the empty template is likely the result of a previous upgrade bug. here is the default content for it
if you want to output a random showcase image to the portal, simply populate the template then edit the portal template and insert {$portal_rand_showcase} where you want it to be output.
If you want to place it on the index instead, change the hook function from portal_start to index_start and place {$portal_rand_showcase} in the index template
oh, and you do need to edit the showcase itself and check the option to show random on portal, otherwise you wont get anything.
<table border="0" cellspacing="{$theme['borderwidth']}" cellpadding="{$theme['tablespace']}" class="tborder">
<tr>
<td class="thead"><strong>Random {$rand_showcase['name']}</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="trow1">
<strong><a href="{$item_viewcode}">{$entry['description']}</a><br /></strong>
<span class="smalltext">
<strong>» </strong>{$item_member}<br />
<strong>» </strong>Views: {$entry['views']}<br />
<strong>» </strong>Comments: {$entry['comments']}<br />
</span>
<div style="float:right"><a href="{$item_viewcode}"><img src="{$rand_img}" border="0"></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
if you want to output a random showcase image to the portal, simply populate the template then edit the portal template and insert {$portal_rand_showcase} where you want it to be output.
If you want to place it on the index instead, change the hook function from portal_start to index_start and place {$portal_rand_showcase} in the index template
oh, and you do need to edit the showcase itself and check the option to show random on portal, otherwise you wont get anything.
Lost interest, sold my sites, will browse here once in a while. It's been fun.