[reyes]

When I add any new entry to my directory in cMap (manage- add new entry), every entry shows regardless of category on the directory main page. How do I add new entries but eliminate the clutter on my main directory main page?

Also, what’s the point of creating individual pages for each category that contain specific [connections] shortcode if I have no way of linking to those pages from my main directory page? I am confused. What am I missing?

Thanks

[Steven Zahm]

@ reyes

re: When I add any new entry to my directory in cMap (manage- add new entry), every entry shows regardless of category on the directory main page. How do I add new entries but eliminate the clutter on my main directory main page?

Since you are manually creating your own category specific pages rather than letting Connections manage them (via the category select) you’re going to have manually exclude them with the exclude_category shortcode option.

One thing you really need to keep in mind… there is no way for Connections to know that you are using more than one shortcode. So there is no way for it to know that you only want specific categories on specific pages.

re: Also, what’s the point of creating individual pages…

Honestly, there is no way of answering that… that is something that you’ll have to tell me. Why are you settings up settings up separate pages for categories? Many, many users do set Connections up this way but that is because they have a specific goal they want to achieve by manually separating them. Usually the reason is to create multiple directories all managed wirth Connections.

re: I have no way of linking to those pages from my main directory page?

Connections, like other directory plugins, is designed to run from a single page with a single instance of the shortcode as its primary operation. Unlike many other plugins, Connections does have options ability to “split” apart the directory using many different types of criteria, the most popular being by categories because they offer the most flexibility. Many users use these features to create multiple directories. This is what I thought or was under the impression of what you were trying to accomplish. Honestly, with these new questions, I’m not really certain what you are trying to accomplish other than have a page redirect to another page based and the chosen category. I’ve never had anyone request such functionality before so I’m assuming you have a specific reason/goal that you’d like to accomplish.

Question for you…

Why not just manually put links at the top of the page to your other category specific directory pages? That seems like the simplest approach. Checkout this site.

http://www.aroundhermitage.com.au/

Click on the STAY, WINE, DINE, ATTRACTIONS links…

Those are all Connections managed directories manually split apart by category.

Same for this site:

http://www.brokefordwich.com.au/

Click the ACTIVITIES and ACCOMMODATION link and their sub pages. And the ABOUT BROKE / Business Directory sub page.

Both these site were done by limiting which categories are displayed on the page.

I hope this helps clear things up a bit.

[reyes]

Steven,

You are correct, I have not been clear with my intent in view of the questions above. However, you clarified some of them in another support thread. With that said the first question simply referred to the look of my main directory page as I add new listings not new categories. I now understand the exclude function and how it will apply in my case.

You answered the next two points above on “creating individual pages” and “linking” in another thread. Sorry for the confusion.

The reason I wanted to redirect some (but not all) categories is because of how large some of these redirected categories will grow. In affect, my intent is similar to other users. I am trying to create multiple directories all managed with Connections.

Thanks for your time and effort in trying to understand my overall goal. I get now.

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