Interesting Problem - Displaying Certain Products in Category, But NOT in All prducts

This is an interesting one and I can't think of a good way to do it. I'm building this wedding bouquet site at https://www.silkblooms.co.uk and it's a standard add to cart site where people can purchase the products outright. However, we've decided that we'd like to give the customers an option to hire the more expensive products as an alternative to buying them (not all products, just the more expensive table arrangements).

Initially I was thinking of installing the site again in a sub folder so that they could click on a link that takes them to a hire section at https://www.silkblooms.co.uk/hire (not a working link) where the products would be listed all over again but at 'hire' prices. I liked this option but can't think how to integrate both sites to the same customer database.

So, now I'm thinking of just creating a new 'Hire Products' category underneath New Products and All Products. I don't want the hire products appearing in All Products or New Products though. I only want them to appear in the Hire Products category, nowhere else. How on earth do you do that because as soon as I create a new hire product it'll automatically appear in All Products and New Products. Is there a way to exclude certain products from New and All Products views?

Looks like I may have found a solution here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114481

Let us know how that solution works for you ...

Yes, worked an absolute treat. All I had to do was add:

AND p.master_categories_id != 349

.... to the header_php.php files in:

/modules/pages/products_all and
/modules/pages/products_new

Exactly as outlined here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showpost.php?p=649103&postcount=4

Thanks for the update on what worked for you for this solution and for posting the link to the post that helped you out most ... :smile:

hmmm, so it's solved for all products and new products, but how do i stop them appearing in searches anyone?

Obviously, there must be something I can add to /includes/modules/pages/advanced_search_result/header_php.php

In the two files above I changed this:

  $products_all_query_raw = "SELECT p.products_type, p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_image, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id,
                                    p.products_date_added, m.manufacturers_name, p.products_model, p.products_quantity, p.products_weight, p.product_is_call,
                                    p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status,
                                    p.master_categories_id
                             FROM " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             LEFT JOIN " . TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m ON (p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id), " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                             WHERE p.products_status = 1
                             AND p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             AND pd.language_id = :languageID " . $order_by;

  $products_all_query_raw = $db->bindVars($products_all_query_raw, ':languageID', $_SESSION['languages_id'], 'integer');
  $products_all_split = new splitPageResults($products_all_query_raw, MAX_DISPLAY_PRODUCTS_ALL);

to this:

  $products_all_query_raw = "SELECT p.products_type, p.products_id, pd.products_name, p.products_image, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id,
                                    p.products_date_added, m.manufacturers_name, p.products_model, p.products_quantity, p.products_weight, p.product_is_call,
                                    p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status,
                                    p.master_categories_id
                             FROM " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             LEFT JOIN " . TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m ON (p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id), " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                             WHERE p.products_status = 1
                             AND p.products_id = pd.products_id
							 AND p.master_categories_id != 349
                             AND pd.language_id = :languageID " . $order_by;

  $products_all_query_raw = $db->bindVars($products_all_query_raw, ':languageID', $_SESSION['languages_id'], 'integer');
  $products_all_split = new splitPageResults($products_all_query_raw, MAX_DISPLAY_PRODUCTS_ALL);

(basically just added this: AND p.master_categories_id != 349)

But what do I need to change in the advanced_search_results/header_php.php file to achieve the same result in searches?

Peek in the header_php.php for the advanced_search_results and place it:

if ((DISPLAY_PRICE_WITH_TAX == 'true') && ((isset($_GET['pfrom']) && zen_not_null($_GET['pfrom'])) || (isset($_GET['pto']) && zen_not_null($_GET['pto'])))) {
  $where_str .= " group by p.products_id, tr.tax_priority";
}

$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";

Thank you Ajeh, that worked perfectly. You're a genius :)

You are most welcome ... thanks for the update that this worked for you ... :smile:

Hi Ajeh,

If yoer still following this thread then can you help me once again? I've just noticed that the hidden products I'm using are displaying on my home page. My home page is configured to show a random list of products, from the specials default (I think).

I'm thinking maybe I need to add $where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 "; to the includes/modules/pages/index/header_php.php? Where abouts though?

That depends on where specifically you are trying to not see the hidden category ...

Is this a listing or a center box?

Well, if you click onto https://www.silkblooms.co.uk then you'll see a bunch of random products under the centrebox. These are the ones I'd like to hide the products I've already hidden from NEW, ALL, and ADVANCED SEARCH.

Looking at the View Source ... it appears that you are using the Specials Centerbox for that ...

You would want to customize the:
/includes/modules/specials_index.php

Naturally you will use your templates and overrides for that ... :smile:

Naturally :)

I'm looking at includes/modules/CUSTOM/specials_index.php but I can't figure out where to put the** $where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";**

Here's a copy of my customised file:

<?php
/**
 * specials_index module
 *
 * @package modules
 * @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: specials_index.php 6424 2007-05-31 05:59:21Z ajeh $
 */
if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
  die('Illegal Access');
}

// initialize vars
$categories_products_id_list = '';
$list_of_products = '';
$specials_index_query = '';
$display_limit = '';

// m.manufacturers_name     m.manufacturers_id     p.products_quantity     p.products_model     p.manufacturers_id     p.master_categories_id     ".TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m

if ( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] == 0) || $_GET['music_genre_id'] > 0 || $_GET['record_company_id'] > 0) || (!isset($new_products_category_id) || $new_products_category_id == '0') ) {
  $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_name, p.products_quantity,
                           p.products_date_added, p.products_price, p.products_type,  p.products_model,p.master_categories_id
                           from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                           where p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                           and   p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit;
} else {
  // get all products and cPaths in this subcat tree
  $productsInCategory = zen_get_categories_products_list( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] > 0) ? zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($_GET['filter_id']) : $cPath), false, true, 0, $display_limit);

  if (is_array($productsInCategory) && sizeof($productsInCategory) > 0) {
    // build products-list string to insert into SQL query
    foreach($productsInCategory as $key => $value) {
      $list_of_products .= $key . ', ';
    }
    $list_of_products = substr($list_of_products, 0, -2); // remove trailing comma
    $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id,  p.products_model, p.products_quantity
                             from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                             left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                             where p.products_id = s.products_id
                             and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = '1'
                             and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                             and p.products_id in (" . $list_of_products . ")";
  }
}
if ($specials_index_query != '') $specials_index = $db->ExecuteRandomMulti($specials_index_query, MAX_DISPLAY_SPECIAL_PRODUCTS_INDEX);

$row = 0;
$col = 0;
$list_box_contents = array();
$title = '';

$num_products_count = ($specials_index_query == '') ? 0 : $specials_index->RecordCount();

// show only when 1 or more
if ($num_products_count > 0) {
  if ($num_products_count < SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS || SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS == 0 ) {
    $col_width = floor(100/$num_products_count);
  } else {
    $col_width = floor(100/SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS);
  }

  $list_box_contents = array();
  while (!$specials_index->EOF) {
    $products_price = zen_get_products_display_price($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    if (!isset($productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']])) $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] = zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($specials_index->fields['master_categories_id']);


    $soldoutimage = ($specials_index->fields['products_quantity'] > 0) ? '' : '<div class="sold_out_on_image"><a href="'
     . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id='
     . $specials_index->fields['products_id'])
     . '"><img src="http://www.silkblooms.co.uk/includes/templates/freetemplate2/images/sold_out_mine.png" style="position:relative;top:30px;left:7px;border:0;"></a></div>';  


    $specials_index->fields['products_name'] = zen_get_products_name($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    $list_box_contents[$row][$col] = array('params' => 'class="centerBoxContentsSpecials centeredContent back"' . ' ' . 'style="width:' . $col_width . '%;"',

    'text' => (($specials_index->fields['products_image'] == '' and PRODUCTS_IMAGE_NO_IMAGE_STATUS == 0) ? '' : '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">' . zen_image(DIR_WS_IMAGES . $specials_index->fields['products_image'], $specials_index->fields['products_name'], SMALL_IMAGE_WIDTH, SMALL_IMAGE_HEIGHT) . '</a><br />'.$soldoutimage) . '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">'. '</a>' .$specials_index->fields['manufacturers_name'] . $manufacturers_name.''. $specials_index->fields['products_model'] .$products_model .'<br />' .$products_price.'<br /><p>' );

    $col ++;
    if ($col > (SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS - 1)) {
      $col = 0;
      $row ++;
    }
    $specials_index->MoveNextRandom();
  }

  if ($specials_index->RecordCount() > 0) {
    $title = '<h2 class="centerBoxHeading">' . sprintf(TABLE_HEADING_SPECIALS_INDEX, strftime('%B')) . '</h2>';
    $zc_show_specials = true;
  }
}
?>

You have the right idea but you are looking for something you were use to see in the other changes you made where this one is different ...

The code:

$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 "; 

is the exception you want to add but because you are missing seeing the match, the change is escaping you ...

For example, the current code has two select statements, one reads:

  $specials_index_query = "select p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id
                           from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                           left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                           left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                           where p.products_id = s.products_id
                           and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = 1
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'";

You need to include the change to these ... you can write them in separately, or add your code above the IF then use the variable in the two select statements such as:

  $specials_index_query = "select p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id
                           from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                           left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                           left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                           where p.products_id = s.products_id
                           and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = 1
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'" .
                           $where_str;

You should change one thing on your $where_str that reads:

$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 "; 

Remove the period on the equal sign:

$where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 "; 

The period equal was originally used to mean take the current value of $where_str and add on to it the new code ...

Since there isn't a $where_str you are not adding on to anything ...

Be sure to add your the variable to both SELECT statements ...

Hi Ajeh,

Thanks for the help here, but I must be doing something wrong still. I've added the changes to both 'select' statements on lines 30 and 31, then to lines 52 and 53. However, the products in my 'hidden' categories are still randomly appearing in the specials centre box. Do I need to remove the AND's

<?php
/**
 * specials_index module
 *
 * @package modules
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license [url]http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt[/url] GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: specials_index.php 6424 2007-05-31 05:59:21Z ajeh $
 */
if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
  die('Illegal Access');
}

// initialize vars
$categories_products_id_list = '';
$list_of_products = '';
$specials_index_query = '';
$display_limit = '';

// m.manufacturers_name     m.manufacturers_id     p.products_quantity     p.products_model     p.manufacturers_id     p.master_categories_id     ".TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m

if ( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] == 0) || $_GET['music_genre_id'] > 0 || $_GET['record_company_id'] > 0) || (!isset($new_products_category_id) || $new_products_category_id == '0') ) {
  $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_name, p.products_quantity,
                           p.products_date_added, p.products_price, p.products_type,  p.products_model,p.master_categories_id
                           from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                           where p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                           and   p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit;
	   					   $where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";
		 				   $where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 350 ";

} else {
  // get all products and cPaths in this subcat tree
  $productsInCategory = zen_get_categories_products_list( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] > 0) ? zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($_GET['filter_id']) : $cPath), false, true, 0, $display_limit);

  if (is_array($productsInCategory) && sizeof($productsInCategory) > 0) {
    // build products-list string to insert into SQL query
    foreach($productsInCategory as $key => $value) {
      $list_of_products .= $key . ', ';
    }
    $list_of_products = substr($list_of_products, 0, -2); // remove trailing comma
    $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id,  p.products_model, p.products_quantity
                             from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                             left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                             where p.products_id = s.products_id
                             and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = '1'
                             and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                             and p.products_id in (" . $list_of_products . ")";
							 $where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";
							 $where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 350 ";
  }
}
if ($specials_index_query != '') $specials_index = $db->ExecuteRandomMulti($specials_index_query, MAX_DISPLAY_SPECIAL_PRODUCTS_INDEX);

$row = 0;
$col = 0;
$list_box_contents = array();
$title = '';

$num_products_count = ($specials_index_query == '') ? 0 : $specials_index->RecordCount();

// show only when 1 or more
if ($num_products_count > 0) {
  if ($num_products_count < SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS || SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS == 0 ) {
    $col_width = floor(100/$num_products_count);
  } else {
    $col_width = floor(100/SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS);
  }

  $list_box_contents = array();
  while (!$specials_index->EOF) {
    $products_price = zen_get_products_display_price($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    if (!isset($productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']])) $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] = zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($specials_index->fields['master_categories_id']);


    $soldoutimage = ($specials_index->fields['products_quantity'] > 0) ? '' : '<div class="sold_out_on_image"><a href="'
     . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id='
     . $specials_index->fields['products_id'])
     . '"><img src="http://www.silkblooms.co.uk/includes/templates/freetemplate2/images/sold_out_mine.png" style="position:relative;top:30px;left:7px;border:0;"></a></div>';  


    $specials_index->fields['products_name'] = zen_get_products_name($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    $list_box_contents[$row][$col] = array('params' => 'class="centerBoxContentsSpecials centeredContent back"' . ' ' . 'style="width:' . $col_width . '%;"',

    'text' => (($specials_index->fields['products_image'] == '' and PRODUCTS_IMAGE_NO_IMAGE_STATUS == 0) ? '' : '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">' . zen_image(DIR_WS_IMAGES . $specials_index->fields['products_image'], $specials_index->fields['products_name'], SMALL_IMAGE_WIDTH, SMALL_IMAGE_HEIGHT) . '</a><br />'.$soldoutimage) . '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">'. '</a>' .$specials_index->fields['manufacturers_name'] . $manufacturers_name.''. $specials_index->fields['products_model'] .$products_model .'<br />' .$products_price.'<br /><p>' );

    $col ++;
    if ($col > (SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS - 1)) {
      $col = 0;
      $row ++;
    }
    $specials_index->MoveNextRandom();
  }

  if ($specials_index->RecordCount() > 0) {
    $title = '<h2 class="centerBoxHeading">' . sprintf(TABLE_HEADING_SPECIALS_INDEX, strftime('%B')) . '</h2>';
    $zc_show_specials = true;
  }
}
?>

This is what I used, see if it helps:

<?php
/**
 * specials_index module
 *
 * @package modules
 * @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: specials_index.php 6424 2007-05-31 05:59:21Z ajeh $
 */
if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
  die('Illegal Access');
}

// initialize vars
$categories_products_id_list = '';
$list_of_products = '';
$specials_index_query = '';
$display_limit = '';

$where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";
$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 350 ";

if ( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] == 0) || $_GET['music_genre_id'] > 0 || $_GET['record_company_id'] > 0) || (!isset($new_products_category_id) || $new_products_category_id == '0') ) {
  $specials_index_query = "select p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id
                           from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                           left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                           left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                           where p.products_id = s.products_id
                           and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = 1
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'" . $where_str;
} else {
  // get all products and cPaths in this subcat tree
  $productsInCategory = zen_get_categories_products_list( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] > 0) ? zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($_GET['filter_id']) : $cPath), false, true, 0, $display_limit);

  if (is_array($productsInCategory) && sizeof($productsInCategory) > 0) {
    // build products-list string to insert into SQL query
    foreach($productsInCategory as $key => $value) {
      $list_of_products .= $key . ', ';
    }
    $list_of_products = substr($list_of_products, 0, -2); // remove trailing comma
    $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id
                             from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                             left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                             where p.products_id = s.products_id
                             and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = '1'
                             and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                             and p.products_id in (" . $list_of_products . ")" . $where_str;
  }
}
if ($specials_index_query != '') $specials_index = $db->ExecuteRandomMulti($specials_index_query, MAX_DISPLAY_SPECIAL_PRODUCTS_INDEX);

$row = 0;
$col = 0;
$list_box_contents = array();
$title = '';

$num_products_count = ($specials_index_query == '') ? 0 : $specials_index->RecordCount();

// show only when 1 or more
if ($num_products_count > 0) {
  if ($num_products_count < SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS || SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS == 0 ) {
    $col_width = floor(100/$num_products_count);
  } else {
    $col_width = floor(100/SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS);
  }

  $list_box_contents = array();
  while (!$specials_index->EOF) {
    $products_price = zen_get_products_display_price($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    if (!isset($productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']])) $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] = zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($specials_index->fields['master_categories_id']);

    $specials_index->fields['products_name'] = zen_get_products_name($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    $list_box_contents[$row][$col] = array('params' => 'class="centerBoxContentsSpecials centeredContent back"' . ' ' . 'style="width:' . $col_width . '%;"',
    'text' => (($specials_index->fields['products_image'] == '' and PRODUCTS_IMAGE_NO_IMAGE_STATUS == 0) ? '' : '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . (int)$specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">' . zen_image(DIR_WS_IMAGES . $specials_index->fields['products_image'], $specials_index->fields['products_name'], SMALL_IMAGE_WIDTH, SMALL_IMAGE_HEIGHT) . '</a><br />') . '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">' . $specials_index->fields['products_name'] . '</a><br />' . $products_price);

    $col ++;
    if ($col > (SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS - 1)) {
      $col = 0;
      $row ++;
    }
    $specials_index->MoveNextRandom();
  }

  if ($specials_index->RecordCount() > 0) {
    $title = '<h2 class="centerBoxHeading">' . sprintf(TABLE_HEADING_SPECIALS_INDEX, strftime('%B')) . '</h2>';
    $zc_show_specials = true;
  }
}
?>

I'm trying it, but it white screens the site. Syntax error on line 32, but I can't figure it out :blink:

// initialize vars
$categories_products_id_list = '';
$list_of_products = '';
$specials_index_query = '';
$display_limit = '';

$where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";
$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 350 ";

// m.manufacturers_name     m.manufacturers_id     p.products_quantity     p.products_model     p.manufacturers_id     p.master_categories_id     ".TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m

if ( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] == 0) || $_GET['music_genre_id'] > 0 || $_GET['record_company_id'] > 0) || (!isset($new_products_category_id) || $new_products_category_id == '0') ) {
  $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_name, p.products_quantity,
                           p.products_date_added, p.products_price, p.products_type,  p.products_model,p.master_categories_id
                           from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                           where p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and p.products_statzus = 1 " . $display_limit;
						   and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'" . $where_str;
} else {	
  // get all products and cPaths in this subcat tree
  $productsInCategory = zen_get_categories_products_list( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] > 0) ? zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($_GET['filter_id']) : $cPath), false, true, 0, $display_limit);

  if (is_array($productsInCategory) && sizeof($productsInCategory) > 0) {
    // build products-list string to insert into SQL query
    foreach($productsInCategory as $key => $value) {
      $list_of_products .= $key . ', ';
    }
    $list_of_products = substr($list_of_products, 0, -2); // remove trailing comma
    $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id,  p.products_model, p.products_quantity
                             from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                             left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                             where p.products_id = s.products_id
                             and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = '1'
                             and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                             and p.products_id in (" . $list_of_products . ")" . $where_str;

  }
}

Line 32 is:

**and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'" . $where_str; **

Maybe the syntax is caused by the line above as I don't see this line in your own code?

OK, fixed the syntax and it seems to be working:

<?php
/**
 * specials_index module
 *
 * @package modules
 * @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: specials_index.php 6424 2007-05-31 05:59:21Z ajeh $
 */
if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
  die('Illegal Access');
}

// initialize vars
$categories_products_id_list = '';
$list_of_products = '';
$specials_index_query = '';
$display_limit = '';

$where_str = " AND p.master_categories_id != 349 ";
$where_str .= " AND p.master_categories_id != 350 ";

// m.manufacturers_name     m.manufacturers_id     p.products_quantity     p.products_model     p.manufacturers_id     p.master_categories_id     ".TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m

if ( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] == 0) || $_GET['music_genre_id'] > 0 || $_GET['record_company_id'] > 0) || (!isset($new_products_category_id) || $new_products_category_id == '0') ) {
  $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_name, p.products_quantity,
                           p.products_date_added, p.products_price, p.products_type,  p.products_model,p.master_categories_id
                           from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd
                           where p.products_id = pd.products_id
                           and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                           and   p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit;
} else {
  // get all products and cPaths in this subcat tree
  $productsInCategory = zen_get_categories_products_list( (($manufacturers_id > 0 && $_GET['filter_id'] > 0) ? zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($_GET['filter_id']) : $cPath), false, true, 0, $display_limit);

  if (is_array($productsInCategory) && sizeof($productsInCategory) > 0) {
    // build products-list string to insert into SQL query
    foreach($productsInCategory as $key => $value) {
      $list_of_products .= $key . ', ';
    }
    $list_of_products = substr($list_of_products, 0, -2); // remove trailing comma
    $specials_index_query = "select distinct p.products_id, p.products_image, pd.products_name, p.master_categories_id,  p.products_model, p.products_quantity
                             from (" . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                             left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id
                             left join " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd on p.products_id = pd.products_id )
                             where p.products_id = s.products_id
                             and p.products_id = pd.products_id
                             and p.products_status = '1' and s.status = '1'
                             and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "' . $where_str;

                             and p.products_id in (" . $list_of_products . ")" . $where_str; 
  }
}
if ($specials_index_query != '') $specials_index = $db->ExecuteRandomMulti($specials_index_query, MAX_DISPLAY_SPECIAL_PRODUCTS_INDEX);

$row = 0;
$col = 0;
$list_box_contents = array();
$title = '';

$num_products_count = ($specials_index_query == '') ? 0 : $specials_index->RecordCount();

// show only when 1 or more
if ($num_products_count > 0) {
  if ($num_products_count < SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS || SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS == 0 ) {
    $col_width = floor(100/$num_products_count);
  } else {
    $col_width = floor(100/SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS);
  }

  $list_box_contents = array();
  while (!$specials_index->EOF) {
    $products_price = zen_get_products_display_price($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    if (!isset($productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']])) $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] = zen_get_generated_category_path_rev($specials_index->fields['master_categories_id']);


    $soldoutimage = ($specials_index->fields['products_quantity'] > 0) ? '' : '<div class="sold_out_on_image"><a href="'
     . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id='
     . $specials_index->fields['products_id'])
     . '"><img src="http://www.silkblooms.co.uk/includes/templates/freetemplate2/images/sold_out_mine.png" style="position:relative;top:30px;left:7px;border:0;"></a></div>';  


    $specials_index->fields['products_name'] = zen_get_products_name($specials_index->fields['products_id']);
    $list_box_contents[$row][$col] = array('params' => 'class="centerBoxContentsSpecials centeredContent back"' . ' ' . 'style="width:' . $col_width . '%;"',

    'text' => (($specials_index->fields['products_image'] == '' and PRODUCTS_IMAGE_NO_IMAGE_STATUS == 0) ? '' : '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">' . zen_image(DIR_WS_IMAGES . $specials_index->fields['products_image'], $specials_index->fields['products_name'], SMALL_IMAGE_WIDTH, SMALL_IMAGE_HEIGHT) . '</a><br />'.$soldoutimage) . '<a href="' . zen_href_link(zen_get_info_page($specials_index->fields['products_id']), 'cPath=' . $productsInCategory[$specials_index->fields['products_id']] . '&products_id=' . $specials_index->fields['products_id']) . '">'. '</a>' .$specials_index->fields['manufacturers_name'] . $manufacturers_name.''. $specials_index->fields['products_model'] .$products_model .'<br />' .$products_price.'<br /><p>' );

    $col ++;
    if ($col > (SHOW_PRODUCT_INFO_COLUMNS_SPECIALS_PRODUCTS - 1)) {
      $col = 0;
      $row ++;
    }
    $specials_index->MoveNextRandom();
  }

  if ($specials_index->RecordCount() > 0) {
    $title = '<h2 class="centerBoxHeading">' . sprintf(TABLE_HEADING_SPECIALS_INDEX, strftime('%B')) . '</h2>';
    $zc_show_specials = true;
  }
}
?>

Thank you Ajeh, true genius!!

No, I spoke too soon. The syntax is right but it's as though the modifications aren't having any effect whatsoever. The products in the hidden categories are still showing randomly.

Maybe I'm working with the wrong file?