Option Types Feature ... progress update

[ridexbuilder]

Hi,
I know there are quite a few of us desperate to have something available.
I have made some limited progress and just to show that it's moving from being 'pie in the sky' to something resembling an actual feature, here are some screenshots. I've had a few issues with getting items into the shopping cart and some compromise has been made.
At this point, it's possible to use any combination of dropdown, radio and checkbox - an improvement on being limited to a single type. Currently, multiple option types works for non-tracked stock... work in progress for tracking attribute stock.

Shout if you would like this released, as it stands - not difficult to implement and minimal impact on existing files but I still need to formalise some instructions (nearly finished). As far as any fit-for-purpose/warranties are concerned, all bets are off and the risk is all yours.

Still in need of 'beer money', as none has been forthcoming for this project. Hopefully, seeing actual screenshots and not just talk/mock-ups will be some form of encouragement.

EJ

[norman]

Two questions:

1. Any chance of adding a custom text box?
2. Where is your beer button?

Norman

[ridexbuilder]

Mixing checkbox and radioboxes with dropdowns is the 1st (easiest) stage.
A text option is the principal reason for doing all this, for clients who have customised products. At a minimum I want one line of text. Examples: short logo, person's name.
Others in the pipeline but not priority are as follows...
If possible, I'm also going to add text area, for up to 5 rows.
File upload; I'd want some form of limitations put on it though, otherwise too open to abuse.

Not sure what'll get 'fixed' next, tracking or text... will depend on complexity/inspiration.

[Beer button a.k.a. "Donate" can be found at the downloads section of my website. I'd did try putting it in the header but it looked horrible ]

[ridexbuilder]

Got a coding issue that needs resolved:

            $tmp_html = '<input type="text" name ="id[' . $nonstocked['oid'] . ']" size="' . $nonstocked['olength'] .'" maxlength="' . $nonstocked['olength'] . '" value="' . $cart->contents[$_GET['products_id']]['attributes_values'][$nonstocked['oid']] .'" class="inputbox">  ' . $nonstocked['ocomment'] ;
            $out .= '<tr class="options"><td align="right" class="options"><h4>' . $nonstocked['oname'] . ':</h4></td>
            <td class="options">' . $tmp_html . '</td></tr>';
      break; 
  

The issue is that

$cart->contents[$_GET['products_id']]['attributes_values'][$nonstocked['oid']]

isn't being parsed, when "Add to Cart" is pressed (and nothing is added to the cart).

Should be the last bit of the puzzle, for text input.

[ridexbuilder]

Beta 1 (as described above) passed to 'The Team' for analysis... whilst I explore another avenue.

[norman]

Does that mean it is a "too hard"?

Norman

[norman]

It just dawned on me that oscMax uses New Attribute Manager v4b. When I look at that contribution description it says "-Added complete compatibility for Option Type Feature v1-4 by Chandra Roukema.".

Maybe someone can explain to me why OTF can not be integrated into the attribute manager in Max.

Norman

[ridexbuilder]

Attribute Manager is just a pretty front-end to the underlying code - think Vista/WinXP.

It's the underlying QTPro/OTF that is the issue. I have been searching high and low for one that has been implemented fully. Other e-commerce packages have obviously been trying (having looked at the code) but I've not found one that actual works properly.
Note: the current QTPro has a few short-comings that I've since resolved/found a solution to but it really is a hard slog for me.

As stated, in the past, I've never been a full-time commercial programmer (though once had Senior Programmer as a job title ).
I will find a way, eventually but it won't necessarily be the most elegant method.

What is annoying (for me) is that I'm sure there are plenty of Programmers, that could code this up in an hour or two. That's starting from scratch, without the head start that I can offer!

EJ

[norman]

Ridexbuilder,

Thanks for that answer!
OK, I am also not a programmer but I really need this functionality in my site as I sell personalized music CDs. Months ago I thought we were close when JPF said he was within a few hours of finishing this thing but then he kind of dropped out.

I am either going to go with other software (probably Squirrelcart) or I am going to try outsourcing a fix to oscMax to freelancers in India. Since you understand the exact problem better than I do, would you be willing to help me write the requirements to bid out? I will then try to get a programmer at my expense to fix it and share with all?

Norman

[ridexbuilder]

In reality, that snippet of code above is all that needs fixing. If that worked then we'd be in business. It is that simple.

Basically, there is a file called pad_base.php that has only (ever?) been half completed. I have got the checkbox feature activated, as it's very similar to the pre-existing pulldown and radiobutton features - just needed adding. A few other minor (but frustrating to debug) problems and already it's 100% better.

In terms of text input, I have the structure completed, just the methodology that is missing. I may, as a workaround, need to put an additional button in, to populate the custom text into the appropriate database field.

If I am still struggling by the end of this coming week, then I'll post what I have here, in the vague hope that someone can complete the task. It is so close... I feel it in my bones.