IS YOUR PROBLEM ONE OF THESE ?

January 20, 2005

If so then SEARCH and/or LOOK IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASE before posting.

These questions have all been answered more times than a very repetitive thing. If your problem is not in this list then still SEARCH / LOOK IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASE before posting !!!

Of course, this request will be completely ignored and this post will fall off the list within a few hours, and I'll get accused of being a grumpy sod, but ha-ho !

I'm sure I must have missed a couple but I think these cover most of them :

TRIVIAL...

* How do I change / delete [whatever] text ?

* How do I change / delete [whatever] logo / icon / picture ?

* Why are my prices all zero ?

* Why are the images the wrong size / aspect ratio ?

* How do I change the colour of [whatever] ?

* How do I change the look of OSC ? / Some question about templates

* How do I populate my OSC database from a spreadsheet / other database

* How do I edit my site using Frontpage (or some other god awful web editing software) ? / I've broken my OSC code by editing it with Frontpage (...etc...) - HELP !

FUNCTIONALITY...

* What can I do to avoid asking customers to create an account ?

* How do I make prices / products / [whatever] (delete as required) only accessible to logged-in customers ?

* How do I remove [whatever] feature / element from my site ?

TRIVIAL FILE SYSTEM / WEB CONFIG STUFF...

* What should I set the permissions of [some file / directory] to ?

* How do I protect / secure the admin area ?

* How do I secure OSC generally ?

PROBLEMS...

* Why are none of my images displayed ?

* Why are all my pages blank ?

* Why can't I add items to the shopping cart (or trolley/basket if you're English)

* Why can't OSC talk to my database ?

* Why doesn't my email work ?

* Why doesn't SSL work ?

* How do I use a shared SSL certificate ?

ERRORS...

* Why do I get 404 (or 301 or...) errors on my [whatever] pages ?

* What's this 'T_STRING' error all about ?

* What's this "can't send header after data" error all about ?

* I've got an error complaining that [whatever] directory does not exist - HELP !

* I've got an error complaining that [whatever] directory is NOT writable / IS writeable (delete as required) - HELP !

* What do I do about the "error, you do not have register globals enabled" message ?

HELP, I'VE BROKEN IT...

* I've introduced bugs into the code because I don't know what I'm doing and now I want someone to bail me out - HELP !

* I've spent a WHOLE TEN MINUTES looking at this fault that I introduced and can't find the problem anywhere. And no, of course I don't have any backups ! - HEEEEEELP !!!!

* Can someone tell me what is wrong with these three hundred lines of code that I've posted up (and no, I'm not going to give you any more clues than that !) ?

PERSONAL ALL TIME FAVE...

* HEEEEEELP !!!! MY SITE IS LIVE AND I'VE BROKEN IT (with no backups and no clue) !!! (remind me never to trust you with my credit card details)

pauldarthvader · January 20, 2005

I loved the post lol.

This reply should put it back to the top for a while. You missed my fave.....

How do i edit the page that says "to edit this page you need to......"

Paul

Jack_mcs · January 20, 2005

I know it can be frustrating to see the same questions popup all of the time - sometimes within minutes of each other. But that is to be expected with people starting any new endeavor. Until a forum is made so that it is obvious where new members should look, they have no choice but to jump in and start asking questions. Unfortunately, the team members have stated they see no reason to have such a forum so this is the way it will stay. Posts such as this work for a day, or maybe a few if it is kept alive. But next week, when it is no longer visible without a search, it will just be another wasted entry. Having it pinned to a forum for newbies would solve a lot of the posts I beleive. Obviously the above is just my opinion.

Jack

January 20, 2005

I personally think that this forum could use a bigger Search button, lol. :-"

January 20, 2005

ahhhhhhhh, moderating without being a moderator . . .

wonder if this post will self destruct?

January 20, 2005

ahhhhhhhh, moderating without being a moderator . . .
wonder if this post will self destruct?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

It should be made sticky... (oh is that moderating?) :rolleyes:

julianpuje · January 20, 2005

IS YOUR PROBLEM ONE OF THESE ?

If so then SEARCH and/or LOOK IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASE before posting.

These questions have all been answered more times than a very repetitive thing. If your problem is not in this list then still SEARCH / LOOK IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASE before posting !!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I take it you were born knowing php and osCommerce :D !!!! or did you learn it the same as everybody else :'( . Give the newbies a break! if you've seen the questions before, don't read them, and if it really bugs you, don't reply to them.

I'm still learning and find myself putting questions here that sometimes turn out to be quite simple once i get a reply, and find i've been searching using the wrong phrase etc because i'm NEW to this and not 100% sure on what it is i'm looking for.

The knowledge base is great, but a lot of it is not in Newbie terms, and just a quick reply from someone who knows their stuff can help you out a lot.

This sort of moan gets posted every couple of months. Moan to the forum cheifs, not the newbies! There are more important things to type here, like replies to questions. :-"

Julian

chinakris · January 20, 2005

I take it you were born knowing php and osCommerce :D !!!! or did you learn it the same as everybody else :'( . Give the newbies a break! if you've seen the questions before, don't read them, and if it really bugs you, don't reply to them.
I'm still learning and find myself putting questions here that sometimes turn out to be quite simple once i get a reply, and find i've been searching using the wrong phrase etc because i'm NEW to this and not 100% sure on what it is i'm looking for.

The knowledge base is great, but a lot of it is not in Newbie terms, and just a quick reply from someone who knows their stuff can help you out a lot.

This sort of moan gets posted every couple of months. Moan to the forum cheifs, not the newbies! There are more important things to type here, like replies to questions. :-"

Julian

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hear Hear!!! There are a lot of us "newbies". You all were, once. It seems (to me anyway) this forum is for people who have a more than basic knowledge to start with. It is so easy now to buy a website, and in a lot of cases the impression is given that as long as you know how to turn on your pc, and send an email, you can successfully run a website. Unfortunately that's just not true, unless you want to stick with the basic site that you buy, which most of don't. It would be nice if there was a forum just for us learners, but there doesn't appear to be one (please, correct me if I'm wrong), so a bit of patience from the more knowledgeable among you would be appreciated. I've posted on here before, and if I knew the first thing about php, the replies (when I did get them) would have been welcome. But that's the thing about "newbies". We don't know. We're not thick or stupid, just trying to learn. :unsure: Like Julian said...give us a break, you were all like us once :D

January 20, 2005

I think this is a better solution: http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?sho...view=getnewpost

Bobby

January 20, 2005

I take it you were born knowing php and osCommerce !!!! or did you learn it the same as everybody else

No, I worked it out for myself, using a selection of available resources to fill in the gaps. Oddly enough, I found 99% of the answers by searching the existing posts :-)

...Give the newbies a break!...
...This sort of moan gets posted every couple of months. Moan to the forum cheifs, not the newbies!

WHO'S MOANING ? I'm not having a go at anyone !!!

I was providing a service by pointing out a collection of questions that get asked a hundred times a month; pointing out to 'newbies' who might not otherwise know that if they search the forums or look in the knowledge base, they will find the answer they are looking for, and quicker than if they post.

As for complaining to the forum moderators... well, they must be aware of the issues and nothing seems to be happening, does it ? Besides, I'm not complaining.

...There are more important things to type here, like replies to questions...

What could be more important to the forum than suggesting a path to answer your questions ?

if you've seen the questions before, don't read them, and if it really bugs you, don't reply to them.

You make light of the issue. Repeated trivial posts create two problems :

1) For the people who DO search the forums before posting, the results are becoming increasingly useless because they are watered down by thousands of posts asking the same questions. These questions get asked so many times that they often only get half an answer or the poster gets referred back to previous posts (as they should). Therefore, the results of any search becomes a barrage of useless posts, making finding the actual answer to the problem much more difficult.

2) It makes it more and more time consuming to work through the posts to find any from people who have GENUINELY new problems.

Besides, it's lazy.

...The knowledge base is great, but a lot of it is not in Newbie terms, and just a quick reply from someone who knows their stuff can help you out a lot.

Quite, but these simple questions have been answered HUNDREDS of times already.

Why do SO many people have such a problem searching the forums ? WHY is it such a chore that must be avoided at all costs ? Beats me.

Rich.

January 20, 2005

The problem is that were not all 'experts' like you, the knowledge base hardly has any content, and the search is horrible.

Were all just trying to learn, just like you once were.

Regards

January 20, 2005

The problem is that were not all 'experts' like you...

No such thing as an expert.

...the knowledge base hardly has any content, and the search is horrible.
Were all just trying to learn, just like you once were.

The search is fine, if you use it correctly - I never fail to find what I'm looking for.

I never meant this post to turn into a ****-slingling match - I was just trying to help by pointing out to anyone new to the forum that if they search, they will find what they want, and it will help the forum in the process.

Some people are so hostile to helping themselves, and even more hostile when someone is trying to help them. I really don't know why.

Rich.

January 20, 2005

I appreciate all the help you guys give, and one day I hope to be in a position to return the favour to the next generation of 'nebies' lol

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Keep up the good work :thumbsup:

January 20, 2005

No such thing as an expert.
The search is fine, if you use it correctly - I never fail to find what I'm looking for.

I never meant this post to turn into a ****-slingling match - I was just trying to help by pointing out to anyone new to the forum that if they search, they will find what they want, and it will help the forum in the process.

Some people are so hostile to helping themselves, and even more hostile when someone is trying to help them. I really don't know why.

Rich.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well Rich, I want to let you know I understand where you are coming from and agree with you.

In the long run they are the ones that will suffer because we will simply not respond to their posts. I guess if enough of us got together and boycotted replying to posts like the list you put up above, they might not have a choice but to use the search. and yes the search works fine...not perfect....but good enough to find what you are looking for.

♥bruyndoncx · January 20, 2005

google search works wonders too and you can restrict the results to a specific site.

Best is to read the little google help section on searches.

Spots · January 20, 2005

I must admit, i was a newbie and didn't know anything. I have asked a few really stupid questions =) but i think that a lot of people learn to familiarize themselves with the format of the forum and stop askin these questions after a while. (hopefully). Well off i go to ask a new question :D

January 20, 2005

Come on people...let's remember that we were all new to osC somewhere in the past.

Just for fun I looked up my ver first post on the forum. Can anyone guess what it was? Probably not so here is an exert:

This contribution seems to be missing a function called tep_output_string()

Can one of the contributors post the function??

As you can see...everyone has a beginning :)

I think it should be standard for everyone to have to post their very first osC question in their signatures. Talk about humbling experience...

To address the main topic of this thread: I believe that answering redundant questions will and does tend to get to those of us who actually read them and answer them. For the ones on here that said, "Don't want to answer then don't read the thread" => remember, the ones that will probably give the best answers are the ones you just told not to read your thread.

I advocated a quick text insert in the project feedback channel and hope everyone will get on there and voice their opinion. If there are enough people that want it the team may actually listen for a change...

Bobby

January 20, 2005

...For the ones on here that said, "Don't want to answer then don't read the thread" => remember, the ones that will probably give the best answers are the ones you just told not to read your thread.

Quite.

Given the best will in the world, it's difficult to bother replying to a question that you've already answered three or four times already this week.

...but as I said originally, I'll get accused of being a grumpy sod (which I have), and quite honestly, I don't think anything will change.

Rich.

itfitz · January 21, 2005

I learned pretty quick, only taking on this adventure 2 weeks ago. I dont ask half of the questions I used to, and now that I read the posts on a regular basis now and find the same questions that I asked 2 weeks ago. So I understand the problem. I do think there should be a newbie Q and A. I search the posts now to find what I need. I usually give it an hour or so of searching before I go asking problems. However, over the past few weeks I have been able to figure out the general format of how OSC works and where to look for problems.

The Newbie section should be pinned to the top of the forums selction, and again at the top of the general support forum. For me, this would have been the first place I would have looked.

I know as a newbie life can be frustrating, looking for answers that you have trouble finding, but when you do a search, you need to look at as many posts as you need to, to find your answer. Trust me its there. Just keep trying different search words and you will find what you are looking for.

Thats my 2 cents.

Shawn

And by the way, try thanking those who answer your questions, it goes a long way. Just folow the link to this post:

http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=128524&hl=

whereditgo · January 21, 2005

I'm still new and use the search a lot, but half the time it takes a couple of hours to find what I need. Sometimes, if I don't find what I need and post a question, it gets answered within a couple of minutes. I am always very happy when this happens of course, and I just want to say thanks. Other times, I sleep on it, and try again in the morning. One thing that would be helpful, is if they would do a sticky of the most common questions with a link to the thread that answers it. That would be very useful for those of us learning the hard way.

January 21, 2005

The problem is that were not all 'experts' like you, the knowledge base hardly has any content, and the search is horrible.

Were all just trying to learn, just like you once were.

Regards

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Isn't that the truth!!!!!!!!!! Alot of people try doing OScommerce with out any knowledge of PHP, html, nothing.

The honest to god truth of the matter is the knowledge base sucks. Its horrible. Missing so many things... there needs to be a sequential "learners guide"... a "read me first" if you will.

Also, this forum could benefit from an Idiots Guide sticky post at the top of it. Would help a TON.

That being said - users SHOULD use search. But when they don't find stuff (and A LOT of times you won't) they should be able to ASK. Its a forum for general support, right?

RyanSmith · January 21, 2005

So far, I haven't been able to find anything I need using the search feature. I have tried many times, but it just comes up with junk. Like others have also said, the knowledge base sucks at best. I haven't been able to find anything useful there except the CSS definitions, which I could have easily figured out on my own.

I think that what people need to realize is that everyones problem is going to be a little different, and if it's the same, then people will need to have their question answered in a different way.

I'm finally getting decent enough with osCommerce to where I can start answering some others questions, which I'm more than happy to do when I find the time.

Just get over the fact that some questions, although asked over and over and going to need to be answered over and over in a different way.

Weill thats just my little soap-box diatribe

January 21, 2005

All this forum here needs is a little sticky note, much like the one that started this thread. In a non patronizing way. And lo and behold! Alot of the repeat threads will dissapear.

Ryan - try searching with "xx" that seemed to help me out, a little.

later

bglkk · January 22, 2005

Come on people...let's remember that we were all new to osC somewhere in the past.

Just for fun I looked up my ver first post on the forum. Can anyone guess what it was? Probably not so here is an exert:

This contribution seems to be missing a function called tep_output_string()

Can one of the contributors post the function??

As you can see...everyone has a beginning :)

I think it should be standard for everyone to have to post their very first osC question in their signatures. Talk about humbling experience...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool idea. My first cry for help was

Any ideas on why the Articles Manager admin editor won't save text in Japanese?...

That was six months ago, and to this day I still don't know the answer, oh well. :)

But my experience is that 99% of the problems I've run into have already been covered. And search is not great, but it works. Just do a little homework before firing off your question, that's all the community is asking.

We're with you Rich, fwiw.

WiseWombat · January 22, 2005

I'm still new and use the search a lot, but half the time it takes a couple of hours to find what I need. Sometimes, if I don't find what I need and post a question, it gets answered within a couple of minutes. I am always very happy when this happens of course, and I just want to say thanks. Other times, I sleep on it, and try again in the morning. One thing that would be helpful, is if they would do a sticky of the most common questions with a link to the thread that answers it. That would be very useful for those of us learning the hard way.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think most newbie appreciate all the help they get.

There are different levels of newies members some more advanced than others who are more than happy to reply to stupid or silly questions.

As the newbie doesn't realize that some other members think there questions are not worthy of reply.

The newbie is a part of the overall Picture as they are trying to learn.

May be there should be a seperate forum One for the advanced and one for the beginner that way the advance members wont need to view what going on what the beginner but then it defeats the reason for the forum and that is members helping members.

IS YOUR PROBLEM ONE OF THESE ?

Recommended Posts

Guest

pauldarthvader

Jack_mcs

Guest

Guest

Guest

julianpuje

chinakris

Guest

Guest

Guest

Guest

Guest

Guest

♥bruyndoncx

Spots

Guest

Guest

itfitz

whereditgo

Guest

RyanSmith

Guest

bglkk

WiseWombat

Archived

Browse

Activity