Super Orders v3.0 Support Thread (for ZC v1.3.9)

DivaVocals:

Not a flawed feature at all.. Did you see the answer I posted to your question?? (1st post on this page..)

There's nothing to "fix".. I posted the "solution"..

I missed your post. But it really isn't an ideal solution. It is not saving much time having to right click on each frame and tell it to print frame. I might as well just go through super orders and click the invoice button on each order, especially when you have 15+ orders and the frames start becoming lines on the screen. To me, if it doesn't make doing something easier than the normal way it is either worthless or a flaw.

The All Invoices mod prints the invoices on separate pages but it only generates them based off of order status not date range. So, based off that mod, I know it is possible to generate say all invoices from April 1, 2011 to April 15, 2011 and just hit print and have them all come out on separate pages.

deleted

Then you are not understanding what I posted.. There is no flaw.. Both Firefox and Internet Explorer have always had options in the print command to print ALL frames on a page when printing.. (NO right clicking needed)

Firefox

Internet Explorer

cycochuck:

I missed your post.** But it really isn't an ideal solution. It is not saving much time having to right click on each frame and tell it to print frame.** I might as well just go through super orders and click the invoice button on each order, especially when you have 15+ orders and the frames start becoming lines on the screen. To me, if it doesn't make doing something easier than the normal way it is either worthless or a flaw.

cycochuck:

The All Invoices mod prints the invoices on separate pages but it only generates them based off of order status not date range. So, based off that mod, I know it is possible to generate say all invoices from April 1, 2011 to April 15, 2011 and just hit print and have them all come out on separate pages.The SO batch status options has MORE search options than the All Invoices mod. (Including DATE) And you CAN indeed print all invoices at once. (see my post above)

DivaVocals:

Then you are not understanding what I posted.. There is no flaw.. Both Firefox and Internet Explorer have always had options in the print command to print ALL frames on a page when printing.. (NO right clicking needed)

Firefox

Internet Explorer

And is that the most user friendly way to do it? The best way? Or is coding the actual result to do it for you the user friendly and best way?

First, you are forgetting that there are masses of people out there that barely tolerate computers and expect things to just work. Expecting them to know how and when to go into settings on print options to make this "feature" work as it implies only pisses them off. That then means I have to listen to a pissed off person because the "feature" does not work like it suppose to.

Second, with software trying to be user friendly, browsers have a habit of remembering your last print settings so all the user has to do is hit the print button. Your solution is requiring these same people that barely tolerate computers, to remember to double check their print settings every time they print.

I love super orders as a whole, it is that this part of it seems to be a rushed after thought of "that would be nice to add." It does not have the clean feel that the rest of the module has of "it does what it implies" and not require the user to change browser settings. Add in the fact that the batch packing lists don't show product attributes only shows to me, and the ones I have to listen to complain about it, that this is a flawed rush after thought.

I appreciate the great work that the developers have done making the module. But you have to look at this like a user, not a programmer. If the "feature" does not do what it says it'll do (or implies that it'll do) then the user sees this as a flaw. You can either go two routes when said users report a flaw. You can do the Microsoft route and call them stupid for not wanting to use it how you imagined how it would be used and refuse to fix it, or you can smack yourself in the head and say "they're right, I messed up."

DivaVocals:

If you are reading the readme from the zip file you won't "see" the rest of the readme.. Unzip the package to access the full readme..

Thanks Diva. That did the trick!

cycochuck:

And is that the most user friendly way to do it? The best way? Or is coding the actual result to do it for you the user friendly and best way?It's the way this mod has ALWAYS worked form the time it was first contributed to the community by Blindside over 4 years ago.

cycochuck:

First, you are forgetting that there are masses of people out there that barely tolerate computers and expect things to just work. Expecting them to know how and when to go into settings on print options to make this "feature" work as it implies only pisses them off. That then means I have to listen to a pissed off person because the "feature" does not work like it suppose to.

Second, with software trying to be user friendly, browsers have a habit of remembering your last print settings so all the user has to do is hit the print button. Your solution is requiring these same people that barely tolerate computers, to remember to double check their print settings every time they print.
MY solution?? Not MY solution at all.. SO is a solution that was GENEROUSLY contributed by a member of the Zen Cart community. He wrot it for HIS client (who paid for the development) and gave it back to the community.. My only role (and the role the folks who contributed to the updated version) was to update it to correct more SERIOUS issues than this one.

It's not broken it merely doesn't function in a way you want it to. I'll admit that the documentation isn't clear on how to print batch invoices. Truthfully it never was clear, and when it was updated, we inadvertently forgot to include those instructions.

I haven't forgotten anything.. I work with computer challenged people everyday.. I have ALL my clients using SO and have instructed them how to print batch invoices with no issues whatsoever, I think it's MORE than possible to simply instruct someone how the batch print function works.

cycochuck:

I love super orders as a whole, it is that this part of it seems to be a rushed after thought of "that would be nice to add." It does not have the clean feel that the rest of the module has of "it does what it implies" and not require the user to change browser settings. Add in the fact that the batch packing lists don't show product attributes only shows to me, and the ones I have to listen to complain about it, that this is a flawed rush after thought.It's not flawed or rushed.. It simply wasn't included.. If you know the WHOLE history of this module, you know that it was a custom module that the original contributor wrote for HIS client. Please don't assume this was RUSHED, it's possible that Blindside's client did not want or need attributes on the batch invoices.. You would have to ask THEM why it wasn't included..

cycochuck:

I appreciate the great work that the developers have done making the module. But you have to look at this like a user, not a programmer. If the "feature" does not do what it says it'll do (or implies that it'll do) then the user sees this as a flaw. You can either go two routes when said users report a flaw.I DO look at this like a user.. Because I work with USERS everyday.. That's why we made the changes and updates we did to Super Orders.. Please do not assume that because I don't necesarily think that what you are reporting is a "flaw" that we did anything less.. I simply don't agree with you that the batch invoice printing is a "flaw"

cycochuck:

You can either go two routes when said users report a flaw. You can do the Microsoft route and call them stupid for not wanting to use it how you imagined how it would be used and refuse to fix it, or you can smack yourself in the head and say "they're right, I messed up."and you might remember that this is not MICROSOFT.. This is a VOLUNTEER effort.. if you have a suggestion great.. make it and IF the VOLUNTEERS have time (or interest) they will take your suggestion into consideration.. Otherwise this is open source software.. there is NOTHING precluding YOU from making the suggested change yourself and contributing it back to the community.. This is how I got involved in the SO mod in the first place.. I was making changes to make it better based on feedback from MY clients.. If you would like to do the same for your clients, then there is nothing stopping you from updating the batch invoice printing to meet your client's needs..

Thanks once again for a completely awesome contribution.

I've finished tinkering, and it turns out that with a bit of thought, my problem was much easier to solve than i initially expected - i now have attribute titles on the master pdf packinglist.

Here's the stupidly easy fix:

BACK UP THE FILE FIRST.

Open the following file:
**
[YOUR ADMIN FOLDER]/includes/functions/extra_functions/lcsd_merged_packing_slips.php**

find this line:

$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'];

REPLACE it with this:

$attribText = (!$order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ? '' : (' - ' . $order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ;
$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'] . $attribText;  

And then the attribute title will show up after the model on the PDF Master Packing List.

Hope this assists some people.

I've also done many other customisations to the packinglist pdf - a 'tick' box next to each item (with each item on its own line), shifted the order date and number to the right of the row, and also inserted the customer address. I'm working on postage type, but Austpost is making it difficult.

Let me know if anyone wants a copy of this customisation.

DivaVocals:

It's the way this mod has ALWAYS worked form the time it was first contributed to the community by Blindside over 4 years ago.

Just because that is the way its always been does not make it any less of a flaw. It just makes it a 4 year old flaw.

DivaVocals:

MY solution?? Not MY solution at all.. SO is a solution that was GENEROUSLY contributed by a member of the Zen Cart community. He wrot it for HIS client (who paid for the development) and gave it back to the community.. My only role (and the role the folks who contributed to the updated version) was to update it to correct more SERIOUS issues than this one.

It's not broken it merely doesn't function in a way you want it to. I'll admit that the documentation isn't clear on how to print batch invoices. Truthfully it never was clear, and when it was updated, we inadvertently forgot to include those instructions.

It does not have to be broken to be a flaw. It just has to not work the way the user expects.

DivaVocals:

I haven't forgotten anything.. I work with computer challenged people everyday.. I have ALL my clients using SO and have instructed them how to print batch invoices with no issues whatsoever, I think it's MORE than possible to simply instruct someone how the batch print function works.

It's not flawed or rushed.. It simply wasn't included.. If you know the WHOLE history of this module, you know that it was a custom module that the original contributor wrote for HIS client. Please don't assume this was RUSHED, it's possible that Blindside's client did not want or need attributes on the batch invoices.. You would have to ask THEM why it wasn't included..

I DO look at this like a user.. Because I work with USERS everyday.. That's why we made the changes and updates we did to Super Orders.. Please do not assume that because I don't necesarily think that what you are reporting is a "flaw" that we did anything less.. I simply don't agree with you that the batch invoice printing is a "flaw"

and you might remember that this is not MICROSOFT.. This is a VOLUNTEER effort.. if you have a suggestion great.. make it and IF the VOLUNTEERS have time (or interest) they will take your suggestion into consideration.. Otherwise this is open source software.. there is NOTHING precluding YOU from making the suggested change yourself and contributing it back to the community.. This is how I got involved in the SO mod in the first place.. I was making changes to make it better based on feedback from MY clients.. If you would like to do the same for your clients, then there is nothing stopping you from updating the batch invoice printing to meet your client's needs..

I didn't come on to argue if this is a flaw or not. It is, even if you refuse to see. I just want to know if anyone had dealt with this issue or had any suggestion on how to fix this.

The attributes problem on the batch packing slips probably has been a flaw for 4 years as well until fo0bar gave the solution (thanks fo0bar.) So apparently there are flaws with the batch print forms.

If you're happy living with the flaw, fine. People live with flawed software everyday, look at Vista. I'm going to keep looking in the code to fix the flaw.

WriteAtHome:

Thanks Diva. That did the trick!You're welcome..:smile:

fo0bar:

Thanks once again for a completely awesome contribution.

I've finished tinkering, and it turns out that with a bit of thought, my problem was much easier to solve than i initially expected - i now have attribute titles on the master pdf packinglist.

Here's the stupidly easy fix:

BACK UP THE FILE FIRST.

Open the following file:
**
[YOUR ADMIN FOLDER]/includes/functions/extra_functions/lcsd_merged_packing_slips.php**

find this line:

$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'];

> ```php
$attribText = (!$order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ? '' : (' - ' . $order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ;
$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'] . $attribText;  
```And then the attribute title will show up after the model on the PDF Master Packing List.
> 
> Hope this assists some people.
> 
> I've also done many other customisations to the packinglist pdf - a 'tick' box next to each item (with each item on its own line), shifted the order date and number to the right of the row, and also inserted the customer address. I'm working on postage type, but Austpost is making it difficult.
> 
> Let me know if anyone wants a copy of this customisation.You are welcome.. Looks like you got your needs all worked out.. Gonna try and find time this weekend to get out the updates to Edit Orders and Super Orders.. The new Super Orders includes some improvements to the layout of the attributes on the PDF packingslips.. I'll repost the full changelog again later.. So you might wanna take a look at the improvements to the PDF packinglist..

cycochuck:

Just because that is the way its always been does not make it any less of a flaw. It just makes it a 4 year old flaw.

It does not have to be broken to be a flaw. It just has to **not work the way the user expects.**so because the way your user expects it to work does not line up with the way it ACTUALLY works, then it's a flaw?? I don't think so..

It does make it a feature that neither you (based on your initial post where you inquired HOW to print batch invoices) or your user understood how to use. Part of the issue (again based on your initial post where you inquired HOW to print batch invoices) is that historically it's never been clearly explained how to print the batch invoice in the SO readme.. It has been the topic of several forum posts in the old support thread. Based on this I'll be sure that the next release include much clearer instructions..

cycochuck:

I didn't come on to argue if this is a flaw or not. It is, even if you refuse to see. I just want to know if anyone had dealt with this issue or had any suggestion on how to fix this.Ummm okay... Neither did I.. I am free to disagree with you.. that IS still okay right??

cycochuck:

The attributes problem on the batch packing slips probably has been a flaw for 4 years as well until fo0bar gave the solution (thanks fo0bar.) So apparently there are flaws with the batch print forms.Ummmm... yeah.. you are aware that fo0bar and I are talking about the PDF packingslip (which was INTRODUCED to Super Orders in v3.0)..

cycochuck:

If you're happy living with the flaw, fine. People live with flawed software everyday, look at Vista.You can continue to call it a flaw if you like.. the fact of the matter this you came here to ask how to print the batch invoices.. You are not satisfied with the answer, and in YOUR opinion, you consider this a flaw.. For it to be a TRUE flaw, it wouldn't work at all.. It works, but HOW it works wasn't explained well, and YOU don't like the way it works..

cycochuck:

I'm going to keep looking in the code to fix the flaw.Awesome!!! Keep us posted if you come up with the required code changes..

cycochuck:

Second, with software trying to be user friendly, browsers have a habit of remembering your last print settings so all the user has to do is hit the print button. Your solution is requiring these same people that barely tolerate computers, to remember to double check their print settings every time they print.BTW, this is not entirely correct.. UNLESS your users are on another page with frames, using the frames printing settings wouldn't apply (eg: "browsers have a habit of remembering your last print settings" won't apply)

1. LOVE this customization, thanks!!
2. I implemented this customization and it works, except for one little issue - it only displays the first attribute title for products that have multiple attributes. Suggestion to fix?
3. I would love to have your additional customizations to the PDF Packing List! Thank you for taking the time to do this and then sharing it with the community!

fo0bar:

Thanks once again for a completely awesome contribution.

I've finished tinkering, and it turns out that with a bit of thought, my problem was much easier to solve than i initially expected - i now have attribute titles on the master pdf packinglist.

Here's the stupidly easy fix:

BACK UP THE FILE FIRST.

Open the following file:
**
[YOUR ADMIN FOLDER]/includes/functions/extra_functions/lcsd_merged_packing_slips.php**

find this line:

$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'];

> 
> REPLACE it with this:
> ```php
$attribText = (!$order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ? '' : (' - ' . $order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ;
$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'] . $attribText;  

And then the attribute title will show up after the model on the PDF Master Packing List.

Hope this assists some people.

I've also done many other customisations to the packinglist pdf - a 'tick' box next to each item (with each item on its own line), shifted the order date and number to the right of the row, and also inserted the customer address. I'm working on postage type, but Austpost is making it difficult.

Let me know if anyone wants a copy of this customisation.

ScriptJunkie:

1. LOVE this customization, thanks!!
2. I implemented this customization and it works, except for one little issue - it only displays the first attribute title for products that have multiple attributes. Suggestion to fix?
3. I would love to have your additional customizations to the PDF Packing List! Thank you for taking the time to do this and then sharing it with the community!Support for multiple attributes are coming in the next Super Orders update.. The folks who so generously donated the PDF packingslip code (which is NOT... ahem.. FOUR YEARS OLD.. ahem..) were kind enough to make this fix.. This weekend might be when I get to finally submit this puppy.. :smile:

Awesome!

DivaVocals:

Support for multiple attributes are coming in the next Super Orders update.. The folks who so generously donated the PDF packingslip code (which is NOT... ahem.. FOUR YEARS OLD.. ahem..) were kind enough to make this fix.. This weekend might be when I get to finally submit this puppy.. :smile:

cycochuck:

First, you are forgetting that there are masses of people out there that barely tolerate computers and expect things to just work.

Then they shouldn't be using a computer. That's like saying its acceptable for people to expect to drive a car just because a car is more convenient than walking, but that they shouldn't have to actually learn how to operate the vehicle.

Expecting them to know how and when to go into settings on print options to make this "feature" work as it implies only pisses them off.

C'mon now. That's like saying a person should be able to click the "print" button in MS Word and expect it to print in duplex mode without having to activate that option. At some point, users have to be reasonable people if they want to get the most from their software.

That then means I have to listen to a pissed off person because the "feature" does not work like it suppose to.

Every job has its perks, eh? Seriously though, a little education for your users goes a long way, and when the updated ReadMe comes out with the next release - they'll have everything they need at their fingertips :)

Downloaded and installed and so far Super Orders is working great!

I did notice that the following files as posted in the instructions were NOT in included in the download:

super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/account_history_info.php
super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/modules/pages/account_history_info/header.php
super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_account_history_info_default.php

Should I be worried about this?

Kim

WriteAtHome:

Downloaded and installed and so far Super Orders is working great!

I did notice that the following files as posted in the instructions were NOT in included in the download:

super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/languages/english/YOUR_TEMPLATE/account_history_info.php
super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/modules/pages/account_history_info/header.php
super_orders_30/2_Required_Core_Edits/includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/templates/tpl_account_history_info_default.php

Should I be worried about this?

KimNot at all.. That's on me.. :blush: It was an oversight in the readme where I failed to explain correctly that those files were removed from v3.0. Those files were an an attempt in prior versions of SO to support hidden (admin only) comments. Hidden (admin only) comments is now a built in part of Zen Cart v1.3.9. So these files are obsolete and not included in the fileset.

Glad you like SO.. Thank goodness for generous contributors like Blindside for creating it in the first place!!

fo0bar:

Let me know if anyone wants a copy of this customisation.

Hi Fo0bar

As a fellow Aussie I am interested, especially if the customisations also suit OzPost.

Thanks for offering.

dw08gm:

Hi Fo0bar

As a fellow Aussie I am interested, especially if the customisations also suit OzPost.

Thanks for offering.

pm sent

fo0bar - PLEASE feel free to share your changes here.. This way if you ever slip into the darkness:laugh:, folks won't be wondering where your cool changes went to..:smile:

As you can understand, I can't incorporate EVERYTHING people ask about here into the codebase.. From my perspective, Super Orders has to serve a WIDE audience.. So I make changes base don that perspective..

BUT...

others might be looking for the VERY change YOU are making and so I ENCOURAGE you to share your changes with the community!!

That said ScriptJunkie shared with me your changes to the "Master Packingslip List" (for those who don't know what this is, part of the PDF Packingslip features includes a master LIST of packing slips.. Think of it as a summarized order picklist)

My apologies for not understanding that the "Master Packingslip List" is what you were updating as opposed to the PDF Packingslip itself..

ANYWAY...

I'm LOVING the checkboxes and other changes you made to the "Master Packingslip List"..:clap: The addition of the customer address, and the modifications to the layout are outstanding and a must have IMHO!!! I have merged your changes into the "Master Packingslip List" in new fileset that I plan to submit (hopefully this weekend)

I am thinking that shipping method would also be something useful to include on the "Master Packingslip List" as well.. Gonna see if I can tackle that at some point for a later release..

I did not include your attributes code on the "Master Packingslip List" though.. Your code only supports ONE attribute (which may be FINE for some shopowners), and I think that for a wider audience, multiple attributes support will better serve a wider audience.

The upcoming update I plan to submit includes support for MULTIPLE attributes on the PDF packingslip, but NOT the "Master Packingslip List". (Oversight on my part for not seeing that when I BEGGED the original contributor to add multiple attribute support to the PDF Packingslip..:blush:)

I don't want to hold up the upcoming update any longer trying to get multiple attributes working on the "Master Packingslip List". I'm sure it's a simple adaptation of the new multiple attribute code from the PDF Packingslip into the "Master Packingslip List", but if you all saw the new code you'd know why a code challenged gal like me is a BIT hesitant to try adding it now..:laugh: I'm afraid it will further delay what has already been a long delayed update already.. (sorry I've been a LOT busy!!)

BUT that said I will give it the old college try to add multiple attribute support to the "Master Packingslip List" for another release..

fo0bar:

Thanks once again for a completely awesome contribution.

I've finished tinkering, and it turns out that with a bit of thought, my problem was much easier to solve than i initially expected - i now have attribute titles on the master pdf packinglist.

Here's the stupidly easy fix:

BACK UP THE FILE FIRST.

Open the following file:
**
[YOUR ADMIN FOLDER]/includes/functions/extra_functions/lcsd_merged_packing_slips.php**

find this line:

$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'];

> ```php
$attribText = (!$order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ? '' : (' - ' . $order->products[$i]['attributes'][0]['value']) ;
$orderText .= '(' . $order->products[$i]['qty'] . ') ' . $order->products[$i]['name'] . '/' . $order->products[$i]['model'] . $attribText;  
```And then the attribute title will show up after the model on the PDF Master Packing List.
> 
> Hope this assists some people.
> 
> I've also done many other customisations to the packinglist pdf - a 'tick' box next to each item (with each item on its own line), shifted the order date and number to the right of the row, and also inserted the customer address. I'm working on postage type, but Austpost is making it difficult.
> 
> **Let me know if anyone wants a copy of this customisation.**