to the Abbington Mega template. You are having an issue with an add-on that was PRE-INSTALLED with the Abbington Mega template.. that means that you need to post the issue with the add-on in the support thread for that add-on so that anyone who has the SAME issue with the SAME add-on can find the answer.. (they will NOT find your question or the answer in the Abbington Mega TEMPLATE support thread..)

Hope that is clear now..:smile:

Now that said.. Did you see the HINT I posted for you??

Hint: if you search the **Tabbed Home Page Modules **support thread for "tpl_index_categories.php", you might find your answer..

The issue you are having is really more an issue with the Tabbed Home Page Modules but as others may use both modules together, it's wholly appropriate that you ask here since the answer will benefits users of both modules..

The **Tabbed Home Page Modules **does not include a modified "tpl_index_categories.php" file (it should but that's not a discussion for this module). You need to merge the Tabbed Home Page Modules "tpl_index_default.php" code with the "tpl_index_categories.php" file in this module.

There's info on Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread for incorporating the Tabbed Home Page Modules code into the "tpl_index_categories.php" file.. You may have to ask for additional assistance in the Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread..

DivaVocals:

Ahem.. umm Glenn IS ALSO MORE THAN familar with this add-on.. he wrote 98% of the code in the current version.. I only authored v1.0..

The reason I keep pushing you OUT of the Abbington Mega template thread and over here is that the issue you are reporting isn't SPECIFIC to the Abbington Mega template. You are having an issue with an add-on that was PRE-INSTALLED with the Abbington Mega template.. that means that you need to post the issue with the add-on in the support thread for that add-on so that anyone who has the SAME issue with the SAME add-on can find the answer.. (they will NOT find your question or the answer in the Abbington Mega TEMPLATE support thread..)

Hope that is clear now..:smile:

Now that said.. Did you see the HINT I posted for you??

The issue you are having is really more an issue with the Tabbed Home Page Modules but as others may use both modules together, it's wholly appropriate that you ask here since the answer will benefits users of both modules..

The **Tabbed Home Page Modules **does not include a modified "tpl_index_categories.php" file (it should but that's not a discussion for this module). You need to merge the Tabbed Home Page Modules "tpl_index_default.php" code with the "tpl_index_categories.php" file in this module.

There's info on Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread for incorporating the Tabbed Home Page Modules code into the "tpl_index_categories.php" file.. You may have to ask for additional assistance in the Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread..
I am anticipating that you may interpret my suggestion to take a look at the Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread as some sign that I don't want to help you versus me simply trying to guide you to where you can find information that I KNOW has been posted..

So to avoid this accusation being leveled by you TWICE, I stopped what I was doing, and searched for the thread for you: http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?171012-Tabbed-Home-Page-Modules&p=1213772#post1213772

Posting this here also has the added benefit of providing others who use both Tabbed Home Page Modules and Editable Home Page Centerboxes some guidance as to why both may not work together.

This link is the explicit instructions for merging the **Tabbed Home Page Modules **code into the "tpl_index_categories.php" file. Once you do this, then you can merge the "tpl_index_categories.php" file with the one from this module.. The **Tabbed Home Page Modules **not having their code on the "tpl_index_categories.php" file menas that if you turn categories on on the home page the Tabbed Home Page Modules doesn't work.. (All of this is explained on the **Tabbed Home Page Modules **support thread)

Hello Diva,

Firstly I came here after seeing your last post in Abbington Mega - I did not get an email alert to the fact that you had posted a response in here, in any case I am here now.

So to avoid this accusation being leveled by you TWICE to clear the air I was not accusing, I was assuming. However written communication continues to lend itself to misinterpretation by the receiver, it always has and always will as the interpretation of intent or inuendo or mood or hidden meaning often applied to the written word is a human failing - I am certainly guilty of it especially when things aren't going my way. So I apologize for any inferences I may have inferred :) (releases dove of peace)

the thread for you: http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...72#post1213772 - This link is the explicit instructions for merging the Tabbed Home Page Modules code into the "tpl_index_categories.php" file. Once you do this, then you can merge the "tpl_index_categories.php" file with the one from this module.. The Tabbed Home Page Modules not having their code on the "tpl_index_categories.php" file menas that if you turn categories on on the home page the Tabbed Home Page Modules doesn't work.. (All of this is explained on the Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread)

Thanks for that - I read that page and I am still confused. The php code referenced by GAM is for v1.5.1, I am using v1.3.9h - not sure if that matters as I cannot make head nor tail of it.

Let me see if I have this right;

2. I merge includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_default.php from the Abbington Mega files already loaded with the file of the same name from the plugin files recently downloaded
3. then with that newly merged file (includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_default.php) I then merge it with includes/templates/RENAMED TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_index_categories.php from the plugin files
4. I replace the two files in the plugin files with these new same name files and then I upload the plugin

is that correct? - if not how would you put it in laymans terms (follow the bouncing ball)

cheers,
Mike

I'm not home so I can't look at anything right now but you're going to have to compare the 1.3 .9 code to 1.5 .1 code I'm not sure what the differences are but they're probably minor But you need to start with making sure that all the files that these two mods have in common are properly merged..> shags38:

Hello Diva,

Firstly I came here after seeing your last post in Abbington Mega - I did not get an email alert to the fact that you had posted a response in here, in any case I am here now.

to clear the air I was not accusing, I was assuming. However written communication continues to lend itself to misinterpretation by the receiver, it always has and always will as the interpretation of intent or inuendo or mood or hidden meaning often applied to the written word is a human failing - I am certainly guilty of it especially when things aren't going my way. So I apologize for any inferences I may have inferred :) (releases dove of peace)

Thanks for that - I read that page and I am still confused. The php code referenced by GAM is for v1.5.1, I am using v1.3.9h - not sure if that matters as I cannot make head nor tail of it.

Let me see if I have this right;

2. I merge includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_default.php from the Abbington Mega files already loaded with the file of the same name from the plugin files recently downloaded
3. then with that newly merged file (includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_default.php) I then merge it with includes/templates/RENAMED TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_index_categories.php from the plugin files
4. I replace the two files in the plugin files with these new same name files and then I upload the plugin

is that correct? - if not how would you put it in laymans terms (follow the bouncing ball)

cheers,
Mike

DivaVocals:

I'm not home so I can't look at anything right now but you're going to have to compare the 1.3 .9 code to 1.5 .1 code I'm not sure what the differences are but they're probably minor But you need to start with making sure that all the files that these two mods have in common are properly merged..

Diva, thanks very much for all your time and efforts to date trying to help me with this. I am not very proficient with merging of files or folders (one can be a struggle let alone a number of them) however I will give it a shot when time permits (the reference to 'properly merged' is a scary thought). At present I will put up with the tabs missing, a pity though, Anne's template is so appealing. Maybe one day someone may revise the module such that it can integrate automatically with any template (if that is at all possible :) ).

I'm not giving up .... just a tactical withdrawal to re-group.

Cheers, Mike

DivaVocals:

I'm not home so I can't look at anything right now but you're going to have to compare the 1.3 .9 code to 1.5 .1 code I'm not sure what the differences are but they're probably minor But you need to start with making sure that all the files that these two mods have in common are properly merged..

Diva, thanks very much for all your time and efforts to date trying to help me with this. I am not very proficient with merging of files or folders (one can be a struggle let alone a number of them) however I will give it a shot when time permits (the reference to 'properly merged' is a scary thought). At present I will put up with the tabs missing, a pity though, Anne's template is so appealing. Maybe one day someone may revise the module such that it can integrate automatically with any template (if that is at all possible :) ).

I'm not giving up .... just a tactical withdrawal to re-group.

Cheers, Mike

shags38:

Diva, thanks very much for all your time and efforts to date trying to help me with this. I am not very proficient with merging of files or folders (one can be a struggle let alone a number of them) however I will give it a shot when time permits (the reference to 'properly merged' is a scary thought). At present I will put up with the tabs missing, a pity though, Anne's template is so appealing. Maybe one day someone may revise the module such that it can integrate automatically with any template (if that is at all possible :) ).

I'm not giving up .... just a tactical withdrawal to re-group.

Cheers, Mike

This module WILL integrate with ANY template.. There is NOTHING that needs to be done or revised to this module to make it "integrate automatically with any template". I have said this many times, and I'm not sure how I can make any CLEARER what THE issue is.. The template you are using is integrated with a module called "Tabbed Home Page Modules". "Tabbed Home Page Modules" is not a unique module made JUST for the Abbington Mega template.. It is a add-on like any other add-on that ANYONE using ANY TEMPLATE can download and install.

"Tabbed Home Page Modules" does NOT (but should) include the tab code on the "tpl_index_categories.php" file. With this code missing, IF you have categories set to display on the home page, the tabs will NOT display. This is why I referenced the post by GAM on the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" support thread..

In order to get this module to work WITH "Tabbed Home Page Modules", you must make the changes from the post by GAM in the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" support thread to add the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" code to the "tpl_index_categories.php" file, then you must merge the code from this module with the following files from the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" module.

• tpl_index_default.php
• tpl_index_categories.php

Now despite the fact that you do not seem to want to believe me when I say this THIS is the issue summarized.. It's NOT the template.. You simply do not have the files merged correctly.

I would strongly suggest that if this a bit over your head to do, you REALLY should to give some thought to simply hiring someone to help you merge these two modules so that they work together..

DivaVocals:

This module WILL integrate with ANY template.. There is NOTHING that needs to be done or revised to this module to make it "integrate automatically with any template". I have said this many times, and I'm not sure how I can make any CLEARER what THE issue is.. The template you are using is integrated with a module called "Tabbed Home Page Modules". "Tabbed Home Page Modules" is not a unique module made JUST for the Abbington Mega template.. It is a add-on like any other add-on that ANYONE using ANY TEMPLATE can download and install.

"Tabbed Home Page Modules" does NOT (but should) include the tab code on the "tpl_index_categories.php" file. With this code missing, IF you have categories set to display on the home page, the tabs will NOT display. This is why I referenced the post by GAM on the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" support thread..

In order to get this module to work WITH "Tabbed Home Page Modules", you must make the changes from the post by GAM in the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" support thread to add the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" code to the "tpl_index_categories.php" file, then you must merge the code from this module with the following files from the "Tabbed Home Page Modules" module.

• tpl_index_default.php

• tpl_index_categories.php

Now despite the fact that you do not seem to want to believe me when I say this THIS is the issue summarized.. It's NOT the template.. You simply do not have the files merged correctly.

I would strongly suggest that if this a bit over your head to do, you REALLY should to give some thought to simply hiring someone to help you merge these two modules so that they work together..

Starship Enterprise to Houston - message received loud and clear. Editable Home Page Centerboxes can be used with any template except if that template is using Tabbed Home Page Modules integrally in which case certain files from Tabbed Home Page Modules and Editable Home Page Centerboxes need to be merged and then loaded into the template being used - simple really, left hand introduces itself to right hand so they can handle things together.

As I said previously, I will look to try to do the merging of the files - wish me luck. I am asking Anne to have a look at it for me given that of the 3 components involved (template and 2 plugins) she is the author of 2 and given that one plugin is actually integral in her template design and not actually a plugin any more, as such she may be able to actually merge the required files successfully from the 3, which is really now only 2, and then post the merged files and everyone using her template will get the benefit of such a merger.

Again Diva, many thanks for all your help to date.

cheers,
Mike

The "pre-installation" of a module doesn't mean it's no longer a module.. but you are insistent on seeing things in this manner.. shrugs

You really should take my advice and seek some paid assistance. Wish you luck..

shags38:

Starship Enterprise to Houston - message received loud and clear. Editable Home Page Centerboxes can be used with any template except if that template is using Tabbed Home Page Modules integrally in which case certain files from Tabbed Home Page Modules and Editable Home Page Centerboxes need to be merged and then loaded into the template being used - simple really, left hand introduces itself to right hand so they can handle things together.

As I said previously, I will look to try to do the merging of the files - wish me luck. I am asking Anne to have a look at it for me given that of the 3 components involved (template and 2 plugins) she is the author of 2 and given that one plugin is actually integral in her template design and not actually a plugin any more, as such she may be able to actually merge the required files successfully from the 3, which is really now only 2, and then post the merged files and everyone using her template will get the benefit of such a merger.

Again Diva, many thanks for all your help to date.

cheers,
Mike

shags38:

Diva, thanks very much for all your time and efforts to date trying to help me with this. I am not very proficient with merging of files or folders (one can be a struggle let alone a number of them) however I will give it a shot when time permits (the reference to 'properly merged' is a scary thought). At present I will put up with the tabs missing, a pity though, Anne's template is so appealing. Maybe one day someone may revise the module such that it can integrate automatically with any template (if that is at all possible :) ).

I'm not giving up .... just a tactical withdrawal to re-group.

Cheers, Mike

Can't help if you don't stick it through.. You say you are not proficient with merging, but so far you've not provided ANY DETAILS on what you did.. What merging tools are you using??? are you using a merging tool at all?? Are you getting errors (on-screen in the error logs)?? What are those errors???

You want "bouncing ball" instructions??? I have provided that with regards to what has to be done.. If you are looking for "bouncing ball" instructions for your selected file merging program, this forum has NEVER been the place to get those kinds of "bouncing ball" instructions.

and NONE of this matters if you keep saying "I tried, it's broken.. help me" without providing any of the TINIEST bit of information to help determine what went wrong to get you on track..

All this to say that if you want help, then help the community help you.. Otherwise you can simply wait and hope someone using both of these mods comes along an posts the code you need all the while blaming ME for you not getting this worked out...

Would love to help.. you gotta meet me halfway..