Could really do with some SMARTY help!

[ThinkBusiness +]

I would like to modify and place a static menu for some categories I have managed to use the code:

{if $smarty.server.REQUEST_URI == "/bars.html"}

My static menu

{else}

The normal dynamic menu

{/if}

Is it possible at all to make {if $smarty.server.REQUEST_URI == "/bars.html"} apply to all the pages in the "bars" category?

At the moment this is great for the category index page but not for the pages within the "bars" category, there must be a way to instruct this rule for all pages within that category, right?

If only I could specify this rule to whole categories it would solve many of my problems. I would really appreciate anyone's comments.

I have just installed Eric's brilliant categories module but if only there was one like it for the layout and listings that would be simply amazing.

I have the SEO module installed if that makes any difference!

Thanks guys!

[Mike-N-Tosh +]

It would seem to me that you need to base your If logic on a different criteria. If it were me, I would look for the common smarty variable for any of those pages by invoking the {debug} and looking at the variables available in some of those pages. It's probably going to be something like $section or $type, I can't remember off the top of my head.

Put {debug} as the very first thing in your layout.tpl file. Make sure that you de-activate any pop up blockers that you may have for you browser. Then simply visit any of those pages. For each page you visit a separate pop up window will come up and will list every variable available to the template page.

[ThinkBusiness +]

Thanks Mike I am making progress here, but my code does not seem to work according to my limited knowledge and logic I think it should! I actually want a whole category slug "bars" to display my code so I have come up with:

{if $slug == "bars"}

My static menu

{else}

The normal menu

{/if}

I am not sure if I am using this slug value correctly I suspect not! Any further comments would be very much welcomed!

[Lhotch +]

Where are you getting the $slug from?

[ThinkBusiness +]

The slug is listed in {$data} I believe, it is in an array:

4 => Array (11)
id => "12"
parent_id => "0"
name => "Bars"
slug => "bars"
description => "The Bars"
image => "templates/iglv2/images/folder.gif"
allowads => "Y"
cLink => ""
start_link => "<a href="categories/bars.html" title..."
subcats => ""
total => "0"

This pops up using the {debug} on the categories page.

[Lhotch +]

I think you need to more clearly understand not only arrays but variables and where they exist to accomplish your goals.

The slug is listed in data which is an array but more specifically does it exist on the page where you want your custom menu to be displayed instead of the default menu? More specifically, when you are viewing the bars category is there a variable (array or otherwise) that is unique to that category that you can use? Is "slug" displayed in the debug console when you are viewing a page in the category "bars"?

Next, you cant just put $slug down if its a key within an array. If you have multiple categories then the $data array will contain multiple "slug" keys, you need to define which one to use in your logic.

[ThinkBusiness +]

Thanks Larry!

Actually all I need is to display this menu and remove a couple of design elements in the showlistings template for any listing contained in the bars category.

I have added the debug command but I am not getting any pop up when viewing an entry.

Perhaps I should seek some professional help here, would anyone have have some time to assist me further on this small modification?

Thanks!

[Lhotch +]

Originally Posted by ThinkBusiness

Thanks Larry!

Actually all I need is to display this menu and remove a couple of design elements in the showlistings template for any listing contained in the bars category.

I have added the debug command but I am not getting any pop up when viewing an entry.

If you only want to alter the menu on the showlistings page then that is the page you should be looking for a variable on. If the smarty debug console is not popping up its likely one of 2 things, you have the seo mod installed or your computer is blocking popups.

[ThinkBusiness +]

Hi Larry! Yes you are right the SEO module is installed!

[ThinkBusiness +]

Thanks Larry the missing value I needed was actually, $categoryname. Thanks for the pointers Mike you guys are stars!