Add-On Releases - Amazon Store Integration

Finally, I've gotten around to putting together a version of the Amazon Store integration mod for vBulletin 3.6.

This mod allows you to add an Amazon store to your vBulletin. You can set it to search for a particular keyword, for different types of items - CDs, DVDs, Clothing, etc. A sample of the store in action is available here: http://www.lidragracing.com/amazon_store.php.

You will need to sign up for Amazon Web Services to get an AWS key in order for this to work. In addition, you need to have PHP 5 installed on your server.

Installation is very simple, upload 3 files, import the xml file and then add a link to the store in your navigation bar. See the attached file "ECS Amazon Store.txt" for the exact installation instructions.

Give it a try, let me know what you think. Make sure you click "Mark as Installed" if you've installed it.

Also, if you intall it and use it, please post the URL you have it installed at so I can see how it's being used.

{edit}

To upgrade to a newer version, re-upload the php files and then import the xml product file. Afterwards go to the admin control panel to check to make sure all of the fields are filled in properly.

[mikelbeck]

Ok people... you asked for it, now you've got it.

There's a new option in the ACP in version 1.00.00 B5 - "Allow users to perform their own searches". If you enable this option, a new box & dropdown list will be displayed on the main page, your users can put in their own keywords and select the index they'd like to search.

Let me know what you think.

[yoyoyoyo]

thanks much - I will check it out and let you know how it works for me

[yoyoyoyo]

well, the search option works, but it does not insert my Amazon associate ID in the URL. It shows up in the URL in the store, but when I actually click on the item the associate ID is not in the URL.

in the store I see this:

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0001YNLLK%26tag=myamazonID-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0001YNLLK%253FSubscriptionId=0Z5J0DYKEA7V6Y1BH1H2

but when I click on the URL this is the link that displays in the browser:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0001YNLLK/105-5046536-9646804?SubscriptionId=0Z5J0DYKEA7V6Y1BH1H2

[mikelbeck]

Originally Posted by yoyoyoyo

well, the search option works, but it does not insert my Amazon associate ID in the URL. It shows up in the URL in the store, but when I actually click on the item the associate ID is not in the URL.

in the store I see this:

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B0001YNLLK%26tag=myamazonID-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B0001YNLLK%253FSubscriptionId=0Z5J0DYKEA7V6Y1BH1H2

but when I click on the URL this is the link that displays in the browser:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0001YNLLK/105-5046536-9646804?SubscriptionId=0Z5J0DYKEA7V6Y1BH1H2

Right, that's how it works. If you notice, in the first URL there's "redirect.html". Amazon takes the inbound link, pulls out the data needed for your associates tag (plus whatever else it wants, I guess) and then sends the user to an Amazon page.

[yoyoyoyo]

ok thanks for the explanation - in that case I guess it is working just fine

[mikelbeck]

Originally Posted by yoyoyoyo

ok thanks for the explanation - in that case I guess it is working just fine

Ok, good.

You're happy with it? It's exactly what you've always wanted? ;-)

[yoyoyoyo]

Originally Posted by mikelbeck

Ok, good.

You're happy with it? It's exactly what you've always wanted? ;-)

well... if you can arrange for a dozen or so nubile nympomaniac girlies to stop by my house then I would say yes... lol

seriously - I like it a lot. I can envision a few more additions I would like to see, such as random (or pre-designated) items from the amazon store in cmps sideblocks, or on the "what's going on" area that link to the description of the item in the store, or a shopping cart system as mentioned earlier by you. As far as layout is concerned - I am wondering why the descriptions are all centered on the page instead of a normal layout with the text flush left, etc.. Right now if this mod was a dancer on dancing with the stars, and I were a judge I would give it a 7 or an 8

[BadgerDog]

Updated with latest feature to permit custom searching ...

We've now released this mod "live" to our members....

Working well.... :up:

One recommendation. Since we are a site for "registered" users only, it would be good to be able to restrict usergroups who can access this mod. ie: no guests etc....

Regards,
Badger

[mikelbeck]

Originally Posted by yoyoyoyo

well... if you can arrange for a dozen or so nubile nympomaniac girlies to stop by my house then I would say yes... lol

seriously - I like it a lot. I can envision a few more additions I would like to see, such as random (or pre-designated) items from the amazon store in cmps sideblocks, or on the "what's going on" area that link to the description of the item in the store, or a shopping cart system as mentioned earlier by you. As far as layout is concerned - I am wondering why the descriptions are all centered on the page instead of a normal layout with the text flush left, etc.. Right now if this mod was a dancer on dancing with the stars, and I were a judge I would give it a 7 or an 8

Which descriptions? On the main page or the detail page? I'll see what I can do about the other stuff you've mentioned.

Thanks for the high rating. ;-) Did you nominate it for MOTM yet?

@BadgerDog - I was thinking about doing that, but I'm not all that sure how to do it yet... when I figure it out I'll add it.

FYI... here's what's on the list for the next release:

1. Fix the "powered by amazon.com" and similar texts when the search actually goes to a different locale.
2. Add an option to integrate YPN or Adsense in the results, or maybe on the side. Or somewhere.
3. Sometimes the page numbers don't make sense... I've got to figure out why and fix it properly.
4. When the "blended" index is used, it returns more than 10 results per page, so the page numbers are off. Again, figure out why and fix it properly.
5. Maybe add a local shopping cart so users can add items on your site instead of being sent to Amazon for each purchase. Then when they're done they can click "checkout" and THEN go to Amazon.
6. Random items displayed somewhere else on the site... maybe in CMPS or "what's going on" like yoyoyoyo suggested.
7. Improve the doc that's distributed with the archive... man does that thing look like crap, totally unprofessional.

Any other suggestions?

[yoyoyoyo]

Originally Posted by mikelbeck

Which descriptions? On the main page or the detail page? I'll see what I can do about the other stuff you've mentioned.

on the detail page.