Tiny niggles that stop progress

[snooper]

I have downloaded the ‘basic’ version of the members manager project. I have installed and see it running ok. So far so good. Since im not in any way competent as a php writer, its great to see something work so readily and with out much fuss. However, (always a however!) I have two problems I hope somebody can assist with. The first is the members search option. When you do a search the return lists all matches from the database created. As it should. Only the problem is that the header/ menu disappears. You can not as expected, continue to use this unless you back step the whole page by silly right mouse clicks etc etc.. The script code that’s shows the findings from database seems to be - t_search.htm and its first line of code %%TEMPLATE:header%% . I assume this should have been the page header/ menu? If im right about the first line code, whats wrong and how can I sort out this problem to make it work as I think indented a list of findings WITH members header/menu in place?

The second problem is not with the code of the members section as such, but the fact if I wanted to extend the menu to add (say) two options like a separate href links for members only message board and a link to the members only page so the look and feel of the actual members page is uniform and (professional looking) I cant seem to do this. No matter what I try, the function </blockquote> (I think) returns elements of the members profile update, view or whatever. I can not it seems simply, make a page with members menu, my choice of lower section (as described above) and still keep the neat integrity of the page, the members menu (updated) . in other words to be able to extend members options and access below the header/menu with my choice of output. Any help on either subject would be much appreciated.

[snooper]

Okay.. It seems nobody has any ideas of how to deal with my problems. So not looking particularly good so far… What I have done is to set up a totally virgin copy of the basic members site project so you can see it live. It is exactly as it would be if nothing was changed from default settings or customised. Go to here - http://www.ihost4u.co.uk/test/ Logon as ‘snooper’ with password ‘letmein’… Once online, do a user search from menu option ‘Browse’ , for user ‘ steve’.. What you will get is a listing. Which is what you want. But where did the menu from top of screen go??!! How do you stop this?

And now consider the idea of moving the ‘Browse member only directory’ to the top menu bar. So when clicked you goto that page, but still see the menu?? How can this be done without having to share space with what ever gets placed there. In other words make the space usable for other member functions.

[aytekin]

You can use Template Rules to show different navigation if the user is logged-in or not.


1. First, create a header_clean template and put the navigation for non-members there.

2. Setup this template rule:

While on "header" template if "logged-in" equals to "no"
Then use "header_clean" template.
_________________
<b>Announcements</b>
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- Limited time offer: Free upgrade service to Profile Manager Premium. We will handle everything for you: Upgrade, load existing members, configuration and templates at no additional cost.
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[snooper]

In my 'proper' site as an example for a club I'm working for; ALL members are deemed unable to access the site until admin agrees. So the site when used, will assume who ever logs on to be a member. I can see (my mistake) you assume the site will let people on and use the members search from the start. No so. So on that point I have reset the sample site (as given above) to exactly mimic what I am talking about. This will be the search results page, loses the menu header when used by a member.

To your suggestion, I looked at the admin section under Rules/Template. It seems that there is a rule already in place that duplicates what you gave. However, to ensure I follow as per instruction and deal with my problem I removed what was and basically put it back! No change as far as the header goes. I'm more than happy to give the admin password to this test site so you might be able to show myself/ others what needs to be done. If this helps??

And on the subject of moving the option 'Browse Member-Only Directory' to the top to be part of the menu as a stand alone option BUT with the same menu (modified)..Any ideas?

[snooper]

Okay, I can see this site has had a subtle update. And with no additional help in sight I thought that I may do myself favours by ‘trying’ to locate help with problems from the various forum postings in case something new can be seen. Nothing. The ‘My Sites’ section has most, if not all, links to a site fail. So the idea of seeing if my members search issue was unique to my install or something else failed right there ! So with no working sites to compare I moved on.

Frustration is ongoing with no real so-called forum support (not looking good long term if I were to suggest my club agrees on the working example to upgrade and consider buying the full package from here. If you cant get help on basic issues what about real ones??)

Anyway, after much time lost by messing around with this and that; I finally worked out using basic SQL reasoning how to include the menu when showing results of a search. Which is -

While on ‘search_table’ - Then use ‘header’ template – Page if ‘Logged in yes/no’ – Equals ‘Yes’

Now I need to work out using the pm.cgi script of the best way to direct users from the menu without legacy of duplicating what is selectable already. And move that members only link. And for that id like to set up an iframe or equivalent to display members only page into section.

Maybe using somthing like the following in the menu script (I have no idea) -

href=pm.cgi?action=approved&go=this_page.htm etc etc (????) target=where_ever

Would this be right? Or is a better suggestion on offer??

Or should I just cut my loss and change scripts.. I really am running out of time on this project and I cant present something bearly working...??

[snooper]

I have concluded that I'm not progressing with my problems on this forum. This has impacted on my building a trial web site for the club I'm assisting. Clearly there is not support to be had here so I have taken down my sample site and have concluded to discontinue the use of the Profile Manager Basic project.

Shame, but then if you can’t find support for basic problems who is going to feel confident on buying a full project and where potentually a real problem gets the same no assitance reply.

Whilst very disapointed; I’d rather know where I stand before I commit to anything and clearly would liked to have seen this system work. So I am now off to try one of the many alternative membership scripts to see how they fair !!

[bodyflight]

snooper, I'm sorry you were having so much trouble. I find PM to be great, but it took a couple of years and several different installations and I swear HUNDREDS of hours reading these forums before I really got proficient at it. Now I can make it do whatever I want it to for the most part.

All of my sites have functioning various features all working properly so I'm not sure why you didn't have enough working examples from that forum.

It's true, most people will try this and just move on, but that is the nature of free downloads.

If your not really capable of programming some advanced html and understanding how these types of software sets work, the cards are stacked against you in all be the most basic functions.
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[snooper]

Thank you ‘bodyfight’ for your input. I am of no doubt of the worth of the project Profile Manager. I admit at the time of choosing this was by far the quickest install and set up of the few similar projects I then tried. And unlike yourself who clearly have learned a great deal by spending considerable time learning the ins and outs of the code. I have no ability to match nor regrettably the time to attempt the same. All I was hoping to learn was how best I could move one link to the menu at the top and not when used discover elements otherwise only shown from other button presses, to be seen. In other words be able to load the search page with menu intact.

I have changed the header graphics of the menu, to accommodate two others users choices. have placed an iframe within the menu script and placed this modification online and live. however, when you select to search you get profile information or the entry section that updates the profile. They appear, either above or below what the iframe receives. I don’t want this to happen. What I am trying to achieve is on menu selection you get only what you select , nothing else. In the case of the members only page, move that from where it currently is and by menu selection see members only page below the menu…

This is my question. What am I doing wrong OR how can I get around this ?? I thought if I could use a similar reasoning to how I discovered to keep a menu during a search, I could perhaps go that route and use the line (part line) that included link via pm.cgi and if so, how?? No answer means no can continue trying the PM project…

[bodyflight]

Snooper, it does sound as if the PM basic might be too advanced for your current level. I'm finding it difficult to follow your thoughts and figure out what your doing exactly, but I suppose that's also normal as I probably think a bit differently.

My advise is to spend time getting to know EACH and every single template. Without that information you'll always be finding yourself at a loss for the location of something or another.

[snooper]

Sorry if I’m coming across as ..well.. confusing..

Basically, I have copied the existing code from the original menu and placed that code into my own version of menu. This simply was to add that last link I keep talking about. Within the original script, there are references to pm.cgi –

< a href=pm.cgi?session=%%session%% >
….. etc etc
< a href=pm.cgi?session=%%session%%&action=logout >

Inspecting the pm.cgi script, these lines are directed to functions that clearly action respective requests. So okay fine, I see that. However, in the current arrangement the link members page is on the browse profiles page. This is not what I want.

Clearly it would be better positioned at the top (in menu) as to keep this page separate from search and other pages. Now to do that I obviously transfer the link to the menu. I then add the href code. BUT when I run the end product the page loaded was the members page, outside of the menu environment. So, I then altered the link code to target an iframe that I placed within the t_header.htm script but above the last line -- <blockquote> -- I saw that placing my iframe any other places the page displays itself all over the place.

The modified page was a mess, because regardless of what was placed above what or where, the iframe was visible one way or another. When I called the members page from the menu, it did go into the iframe, but the page also included references to the users profile, profile edit or search. And if i take away <blockquote> the menu does not work for members update etc..

I then thought about the idea of simply duplicating the menu so I could write that to exclude <blockquote>. Which I did. Only to find the profile, profile edit and search pages now did not work as before !!

So in short again 1) How do I shift the members page link but keep a working menu above that page and NOT get references to other menu functions shown above or below?

2) how do I point at that page from the top menu as to keep the site integrity. Do I use current sessions (of sorts) to achieve this? Hence my reference to the pm.cgi? etc. line above. Or is there another way?

[bodyflight]

I honestly think you should just create your own header from scratch, and all but FORGET that the template already exists.

Here are the basic links I use in my pm header:

[snooper]

Bodyfight. I have done everything you mentioned many times now.. Than as now, I’m no further to resolving my problem. I have said from out set that I have limited php script experience, all I am doing is googling questions and reading returns. While I have found other scripts this way, it would have been much quicker if the owner of this site stepped up and dropped a few hints. Yes I can understand the script is free and therefore dependant on forums for support. But seriously, this has gone on for far to long. Scripts such as easyMember pro, aMember pro, PalMember and countless others are around to try and perhaps buy. Here its just hard work trying to stay enthusiastic over something so clearly trivial but for me unresolved. All I want/ need is the ability to have a system where people can join up to and through logon be able too use a web site with out others access and making a mess of a clubs forum or abusing its members. My mistake was thinking this project would be suitable and foolishly used it over Christamas thinking I would have a sampler site to show for my effort. I was wrong to use this project and I don’t and a sample site wasting time trying to get help. ..!!

I do appreciate your time put in – Thank you…