Extra Sideboxes

I found it in an archived thread before the new design of the forum but cannot seem to find it now.Does anyone know where I can get a module to download to create extra sideboxes?Or is there a way to duplicate the sideboxes that come with v1.2.6D?Thanks for any help on this issue.

The sideboxes have two peices ...

/includes/modules/sideboxes

/includes/templates/templates_default/sideboxes

If you find a sidebox closest to what you are needing, you can duplicate it by matching the naming convention and editing the content ...

Once created and uploaded to your site, going to the Layout Boxes Controller will auto load the sidebox to the database for you to configure for your template ...

ok I tried this by going to /includes/modules/sideboxes.I changed TEXT_BANNER_BOX2; to TEXT_BANNER_BOX3;and also changed require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_banner_box2.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'sideboxes'). '/tpl_banner_box2.php'); to require($template->get_template_dir('tpl_banner_box3.php',DIR_WS_TEMPLATE, $current_page_base,'sideboxes'). '/tpl_banner_box3.php');
Then I went to /includes/templates/templates_default/sideboxes and changed tpl_banner_box2 to tpl_banner_box3

I copied the template default sideboxes file to my custom template so if I upgrade I wont loose any changes made.But when I went to my administrations and turned it on in the layout box controller and added a banner to it thru banner manager, I didn't see the side box appear in my template.Could this be caused by copying the sidebox file to my custom template or could it be from me just naming it banner_box3?Thanks for any help you can give me on this.
Also is there a page links module or a links module I could download?

Banners must have the code in them for calling banners ...

For example, this blocks the box from showing if the setting is empty:

// test if box should display
  $show_banner_box2 = true;
  if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8 == '') {
    $show_banner_box2 = false;
  }

That configuration_key SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8 is in the configuration table and if not set, no sidebox shows, even if turned on ...

This setting, tells the banner what to get from the database:

    $banner_box_group= SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8;

Again, if blank, then nothing is retreived ...

You will need to make your own settings that constant to say which Banner Group to include or nothing will show ...

This can be done in the database, or at the top of the module for the sidebox you can just put it in as a define statement ...

OK sorry but I'm just smart enough at php to be dangerous.I looked at the code and I have the exact same code as you posted:
$banner_box_group= SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8;

So What I did was tried the Sashbox banner in the the banner_box3 sidebox.Maybe this was the wrong banner to try?What I am ultimately looking for is a side box to add links to.Like I have in my sponsors box.
Maybe I just answered my own question here,I am not for sure,but with me actually wanting just to add links would it be better to copy the sponsors box and try that?Thanks for all the help you advise and offer,I appreciate the help.

The banner_box_all.php is a very different kind of banners box ...

This allows you to add multiple banners based on the sort order in the Banners Manager to display at one time ...

You said you are using: SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8

Do you have something defined in the Configuration ... Layout Settings ... for the setting for: Banner Display Groups - Side Box banner_box2

That is currently the configuration setting for that constant: SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8

IF that is blank then nothing will display ...

You could make: SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET25 (25 is just to make it unique)

And make a define statement for you new sidebox instead of using the configuration table like the other sideboxes do ...

Sorry I m posting another reply to this topic, and this might be a really dumb question to ask.
Where do I create the SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP25(OR WHATEVER # i DECIDE AT)??
Do I add this in includes/modules/sideboxes/banner_box3 where it says $banner_box_group= SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET8; instead just replace 8 with 25?
And when I create a new banner in tools>banner manager where it says Banner Group: , or enter a new banner group below , do i enter the BANNER_GROUP25 in the box "enter a new banner group below"?
Sorry again for the post,it has been a little confusing to me on this issue.

The constant contains the names of the Banner Groups that the sidebox should look at ...

define('SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP25', 'mybannergroup, myotherbannergroup');

Place this before any references to the SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP25 is used so it knows what banner groups to look for ...

Some how, the code needs to know which banners are suppose to be displayed ...

The current banner sideboxes each have their definitions actually stored in the configuration table ...

You can do your's with a define in the start of the code for the sideboxes ...

Got it to work...Thank You Linda for the time and effort you put in on my post and this forum.I appreciate it immensley.

two questions I forgot to pose and I was wondering do I need to copy banner_box2.php and make it banner_box3.php in includes/english sideboxes?I did notice in my admin>layout setting there is no reference to Banner Display Groups sidebox banner3.Should there be a listing for this new sidebox?

Sideboxes have 2 peices ... you need to clone the 2 parts ...

Sorry to ressurect an old thread but I have been searching the forums for help, being a polite little poster, and cannot find much info on this.

Is it possible to duplicate the "Categories" sidebox?

I want to have multiple category boxes such as

Shop by Style (box header)
...cat 1
.....cat 2

etc

Shop by Color (box header)
...cat 1
...cat 2

Not easily ...

Do you just need 2 or are your trying for more than that?

What is the criteria for what category goes in which categories sidebox?

hmmmmmmmm ????

Ok actually I would like 3 category boxes....

Maybe this way is possible:

1. creating all the categories I need so they show up in the category box in the sort order that would work

2. add additional headers or graphics to separate them out (not sure this is possible)

or a different option would be to use the blank side box mod and create my 3 category lists myself via links and not use the category side box at all. I could use my category box formatting for these boxes (??)

ok, LOL, in over my head on this one......

But, I would really like to do this

is there a benefit to the flyout menu? That would work too but if there is no benefit to using that way with regards to SEO (which I know little about these days) why use it?

let me add that I do know I can just create categories and subcategories to get everything to display but I would like section headers to separate them.

I am horrible at explaining my grandios ideas aren't I?

Bummer ... there is a work around when there is just 2 using the Document sidebox for one set of Categories and the Categories sidebox for the other set ...

But to have 3 you would need to do quite a bit of customization ...

ok, in all honesty, I can live with 2 ...LOL

See if this post I did the other day helps you understand how to set this up:

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56953

wow! thanks. I wonder why that didn't come up in my search?

I am going to try that and see how that works out.

That will be an easier fix than doing all the customization to start with.

Thanks again Linda. Your help is priceless.

You are most welcome ... good luck with your shop! :cool: