My proposition is: Random Product block with possibility to choose ranges of products(categories). Similar to adding products to multiple categories. It could be nice to have it on homepage layout.

I like the idea! It would be nice to have constantly changing 'featured' item like this.

I would also very much like to have this feature. How can it be done?

Totally agree. Also allow facility to have random on specials, news etc.
 
Would add to SEO as well
 
Stewart

This is true. This is actually essential I think. Even the free carts have this. Makes it look like you are actively updating your site even if you aren't. :)

I vote for this feature list.
 
This is one feature missing from ViArt.

I vote to this feature too. Its about 0,5 hour for the viart programmer... but will help us to show everythink to our customers! Cross-marketing? :)

Hi,
 
I totally agree and am happy to chip in the cash to get Viart to build this into the next version.
 
Sounds like a plan?
 
DickS

Like this idea too, though must admit I tinker about with the CMS a lot anyhow.

 

Nice example Suddenhit, but how does it work?

$sql = mysql_query ("SELECT `small_image`, `item_name`, `item_id`, `short_description` FROM `va_items` ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 0,1" ) or die (mysql_error ());
$row = mysql_fetch_assoc ($sql);
echo "<table><tr><td><img src = \"".$row['small_image']."\"></td><td><table><tr><td>";
echo $row['item_name']."</td></tr><tr><td>".$row['short_description']."<br><a href=/product_details.php?item_id=".$row['item_id'].">Read More</a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>";}

just copy everithing into a custom block. also make sure that last Echo and "a href= " this is all the same line

Let me know if it works for you all

Am I to understand that each of the 5 posts of code lines are to be combined into a single custom block's content area and that would provide the display similar to the example you linked to?
 
Or, does the code go into a <yourname.php> file and is called using the "get content from file" option in the custom block?
 
TIA for clarifying the post above.

Goto site settings and allow to run php in blocks.
Create a custom block and in the text area click on "source" then copy every 5 posts.
first 3 as a single lines and last 2 as a one line (between "<" and "a" there should be no spases)
 
and save it.
 
Add the block where you want it to be displayed.
 
For header integration i will post instructions later

all done step by step as you wrote but no sucsess - block shows the code v.3.5.35

I get the same result as Fed. Just code displayed on page.

I followed the instructoin, but got no result - only code in my block on the page

If to take place on "Read More"
 
Not Found
The requested URL /product_details.php was not found on this server

I am sorry, I the idiot ... I should change simply a path /product_details.php to another. My shop is not in root-folder.

WEll guys ALl you have to do is first time when you incert it into block click on the little envelope wich saying "CODE" it will show that you entered that information as a regular text rather than inserting ass a code.
 
Delete everithing and reincert.
 
THe other option is create a simple .php file with this code and put get from file a file name (place this file in a root directory with other php files of your store)

Thanks, Suddenhit!!! All fine works!

Unfortunately, the above mentioned code is not working at all. (3.6.)
 
I tried everything but no luck.
 
I wonder why this very important feature is not built in with Viart

Hi All.
 
Let me explain myself.
 
For some time now I'm keeping an eye on this discussion and it looks its going nowhere.
 
So I contacted Viart and ordered and paid for the creation of a customised block !!!
 
This new block must be able to:
 
1) be placed on every page on the site;
2) generates a random product listing available for free download;
3) download is triggered by an "email address" input field;
4) customers receives email with the download link.
 
((in fact for this download file bypassing the payment system of the shop))
 
The email addresses entered into the above system are stored in a new separate table and can be utilised for any email marketing campaign.
 
Reasoning:
Giving products away for free generates a "good will" feeling with customers.
Also it will bring customers back to the site on a regular "Daily" basis.
These returning customers can now be entised by special offers, made available on the site entry page.
 
================================
Viart calculated that the block would be ready in about 3 to 4 weeks.
 
If youre interested in this extention to your shop, please contact me by email == intlib@hotmail.com ==
 
I will make this new block available for $20.00 to each and everyone.
 
Cheers
Herman

STOP THE PRESS
 
its even easier then I thought it would be.
 
And I asked Viart to stop with the production of this random daily listing.
 
Let me explain.:
 
All items are stored in the database table "va_items"
There are 2 fields in this database that are of importance to us.
The field "price" and the field "is_special_offer"
 
By default the field "is_special_offer" is set to "0" for all items, only when it is made into a special offer this value is changed into "1".
 
This means that in the block "Special Offers" only the items with this value set ti "1" are listed.
 
If the price field for this special offer is set to "0.00" the the customer still has to fill in all the details, but is not directed to a payment provider but instead is send directly to the purchase confirmation page.
 
This means that you have the customers details on file "email addresses etc. for later email marketing campaign(s).
 
Now how do we have the system create every day a different random "free" downloadable product.
 
Simple:
I created a new table called "va_specials" which has one field wich holds the date "2009-03-27" and another field with the original price of the current special offer item.
 
Then I created a little Perl script that does the randomising trick for me.
This script can be called by a little blank image in the footer of the web page.
 
What the script does:
First it will check if the current date is the date in the table "va_specials".
If it is, nothing happens.
 
If not, it will reset the "is_special_offer" value in the "va_items" table back to "0" and resets its price.
 
Then it generates a random number between 1 and the maximum amount of items.
Then it makes the item with this item_number a special offer (setting "is_special_offer" to "1" and sets its price "0.00")
 
Next the script updates the date in the table "va_specials" and stores also the items original price in this table.
 
Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
As easy as .......................