Rickasaurus Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 Hi, I need to develop a website including an online catalog of about 1000 items. Can anyone point me in the right direction to do this in a simple way. I can use Dreamweaver and CuteSite Builder, but only know a little HTML. thanks Quote
TCH-Don Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 There are two shopping scripts in your cpanel. Have you looked at them? I know many family members use them and may be able to help. Moving for better exposure. Quote
TCH-Rob Posted October 31, 2004 Posted October 31, 2004 The osCommerce script has an addon that is a catalog. It is a good cart that should function as a catalog nicely. Quote
Rickasaurus Posted October 31, 2004 Author Posted October 31, 2004 Do you know if the OS Commerce catalog add-on functions as a catalog only, without the shopping cart functionality? Quote
Samrc Posted October 31, 2004 Posted October 31, 2004 Rick, have you considered using GALLERY for a catalog if you don't want to have shopping cart along with it, only the images and description? -Samantha Quote
GroovyFish Posted October 31, 2004 Posted October 31, 2004 Rick, Take a look at Zen-Cart, it's an official fork of OSCommerce. There is a switch in admin that allows you to change it from a shopping cart to a showcase site. As a showcase, all of the "shopping" functionality is removed, so it would just be a catalog (no prices, shopping cart, etc). Quote
Rickasaurus Posted October 31, 2004 Author Posted October 31, 2004 I took a look at Zen-Cart. It seems very interesting. Is it possible to have it installed and running on TCH servers like the other shopping cart scripts? Am I on the right track here? Quote
Rickasaurus Posted October 31, 2004 Author Posted October 31, 2004 Sam, thanks for the suggestion. I assume you are referring to your famous "side strip" gallery. I did think about that, but was trying to get sophisticated with the shopping cart system. If I use the gallery, I guess it is possible to include a search engine so customers can find the products. I also want to be able to set it up so that the client can manage the catalog admin. Rick Quote
Samrc Posted October 31, 2004 Posted October 31, 2004 Nope ....Wasn't even thinking of my little tlx files! From your description, I thought you wanted a gallery of images that have descriptions but not necessarily a shopping cart software. I thought of the free program called GALLERY. http://gallery.menalto.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index Here's a few pages made like you mentioned: http://www.mattsfunhouse.com/gallery/index.php Or another software with a 45 day free trial: http://www.primasoft.com/deluxeprg/catalog_organizer_deluxe.htm But if one of the shopping cart software programs offers a way to turn OFF the shopping cart features, I would think that's a better way to go. -Samantha Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 1, 2004 Author Posted November 1, 2004 Rob, thanks for the advice that Zen can be installed to run on your servers. Is it my responsibility to set it up to run on your servers, or is that something you normally do? If I have to do it, can you refer me to a "how to do it" document. thanks Rick Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 1, 2004 Author Posted November 1, 2004 Sam, thanks for the links. They will certainly do the job if I cant get the shopping cart solution to work. thanks again, Rick Quote
TCH-Rob Posted November 1, 2004 Posted November 1, 2004 Rick, Yuo can get it at www.zen-cart.com. The file you download has the install documentation with it and we can try and answer specifics as well as the support at the Zen forums. Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 1, 2004 Posted November 1, 2004 Rick, I have installed it at TCH multiple times. Zen-Cart's documentation is pretty easy to follow. Just take it step by step. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask! Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 1, 2004 Author Posted November 1, 2004 Thanks guys. I will give it a go - but don't go away, I may be back! Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 2, 2004 Author Posted November 2, 2004 Well I am almost ready to upload and install Zen-cart. Please hold my hand on this one, I have a few questions from the installation instructions before I press the upload button: 1) MySQL database: I notice on Cpanel that there is a database called osc1. I assume this is created by default. Can I use this database for Zen-cart, or should I create a new one? 2) File permissions: I note that certain specified folders/files need to have their permissions changed. I think I can do that. However "other folders and files can be CHMOD 644 or 444, depending on webserver configuration". Do I need to change anything with these other files/folders? 3) How do I determine the "physical" path to the new Zen Cart directory? 4) What will be the "Virtual HTTPS Server" and "Virtual HTTPS Path"? I would appreciate your advice on the above questions. I think that will get me to the installation stage. Who knows what will happen then!! thanks Rick Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 2, 2004 Posted November 2, 2004 Rick, I don't know how far you have gotten, but I would recommend instead of unzipping on your computer and uploading each file, I would upload the file you downloaded from Zen-Cart use the file manager in cpanel to unzip it on the server for you. It will unzip it into a folder, you can then change the name of that folder to whatever you want, catalog, shop, cart, etc. To your questions: 1) Did you try installing OsCommerce from cpanel? I bet that it created that osc1 database for you. I would create a new database and not use the osc1. Don't forget to create a user and add the user to your new database. 2) If you unzip the file on the server like I mentioned above, you shouldn't have to make any file permission changes except for the ones noted in the instructions. 3) Your physical path should be something like: home/abc/public_html/catalog where abc=your user name (the login to your cpanel) where catalog=the folder you have zen-cart in 4)Do you have your own SSL certificate, or are you using a shared one? If you have your own, the Virtual HTTPS Server should be https://www.****** Virtual HTTPS Path should be https://www.******/catalog (or whatever the folder is you have zen-cart in) If you don't have your own, the the Virtual HTTPS Server should be https://server*.totalchoicehosting.com/~username/ where * = your server number where username= your username that you use to login to cpanel Virtual HTTPS Path should be https://server*.totalchoicehosting.com/~username/catalog where * = your server number where username= your username that you use to login to cpanel where catalog= the folder you have zen-cart in The installer is pretty intelligent, so much of the information will be filled in for you (but double check it anyway) HTH Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 2, 2004 Author Posted November 2, 2004 HTH, Thanks for your very helpful reply. Yes I did initially try installing OSCommerce. Now I understand where that database came from. Can I delete that? I will create a new database for Zen Cart. I have just one question from your answers, then I will go ahead to upload the zip file and proceed as you have suggested. Re "your server number". Do I have a server number, and where will I find it? I am in Australia so I only get your answers overnight! thanks Rick Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 2, 2004 Posted November 2, 2004 Hi Rick! Yes, if you are not using that osc1 database, you can delete it. When you login to Cpanel, at the top you will see Welcome to ServerXX. XX is your server number. Good Luck!! Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 3, 2004 Author Posted November 3, 2004 HTH, Thanks again for your quick answers. I have uploaded the files (both zen cart and the patch) but not yet unzipped them. I have put them in public_html folder. I assume the unzipping will create a new folder in public_html which I can rename to "catalog". My question is about the installation of the patch. I have read the posts in the zen cart forum but there seems to be several different answers. I guess you have done it so perhaps you can help to clarify for me. My understanding in my case, which is that the install is not done yet, is the following: 1) unzip both files into the "catalog" folder. 2) run the zen cart installer in the normal way 3) the new files in the patch should overwrite the old files during installation (or perhaps during the unzipping?). Is this correct? I was confused by one post which said to run the UPGRADE, not the INSTALLER. I would appreciate your advice, then away we go! Sorry to take so long over this, but I prefer to get it right in the beginning, rather than have to unscramble a mess later! thanks Rick Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 3, 2004 Posted November 3, 2004 Hi Rick! Just wanted to let you know that HTH is an abreviation for "hope that helps". You can call me GroovyFish, or Groovy, or my real name is Ellen, your preference You are correct, when you unzip the cart, it will unzip into a folder which you can then rename to your liking. As far as I know, unzipping the patch on the server is not going to update the cart. I have never tried it that way, but don't think it would work. I believe it would just unzip them to yet another folder and not overwrite the existing files. When the patch came out, I already had the cart up and running, so I did it a little differently than you will need to. The patch consists of about 20 files that replace the existing files. Here are the steps I would suggest: 1. Unzip the cart on the server 2. Rename the folder 3. Unzip the patch on your computer 4. Using an FTP program, or File Manager (FTP will be easier and faster) upload each of the files in the patch to their correct locations and overwrite the existing files. * 5. Run the installer (assuming you already have the database created) *When you unzip the patch, it will use the same folder structure as the cart, so it's easy to tell where each of the new files gets uploaded to. But I will tell you now, it is a bit of a pain. To keep track of which files I have uploaded, I print out the readme.txt in the patch, it has a list of the files and check each file off as I upload it. I completely understand wanting to get it right the first time. No worries, soon you will be a wiz at it! HTH (hope that helps! ) Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 4, 2004 Author Posted November 4, 2004 Hi Groovy, Oh dear, how embarrassing to completely screw up your name!! Sorry Ellen. Guess I will just have to learn the language. I have recently returned to Australia after living in China for 5 years, so learning Mandarin took all my language learning energy! Well the good news is that Zen Cart works!! Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate the speed and accuracy of your responses. I guess the fun starts now, customising it for my need. Don't leave town... cheers Rick Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 Hi Rick, Ha ha, no worries about the name! Just thought I would tell you because you may see HTH alot and wonder why so many people have that name LOL Congratulations on getting the cart up and running! Now the REAL fun begins. I check the forums here everyday, so ask away! Also, Zen-Cart's forum is excellent as well, and more than likely any question you have has already been asked over there. Anytime I get stuck, I just search their forums and can ususally find the answer. Just to get you started, if you still want to go with a showcase only (no shopping or checkout) the switch for that is in Admin -> Configuration -> My Store. Change Store Status to either 1 or 2 depending on whether you want prices or not. Oh, also I would definately recommend reading up on the template system and how to properly customize your cart Click Here and the FAQ here. Good Luck! Quote
jslagle Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 Hi Rick, Ha ha, no worries about the name! Just thought I would tell you because you may see HTH alot and wonder why so many people have that name LOL Rick, I addressed Groovy as "Mr. Fish" a while back. Ellen very politely corrected me. I am sure she had a different avatar back then. I may be old but I think I would have noticed Quote
TCH-Thomas Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 In sweden we have a saying that in english would be "A loved child has many names". Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 Rick, I addressed Groovy as "Mr. Fish" a while back. Ellen very politely corrected me. I am sure she had a different avatar back then. I may be old but I think I would have noticed Hee Hee... Yes Jim, I did have a different avatar then, it was a picture of a fish (go figure) LOL! Quote
GroovyFish Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 In sweden we have a saying that in english would be "A loved child has many names". Awww... sweet! :hug: Although, there are other names I have been called that probably don't fit into that saying LOL ha ha ha Quote
TCH-Bruce Posted November 4, 2004 Posted November 4, 2004 You can call me just about anything, just don't call me late for supper! Quote
Rickasaurus Posted November 4, 2004 Author Posted November 4, 2004 Aha, looks like I have started something!! Well I am quite proud of myself because I had already found the "switch" to change the store status. But I will take your advice Ellen and check the Zen Cart forums and FAQ on how to customise. Looking, looking, looking... Rick Quote
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