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    Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

    I'm looking at replacing these venerable and very useful modules. It seems like there is no equivalent functionality in Miva currently - is that correct (if so please consider adding it to the wishlist!)?

    In any case I am thinking of a possible solution but want to run it by you guys before I try it (or contact someone to do it).

    If it has to be handled via pages I am thinking I would create a 'holding' page for PROD and CTGY, then use to tool kit and a custom field (i.e. TEMPLATEID) to determine which template to render

    Example PROD page and 'sub pages' which would hold template code, named so they sort neatly

    PROD-1-MAIN //main
    PROD-2-FLOOR-PLANKS //template
    PROD-2-FLOOR-TILES //template
    PROD-2-PAINT-SPECIALS //template
    PROD-3-DEFAULT //default template if none specified

    then in PROD-1-MAIN something like the following (untested code just to illustrate my thinking).

    Code:
    <mvt:if expr="NOT ISNULL l.settings:product:customfield_values:customfields:TEMPLATEID"> 
       <mvt:if expr="l.settings:product:customfield_values:customfields:TEMPLATEID" EQ 1>
        <mvt:item name="toolkit" param="render|PROD-2-FLOOR-PLANKS" />
       <mvt:elseif expr="l.settings:product:customfield_values:customfields:TEMPLATEID" EQ 2>
        <mvt:item name="toolkit" param="render|PROD-2-FLOOR-TILES" />
       <mvt:elseif expr="l.settings:product:customfield_values:customfields:TEMPLATEID" EQ 3>
        <mvt:item name="toolkit" param="render|PROD-2-PAINT-SPECIALS" />
       </mvt:if>
    
    // otherwise if no template was specified render default PROD page code
        <mvt:item name="toolkit" param="render|PROD-3-DEFAULT" />
    
    </mvt:if>
    I know than a programmer could probably create a nice big single page of code to render every option but too complex for me to sort out. I am thinking something like this would be clearer and allow me to easily make small updates to the individual 'templates' without having to call a programmer for every tiny edit.
    Last edited by habreu; 06-03-15, 01:53 PM.

    #2
    Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

    That would work, however, it does mean more work. Albeit, possibly simpler work for you. A few comments though:

    1) don't need tool kit, just use:

    <mvt:do name="l.result" file="g.Module_Feature_TUI_MGR" value="TemplateManager_Render_Page( 'ABUS' )" />


    2) don't use #'s in the custom field. Spell out the format. I.e., PROD-2-FLOOR-PLANKS, PROD-2-FLOOR-TILES, etc.
    Bruce Golub
    Phosphor Media - "Your Success is our Business"

    Improve Your Customer Service | Get MORE Customers | Edit CSS/Javascript/HTML Easily | Make Your Site Faster | Get Indexed by Google | Free Modules | Follow Us on Facebook
    phosphormedia.com

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      #3
      Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

      Thanks very much Bruce! I will think on this tomorrow.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

        I'm looking at replacing these venerable and very useful modules. It seems like there is no equivalent functionality in Miva currently - is that correct (if so please consider adding it to the wishlist!)?
        I'm confused though, we have Alternate Display Pages specifically to replace this module, between this and the Multiple Add To Cart in 9.0003, what are you missing?
        Thanks,

        Rick Wilson
        CEO
        Miva, Inc.
        [email protected]
        https://www.miva.com

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

          Might be lack of knowledge on my part. So far I only used Alternate Display Pages for two special use pages on my site.

          In case this information is useful to you I'll explain my logic and situation. The Sebenza product made it simple for the non-programmer\non-techie users at work (of which there are now 5 adding products and poking around in the admin) to add a new product, select the template from the Product Template Manager, and poof! it works - a no-brainer. No need to ask me for help other than requesting a new template now and then. No need to spend a couple hundred dollars of programming time.

          The solution I proposed above will simply allow me to use my existing templates without having to resort to too much paid help.

          As a pretty new company I can't just throw $$ at every problem so I try to use solutions I can figure out myself to minimize paid programming time; this often is a totally different way than a capable programmer would solve it. I also try to avoid solutions that I can't understand at least a little -otherwise I have to hire a programmer for even tiny changes.

          I heard back from your design guys at Miva today about the multi-add template. After reviewing our site, and what I wanted, there was some concern it might not work right with the Sebenza products in question which is why I decided to see what I could do to get rid of them. Once I get that taken care of I'll contact the design guys again as we already banked a few hours.

          Sorry for the long answer.
          Last edited by habreu; 06-03-15, 06:18 PM.

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            #6
            Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

            We used the alternate display page function to replace Sebenza'a modules. Took our templates and created Miva pages from them. Just have to be sure you replace anything that was Sebenza-template specific. The breadcrumbs and passing category info were all we needed to change how we handled.

            Yes, it was tedious. But it was something that didn't have to be done all at once. Once you spec the alternate display page name, the product/category doesn't use the Sebenza module anymore.

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              #7
              Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

              Thank you. I did look at this today and have a better idea what we're up against. I'm not sure why but I only used the Alternate Display Page for two special pages before this (where we called external scripts) and never dawned on me that it provided a simple answer to this issue.

              Too bad. I was pretty excited about my Rube Goldberg solution, jump off the wall, through the window, around the table and then crawl under the rug -to turn the door knob.
              Last edited by habreu; 06-04-15, 12:26 PM.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Replacing Sebenza Category and Product Template Manager

                Originally posted by habreu View Post
                ... and never dawned on me that it provided a simple answer to this issue.
                Occam's razor
                Leslie Kirk
                Miva Certified Developer
                Miva Merchant Specialist since 1997
                Previously of Webs Your Way
                (aka Leslie Nord leslienord)

                Email me: [email protected]
                www.lesliekirk.com

                Follow me: Twitter | Facebook | FourSquare | Pinterest | Flickr

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