Looking for filtering module

Please download FLEXIcontent RC9a r1459 for J1.5 / J2.5
from here

to test the new module , the following were done:
and also
-- SEF URLs via AJAX
-- support for using current category only (filtering form is hidden unless in a category view)

ggppdk wrote: Module is working now:


1. category selection : fixed single category, include ,exclude
... combined with user permissions,

2. category filters: all, category specific, specific filters, specific filters common with category specific,

3. added template and language files to it

4. # items per page selector and orderby selectors

Good job.

I am still testing this module, so far it looks great.

I have one suggestion:
Module Backoffice missing additional field at this point:

Target Category-->Display Category List

you should add this option:

"NO (use all categories)"

If they get the opportunity, users could easily limit their search to the wrong category. That's why I would like to include all categories but without showing them to visitors, and at the moment it is not possible.

I already tried to select all categories and choose existing option "NO (use single or selected category)" BUT without selection, and all I got is missing module from front page. That's why I think you should add this option.

Thanks for good work.

Category view is capable of showing items from all categories.

Is that what you suggest ?

Category view is capable of showing items from all categories.

Is that what you suggest ?

ggppdk wrote: Category view is capable of showing items from all categories.

Is that what you suggest ?

Not really.

At the moment, you can choose to include or to exclude categories in module settings, but you still see that choice in front page filtering module.

Look at the screenshot, I would like to include all categories in filtering by default, but NOT to show them on front page (I wan't to remove "Category" field completely).

Good choice would be to add one more option in module settings, something like "Show this filter field on front page (yes/no)" and that should work for all fields (designer, created by, ordering... etc).

That's the way to to help users to find products with specific parameters, but not to bother them with details and tutorials how to do that.

Other than that, I think that this module is VERY good. Thanks again.

Ok, but if the category field is not displayed, what is the target of the filter form? a specific category or all? or is it current category?

ggppdk wrote: Ok, but if the category field is not displayed, what is the target of the filter form? a specific category or all? or is it current category?

It should be 2-3 categories, or all categories. Whatever we choose in backoffice module settings will be our target.

The point is that we can hide our category choice from user.

Sometimes you need to include only particular categories (only 3-4) in your filtering module, but don't want to show them to users.

Example:
We can create "used cars directory" website. So, all cars have more than one parameters (climate, airbags, type of engine, fuel, etc...) and that are going to be our filters.

Now, we have these (Flexi) categories:
- Small cars
- Estate
- SUV
- Sports cars

but also and

- news
- blog
- tutorials

Ok, it is possible to show only selected categories on front page. But, if user want to filter ALL cars with manual gear, how you gonna do that with existing filtering system ?

- It is not possible because filtering sistem (at the moment) force user to choose only ONE category (on front page). So, you gonna get only (for example) small cars with manual gear. And what about other cars? If you wanna check other categories, you have to repeat this process every time with choosen category.

It would be nice if we can choose a categories and don't bother users with that. Instead, we offer them the other filters to use.


More suggestions:
=================
1.) Multiple categories select
- should be enabled in front page (if they are shown in filtering module)

2.) One time selection (+ GO button)
- Every time we choose any of those filters, page is refreshed with new parametar. Not good.
It is better to choose more parameters and then press GO button to include all of them in one filtering step.

So, they choose all filters they want (one step only), press GO button and Voilà... They have results.

1. For this, it would require some work on the category view, to support showing a content list without be given a specific category id but multiple

2. actually, this may not be the best way either, maybe the best way would be to only reload filters area showing only available options via AJAX