ZX Slideshow support thread

You are awesome sir! Where can I donate? Thank you so much!

new2u:

You are awesome sir! Where can I donate? Thank you so much!

Hehe, no problem! :smile: Donations are appreciated, but not required, completely your choice. If you wish, you can donate here.

Yeah this is a problem I've noticed with plugins that rely on the jQuery library. Not everyone uses the same method to include jQuery in their modules. Some modules hardcode the call to jQuery inside the add-on code, and others include the JQuery library as a file to be uploaded to the template's jscript folder..

Just to err on the side of caution and eliminate any of the weird JQuery related issues I've run across, I've gone through all of my client's sites and stripped out any hardcoded lines in modules that loads the jQuery library. I then chose to simply remove all the jQuery library files that any module includes (all the files that are to be uploaded to the templates jscript folder) and instead modified the template header file so that I am loading jQuery from a CDN (I'm using JQuery's CDN as opposed to Google's CDN as I'm of the "get it from the source" kinda mindset) This literally stopped all the strange jQuery conflict related behavior and ensures my client's sites are using the latest versions of jQuery.. I do beleive that the upcoming Zen Cart v1.6 is doing the same.. Means a LOT of modules will have to be updated to remove any jQuery libraries they load.. Bright side is that for add-on developers is they do not have to include the jQuery library in their module packages anymore..

Done sir, thanks again. If you ever want a coupon code, send me a message ;-)

DivaVocals:

Yeah this is a problem I've noticed with plugins that rely on the jQuery library. Not everyone uses the same method to include jQuery in their modules. Some modules hardcode the call to jQuery inside the add-on code, and others include the JQuery library as a file to be uploaded to the template's jscript folder..

Just to err on the side of caution and eliminate any of the weird JQuery related issues I've run across, I've gone through all of my client's sites and stripped out any hardcoded lines in modules that loads the jQuery library. I then chose to simply remove all the jQuery library files that any module includes (all the files that are to be uploaded to the templates jscript folder) and instead modified my template header file so that I am loading jQuery from a CDN (I'm using JQuery's CDN as opposed to Google's CDN as I'm of the "get it from the source" kinda mindset) This literally stopped all the strange jQuery conflict related behavior and ensures my client's sites are using the latest versions of jQuery..

I absolutely agree with that method. However, it requires an additional code edit (most html_header.php files are modified) and wouldn't allow the simple drag-n-drop installation... I've done my best to avoid any need for the user to go into the code and edit files because most people find that to be a problem. If only I could find a way to make these installations from the admin with no FTP... :smile:

IMO, the best way would be to EDUCATE everyone writing any Zen Cart modules to simply use the native functions and put all of their code in the jscript directory. Hard-coding is never a good solution and I tend to avoid it if there are better approaches.

Although, it would probably be a good idea for the Team to include jQuery in the original html_header.php and make it a standard with Zen Cart. I mean, 99.9% of Zen Cart sites are nowadays using jQuery one way or the other so why not make it included with the vanilla install...

balihr:

I absolutely agree with that method. However, it requires an additional code edit (most html_header.php files are modified) and wouldn't allow the simple drag-n-drop installation... I've done my best to avoid any need for the user to go into the code and edit files because most people find that to be a problem. If only I could find a way to make these installations from the admin with no FTP... :smile:
I agree, and on a related topic I'm also a BIG proponent of not hardcoding what should be properly included in an admin settings menu. (on/off, yes/no settings should be in the admin menu NOT in the code) Just went through this exercise in collaborating on an update to the Events Calendar module..

That said, there are places where requiring a code edit/merge is simply unavoidable, and in that case I make sure that the changes are CLEARLY commented because it makes it easy as pie to spot changes when using file merging software.. I learned this from developers I've worked with in the past, and several Zen Cart masters employ the same techniques in their code -- Conor Kerr's code is a GREAT example of this.. The way he comments his code changes it's like practically shining a SPOTLIGHT on where the modifications are..

balihr:

IMO, the best way would be to EDUCATE everyone writing any Zen Cart modules to simply use the native functions and put all of their code in the jscript directory. Hard-coding is never a good solution and I tend to avoid it if there are better approaches.I agree.. though in the defense of some modules (Zen Lightbox for example), I do believe that some of these leftover practices were from the days before the current template stucture became part of the core, and some devs didn't "fix" these hardcoded kinds of things..

balihr:

Although, it would probably be a good idea for the Team to include jQuery in the original html_header.php and make it a standard with Zen Cart. I mean, 99.9% of Zen Cart sites are nowadays using jQuery one way or the other so why not make it included with the vanilla install...Yep.. I totally agree..:yes:

Can you please assist? Total newb here.

I've renamed and uploaded and ran the sql and ZX SLideshow doesn't show in the menu? I'm sure I've missed something but can't figure out why? My website is https://www.LJandEB.com

LisaB:

Can you please assist? Total newb here.

I've renamed and uploaded and ran the sql and ZX SLideshow doesn't show in the menu? I'm sure I've missed something but can't figure out why? My website is https://www.LJandEB.com

Did you run the correct SQL patch? Which version of Zen Cart are you using? I checked your site, but can't tell much about admin problems by seeing the frontend. :smile:

balihr:

Did you run the correct SQL patch? Which version of Zen Cart are you using? I checked your site, but can't tell much about admin problems by seeing the frontend. :smile:

Sorry, as I said, total newb! I'm using Zen 1.5.1. Definitely did the 1.5 sql patch. I don't think I've uploaded the files correctly. The updates folder was fine but can you please confirm where I'm supposed to put the following:

zx_slideshow_v2_0_1\files\MYTEMPLATE(I renamed it)\includes\extra_datafiles\zx_slideshow.php
zx_slideshow_v2_0_1\documentation\assets

I think that's where I'm a little lost :blush:

LisaB:

Sorry, as I said, total newb! I'm using Zen 1.5.1. Definitely did the 1.5 sql patch. I don't think I've uploaded the files correctly. The updates folder was fine but can you please confirm where I'm supposed to put the following:

zx_slideshow_v2_0_1\files\MYTEMPLATE(I renamed it)\includes\extra_datafiles\zx_slideshow.php
zx_slideshow_v2_0_1\documentation\assets

I think that's where I'm a little lost :blush:

Documentation doesn't get uploaded, there's no need for that. You just upload everything that is inside "files" directory. You have to rename YOUR_ADMIN to the actual admin directory on your server. After you get the files in the proper structure, you'll need to run the SQL patch again.

Hello, GREAT PLUG-IN!

I'm using ZC 1.3.9h

Here's my problem:

I upload all the files, and when I try to install the sql patch, I get:

7 statements processed.
Error ERROR: Cannot insert configuration_key "" because it already exists
Warning Note: 1 statements ignored. See "upgrade_exceptions" table for additional details.

When I go to the Configuration > ZX Slideshow all I get is a blank page with the 3 columns and titles, but that's it (no way I can do anything on that page).

I've tried this putting back my backup sql copy and reinstalling few times, always FAILS. :frusty:

What to do?

(I have the store on "maintenance" and I can't take it off for now, please let me know by pm if you need link with IP maintenance release to take a look).

Your help will be appreciated.

balihr:

Documentation doesn't get uploaded, there's no need for that. You just upload everything that is inside "files" directory. You have to rename YOUR_ADMIN to the actual admin directory on your server. After you get the files in the proper structure, you'll need to run the SQL patch again.

Thank you. Nutted out what I had done wrong after reading your answer :blush:. Off to Configure - thank you very much :D

ideasgirl:

When I go to the Configuration > ZX Slideshow all I get is a blank page with the 3 columns and titles, but that's it (no way I can do anything on that page).

I've tried this putting back my backup sql copy and reinstalling few times, always FAILS. :frusty:

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea why it happens, but it happened to me as well on several occasions - it's seems like some sites simply won't accept it. Since it obviously accepts the configuration group part of the statement, just install it manually from the DB. Check the configuration group ID, replace it in the SQL statement and run the SQL from phpmyadmin. Don't forget to add the DB prefix if you're using it. Sorry, but that's the best advice I can give you...

just install it manually from the DB
I did. I had to manually insert the configuration group id to every setting because after the patch didn't show configuration page with the settings. After inserting every and each one, the page showed up correctly and ready.

Thanks... :smartalec:

I installed today this amazing Plugin and I love I want to congratulate the creators. The only problem is the position. Can anybody tell me how to move it to "Header Position 2"? My website is http://ohmyicons.com/ . I'm sorry if this issue was treat in the past. I did a research but my eyes are killing me. Thanks!!!

DArnaez:

I installed today this amazing Plugin and I love I want to congratulate the creators. The only problem is the position. Can anybody tell me how to move it to "Header Position 2"? My website is http://ohmyicons.com/ . I'm sorry if this issue was treat in the past. I did a research but my eyes are killing me. Thanks!!!

And what is "Header Position 2" ? Are you referring to the larger static banner you have just bellow the header menu? If so, then you might wanna read this thread and also the documentation that comes with this plugin, it's explained under "Additional Information" with a direct link. Basically, you'll need to edit your tpl_header.php, tpl_index_default.php, index_home.css and stylesheet.css files.

Thanks Balihr! I readed the documentation that come in the plugin but is limited. But barely it works. I mean.. at least I achieve the first target to replace the big header banner. Now the problem is that when user choose a category banners are showed anywhere... a real mess. I cut the code on the tpl_header.php and paste on tpl_index_default.php. Then I edit index_home just to eliminate the padding. The stylesheet.css I didn't touch it because I don't know what to change. I'll continue searching to fix the mess. Thanks!!

FIXED: I follow a threat where say how to show it only in the homepage... and it works. The code is: ```html

<?php require($template->get_template_dir('zx_slideshow.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'templates'). '/zx_slideshow.php'); ?>

Thanks!

What do I need to change if I want it working in the all pages? Many thanks!

DArnaez:

What do I need to change if I want it working in the all pages? Many thanks!

In your case, the problem was that you didn't load the stylesheet on other pages, it was loading only on the home page. That's because of index_home.css - this file originally contains all styling for the slideshow, but Zen Cart will load it only on home page. If you want to use the slider on other pages, you MUST take all styling from index_home.css and MOVE it to your stylesheet.css. Of course, you would need to remove the if($this_is_home_page) check from the tpl_header.php
But, be careful because you might harm your site's usability - slideshow is supposed to run in home page only, it's very annoying to have it site-wide...

Yes. You are absolutely right ... in the homepage is enough. Thanks a lot.