Can OSCmax run CGI scripts?

**mjfontec** · 04-26-2007, 03:45 AM

And if so, do they get put into the javascripts directory?

Just curious as I have a script that creates printer-friendly pages. If anyone has a javascript that can do that, please tell!

Thanks
Mike

**met00** · 05-12-2007, 01:08 AM

cgi is not javascript...

1) CGI is slower and sloppy when working with PHP based sites
2) you are a little sparse on details, so rather than providing a solution, try describing the problem

for instance. "I want a "printer friendly" link on my product detail pages that opens a new window with the product details and my store header, but not the balance of the store."

That is a matter of creating a simple php file called productdetails4p.php and putting it in your main catalog area. The file does what the product details .php file does, but adds your stores header and footer to the top and bottom of the page. I would also take away all the outbound links that may be created (like the enlarge image).

So, there is a solution to add a "printer friendly" piece to all your product details that uses no javascript or CGI and should take about 15 minutes to do.

**mjfontec** · 05-12-2007, 04:55 AM

Thanks the reply. You are right, I will try to provide more details here

I have an osc contribution already installed that creates the printer-friendly pages based off of the product data pages:

osCommerce: Printer Friendly Product Page

However, it does not have the store header or footer on that. I'll take a look into that and see if can figure out how to add it.

The real reason I wanted to add the printer friendly cgi script is to put it on 'non-product' pages. Is there a way I can modify the osc contribution above so that it pulls the content of the pages that don't have products? Or would it be better to simply grab the content from the pages and just create a new url that opens in a new window?

Thanks for any assistance and for the advice you provided.
Mike

**met00** · 05-12-2007, 12:37 PM

The article manager is a very basic CMS system, which seems to be what you are looking for. If you want more content management, there are other CMS systems that can be integrated into OSCMax or run as standalone.

Again, a clear description of the problem would help. If you are looking for a full blown CMS rather than something simple like article manager, then there may be integration issues. So check article manager, see if it does what you want, and if not, then look at some CMS PHP based products that are simple to use (the more complex the system, the harder to integrate).

**mjfontec** · 05-12-2007, 12:40 PM

Guessing this response is meant for someone else?

Mike

**met00** · 05-13-2007, 09:30 AM

"The real reason I wanted to add the printer friendly cgi script is to put it on 'non-product' pages. "

Okay, my understanding is that you wanted to have actual content that you wanted to display, if you are talking about having the capability to print out pages of the store other then the product details, then I'm at a loss as to what you want to do as I can see no reason for that.

Why in the world would someone want to "print" out a search reasult or a page listing from a category?

Content? Yes. Generic site pages? You are kidding, right?

**mjfontec** · 05-13-2007, 10:01 AM

Yes, the site functions both as an ecommerce and information site so I need to do both.

I think I'll hardcode new pages with the actual content, probably is the easiest.

Thanks
Mike

**met00** · 05-14-2007, 09:41 AM

That's where I was going. If you want to add content, article manager allows for that. If you want to add more than a few pieces, then a small Content Management System can be integrated into the site with little problem (at BIA we have our own homebuilt CMS called SiteControl(tm) [which we sell] which we have integrated into stores).

**mjfontec** · 05-14-2007, 10:02 AM

Ok, gotcha. Please PM details of SiteControl(tm) and if you have a working demo that would be great. Will it allow for printer friendly pages?

Thanks
Mike

**met00** · 05-14-2007, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by mjfontec

Ok, gotcha. Please PM details of SiteControl(tm) and if you have a working demo that would be great. Will it allow for printer friendly pages?

Thanks
Mike

1) I don't shill SiteControl here

2) There are a number of FREE GPL simple CMS systems out there
Simple Web Content Management System :
CMSimple Content Management - CMSimple
Welcome to the future of content management systems!
[Disclaimer: I have no interest in these, I have used none in this list, it was generated from a quick google search "simple php CMS"]

My point being, that there are any number of ways to skin this perticular varmit. BIA has done it with our own in-house solution. There are a number of free PHP/MYSQL-based solutions out there that could be integrated into the OSCMax product with very little effort.

Again, a very simple CMS comes with OSCMax and it may just meet your needs. So, I would suggest you start by taking a closer look at article manager, which is a very VERY V E R Y simple CMS that is already included.