Integrating redSHOP support into JComment

[klutzon]

Hi there,

I'm new here, but your JComments extension looks fantastic, and I can see it's got a lot of support for Joomla eCommerce extensions such as Virtuemart. I'm not using VM in my work anymore though, I have shifted to another eCommerce extension called "redSHOP" which has all the features VM has and much more, as well as stable and consistent support. You can find out more about redSHOP here: http://redcomponent.com/redshop.

I was wondering if you'd consider integrating redSHOP support into JComment as this feature has been requested previously on the redSHOP forums and since your component is extensible I figured no need to reinvent the wheel...

To access the full version of redSHOP and its extensions you will need to be a paid subscriber, but you can download the free "redSHOP Light" from here: http://redcomponent.com/free-downloads . It's a basic version of redSHOP that should provide enough functionality to allow you to learn how it works and what variables and functions you can use successfully integrate it in JComment.

Have a look at redSHOP Light and let me know if this is something you'd be willing to consider. It would be a welcome addition to redSHOP's feature set, and a fantastic compliment to redSHOP's Reviews. I'm quite experienced with redSHOP, so if you'd like some more information or further assistance, kindly let me know and I'll help how I can (especially if you would like a beta tester ).

Looking forward to hearing from you, and wishing you and your team a great day!

Sean

[smart]

In my mind you need to ask the redSHOP's authors about this integration. I think that such feature as integration with popular comment systems must be included in every e-commercial solution. And it would be better if it will be implemented by redSHOP's authors and included in default package.

[klutzon]

Hey there smart,

Thanks for your reply, but I'd like you to reconsider. I agree that all modern eShops should increase their support for other related and relevant 3rd party extensions, and I'm sure the redSHOP team would happily integrate JComments support once the code to support it was established. However the team are concentrating at the moment on pertinent bug fixes and other pending feature requests, so I'm trying to help them out by saving them the development and testing time, and I'd appreciate a hand from you since you're much more familiar with how JComments works.

I've taken a look through some of the integration guides for supported 3rd party components (http://www.joomlatune.com/jcomments-integration-guide.html) and I've noticed a common theme amongst most of the integrations: the code required to establish a connection with JComments from within the component looks generally like this:

Code:

global $mainframe;
$comments = $mainframe->getCfg('absolute_path') . '/components/com_jcomments/jcomments.php';
OR
global $mosConfig_absolute_path;
$comments = $mosConfig_absolute_path . '/components/com_jcomments/jcomments.php';

if (file_exists($comments)) {
    require_once($comments);
    ${component_variable} = JComments::showComments({record ID}, '{component name}', {record name});
OR
    echo JComments::showComments({record ID}, '{component name}', {record name});
}

Based on the similar instructions across all integration manuals, I'd assume that JComments could be supported within redSHOP with something like this:

Code:

global $mosConfig_absolute_path;
$comments = $mosConfig_absolute_path . '/components/com_jcomments/jcomments.php';

if (file_exists($comments)) {
    require_once($comments);
    $product_reviews = JComments::showComments($product_id, 'com_redshop', $product_name);
}

I've used VM's instructions as a basis, since redSHOP has a very similar design structure. However, I'm not sure which file this should go into: the product details template that the client creates, or one of the model files that control the HTML output used when the {product_reviews} tag is present on the product details template.

If you wouldn't mind, I'd really appreciate your assistance with this, it doesn't look like much is required to get this integration supported, and you seem to be in a better position to tell what goes where. I'll help you how I can, if you'd like me to test anything on my end, just let me know.

[madLyfe]

this would be amazing! looking forward to it!

[klutzon]

Hey there smart,

Just wanted to let you know that the redSHOP team have managed to integrate JComment support into redSHOP product detail templates. As the instructions go:

JComment support:
Finished in 1.0.30 release

Install JComment component.

In product template, You will get Jcomment Button with Toggle Editor. When You click on it, {jcomments on}/{jcomments off} tag added in template.

If {jcomments off} tag found then nothing happens and If {jcomments on} tag found then Integration with Jcomments appears.

The feature is new so it'll take some time getting used to, but I thought you might want to mention redSHOP now in your list of supported 3rd party components. I also invite madLyfe and other redSHOP / JComment fans to give this a try.