Redesigning Product Display & Extra Fields
 

Edit:

No need to read my initial post; I decided to start the mod.

Ive sorted through the code and finally taken the time to get a grip on smarty, and have decided to take on the project :D

This is a rundown of what I plan to do, and this may take a few weeks, as I am a very busy guy unfortunetly :(

Basically the format right now:
Modified xcart_product sql table that incorperates:

(probably will change quite a bit by the time its done)
1 Set Description field
40 general vchar fields
5 general text description fields
20 general integer only description fields
6 images with sizes (to display popup detailed windows)
Up to 5 tab image size & locations (with specified defaults)

Then the key sql table, with is nearly identical to the fields appended on the product sql table, but here is how it all works:

Specify a category key
Fill out the labels that will be used in your website (for the specified categories)
for instance, if you run a retail computer ecommerce site, and using the category "LCD moniter" & "LCD Televisons" as an example;
You might fill out the following in the key: (with a more descriptive admin system of course, this just demonstrates)

Applicable Categories:
LCD Moniters
LCD Televisions

Vchar1: Contrast ratio
Vchar2: Manufacturer Series
Vchar3: Dead Pixel Warranty

Desc1: Features
Desc2: Comes with:

Integer 1: Response Time
Integer 2: Size (inches)
Integer 3: Dot Pitch

Add A Product
Page looks to the xcart_key table to figure out what field names to provide in add a product page. (dont need to manually code in html into each product anymore)

Fill in the form (Description, Contrast Ratio, Manufacturer Series, Dead Pixel Warranty, Features, Comes With, Response Time, Size, Dot Pitch)
Which is stored in the products table, in the general column names. (and of course the fields already included w/ stock xcart + some extra image options)

Customer front end
If the customer browses to catogory "LCD Moniters" It looks to the key to decipher which fields to pay attention to and include. It then looks to a template and fills in the information in a customizable tab layout system, like you see on some high traffic sites (one tab for description, one tab for tech specs etc) With the added ability to display up to 6 thumbnails, either on different parts of a page or on a image tab, you decide. Script combines the Key & the product table to make output like this:

(tech specs tab)

• Manufacturer Series: StylePro
• Dead Pixel Warranty: 8 pixels
• Response Time: 25 ms
• Size (inches): 19 inch
• etc.

(description tab)

• Sony StylePro LCD Moniters offers yadda yadda etc.

(pictures tab)

• 3 Clickable Thumbnails displayed (out of 6 possible)

Advantages:
Product Template: One customizable template for all your product details
Better Searchability Within Categories: Relevant Category Fields are now searchable (and non relevant categories are not displayed)
faster Administration/Add Time:
Fill in revevant fields in seconds rather then hard coding entries spanning half an hour.

Customer Search
Category Based, If a customer wants to search in "LCD Moniters" It lets them specify what fields to search for & what values or ranges. (by again plugging into the xcart_key table to see what field names to include)

Aka I want an LCD moniter between 4 and 16ms Response Time.

I appreciate any suggestions, questions or comments and will post updates.

I do plan to release this as a free download on my www when it is completed