A few basic newbie questions

[minuteman1970]

Hi,
I just installed osCmax, and have a few basic questions.
I would like to either remove or edit the "Top" link in the upper left hand corner, as it is pointing to a non-existant url. What file(s) need to be edited to do this?

Also, I need to know if Easy Populate allows for the importation of product attributes. I sell many items (clothing, etc..) which use multiple size / color options. Perhaps someone would be able to email me a sample Easy Populate import file with a few products on it, to use as an example.
Thanks in advance,
Ray

[michael_s]

1. Documented here:
osCommerce Documentation by OSCdox :: osCommerce and osCMax installation and users manual, discussion forums (phpWiki)


2. No, EP does not handle attributes without being modified.

[minuteman1970]

Michael,
Thanks for the reply and the link. I assume I need to remove or comment out the 'Top' line in both the application_top.php and english.php files.

With regards to Easy Populate, how do most people without the extra attributes mod handle adding them in? I am using the stock v2.2 for my live shop right now, and have added each one individually. Does Max have any built-in functionality to ease this process?

In looking at the sample file from the Easy Populate v2.76d download, there are many columns which relate to attributes. Their headers look similar to this:
v_attribute_options_id_1
v_attribute_options_name_1_1

Is it safe to assume that without the extra attributes mod, I should remove these columns from my EP import file?

How complicated is adding the extra attributes mod, and has a contribution been created already for this purpose?

Thanks.

[michael_s]

There are a couple of options to add attributes. I have not used them in a long time, and forgot about them.

See the easypopulate.php file for where to set them.

The specific code is:

 // VJ product attributes begin
// **** Product Attributes ****
// change this to false, if do not want to download product attributes
global $products_with_attributes;
$products_with_attributes = true; 

// change this to true, if you use QTYpro and want to set attributes stock with EP.
global $products_attributes_stock;
$products_attributes_stock = false; 
// change this if you want to download selected product options
// this might be handy, if you have a lot of product options, and your output file exceeds 256 columns (which is the max. limit MS Excel is able to handle)
global $attribute_options_select;
//$attribute_options_select = array('Size', 'Model'); // uncomment and fill with product options name you wish to download // comment this line, if you wish to download all product options
// VJ product attributes end 
  

You can experiment with these settings, but it may actually do what you want. I suggest creating a test product, with attributes. Then, export the ep file to see how they are added to it. Then mimic this when adding your own attributes.

[minuteman1970]

Thanks for the info; I will take a close look at it and give it a shot.

On the official OSc Contribution website, I recall seeing one or more enhancements to the "official" EP Contribution. Generally speaking, should these work with EP & Max?
Thanks.

[michael_s]

Yes, EP is pretty much a standalone app anyway, so all you need to do is merge in the new code and you should be good to go. Keep a backup copy of the osCMax version just in case you run into trouble.