Creating custom page using template

[sconnelly]

Hello folks,

 

I've been adding custom pages that approximate the look/feel of the rest of the website. They do not include the main menu, rather just a GO BACK button. However, I am now wanting to change these pages so that they employ the OSCommerce template. That way, my custom pages will display the ever present top/bottom margins, and the menu.

 

I need to know if anyone can give me some tips (or provide links) on how to customize the file "main_page.tpl.php". I've been having some difficulty in successfully modifying this page. My custom pages employ tables and they get really messed up when integrated into the template page.

 

Perhaps there is another way to use the template.... e.g. instead of modifying the template outright, I should call it from another page?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Doug

[sconnelly]

Well, I now realize that do not want to modify/use main_page.tpl.php because if changes are made to the working main_page.tpl.php, I would have to modify/copy those changes to each custom page. No, I need to know how to incorporate that page into my custom pages.

 

Anyhow?

 

Thanks.

[jhande]

so that they employ the OSCommerce template. That way, my custom pages will display the ever present top/bottom margins, and the menu.

 

how to customize the file "main_page.tpl.php"

Doug

 

main_page.tpl.php :unsure:

 

http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/6791

[sconnelly]

main_page.tpl.php :unsure:

 

http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/6791

 

You quoted my first query. This is a work in progress learning how OSC works.

 

Thanks for your reply. Although it gave me a few more clues about how OSC works, their example is a very odd one b/c it demonstrates how to add a few words on a new page. What I wish to do is create a page with forms. The example offered doesn't seem to accommodate such a custom page.

 

I'm still looking at it.... maybe I'll clue in more later on.

 

Thanks again.

[bkellum]

You quoted my first query. This is a work in progress learning how OSC works.

 

Thanks for your reply. Although it gave me a few more clues about how OSC works, their example is a very odd one b/c it demonstrates how to add a few words on a new page. What I wish to do is create a page with forms. The example offered doesn't seem to accommodate such a custom page.

 

I'm still looking at it.... maybe I'll clue in more later on.

 

Thanks again.

 

He quoted you because he had no idea where you were coming from with a main_page.tpl since this is not part of a stock osCommerce store. You obviously have a template system installed and it appears to be the out of date BTS (Basic Template System).

 

STS (Simple Template System) would allow you to do exactly what you are wanting to do quite easily.

See the following link: http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?s=&...t&p=1408302

 

Otherwise, you would be better served asking your question in the BTS support thread.

[sconnelly]

He quoted you because he had no idea where you were coming from with a main_page.tpl since this is not part of a stock osCommerce store. You obviously have a template system installed and it appears to be the out of date BTS (Basic Template System).

 

STS (Simple Template System) would allow you to do exactly what you are wanting to do quite easily.

See the following link: http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?s=&...t&p=1408302

 

Otherwise, you would be better served asking your question in the BTS support thread.

 

Thanks for your assistance... but the 'rabbit hole' goes deeper than I originally anticipated.

 

I've been looking throughout this code (of the site I recently inherited) and it now seems as though it is a CRE Loaded site. The owner was very surprised to learn this as they has an invoice that specifically states that the web developer (located in Arizona) had built them an OSC site. The owner certainly doesn't have a CRE Loaded registration, which makes the legality of their site questionable.

 

At this stage, I am offering the owner two options:

- Purchase a CRE Loaded license so that I can obtain support and updates

- Discontinue putting more development money into this website, I will rebuild using the latest version of OSC.

 

I'm sure there is a natural bias toward OSC in this forum but I need your honest opinion....

 

I am leaning towards replacing this (mostly) functioning e-commerce site b/c:

- My customer's website seems a bit like a hack-job of modified code (not just CRE Loaded but OSC and custom code)

- CRE Loaded seems like a ripoff of OSC code and they charge for their version with no apparent advantages

- CRE Loaded website seems dysfunctional, appears to lack community support, and the few modules I can find, on their website, cost extra money

- OSC seems very organized, tonnes of free add-on modules, super fantastic community support (as well as commercial support)

 

I'm going to repost this as a new topic to hear other's opinion.