Forums / Templates, Stylesheets, Page Layout / Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

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15 Apr 2013, 12:50 AM
#1
aaronjmorgan avatar

aaronjmorgan

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Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Hi Zen Cart Forum,

This is my first time posting here... i am just looking for some help with modifying the sidebar in zen cart.

It seems like the whole shopping cart software is designed to function around these annoying sideboxes. I dont want to totally get rid of the sideboxes, because i still have interest in using some of them- but - Is there a way to get my own content (HTML) in the side bar??? Which files would i have to modify in order to do that? Your help with this would be much appreciated.

my website is https://www.toyzeum.com/store/

as you can see...

i have attempted to do this by modifying the files "tpl_box_default_left.php" and "tpl_box_default_right.php" in the "common" subfolder of the "template-default" folder. However whenever a sidebox is present it also repeats my HTML content... That is why the "INCOMING" image repeatedly shows... Any suggestions? I already tried the blank sidebox plugin but was not happy with the results of that either because i do not want boxes but rather the freedom to post pure HTML content or call up other scripts in the sidebar...

This is what the coding looks like of the tpl_box_default_right.php

##################################################

<?php /** * Common Template - tpl_box_default_right.php * * @package templateSystem * @copyright Copyright 2003-2005 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: tpl_box_default_right.php 2975 2006-02-05 19:33:51Z birdbrain $ */ // choose box images based on box position if ($title_link) { $title = '<a href="' . zen_href_link($title_link) . '">' . $title . BOX_HEADING_LINKS . '</a>'; } // ?>

<IMG SRC="https://www.toyzeum.com/store/images/main/rightsidebar_incoming<? //Chooses a random number $num = Rand (1,6); //Based on the random number, gives a quote switch ($num) { case 1: echo "1"; break; case 2: echo "2"; break; case 3: echo "2"; break; case 4: echo "2"; break; case 5: echo "1"; break; case 6: echo "1"; } ?>.jpg">

<!--// bof: <?php echo $box_id; ?> //--> <div class="rightBoxContainer" id="<?php echo str_replace('_', '-', $box_id ); ?>" style="width: <?php echo $column_width; ?>"> <h3 class="rightBoxHeading" id="<?php echo str_replace('_', '-', $box_id) . 'Heading'; ?>"><?php echo $title; ?></h3> <?php echo $content; ?> </div> <!--// eof: <?php echo $box_id; ?> //--> ########################################################

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Aaron morgan

15 Apr 2013, 1:33 AM
#2
kobra avatar

kobra

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

i have attempted to do this by modifying the files "tpl_box_default_left.php" and "tpl_box_default_right.php" in the "common" subfolder of the "template-default" folde
First you should not be altering any of the files in the template-default structure
Review these tutorials
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?228-understanding-the-override-system
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?78-how-do-i-set-up-the-template-overrides

Secondly, I can not tell what it is that you want???

/TOYZEUM/css/stylesheet.css"

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15 Apr 2013, 2:05 AM
#3
drbyte avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

tpl_box_default_right.php and tpl_box_default_left.php are framework structural pieces which are used to output the actual sideboxes built from sidebox-specific files/templates.

The fastest way to accomplish what (I think) you're after is to use the Blank Sidebox plugin (http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=80 ) and plug your custom HTML into that. A great side-benefit of doing that is that'll show you all the files involved in how any given sidebox works.

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15 Apr 2013, 5:25 PM
#4
aaronjmorgan avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

What I am trying to do is to place HTML in the sidebox area above where the boxes appear... is this even possible? modification to the code above makes the image appear every time a new sidebox appears. I only want the incoming image to display once and that is on top of all of the side boxes. Is there a way to call up content on top of the sideboxes without having to call up a new sidebox just in order for the content to display? The content is re-displaying with every sidebox and I do not want that.

As far as the blank sidebox script. It still is having the boxes and i do not want my HTML contained within a box with a title... I just want pure HTML in the sidebar. Is there a way to get rid of the actual box with that script and just have pure HTML content display?

15 Apr 2013, 5:30 PM
#5
stevesh avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Use the Blank Sidebox mod, and remove the header and border, either by editing the sidebox code or from the stylesheet.

15 Apr 2013, 5:47 PM
#6
aaronjmorgan avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

can you show me an example how to remove that? Please forgive me as I am also new to the world of PHP editing.. I am looking at the blank sidebox code below- what should be removed for the header and border to not display anymore?

##################################

<?php /** * blank sidebox - allows a blank sidebox to be added to your site * * @package templateSystem * @copyright 2007 Kuroi Web Design * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team * @license <http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt> GNU Public License V2.0 * @version $Id: blank_sidebox.php 2007-05-26 kuroi $ */ // test if box should display $show_blank_sidebox = true; if ($show_blank_sidebox == true) { require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_blank_sidebox.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'sideboxes'). '/tpl_blank_sidebox.php'); $title = BOX_HEADING_BLANK_SIDEBOX; $title_link = false; require($template->get_template_dir($column_box_default, DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common') . '/' . $column_box_default); } ?>

################################################

if i edit the style sheet... wouldnt that effect all of the sideboxes and not just the blank sidebox?

Thanks for your help

-Aaron

15 Apr 2013, 6:05 PM
#7
stevesh avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

The stylesheet is the easier way. Most of the sideboxes have their own classes and ids so they can be styled separately. Install the Blank Sidebox and place it where you want in Layout Boxes Controller. Then place this in your stylesheet:

#blanksidebox {border: none;}
#blanksideboxHeading {display: none;}

See here at the top of the left column:

http://www.stevesh.com/demo

15 Apr 2013, 6:06 PM
#8
gjh42 avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Comment out this line and replace it with blank title content:

//$title = BOX_HEADING_BLANK_SIDEBOX;
$title = '';
``` Or you can edit the value of BOX_HEADING_BLANK_SIDEBOX in blank_sidebox_defines.php like
```php
define('BOX_HEADING_BLANK_SIDEBOX', '');

You can make style rules that apply only to this sidebox like```
#blank_sidebox {border: none;}
#blank_sidebox h3 {display: none;}
#blank_sideboxContent {what: ever;}

15 Apr 2013, 6:11 PM
#9
gjh42 avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Note that these techniques, especially custom style rules, allow you to have a "sidebox" with your HTML content at the top of the sidebar without looking like any kind of box.

15 Apr 2013, 8:42 PM
#10
aaronjmorgan avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

ok this is what ive done:

includes / templates/ template_default / css/ stylesheet.css & also applied to toyzeum folder as well

##################################
/sideboxes/
.columnLeft {}

h3.leftBoxHeading, h3.leftBoxHeading a {
font-size: 1em;
color: #ffffff;
}

.leftBoxHeading, .centerBoxHeading {
margin: 0em;
background-color: #FF6699;
padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
}

.leftBoxContainer {
border: 1px solid #ffffff;
margin-top: 1.5em;
}

.sideBoxContent {
background-color: #ffffff;
padding: 0.4em;
}

h3.rightBoxHeading, h3.rightBoxHeading a {
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #FFFF00;
}

.rightBoxHeading {
margin: 0em;
background-color: #663366;
padding: 0.2em 0em;
}

h3.leftBoxHeading a:hover {
color: #FFFF33;
text-decoration: none;
}

h3.rightBoxHeading a:hover {
color: #FF0000;
text-decoration: none;
}

.rightBoxContent {
background-color: #ffffff;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}

.centeredContent, TH, #cartEmptyText, #cartBoxGVButton, #cartBoxEmpty, #cartBoxVoucherBalance, #navCatTabsWrapper, #navEZPageNextPrev, #bannerOne, #bannerTwo, #bannerThree, #bannerFour, #bannerFive, #bannerSix, #siteinfoLegal, #siteinfoCredits, #siteinfoStatus, #siteinfoIP, .center, .cartRemoveItemDisplay, .cartQuantityUpdate, .cartQuantity, .cartTotalsDisplay, #cartBoxGVBalance, .leftBoxHeading, .centerBoxHeading,.rightBoxHeading, .productListing-data, .accountQuantityDisplay, .ratingRow, LABEL#textAreaReviews, #productMainImage, #reviewsInfoDefaultProductImage, #productReviewsDefaultProductImage, #reviewWriteMainImage, .centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .additionalImages, .centerBoxContentsSpecials, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .centerBoxContentsFeatured, .centerBoxContentsNew, .gvBal, .attribImg {
text-align: center;
}

#bestsellers .wrapper {
margin: 0em 0em 0em 1.5em;
}

**
#blanksidebox {border: none;}

#blanksideboxHeading {display: none;}
**

#bestsellers ol {
padding: 0;
margin-left: 1.1em;
}

#bestsellers li {
padding: 0;
margin: 0.3em 0em 0.3em 0em;
}

#bannerboxHeading {
background-color: #0000CC;
#####################################

for file \includes\templates\template_default\sideboxes\tpl_blank_sidebox.php
##########################################

<?php /** * blank sidebox - allows a blank sidebox to be added to your site * * @package templateSystem * @copyright 2007 Kuroi Web Design * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team * @license <http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt> GNU Public License V2.0 * @version $Id: blank_sidebox.php 2007-05-26 kuroi $ */ $content = ''; $content .= '<div id="' . str_replace('_', '-', $box_id . 'Content') . '" class="sideBoxContent">'; // Replace the text and HTML tags between the apostophes on lines 19 and 20. // Use as many or as few lines using this model as you need for your custom content. // If you have a multilingual site define your text in the languages/YOUR_LANGUAGE/extra_definitions/blank_sidebox_defines.php and include it as shown in line 19. // If your site is monolingual, you can put the text right here as shown on line 20 (and nobody will know!) $content .= '<IMG SRC="https://www.toyzeum.com/store/images/main/rightsidebar_incoming<? //Chooses a random number $num = Rand (1,6); //Based on the random number, gives a quote switch ($num) { case 1: echo "1"; break; case 2: echo "2"; break; case 3: echo "2"; break; case 4: echo "2"; break; case 5: echo "1"; break; case 6: echo "1"; }?>.jpg">

';

$content .= '</div>';
?>
############################################

Note- The random Image generator is not working but was working when i had it installed in- I currently have the content in bold (shown below) deleted from the file shown below now...

\includes\templates\template_default\common\tpl_box_default_right.php

################################

<?php /** * Common Template - tpl_box_default_right.php * * @package templateSystem * @copyright Copyright 2003-2005 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: tpl_box_default_right.php 2975 2006-02-05 19:33:51Z birdbrain $ */ // choose box images based on box position if ($title_link) { $title = '<a href="' . zen_href_link($title_link) . '">' . $title . BOX_HEADING_LINKS . '</a>'; } // ?>

<IMG SRC="https://www.toyzeum.com/store/images/main/rightsidebar_incoming<? //Chooses a random number $num = Rand (1,6); //Based on the random number, gives a quote switch ($num) { case 1: echo "1"; break; case 2: echo "2"; break; case 3: echo "2"; break; case 4: echo "2"; break; case 5: echo "1"; break; case 6: echo "1"; } ?>.jpg">

<!--// bof: <?php echo $box_id; ?> //--> <div class="rightBoxContainer" id="<?php echo str_replace('_', '-', $box_id ); ?>" style="width: <?php echo $column_width; ?>"> <h3 class="rightBoxHeading" id="<?php echo str_replace('_', '-', $box_id) . 'Heading'; ?>"><?php echo $title; ?></h3> <?php echo $content; ?> </div> <!--// eof: <?php echo $box_id; ?> //--> ###################

and lastly

store\includes\modules\sideboxes\blank_sidebox.php
##############################

<?php /** * blank sidebox - allows a blank sidebox to be added to your site * * @package templateSystem * @copyright 2007 Kuroi Web Design * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team * @license <http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt> GNU Public License V2.0 * @version $Id: blank_sidebox.php 2007-05-26 kuroi $ */ // test if box should display $show_blank_sidebox = true; if ($show_blank_sidebox == true) { require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_blank_sidebox.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'sideboxes'). '/tpl_blank_sidebox.php'); ** //$title = BOX_HEADING_BLANK_SIDEBOX; $title = '';** $title_link = false; require($template->get_template_dir($column_box_default, DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'common') . '/' . $column_box_default); } ?>

################################

the green box is still showing and i cannot get the random "incoming" image to display- what am i doing wrong here??? any ideas?

Thanks so much for help

  • Aaron
16 Apr 2013, 2:40 AM
#12
gjh42 avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Restore tpl_box_default_right.php to its original content. Not only should you not edit it for individual sidebox content, you should never save an edited file in the /template_default/ folder, but in your custom template folder.

The tpl_blank_sidebox.php is okay, as is the module file blank_sidebox.php.

17 Apr 2013, 3:16 AM
#14
aaronjmorgan avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

gjh42:

The actual id of your sidebox is #blanksidebox, so that is the id you need to use in style rules.

That is the one that I did use but it is not working... how do i get rid of the box and border... so confused... (see below)

/sideboxes/
.columnLeft {}

h3.leftBoxHeading, h3.leftBoxHeading a {
font-size: 1em;
color: #ffffff;
}

.leftBoxHeading, .centerBoxHeading {
margin: 0em;
background-color: #FF6699;
padding: 0.5em 0.2em;
}

.leftBoxContainer {
border: 1px solid #ffffff;
margin-top: 1.5em;
}

.sideBoxContent {
background-color: #ffffff;
padding: 0.4em;
}

h3.rightBoxHeading, h3.rightBoxHeading a {
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #FFFF00;
}

.rightBoxHeading {
margin: 0em;
background-color: #663366;
padding: 0.2em 0em;
}

h3.leftBoxHeading a:hover {
color: #FFFF33;
text-decoration: none;
}

h3.rightBoxHeading a:hover {
color: #FF0000;
text-decoration: none;
}

.rightBoxContent {
background-color: #ffffff;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}

.centeredContent, TH, #cartEmptyText, #cartBoxGVButton, #cartBoxEmpty, #cartBoxVoucherBalance, #navCatTabsWrapper, #navEZPageNextPrev, #bannerOne, #bannerTwo, #bannerThree, #bannerFour, #bannerFive, #bannerSix, #siteinfoLegal, #siteinfoCredits, #siteinfoStatus, #siteinfoIP, .center, .cartRemoveItemDisplay, .cartQuantityUpdate, .cartQuantity, .cartTotalsDisplay, #cartBoxGVBalance, .leftBoxHeading, .centerBoxHeading,.rightBoxHeading, .productListing-data, .accountQuantityDisplay, .ratingRow, LABEL#textAreaReviews, #productMainImage, #reviewsInfoDefaultProductImage, #productReviewsDefaultProductImage, #reviewWriteMainImage, .centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .additionalImages, .centerBoxContentsSpecials, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .centerBoxContentsFeatured, .centerBoxContentsNew, .gvBal, .attribImg {
text-align: center;
}

#bestsellers .wrapper {
margin: 0em 0em 0em 1.5em;
}

**
#blanksidebox {border: none;}

#blanksideboxHeading {display: none;}**

#bestsellers ol {
padding: 0;
margin-left: 1.1em;
}

#bestsellers li {
padding: 0;

17 Apr 2013, 5:14 AM
#15
gjh42 avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

When I inspected your active stylesheet, I saw the exact (incorrect - with _) style code I posted originally. It appears you have now updated the correct file.

17 Apr 2013, 9:28 AM
#16
schoolboy avatar

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

Been following this discussion, and feel I need to chip in.

  1. Take the advice of helpers and DO NOT take a chainsaw to core code. RESTORE all core behaviour for sidebox template and module files. There is absolutely NO NEED to hack away at core code to get the results you are after.

  2. The appearance, content AND behaviour of sideboxes AND THE SIDE COLUMNS can all be easily controlled using STANDARD tools, switches and protocols. You just need to learn these, and then apply them.

  3. We cannot assist you if you are determined to re-construct core functions by adding your own code. IF you want to go to the extent of customising core code to the extent you are going, then be prepared to pay for assistance. We cannot guess what you are doing, nor will any of us write / examine/ evaluate / test reams of fresh php for nothing.

SO... the way forward.

The BLANK SIDEBOX module can be CLONED (copies made of it for different uses) so if you want unique functions inside the COLUMN area, you can CLONE the blank sidebox as many times as you need to - ten thousand copies if you have to... there's no limit

This is THE BEST WAY to get "html" into a box (which then displays in a column of your choice).

As you may (or may not) know, boxes are arranged and switched on or off under your TOOLS >>> LAYOUT BOXES CONTROLLER feature.

Additionally, you can completely HIDE either or both side columns globally. (ADMIN >>> CONFIGURATION >>> LAYOUT SETTINGS)

You can also DISABLE columns on a PAGE_SPECIFIC basis... SEE the tpl_main_page.php file in your template's COMMON folder. If that file is not there, then COPY the core file to that location so you have the necessary OVERRIDE file.

ALSO, CSS can be used to HIDE / SHOW any element - and all sideboxes have unique classes/id's - as do the side columns.

20 years a Zencart User

17 Apr 2013, 2:06 PM
#17
gjh42 avatar

gjh42

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

There is actually an error in the randomizing code you posted. You use a short opening tag (deprecated, and fails under certain circumstances), and you are already in PHP processing so you shouldn't open PHP again anyway. Also, you can't do a series of statements inside another statement; the random generation and assignment needs to happen before it is included in the link code.
This php $content .= '<IMG SRC="https://www.toyzeum.com/store/images/main/rightsidebar_incoming<? //Chooses a random number $num = Rand (1,6); //Based on the random number, gives a quote switch ($num) { case 1: echo "1"; break; //... case 6: echo "1"; }?>.jpg"> '; should be like this ```php
//Chooses a random number
$num = Rand (1,6);
//Based on the random number, gives a quote
switch ($num)
{
case 1:
$filenum = "1";
break;
//...
case 6:
$filenum = "1";
}
$content .= '<IMG SRC="https://www.toyzeum.com/store/images/main/rightsidebar_incoming' . $filenum . '.jpg">
';

17 Apr 2013, 3:38 PM
#18
divavocals avatar

divavocals

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

schoolboy:

Been following this discussion, and feel I need to chip in.

  1. Take the advice of helpers and DO NOT take a chainsaw to core code. RESTORE all core behaviour for sidebox template and module files. There is absolutely NO NEED to hack away at core code to get the results you are after.

  2. The appearance, content AND behaviour of sideboxes AND THE SIDE COLUMNS can all be easily controlled using STANDARD tools, switches and protocols. You just need to learn these, and then apply them.

  3. We cannot assist you if you are determined to re-construct core functions by adding your own code. IF you want to go to the extent of customising core code to the extent you are going, then be prepared to pay for assistance. We cannot guess what you are doing, nor will any of us write / examine/ evaluate / test reams of fresh php for nothing.

SO... the way forward.

The BLANK SIDEBOX module can be CLONED (copies made of it for different uses) so if you want unique functions inside the COLUMN area, you can CLONE the blank sidebox as many times as you need to - ten thousand copies if you have to... there's no limit

This is THE BEST WAY to get "html" into a box (which then displays in a column of your choice).

As you may (or may not) know, boxes are arranged and switched on or off under your TOOLS >>> LAYOUT BOXES CONTROLLER feature.

Additionally, you can completely HIDE either or both side columns globally. (ADMIN >>> CONFIGURATION >>> LAYOUT SETTINGS)

You can also DISABLE columns on a PAGE_SPECIFIC basis... SEE the tpl_main_page.php file in your template's COMMON folder. If that file is not there, then COPY the core file to that location so you have the necessary OVERRIDE file.

ALSO, CSS can be used to HIDE / SHOW any element - and all sideboxes have unique classes/id's - as do the side columns.
I agree.. The FIRST step the OP needs to take is to put EVERYTHING back to it's original state.. (stop with all the unecessary PHP code changes)

The OP slashing and hacking away at the CORE CODE in order to make what are SIMPLE appearance changes will only lead to other problems down the road.. ALL of the OPs APPEARANCE changes can be achived using the balnk sidebox module (or even the defined pages sidebox module), the built-in admin functions (which you pointed out) and some relatively simple CSS (which Glenn - AKA gjh42 has pointed out)

My suggestion to the OP is to take a step back and follow your advice here and to follow Glenn's lead on the CSS changes needed and to STOP hacking at the core code to achive this..

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19 Apr 2013, 12:10 AM
#19
aaronjmorgan avatar

aaronjmorgan

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

gih- i tried your PHP coding but it still didnt work... my PHP code for random image was working fine when i had it in my tpl_box_default_right.php file, but doesnt work within the blank sidebox for some reason... Thanks for trying to help me... very much appreciated.. -Aaron

19 Apr 2013, 12:15 AM
#20
divavocals avatar

divavocals

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Re: Changes to sidebars... very frustrated...

aaronjmorgan:

gih- i tried your PHP coding but it still didnt work... my PHP code for random image was working fine when i had it in my tpl_box_default_right.php file, but doesnt work within the blank sidebox for some reason... Thanks for trying to help me... very much appreciated.. -Aaron

Seriously if what you want is random images to show in the sidebox locations, the built in Zen Cart banner manager does that.. (pretty darn easily too) There are two banner sideboxes that come with Zen Cart to support this out the box.. If you need more, you can just clone one of these two default banner sideboxes.. Zen Cart's built in banner manager feature is COOL/flexible and totally overlooked and under used.. I think people see the word "banner" and get flashbacks to those silly banner swap programs of the 90s (ahhh in the good old animated GIF days.. who doesn't miss animated flames!!:laugh:)..

but this is SO not that.. it WILL do what you are trying to accomplish with PHP code inside the blank sidebox module.. (did I mention NO CODING REQUIRED..:smile:)

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I don't answer support questions via PM. Post add-on support questions in the support thread. The question & the answer will benefit others with similar issues.