Permanent Fix to URL Redirects Resetting in Magento CE 1.9

I ran into the issue where custom URL redirects would reset after an index refresh.  I had setup categories to populate the main navigation bar then have them redirect to page defined under CMS > Pages.  I found the fix here.

Below are the steps to properly configure a permanent (301) URL rewrite with Magento CE 1.9.

1. Navigate to Catalog > URL Management
2. Edit the URL for the existing category and set the Redirect value to Permanent (301).  Then choose Save.
   
3. Back at the URL Management screen.  Click the Add URL Rewrite button.
   
4. Choose Custom from the drop down menu.
5. Enter the ID Path (desired path), request path (original path) and target path (desired path).  Also, select Permanent (301) for the redirect.  Reference the image below.  Choose Save.
   
6. You now have a Permanent (301) URL rewrite.  Congrats.

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Installing VMware ESXi 6.0 from a USB Flash Drive

Most servers are built/bought without CD/DVD drives these days. HP has a utility to create a bootable USB Flash Drive for their Service Pack for Proliants, so there had to be a way to create a bootable USB flash drive for the ESXi install.

After a little (very little) Google-fu, I was able to find a very nice solution.

See details here: http://nolabnoparty.com/en/install-vmware-esxi-6-0-from-usb-stick/

Create a custom Contact Us form in Magento CE

Magento comes with a very simple contact form out of the box.  However, most store owners would like to provide address and phone number information on this page also.  Thankfully there is a pretty simple way to solve this issue (thank you inchoo.net), as the default form does not allow editing through the Admin area.

Below are the steps to create your own custom Contact Us page for Magento CE 1.9.1.0

1. Go to CMS > Pages
2. Click the Add New Page button
3. Enter the Page Title (Contact Us) and URL Key (contact-us)
4. Click the Content tab on the left
5. Add your content as you normally would on any other page including any address or phone numbers you want.
6. Once you are happy with HTML part, add the following snippet of code:

<!– CONTACT FORM –>
{{block type="core/template" name="contactForm" form_action="/contacts/index/post" template="contacts/form.phtml"}}
<!– END OF CONTACT FORM –>

Now, your form should show up at the bottom of the page.