Hi all,
I've tried and failed to remove the last bit of information you get as a shopper in the order confirmation email which is the line with order number, password and tracking link.
The order tracking mode is set to NONE in Configuration > Checkout, and I've removed all the lines of code in mail_html_shopper.php (found in /components/com_virtuemart/views/invoice/tmpl).
What am I missing or doing wrong?
Thank you!
You are using overrides, check your templates directory.
Please also Google how to use overrides in Joomla.
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
I went to check and unfortunately that is not the case.
I even tryed creating an override folder under templates/mytemplate/html/com_virtuemart/invoice and modified the mail_html.php file and commented out this:
// echo $this->loadTemplate($this->recipient . '_more');
Is that what I should do?
it is the first table row (<tr> ) 2nd & 3rd td in
components\com_virtuemart\views\invoice\tmpl\mail_html_shopper.php
over ride that
<tr>
<!-- <td width="30%" align="left" style="border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">-->
<td width="100%" align="left" style="border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;" colspan="3">
<?php echo vmText::_('COM_VIRTUEMART_MAIL_SHOPPER_YOUR_ORDER'); ?><br />
<strong><?php echo $this->orderDetails['details']['BT']->order_number ?></strong>
</td>
<!-- <td width="30%" align="left" style="border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<?php
if( VmConfig::get('ordertracking','guests') == 'guestlink' or (VmConfig::get('ordertracking','guests') == 'guests' and empty($this->orderDetails['details']['BT']->virtuemart_user_id))){
echo vmText::_('COM_VIRTUEMART_MAIL_SHOPPER_YOUR_PASSWORD'); ?><br />
<strong><?php echo $this->orderDetails['details']['BT']->order_pass ?></strong>
<?php } ?>
</td>
<td width="40%" align="center" style="border: 1px solid #CCCCCC;">
<a class="default" title="<?php echo $this->vendor->vendor_store_name ?>" href="<?php echo $orderlink ?>" style="display: inline-block; padding: 5px 10px; background-color: #000000; color:#b9298b; text-decoration: none;">
<?php echo vmText::_('COM_VIRTUEMART_MAIL_SHOPPER_YOUR_ORDER_LINK'); ?></a>
</td>-->
</tr>
Hi, thank you for your input!
Unfortunately it doesn't work, and I can't find what I'm doing wrong.
I've hidden those two td's with "display: none" and moved the file to /templates/mytemplate/html/com_virtuemart/invoice/mail_html_shopper.php
This is simple debugging. We can not make Your code for You.
Add somethin in the code for example in php add:
echo "this is a text for test";
This is to make sure that you are editing the correct file.
I am quite sure that You are using a custom template and this can have a quite different file structure compared to the standard file structure. This means that the file GJC is mentioning may not even be called in Your code or have a different layout.
It is like giving advice how to repair an Audi with the repair handbook for Ferrari.
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
Quote from: Jörgen on April 21, 2021, 20:42:07 PM
This is simple debugging. We can not make Your code for You.
Add somethin in the code for example in php add:
echo "this is a text for test";
This is to make sure that you are editing the correct file.
I am quite sure that You are using a custom template and this can have a quite different file structure compared to the standard file structure. This means that the file GJC is mentioning may not even be called in Your code or have a different layout.
It is like giving advice how to repair an Audi with the repair handbook for Ferrari.
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
Aaaaand (drumroll), you were right ;D
But, just to make it easier for someone that might have the same issues as me:
I'm using yootheme pro, and to be able to use their builder for creating virtuemart layouts I had to buy and instal VMuikit X plugin that enables that.
As the yootheme template does not have com_virtuemart files in its HTML folder I thought that the template had nothing to do with those emails, but it turns out that the plugin has all the views :o
Also, I use a child theme for yootheme, so I had to create a html/com_virtuemart/invoice/ folder there and upload the override there.
Sorry for the time used, but you all helped.
Thank you
QuoteI'm using yootheme pro, and to be able to use their builder for creating virtuemart layouts I had to buy and instal VMuikit X plugin that enables that.
sounds like a money making racket to me ....
have never understood why the likes of Yoo vastly complicate what is essentially a simple system for no conceivable gain apart from to make any adjustments difficult...
Couldn't the same be said for Virtuemart and the number of commercial plugins that follow it? ;)
I'm not completely sure what you're trying to say and I'm definitely not here to defend Yootheme, but I'll give you my view as a person that has been with joomla from 2007 and version 1.0.13.
I create websites, but more as a designer, not as a programmer, even though I deliver the end product all done by myself. I understand and use HTML and CSS, but don't have a clue what to do with PHP :D
From my perspective, with yootheme pro builder they delivered an amazing templating system with which I can create just about anything (visually) in a short period of time and for me that's a game changer. I have to give them kudos for that as now I'm able to produce a bigger number of websites than I could before.
I don't see why would they extend their builder functionality to external plugins, that's a thing other developers should do if they see there is a (commercial) need for that. And there is definitely a need for someone to make virtuemart templating system easier, because I really don't see how modifying a virtuemart template is easy.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only way I see that it can be done is by coding it yourself, right?
So, from what you said in your comment I believe you're more of a programmer than a designer, and if so then your view on their product is correct for you :)
But let me tell you this, I consider myself skilled enough with Joomla and multiple plugins I use to extend its functionality (I've created a few hundred websites to date, to satisfied customers), but working with Virtuemart was a first trully bad experience for me.
This was the first time I encountered an extension that was much more complicated in areas I would expect to be much more user friendly. That does not mean that the extension itself is bad, but it definitely isn't created for an average Joe like myself.
Also, Virtuemart is the sole reason I gave wordpress another chance (tried a few times, abandoned every time after a few hours). And, from what I see, Woocommerce is MUCH more user friendly for "developers" like me. Again, I'm not bashing Virtuemart here, but from my perspective it was done by programmers, for programmers.
This is definitely something I wanted to discuss with the community here on the forum after I finish this project, but here they are, my thoughts about working with Virtuemart. I hate the fact I had to go to Wordpress to find an alternative because I really value Joomla. It's stable, functional, and does what it says it does.
I installed a wordpress copy on my work server, installed woocommerce, and created an awesome test shop easily. And then it was down in two weeks because someone broke in to it and trashed it. Something like that never happened with joomla. And even after that I'm not tempted to learn how to manage Virtuemart, instead I'm tempted to learn how to make wordpress more secure. And I dont even like wordpress ;D
QuoteCouldn't the same be said for Virtuemart and the number of commercial plugins that follow it?
Not really ... my point is why should u need a commercial plugin to do something that can be done in Notepad in 30 seconds?
QuoteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but the only way I see that it can be done is by coding it yourself, right?
correct
QuoteNot really ... my point is why should u need a commercial plugin to do something that can be done in Notepad in 30 seconds?
I'd really, really like to see those layouts done in 30 seconds.
I think You are talking about different things.
zheekan means ALL the layout changes that he has done, GJC means the change zheekan is writing about. Even though 30 seconds is a very optimistic estimation ;)
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
Zeehan
30 seconds sounds about right to me - maybe an extra 5 to upload to live - so lets say 35 or push it and say 1 minute.
QuoteI understand and use HTML and CSS, but don't have a clue what to do with PHP :D
A basic working knowledge of CSS and HTML is no longer enough for professional web designers/deliverers. Joomla and its components are built in PHP and SQL and JS if you use it - your customers should be expecting more for any money they part with.
QuoteFrom my perspective, with yootheme pro builder they delivered an amazing templating system
They probably do - I love term "pro" - It be better named "Amateur builder" - which for the vast majority of amateurs will be enough.
QuoteAnd there is definitely a need for someone to make virtuemart templating system easier, because I really don't see how modifying a virtuemart template is easy.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only way I see that it can be done is by coding it yourself, right?
Modifying a template is super easier if you have learned the skills necessary to trade under the term "web designer"
QuoteSo, from what you said in your comment I believe you're more of a programmer than a designer, and if so then your view on their product is correct for you :)
Just for the record - the comment was made by someone who has worked internationally on delivering complete solutions - both in terms of design and technical capabilities.
Quote
But let me tell you this, I consider myself skilled enough with Joomla and multiple plugins I use to extend its functionality
Which makes you a competent user of existing functionality. Like thousands in the Joomla community.
Quote(I've created a few hundred websites to date, to satisfied customers), but working with Virtuemart was a first trully bad experience for me. This was the first time I encountered an extension that was much more complicated in areas I would expect to be much more user friendly. That does not mean that the extension itself is bad, but it definitely isn't created for an average Joe like myself.
Which makes me wonder why you class yourself as a web designer?
QuoteWoocommerce is MUCH more user friendly for "developers" like me.
You have already said you are not a developer - you are at best a competent user of existing tools and software to deliver a website.
Quote
I installed a wordpress copy on my work server, installed woocommerce, and created an awesome test shop easily. And then it was down in two weeks because someone broke in to it and trashed it. Something like that never happened with joomla. And even after that I'm not tempted to learn how to manage Virtuemart, instead I'm tempted to learn how to make wordpress more secure. And I dont even like wordpress
And this is the comment that has made me respond to the rest of the post! - You use a package that was not secure, you will still continue to use it - You profess not to know how to code (CSS and HTML is not considered coding in most circles) and you intend to learn how secure wordpress better - Surely you start at that point and move forward !
I agree that it would be great if VM could have a wonderfully simple templating system developed for it so every user could deliver great looking and working sites. Many webshops employ people with the pre-requisite skills required to work with CMS systems and have already developed and continue to develop great customised templates for their customers.
Millions of people think that WIX, Squarespace, Wordpress, Shopify etc meet their needs. Why bother with a designer in the first place.
If all a designer offers is package knowledge and a bit of drag and drop - then users may be on the right track for their project. Just grab a free template, pay your subscription and off you go! Unless, of course, there is more to it than that ........
The way this conversation is going benefits absolutely no one, so let me try and offer my thoughts to anyone who might care, as clear as I can.
I trully value Joomla and its' ecosystem, including Virteumart as a part of it even though I see you got the impression that I don't.
Joomla is a big part of what puts bread on my table, and even though you might consider me to be something less than a web designer, it is still something that I do and will do in the future, using Joomla.
Yes, my strenghts are very unevenly distributed among all the skills and knowledge a person should posess to be able to produce anything online. Nevertheless, I am able to acquire new clients, find out what their needs are, and if we're compatible I create all the visuals they need, plus a website with some functionality beyond it being just a pretty flyer with a domain name. Usualy my client is a person/company that either never had a website or has a really bad one, and I believe I give them a push to the next level. Certainly not the ultimate level, but next level for sure. If I'm not able to deliver that, I don't take the project.
Web creators that create web sites the way I do, and I'm quite sure there is many more like me out there, value extensions that extend the functionality of Joomla and are willing to pay for them. The more user friendly and functional the software is, the more I'm willing to pay. That's why GJC's comment about yootheme was weird to me because something that is so straight forward and user friendly in doing what it says it does is called a money racket, but saying that Virtuemart is not user friendly is a no no. I found out that there is a Virtuemart addon that enables you to solve the problem I had with the email - it costs 149€. If I applied the same logic you did, that would sound awfully lot like a money racket to me, but it doesn't. Someone spent time to create it, and they believe it's worth that ammount of money. What I usually do in a situation like that is that I read the documentation and ask the community to see if there is a different solution to the problem. If not, I have to buy.
Through the years I went through many, many joomla plugins and my experience is that Virtuemart has one of the least intuitive interfaces out there in the joomla ecosystem, and I believe the experience gets even worse once you try to go through the documentation to find a solution for whatever you're trying to alter that isn't a standard install. What bugs me the most is that I belive that that's just the front face of an otherwise really powerfull component. After all, I went with Virtuemart and not any of the other components offered on the market.
As I said in my post before, this was something that I was quite interested in discussing with the community here, but somehow the conversation got where it got.
I am genuinely interesed if there are any plans to make Virtuemart any better in the user experience area, and I'm willing to help if help from a guy like me is possible or wanted.
I value different opinions and I believe that a conversation is the best way to go forward, so if anyone wants to have a conversation about that - great. If not, I thank you for your help with solving the issue I had.
Cheers from Croatia
@zheekan
Thanks for Your input, I appreciate that You have a sensible approach and more insight than many other web developers.Every project, paid or not is depending on involved users. I hope we haven´t scared You off and that You will continue to be a VM user.
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
Quote from: Jörgen on April 22, 2021, 23:47:01 PM
@zheekan
Thanks for Your input, I appreciate that You have a sensible approach and more insight than many other web developers.Every project, paid or not is depending on involved users. I hope we haven´t scared You off and that You will continue to be a VM user.
Jörgen @ Kreativ Fotografi
I must admit I burned out for a couple of minutes. Funny enough, that also helped because while trying to put my thoughts in to words I realised that I need to stick around and see what the roadmap for this component is like.
I've written it here before, and who knows how JoomlaDay was in Prague knows.
We had similar feelings that VirtuMart (although a great tool) is developing chaotically in our company EasySoftware. That is why at JoomlaDay in Prague in 2015, we offered Max to take over the development as the main developer for Max and give VirtuMart the right direction of development. Not according to what the programmers and the VM DEV team come up with for the chat, but according to the real needs of the end customers and the current development of ecommerce, as we know them from the reactions of customers.
It is necessary to realize that the ecommerce market in the Czech Republic is 10 times more demanding than elsewhere in the world - everyone wants abnormally sophisticated functions for a simple e-shop and only VirtuMart was able to meet these needs (of course after program modifications).
EasySoftware was and is a company that dealt with the development of applications and ecommerce solutions, as well as the development of the EasyRedmine application (built on the world-famous Redmine).
At the same time, he has great experience in how to develop in a team, use weekly sprints, agile development, simply everything a good software company with 50 employees has to do for application development.
Unfortunately, this offer was not accepted by Max.
I do not mind.
Only time has shown that this idea was correct, as EasyRedmine currently generates value in many hundreds of thousands of Euros each month, VirtueMart goes its own way and the number of people interested in ecommerce solutions for Joomla is declining every year (everyone prefers to reach for Woo Commerce - where was Woo Commmerce in 2015 ???)
Despite this fact, we continue with the former CEO of EasySoftware to continue developing ecommerce solutions based on VirtueMart, and we continue to use our core VirtueMart applications, which correct or supplement the inaccuracies of the entire VirtuMart.
We still trust VirtueMart, but we use our (about 100 applications), which improve the final version of the e-shop as needed by the customer (unfortunately, we do not offer all applications on our portal for purchase)
I am afraid the situation will not improve. Even if someone offers to help.
Only if the development was taken over by a really strong software company with a large development background led by a CEO with a vision ahead (ala Steve Jobs).
We have it and we are happy for it, but we no longer want to take over the development of VirtueMart, we just need to develop our e-shops and watch where VirtueMart is moving.
If it does not move in the right direction (in conjunction with Joomla), we will eventually close the entire minijoomla.org and switch to another, closed platform that has everything programmed according to the latest ecommerce requirements.
my only point was...
create folder templates/your_template/html/com_virtuemart/invoices
copy file components\com_virtuemart\views\invoice\tmpl\mail_html_shopper.php to it
comment out unwanted table cells lines
took longer to type than to do
so why do u need €149 plugin + Yoo's already expensive template? Why aren't Yoo's template over rides in the standard Joomla path?
Why do they create un-necessary complication by creating their own half arsed system different from everybody else's??
@ zheekan - Have u ever tried a simple quality template like Olympian's that hasn't got a single library or plugin in the whole shebang?
And allows you to make simple changes and edits without 15 posts to a forum and yet more crap to install in your site?
And no doubt within a few months Yoo will be telling you to up date your template for the latest changes which will mean renewing your subscriptions...
I have been using my basic white label template to build all my customers sites for at least 6 years and it hasn't required a single "update" in that time .. it never breaks .. because there is nothing to break.
Any additions and requirements are simple to implement because I keep it simple....
This attitude of lets install yet something else to do a job that can be achieved in a few moments in NotePad just leads to complex, difficult to maintain and in constant need of updates sites.
I know Yoo's products very well .. along with most of the other major template builders .. because people come to me on a regular basis to have changes made because they can't even begin to work out WTF something is in "the framework" etc
My basic point is VM templating system is simple and follows Joomla practice ... why not learn it a cut out the middle man?
@GJC
I understand what you're saying. Believe me, I was often angry with myself for not taking the time and learning everything that was needed to be completely self sufficient in this business. But that's the catch, you need time for that, and that is something I don't have in abundance.
I'm a one man band, and I ended up in the web business by first being a graphic designer and someone who gives a lot of thought to the marketing aspect of the end product. If I should go and try to define myself as accurately as possible, I think I would say that I'm a person that sits down with a client, listens to what they're trying to sell and then tries to create a website that showcases those products/services to the target audience as good as possible. I give much thought to finding the best way to communicate brand values to the end customer.
For me, the best possible way for a person/company to present itself online is through a website that has the required functionality, up-to-date design and is as user friendly as possible.
By creating a website that lacks any of those three you create a problem because what we both do is create something that is there to help our clients advance their business, rihgt?
So, to be able to create something like that by myself I use a set of tools that enable me to cover all those aspects as professionally as possible. Also, those tools have to be reliable, the additional load they add to the websites speed has to be justified, and they have to do what they say they do. As long as this criteria is met, and the cost of the tool isn't unreasonably high, I'm going to use it.
In a perfect world every company would be able to hire a team of professionals to cover the development/design/marketing aspects of doing business, but I don't live in that world. Where I live, there is a lot of small companies, often also one man bands that struggle to make it to the next level where they can maybe hire an employee or earn enough to invest and possibly grow. Companies like that need guys like me, because they can't afford to pay a team of people to do the job. Let's call it a niche.
So I think it all boils down to one thing: how much value are you capable of delivering for a set ammount of money and time. And if that is the game we play, then we have to be creative in solving the issues that present themselves on the road forward.
I have chosen Virtuemart over other Joomla shop solutions because I saw that it has a big community arround it, and that usually means it's a strong product with the ability to solve problems. Nobody gains anything if we start explaining to each other why you, me or someone else has it completely wrong. We're at the point of where we are, and we can either help each other or not, it's that simple ;D
@ zheekan -- all your points understood and taken on board and I am not criticising you ..
My criticism is aimed at companies like Yoo who make very professional looking and functional but vastly over complicated templates.
I know their code and I can only conclude they code like this to protect their product -- i.e. to make it very difficult to introduce changes etc.
Why bury template files in obscure paths multiple layers deep when all they need to do is put them in the conventional path?
Why does their latest Yoo Theme template come in at 27.8MB + Yoo plugins and libraries @ 9.3MB + another 2MB for com_vmuikitx and plugins ??? 39MB!!! come on...
This is pure bloat....
My template for e.g. https://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/ comes in at 4.66MB of which 1.77MB is fonts
A huge percentage of problems on this forum come from people using overly complex templates and then when they couple it with a quickstart install they are on the road to misery...
And who do they blame? VM...
Yeah, I can understand that.
But I think it will stay like that until Vm creates a UI that is out of the box better than what you can get with templates that have additional Vm functionality, even though they're bloated.
Eventually it will sort itself out as everything does, but we're here now :D
I've fond the topic wich is really interested on this link, maybe we can continue there?
http://forum.virtuemart.net/index.php?topic=146005.0