Abbington Mega Template [Support Thread]

shags38:

Diva - please read Glenn's response and particularly the last line which I took to indicate take it now to this person - how would you interpret it? hence posting in here where 'both' people read the thread with the delusional thought process of maybe one of them may be able to help - I haven't had a response from Anne yet so maybe she will be kind enough to offer her assistance about a non-template issue affecting how her template works or does not work with a plugin suggested by others in this forum. If not then I will trouble Glenn again ... now would that be with the same question which he has answered or would I need to rework the same question so as to make it appear different?

It is becoming (sorry, read has become) obvious you do not wish to help me but are more interested in who is right and who is wrong, ultimately who is in control - you win.

kindest regards,
Mike

p.s. as you responded to me in here and not in the appropriate support thread I have responded to you in this inappropriate support thread
p.p.s. speed reading has its flaws right?

okay.........

Hello Anne,

if you have not already would you please read the posts by me (and also the responses from Diva) in respect to the problem with getting the Editable Home Page Centerboxes to work correctly with this template, or maybe more accurately, assess where I may have made an error.

I wondered if you might assist me to resolve this problem.

many thanks,
Mike

shags38:

Hello Anne,

if you have not already would you please read the posts by me (and also the responses from Diva) in respect to the problem with getting the Editable Home Page Centerboxes to work correctly with this template, or maybe more accurately, assess where I may have made an error.

I wondered if you might assist me to resolve this problem.

many thanks,
Mike

sigh

Gonna say this again.. this has really nothing to do with THIS template.. The Editable Home Page Centerboxes module works just fine out the box on ANY well written template (which this is..) Something has gone wrong with your install and part of the problem is that another add-on that comes bundled in with this template (Tabbed Home Page Modules) modifies the same files as **Editable Home Page Centerboxes. **The code from these two add-ons needs to be merged. I have asked you multiple time to use the support thread where you can get help with this because the issue is NOT an issue with this template at all.. For whatever reason you DO NOT want to do this and have labeled my request to move this discussion to the proper support thread as a sign that I do not want to help you... shrugs

If you want help with the Editable Home Page Centerboxes add-on, both Glenn and I have responded to your posts in it's support thread.. If you don't want to TRY and work out the issue you are having with Editable Home Page Centerboxes in the place where EVERYONE who uses Editable Home Page Centerboxes goes to for support, then I'm not sure what to do.. I won't hijack this thread ANYMORE to discuss support for this module.. I WILL help you if you take this discussion over to the Editable Home Page Centerboxes support thread.. (as I have said repeatedly I would.. shrugs)

shags38:

Hello Anne - I really do need some help with this issue - after the dialogue with Diva recently in this thread I took her advice and posted the following in the 'Editable Home Page Centerboxes' support thread and received the response below;

POST

RESPONSE

I now need your help (and that of Diva if necessary as she seems very familiar with this plugin) in trying to sort out this issue. Glenn's suggestion that I may not have merged a file correctly is valid IF there is more than one(1) file to merge. The installation instructions for the plugin shows - I have merged the first of those files but there was no includes/templates/abbington_mega/templates/tpl_index_categories.php file to merge the same name plugin file to. Just wondering if there is something in this?

In any case I have tried all manner of adjustments to files to try to get it to work but without success (I reinstated ALL original files except modified css for middlebox). I am unsure whether I have done something wrong or missed something but whatever the case I really would like to get a resolution to this - I have a number of sites using your template and I want to use this plugin on all of them.

cheers,
Mike

I would recommend checking the tabbed home page modules module and the editable home page centerboxes modules to see which files are the same and be sure that you are merging those files. My guess is that the both plugins are sharing more thana one file that you have not merged correctly. Also, you may need to just removethe tabbed home page modules module completely from the template if you don't want to use it and want to use editable home page center boxes instead.

Thanks,

Anne

picaflor-azul:

I would recommend checking the tabbed home page modules module and the editable home page centerboxes modules to see which files are the same and be sure that you are merging those files. My guess is that the both plugins are sharing more thana one file that you have not merged correctly. Also, you may need to just removethe tabbed home page modules module completely from the template if you don't want to use it and want to use editable home page center boxes instead.

Thanks,

Anne
No reason he can't use both.. But he does need to seek help in the correct place.. And this is all I have been trying to get him to do.. The support thread for these modules is the right place to do it.. But its been like pulling teeth to get there..

DivaVocals:

No reason he can't use both.. But he does need to seek help in the correct place.. And this is all I have been trying to get him to do.. The support thread for these modules is the right place to do it.. But its been like pulling teeth to get there..

:wink:

Thanks,

Anne

PROBLEM IN BRIEF:
Blank "Admin>Configuration>Abbington Mega" page. (i.e., just the TITLE VALUE ACTION headings).

ME:
Retired computer tech, mid-60s

ZC VERSION:
1.5.1 (vanilla. No addons, etc.)

TEMPLATE:
Abbington Mega v3.1 (also vanilla. Dated 24 APR 13)

TEMPLATE CHANGES I HAVE MADE:
Few, decorative (images), and HTML/CSS

USER SKILL LEVEL:
Weak in PHP, only 30 short/long days with ZC, but can learn quickly

ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE:
Tried several SQL patches and patch ideas (after first removing references to Abb Mega from configuration and configuration table, as Anne suggested):
Tried db prefix solution
Tried the "SELECT @AbbingtonMegaconfig:=configuration_group_id" patch

ERROR LOG INFO:
Various, usually PHP 1146s and 1602s. I'd have to try a suggestion to give you a precise error set.

ETC:
As far as results, the best I have achieved is seeing "Abbington Mega" on the page instead of no title.

A number of others seem to have experienced this problem, and it's possible that I missed some FAQ or definitive solution. I've read posts until I start to remember users like kkjoseph, digispro, and ezivape by heart. But trying to read through the better part of 1000 posts at my age is exhausting. (Speaking of which ... hey, Zen Cart site guys ... why only single-tiered, linear support threads for templates? The Vbulletin search feature is historically weak, and this makes finding answers very difficult.)

The help of any experienced PHP or Zen person who can shed light or offer ideas would be much appreciated. I'm the "teach a man to fish" type, so please don't feel limited on words; Brevity is the father of Confusion's child, in my book.

Thank you,

Joe Bones

joebones:

PROBLEM IN BRIEF:
Blank "Admin>Configuration>Abbington Mega" page. (i.e., just the TITLE VALUE ACTION headings).

ME:
Retired computer tech, mid-60s

ZC VERSION:
1.5.1 (vanilla. No addons, etc.)

TEMPLATE:
Abbington Mega v3.1 (also vanilla. Dated 24 APR 13)

TEMPLATE CHANGES I HAVE MADE:
Few, decorative (images), and HTML/CSS

USER SKILL LEVEL:
Weak in PHP, only 30 short/long days with ZC, but can learn quickly

ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE:
Tried several SQL patches and patch ideas (after first removing references to Abb Mega from configuration and configuration table, as Anne suggested):
Tried db prefix solution
Tried the "SELECT @AbbingtonMegaconfig:=configuration_group_id" patch

ERROR LOG INFO:
Various, usually PHP 1146s and 1602s. I'd have to try a suggestion to give you a precise error set.

ETC:
As far as results, the best I have achieved is seeing "Abbington Mega" on the page instead of no title.

A number of others seem to have experienced this problem, and it's possible that I missed some FAQ or definitive solution. I've read posts until I start to remember users like kkjoseph, digispro, and ezivape by heart. But trying to read through the better part of 1000 posts at my age is exhausting. (Speaking of which ... hey, Zen Cart site guys ... why only single-tiered, linear support threads for templates? The Vbulletin search feature is historically weak, and this makes finding answers very difficult.)

The help of any experienced PHP or Zen person who can shed light or offer ideas would be much appreciated. I'm the "teach a man to fish" type, so please don't feel limited on words; Brevity is the father of Confusion's child, in my book.

Thank you,

Joe Bones

Take a look in your database at the configuration_group table and see what ID number is associated with the template. If there is more than one, delete all except one. Then go to the admin_pages table and match the configuration group id to whatever is being used for the template.

Thanks,

Anne

Anne --

Problem or no problem: Thank you for offering and supporting these lovely templates!

Take a look in your database at the configuration_group table and see what ID number is associated with the template. If there is more than one, delete all except one.

Got the number (54), and there was only one "Abbington Mega" entry.

Then go to the admin_pages table and match the configuration group id to whatever is being used for the template.

Did so. Page was still blank, but the title appeared as "Abbington Mega", which was encouraging.

I welcome any further thoughts. The data seems to be in place, so it 'feels' like one adjustment to the db somewhere and the page will pop right in.

-- Joe

picaflor-azul:

I would recommend checking the tabbed home page modules module and the editable home page centerboxes modules to see which files are the same and be sure that you are merging those files. My guess is that the both plugins are sharing more thana one file that you have not merged correctly. Also, you may need to just removethe tabbed home page modules module completely from the template if you don't want to use it and want to use editable home page center boxes instead.

Thanks,

Anne

Hi Anne,

seems Diva has been using some of her Dental skills ('But its been like pulling teeth to get there.') :smile:

Just wondering if this great template of yours and the Editable Home Page Centerboxes could be integrated? The reason I say that is in respect to the SEO value of the EHPCB in that it allows having more relevant text on the home page without it all being in the text at the top of the page. The SEO value of keyword rich text on the home page can be debatable however many content management systems and SEO people will suggest anything less than about 500 words of text on a page is less than desirable. Also doing site analysis via SEOQuake and others the text to html ratio is problematical - this will vary with the number of sideboxes used etc., however both of these things can affect SEO.

Shoppers do not want to see 500+ words of text at the top of the home page of an eCommerce site - they want to see product and / or product promotion material related to their interest and reason for visiting the site. That is why your tabbed centerbox is so great. However having the ability to turn on/off editable homepage centerboxes within your template would be really fantastic and a great SEO selling point to potential users - shoppers may not want to read that extra text but search engines certainly will.

I am not a coder or a professional web developer however I was wondering if another solution could be to 'duplicate' the define_main_page.php file, call it something else and place it in the css file below the existing tabbed centerbox thus in essence creating an editable centerbox? The 'blank sidebox' plugin does something similar - you simply rename the file to add additional blank (editable) sideboxes. Maybe this is too simplistic?

Food for thought.

cheers,
Mike

shags38:

seems Diva has been using some of her Dental skills ('But its been like pulling teeth to get there.') :smile:
Right.. shrugs

shags38:

Just wondering if this great template of yours and the Editable Home Page Centerboxes could be integrated? The reason I say that is in respect to the SEO value of the EHPCB in that it allows having more relevant text on the home page without it all being in the text at the top of the page. The SEO value of keyword rich text on the home page can be debatable however many content management systems and SEO people will suggest anything less than about 500 words of text on a page is less than desirable. Also doing site analysis via SEOQuake and others the text to html ratio is problematical - this will vary with the number of sideboxes used etc., however both of these things can affect SEO.

Shoppers do not want to see 500+ words of text at the top of the home page of an eCommerce site - they want to see product and / or product promotion material related to their interest and reason for visiting the site. That is why your tabbed centerbox is so great. However having the ability to turn on/off editable homepage centerboxes within your template would be really fantastic and a great SEO selling point to potential users - shoppers may not want to read that extra text but search engines certainly will.

I am not a coder or a professional web developer however I was wondering if another solution could be to 'duplicate' the define_main_page.php file, call it something else and place it in the css file below the existing tabbed centerbox thus in essence creating an editable centerbox? The 'blank sidebox' plugin does something similar - you simply rename the file to add additional blank (editable) sideboxes. Maybe this is too simplistic?

Food for thought.

cheers,
Mike
So you are suggesting either
a. Bundle the Editable Home Page Centerboxes with this template
b. Build a seperate module which duplicates functionality already available in the Editable Home Page Centerboxes add-on and THEN bundle with this template

Let me make a third suggestion.. Perhaps you might want to give some thought into hiring someone to help you with merging the Editable Home Page Centerboxes and the Tabbed Homepage Centerboxes modules? It would appear that merging these two has been a tad over your head, and you might need some help to get you things working the way you want.

DivaVocals:

Right.. shrugs

So you are suggesting either
a. Bundle the Editable Home Page Centerboxes with this template
b. Build a seperate module which duplicates functionality already available in the Editable Home Page Centerboxes add-on and THEN bundle with this template

Let me make a third suggestion.. Perhaps you might want to give some thought into hiring someone to help you with merging the Editable Home Page Centerboxes and the Tabbed Homepage Centerboxes modules? It would appear that merging these two has been a tad over your head, and you might need some help to get you things working the way you want.

Diva, with the absolute greatest of respect my post was addressed to Anne and I would appreciate it if you would let Anne respond. I have responded to you in the 'appropriate' support thread. I though this was Anne's support thread?

cheers,
Mike

DivaVocals:

Right.. shrugs

So you are suggesting either
a. Bundle the Editable Home Page Centerboxes with this template
b. Build a seperate module which duplicates functionality already available in the Editable Home Page Centerboxes add-on and THEN bundle with this template

Let me make a third suggestion.. Perhaps you might want to give some thought into hiring someone to help you with merging the Editable Home Page Centerboxes and the Tabbed Homepage Centerboxes modules? It would appear that merging these two has been a tad over your head, and you might need some help to get you things working the way you want.

Diva, with the absolute greatest of respect my post was addressed to Anne and I would appreciate it if you would let Anne respond. I have responded to you in the 'appropriate' support thread. I though this was Anne's support thread?

cheers,
Mike

with all due respect, this a COMMUNITY forum.. while Anne is the author of this template she certainy doesn't OWN this thread.. and you were FREE to simply ignore my response, but under no circumstances can you TELL me not to respond..> shags38:

Diva, with the absolute greatest of respect my post was addressed to Anne and I would appreciate it if you w:ould let Anne respond. I have responded to you in the 'appropriate' support thread. I though this was Anne's support thread?

cheers,
Mike

Hello Anne - no doubt you have seen the dialogue regarding my request to solve an issue of using Editable Home Page Centerboxes with Tabbed Home Page Modules which you have incorporated in this terrific template.

Just to give you an update - I will wait till you make the modification as per this comment to GAM in Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread on 10th August > Thank you for posting your code. I do have this on the list as a modification to include in a future module update ;)

I look forward to that update when it is done so that I can have my sites get the maximum benefit of your impressive template.

kind regards,
Mike

shags38:

Hello Anne - no doubt you have seen the dialogue regarding my request to solve an issue of using Editable Home Page Centerboxes with Tabbed Home Page Modules which you have incorporated in this terrific template.

Just to give you an update - I will wait till you make the modification as per this comment to GAM in Tabbed Home Page Modules support thread on 10th August

I look forward to that update when it is done so that I can have my sites get the maximum benefit of your impressive template.

kind regards,
Mike

I don't understand why you would wait. The edit was posted on that thread, and you would still have to merge the files in the 2 modules together to use both in the template.

Thanks,

Anne

Folks... I have searched through the thread and, while it may be in here, I don't find a way to modify where the "Email Us" link in the Footer points to. No notes in the Installation file except for the Phone Number.

Any help appreciated.

Also, another silly question...

How do you change the font style in the Header to get rid of the all lower case font under the Logo?

dgantonacci:

Folks... I have searched through the thread and, while it may be in here, I don't find a way to modify where the "Email Us" link in the Footer points to. No notes in the Installation file except for the Phone Number.

Any help appreciated.

You can edit the includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/abbington_mega/footer_menu_defines.php file.

Thanks,

Anne

dgantonacci:

Also, another silly question...

How do you change the font style in the Header to get rid of the all lower case font under the Logo?

Remove the text-transform:lowercase; from the #tagline in the stylesheet.css file.

Thanks,

Anne