Wordpress On ZC [Support Thread]

loosefast:

whats up with the original dev of this plugin? Is it abandoned?
Yep.. it would appear that way.. Such is the nature of open source..:blush:

DivaVocals:

I always recommend to people to read through the entire support thread for the add-ons. Not to be snarky, but becasue it really is incredibly helpful. Teh support threads gives you a sense of the common issues (and sometimes solutions to those issues), and a general sense of what you can expect to encounter when installing an add-on.. The problem you speak of sounds a LOT like the problem I reported..

The answer is that there is no solution, but a workaround. Please go back to around page 63-65.. Somewhere in there is my saga, and workaround solution. Basically I decided to fore go the primary function of WOZ (embedding WordPress inside Zen Cart) and opted instead to run WordPress as a standalone blog and using the widgets function in WordPress create links back to my Zen Cart store, and on the Zen Cart side I used only the WOZ sideboxes. This requires some slight adjustments in how you configure WOZ, but it solved my immediate issue and still tied WordPress to Zen in a nice way (IMO at least)

HTH

If you have an item in the shopping cart, then click on an interesting blog post, when you come back to the zen cart is your cart empty?

loosefast:

If you have an item in the shopping cart, then click on an interesting blog post, when you come back to the zen cart** is your cart empty**?nope....

On my 2 test sites, the WP_sidbar posts link works but the contents of the cart, for a NON-logged in user, disappears after viewing a post, and on another this does not happen, but the WP_sidbar does not work.

I get the impression that, for WOZ, some people with coding skills have gotten it to a certain state of usefulness, but for the majority, who are looking for something that will work reasonably well 'out of the box' they can just forget it.

To date I have not seen an example of WOZ, working the way it is supposed to work, that is, inside the zen cart, same template and with the sideboxes working like all the usual zen sideboxes.

That said, I think this mod is a wonderful idea.

loosefast:

On my 2 test sites, the WP_sidbar posts link works but the contents of the cart, for a NON-logged in user, disappears after viewing a post, and on another this does not happen, but the WP_sidbar does not work.

I get the impression that, for WOZ,** some people with coding skills have gotten it to a certain state of usefulness**, but for the majority, who are looking for something that will work reasonably well 'out of the box' they can just forget itThis is not a true statement at all.. I know HTML, but I have no PHP coding skills whatsoever.. I've done no fancy coding to get this mod to a "certain state of usefulness" for my clients. While I have not been able to get the WOZ embedding functionality to work correctly with WordPress v3.7.x, with a few changes in the way WOZ is installed (no PHP skill required -- just a few simple changes) I have managed to get the sideboxes to work correctly. (no issues at ALL with non-logged in users losing their cart contents)

loosefast:

To date I have not seen an example of WOZ, working the way it is supposed to work, that is, inside the zen cart, same template and with the sideboxes working like all the usual zen sideboxes..And given that this is largely an abandoned mod you probably won't see any working examples using WordPress v3.7.x.

It is reasonably certain that this mod works as advertised with WordPress v3.6.x. The issues that have been reported for the last few months are all centered around WOZ working with WordPress v3.7.x. So unless another developer takes the lead on this add-on, or you seek outside PHP help, IMO the status of this mod is as follows:

1. The original developer appears to have abandoned this mod. He has posted no new updates to this thread, nor has he posted any updates on his own website. He also does not respond to inquires, posts, or e-mails on his site.
2. WOZ works as expected with WordPress v3.6.x
3. There are issues with WordPress v3.7.x and WOZ, but there some available workarounds posted in this thread. One of the available workarounds may not restore full functionality, but will allow someone to at least make use of the WOZ sideboxes.

DivaVocals:

This is not a true statement at all.. I know HTML, but I have no PHP coding skills whatsoever.. I've done no fancy coding to get this mod to a "certain state of usefulness" for my clients. While I have not been able to get the WOZ embedding functionality to work correctly with WordPress v3.7.x, with a few changes in the way WOZ is installed (no PHP skill required -- just a few simple changes) I have managed to get the sideboxes to work correctly. (no issues at ALL with non-logged in users losing their cart contents)

And given that this is largely an abandoned mod you probably won't see any working examples using WordPress v3.7.x.

It is reasonably certain that this mod works as advertised with WordPress v3.6.x. The issues that have been reported for the last few months are all centered around WOZ working with WordPress v3.7.x. So unless another developer takes the lead on this add-on, or you seek outside PHP help, IMO the status of this mod is as follows:

2. The original developer appears to have abandoned this mod. He has posted no new updates to this thread, nor has he posted any updates on his own website. He also does not respond to inquires, posts, or e-mails on his site.

3. WOZ works as expected with WordPress v3.6.x

4. There are issues with WordPress v3.7.x and WOZ, but there some available workarounds posted in this thread. One of the available workarounds may not restore full functionality, but will allow someone to at least make use of the WOZ sideboxes.

It is unreasonable to think a client is going to stop at WordPress v3.6.x and that will be the end of it. They will always want the latest with the mostest. Its about the plugins.

The first site I mentioned is using WP 3.3 and does not work as expected.

I am willing to be proved wrong here. Lets see some sites with default WOZ install, no fancy stuff, now.

loosefast:

It is unreasonable to think a client is going to stop at WordPress v3.6.x and that will be the end of it. They will always want the latest with the mostest. Its about the plugins.You are abosolutely right. However given that this mod does not seem to work properly with the latest version of WordPress and there has been no activity to update this mod what do you suggest??

Right now IMO, there are two options to those of us interested in this mod..1. Keeping checking back to see if another developer will take over the project
2. Enlist commercial PHP assistance to correct the WOZ mod for your own useFor me I chose a third option.. To see if I could work it out using an alternative solution. Turns out my client was not as hung up about embedding WordPress into Zen as I was.. So seperating the two and using Zen sideboxes and WordPress widgets, and some CSS magic on the WordPress template to tie the two together worked out VERY well for my client.

Another option similar to the one I implemented was suggested earlier in this thread -- using an RSS mod. I considered this option until I figured out how to use the WOZ sideboxes. Bottomline is you are probably gonna have to get a little creative.. Unless and until development of this mod ever ramps back up, it is what it is..

loosefast:

The first site I mentioned is using WP 3.3 and does not work as expected.Perhaps an older version of WOZ would work better since you are using an older version of WordPress.

loosefast:

I am willing to be proved wrong here. Lets see some sites with default WOZ install, no fancy stuff, now.I don't think you are going to find many folks stepping up to the plate with examples. I took the time to go through this thread to look at some of the examples posted. What I found is that many of the folks whose sample links are posted in this thread have moved on to other solutions.. Others appear to have worked it out with no obvious clue as to how.. And here's the thing about this.. you need to compare apples with apples.. If you are looking for examples you need to know what you are seeing.. For example:1. Which version of WordPress

2. Which version of WOZ
3. Which version of ZenThen you have to factor in what you mean by "no fancy stuff". Are you speaking of a vanilla Zen install, with a vanilla WordPress install? Because you cannot assume that other mods and add-ons for both ZenCart and WordPress won't have ANY effect on the final outcome of the WOZ add-on..

DivaVocals:

You are abosolutely right. However given that this mod does not seem to work properly with the latest version of WordPress and there has been no activity to update this mod what do you suggest??

Right now IMO, there are two options to those of us interested in this mod..1. >

2. Keeping checking back to see if another developer will take over the project

3. Enlist commercial PHP assistance to correct the WOZ mod for your own use

For me I chose a third option.. To see if I could work it out using an alternative solution. Turns out my client was not as hung up about embedding WordPress into Zen as I was.. So seperating the two and using Zen sideboxes and WordPress widgets, and some CSS magic on the WordPress template to tie the two together worked out VERY well for my client.

Another option similar to the one I implemented was suggested earlier in this thread -- using an RSS mod. I considered this option until I figured out how to use the WOZ sideboxes. Bottomline is you are probably gonna have to get a little creative.. Unless and until development of this mod ever ramps back up, it is what it is..
Perhaps an older version of WOZ would work better since you are using an older version of WordPress.

I don't think you are going to find many folks stepping up to the plate with examples. I took the time to go through this thread to look at some of the examples posted. What I found is that many of the folks whose sample links are posted in this thread have moved on to other solutions.. Others appear to have worked it out with no obvious clue as to how.. And here's the thing about this.. you need to compare apples with apples.. If you are looking for examples you need to know what you are seeing.. For example:1. >

2. Which version of WordPress

3. Which version of WOZ

4. Which version of Zen

Then you have to factor in what you mean by "no fancy stuff". Are you speaking of a vanilla Zen install, with a vanilla WordPress install? Because you cannot assume that other mods and add-ons for both ZenCart and WordPress won't have ANY effect on the final outcome of the WOZ add-on..

Here is a site I built for friends http://asialuna.com
Zen 1.3.8
WP 2.7.1
latest WOZ
WP_Sidebar did not work for posts - Post cannot be found problem noted earlier
Used include code to place them on the tpl_index_default.php page

thanks for your thoughtful replies, gotta run...

loosefast:

Here is a site I built for friends http://asialuna.com
Zen 1.3.8
WP 2.7.1
latest WOZ
WP_Sidebar did not work for posts - Post cannot be found problem noted earlier
Used include code to place them on the tpl_index_default.php pageYour configuration is the same for the two clients sites (one is live, one is still in development)

Both sites were running the latest versions of WordPress, ZenCart and, WOZ. I had the "posts not found" error that a few others have posted about. After doing some extensive testing of my own I too determined that the issue is probably in the sidebox code..

Please don't take this the wrong way, but now what?? We've all identified that there is indeed an issue.. We all have determined where the code that needs to be modified is likely located.. However, unless and until someone who knows PHP steps in to take over this project, that's the extent of it for now. Our only other option is to PAY someone who knows PHP to fix this.

FYI.. I did make ONE attempt at a paid fix for myself, but was unsuccessful in finding anyone willing to bid on (or follow-up) the job. I posted a request on the commercial forum here and on another site. As I was not getting a satisfactory response, I moved on and found an alternate solution.. Both of my clients are happy. One prefers the seperate blog (she didn't flinch when I told her we had to abandon the embedded blog), the other never saw the blog embedded, and is happy with the solution she has been presented.

Perhaps when time/resources permit, I may make another attempt to find a commercial resource to fix this mod for me. I suspect that the likelyhood of someone stepping in to take over for this mod is unlikely given the upcoming Zen release..

loosefast:

thanks for your thoughtful replies, gotta run...You're welcome..:smile:

Whole Wordpress blog on main Zen Cart page (Wordpress 2.7.4 / ZenCart 1.3.8):
fabricstashinc.com

This blog features a moderately customized TypographyWP theme. Have successfully run with blog in different directories, same directory, different databases, same database, various templates.

The stylesheets and javascript load only when wordpress is called (instead of being loaded automatically on every page). That is a simple hack you can put in your html_header.php.

Blog shows up on wordpress_default page:
fabricstashinc.com/index.php?main_page=wordpress

This blog has the Events Calendar plugin from Wordpress installed. Let me highly recommend this plugin for anyone looking for an awsome calendar with Ajax and thickbox to view events.

Calendar Page

If you look, you can see that there is much more to do, but the basic groundwork for something cool is layed out.

Thanks for sharing. Looks like an effective solution.

How are you getting the blog to show up on home page?

loosefast:

Thanks for sharing. Looks like an effective solution.

How are you getting the blog to show up on home page?

Thanks, fun stuff!

To get the blog on the home page I just added this code to the includes/languages/english/html_includes/define_main_page.php
(edited directly and ftp'd <- I don't think you can add php code through the admin editing way)

<?php wp();
    require_once(ABSPATH . WPINC . '/template-loader.php');

    $template = new template_func(DIR_WS_TEMPLATE);?>

That calls up wordpress with the first function. Then calls the template-loader.php file located in the wordpress-includes directory. This file has the $template variable in it, which is modified in the last statement so that ZenCart starts loading the rest of its template i.e. the right column.

Mind you, I have made other edits that have helped to make this work properly, so if you run into an error if you try this, let me know the error.

It is possible to have the Wordpress header load in the Zen Cart header.

The gist of it is that you add get_header(); between the stylesheets and javascript in html_includes.php file.

After that has been done, you take get_header(); out of all your themes page, archive, single, index files. You may need to modify header.php in that directory to work correctly.

Hi All,
I have just installed WOZ and most of it is working great. I had to do a little to get it working but all is well.

An UGLY problem has showed up. I remember this problem from my early days and trying to install WOZ.

Clicking on a manufacturer name takes you to all products by that manufacturer. The user is then presented with a "Filter List" drop down menu. Selecting an option from the Filter List Drop Down doesn't take you to products it instead takes you to the blog.

Why?

Thanks in Advance,
John

rainthebat:

Whole Wordpress blog on main Zen Cart page (Wordpress 2.7.4 / ZenCart 1.3.8):
fabricstashinc.comTwo questions:

1. Are you using the WOZ add-on without the sideboxes??
2. Am I seeing the version of WOrdPres you are using correctly?? (it is the older version of WordPress right??)

rainthebat:

Thanks, fun stuff!

To get the blog on the home page I just added this code to the includes/languages/english/html_includes/define_main_page.php
(edited directly and ftp'd <- I don't think you can add php code through the admin editing way)

>  
> That calls up wordpress with the first function. Then calls the template-loader.php file located in the wordpress-includes directory. This file has the $template variable in it, which is modified in the last statement so that ZenCart starts loading the rest of its template i.e. the right column.
>  
> Mind you, I have made other edits that have helped to make this work properly, so if you run into an error if you try this, let me know the error.
You can add following code to define main page to call posts from wordpress mod

$posts = get_posts('numberposts=3'); // change to whatever number of posts to show
foreach($posts as $post) :
setup_postdata($post);
?>

Misty at the risk of stating the obvious.. In theory, I could use this code on any of the define pages, correct??

misty:

You can add following code to define main page to call posts from wordpress mod

$posts = get_posts('numberposts=3'); // change to whatever number of posts to show
foreach($posts as $post) :
setup_postdata($post);
?>

In theory, I could use this code on any of the define pages, correct??
define pages 2, 3 and or 4, yes..not sure how it would work
on the others...or could use mod, define pages generator,
and add another custom page...

Anyone??

bumba000:

Hi All,
I have just installed WOZ and most of it is working great. I had to do a little to get it working but all is well.

An UGLY problem has showed up. I remember this problem from my early days and trying to install WOZ.

Clicking on a manufacturer name takes you to all products by that manufacturer. The user is then presented with a "Filter List" drop down menu. Selecting an option from the Filter List Drop Down doesn't take you to products it instead takes you to the blog.

Why?

Thanks in Advance,
John

DivaVocals:

Two questions:

1. Are you using the WOZ add-on without the sideboxes??
2. Am I seeing the version of WOrdPres you are using correctly?? (it is the older version of WordPress right??)

1. I do have two sideboxes enabled (as a test sort of) on the lower right side of the webpage. They are 'blog links' and 'blog pages'. Mostly this page is relying on the wordpress sidebar itself (displayed in the blog part) as opposed to the sidebar appearing in the zencart sideboxes. On another note, when I enabled the sidebar sidebox, it would display the sidebar in the sidebox (on the left column) and would not display the blog in the page.

2. This uses the latest version of Wordpress 2.7.1
   
   Blog on main page.