Pulling my hair out! Please Help.

[greatbritishmarket.co.uk]

Hi

 

Just signed up to osCommerce after doing a bit if research and it looked like the software I needed to run an online store. However, I have no knowledge of HTML and most of the set-up and configuration work requires you change HTML code, especially on the index.php.

 

Now, I realise you all know this as osCommerce die hards but now I have deleted a bit if code and my fledgling shop doesn't look as it should. This is what happened.

 

After two hours I finally found out how to change the main body of text. I deleted and replaced the body of text, which was filled with osCommerce details. Towards the end of the body of text there was more os info that I deleted but after deleting it I went to the live shop and the screen size has changed (obviously done something to the table). I don't know what the text said exactly and now I am stuck.

 

I also have an error message on the page, which I don't understand. You can see the site at www.greatbritishmarket.co.uk.

 

If I want to use osCommerce do you think I should really learn HTML first (can't even change the logo)

 

Can anyone help me please.

 

Thanks

Steve

[Darklings]

Learning HTML is verry easy - but this shop is written in php - withouth basic understanding of programming - this wont be so easy!

 

But the things you want to do with your shop should be fairly easy - i advise you to read the manual - and the tips & trips section...

 

In my signature theres a link to the documentations for the ms 2.2 (its a pdf) - there you'll find everything you need to know - there is even a tip on how to change your banner.

 

Keep in mind - all your basic questions have been asked a zilion times before - and been answered by other community members - your best tool right now is the search option.

Try to use it in a good way - you will find lots of answers on your question withouth the need of reasking them..

 

Good luck with the shop - and learning the html/php

 

 

TIP: to change the text that is displayed on your osCommerce site - dont dive into the php code - but go into your language folder.. most pages have a likewised named page in that folder. For ex. if you want to change some text that is on the privacy.php dive into includes/languages/english/privacy.php and change the text you want to (the text in red between the single quotes).

All the ones you cant find a likewise named page - look into eather index.php - or english.php (last one located just outside the english folder)

 

Kind Regards,

Tom

[Darklings]

Also - one more thing - always make a backup - i have multiple backups - its not a bad idea to download an extra 'clean install' of osCommerce - so that you can - at any time - always return back verry easely.

[Wendy James]

Another tip... don't use the file manager to edit pages. Download them to your computer, edit them then reupload. There are issues with the file manager that can cause huge headaches...

 

also ALWAYS back up your files when you change something, so if you have a problem you can "roll back" to a working version.

[greta]

Another tip... don't use the file manager to edit pages. Download them to your computer, edit them then reupload. There are issues with the file manager that can cause huge headaches...

 

also ALWAYS back up your files when you change something, so if you have a problem you can "roll back" to a working version.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I have a question along these lines:

 

I signed up for the osCommerce store through the host that I have my website with. So when you say, "don't use the file manager to edit pages," do you mean the file manager that came with the store (in store Administration), or the file manager that is with a website? Or should I not use either one of those file managers to edit files?

 

I have always built my websites and done my editing right on a website in a File Manager. It is so much easier for me, and would like to be able to do that with the osCommerce store.

 

Greta

[Darklings]

We mean the filemanager that comes with osCommerce.. the one located in the admin section of osCommerce.

Its a bit buggy and not a good one to work with - best is to not even upload the page. IF and i realy mean IF they ever get - on are another way - insider your admin - this page (admin/file_manager.php) is the biggest risk to abuse. They then have an easy time to just modify any page or upload new ones.

 

However - if your hosting has a nice file_manager - i dont see why you shouldnt be using it. :)

(if you realy need :P cause best way is still to have your files on your harddisk and upload the changed ones - that way you always have a backup too. Its also a lot easier to edit your pages in .. for ex Dreamweaver .. then in a online filemanager.)

 

Kind Regards,

Tom

[greta]

We mean the filemanager that comes with osCommerce.. the one located in the admin section of osCommerce.

Its a bit buggy and not a good one to work with - best is to not even upload the page. IF and i realy mean IF they ever get - on are another way - insider your admin - this page (admin/file_manager.php) is the biggest risk to abuse. They then have an easy time to just modify any page or upload new ones.

 

However - if your hosting has a nice file_manager - i dont see why you shouldnt be using it. :)

(if you realy need :P cause best way is still to have your files on your harddisk and upload the changed ones - that way you always have a backup too. Its also a lot easier to edit your pages in .. for ex Dreamweaver .. then in a online filemanager.)

 

Kind Regards,

Tom

 

Tom, how do I download the file I want to edit? And do I download the HTML file or the actual web page? Also , do I download it from the file in Admin or the one in the File Manager my webhost provided, or does that part matter?

 

Thanks,

 

Greta

[sandown]

Steve,

 

Looking at your site it's clear you have not got too far down the line in populating the database etc. and customising the default settings.

 

It will be easier and quicker to re-install the site to get OScommerce back on-line and then backup every file before you modify it.

 

There are other flavours of OScommerce avaliable with lots of useful contributions already installed and some new users find them very convenient if they don't have the skills in modifying the scripts, it's not easy and most people have screwed up their site at some point.

 

It depends on you.

[Darklings]

Tom, how do I download the file I want to edit? And do I download the HTML file or the actual web page? Also , do I download it from the file in Admin or the one in the File Manager my webhost provided, or does that part matter?

 

Thanks,

 

Greta

 

 

Hi Greta,

 

The best way is to search a FTP program (there are lots of free ones out there that are good - do a google search) this is a program that you need to instal on your computer witch will make a connection to your hosting - of course you will need to know how to set it up first (username, password, host etc).

But my guess is - your hosting's ftp or filemanager will work as good. DONT use the osCommerce filemanager - or it is if you realy have too - you can use it to download your files you want to customize.

 

I tell you how i do it - witch might give you a better look at it.

 

I have downloaded osCommerce into a folder on my computer - then i copied that folder - and renamed it to back_up - i never touch that folder or it is to compare files.

If you got yourself a hosting where a osCommerce shop is already on - you'll have to use eather a FTP program you install yourself - or use the hostingscompany's filemanager - or if none of those get you anywhere - just the osCommerce filemanager that you can access from within your admin.

Download every file (believe me - it will be a lot easier with a FTP program - then to click every single file to download in you filemanager in osC)

Make a back_up of the downloaded osC files.

 

Now your set - you can change the files (these are php files and not the ones you see in your browser - just to make that clear to you) in you favorite editing tool - ranging from as simple as notepad to a profesional tool like Dreamweaver...

Each file you edit that way - you upload to test. This is a basic way. If your more experienced - you set up a local server - there are free verry good bundles out there - one i know and use is easyphp (witch combines apache - mysql - php - phpmyadmin in one easy install) - and test your site localy before you do any upload - cause remember - if you made an error - and you upload it - all visitors to your site will see the error.

 

Starting with osC might look simple - but if not experienced with the web - html - little php - css - servers - ftp - its not an easy point to start of with.

 

Good luck - kind regards,

Tom

[greta]

Hi Greta,

 

The best way is to search a FTP program (there are lots of free ones out there that are good - do a google search) this is a program that you need to instal on your computer witch will make a connection to your hosting - of course you will need to know how to set it up first (username, password, host etc).

But my guess is - your hosting's ftp or filemanager will work as good. DONT use the osCommerce filemanager - or it is if you realy have too - you can use it to download your files you want to customize.

 

I tell you how i do it - witch might give you a better look at it.

 

I have downloaded osCommerce into a folder on my computer - then i copied that folder - and renamed it to back_up - i never touch that folder or it is to compare files.

If you got yourself a hosting where a osCommerce shop is already on - you'll have to use eather a FTP program you install yourself - or use the hostingscompany's filemanager - or if none of those get you anywhere - just the osCommerce filemanager that you can access from within your admin.

Download every file (believe me - it will be a lot easier with a FTP program - then to click every single file to download in you filemanager in osC)

Make a back_up of the downloaded osC files.

 

Now your set - you can change the files (these are php files and not the ones you see in your browser - just to make that clear to you) in you favorite editing tool - ranging from as simple as notepad to a profesional tool like Dreamweaver...

Each file you edit that way - you upload to test. This is a basic way. If your more experienced - you set up a local server - there are free verry good bundles out there - one i know and use is easyphp (witch combines apache - mysql - php - phpmyadmin in one easy install) - and test your site localy before you do any upload - cause remember - if you made an error - and you upload it - all visitors to your site will see the error.

 

Starting with osC might look simple - but if not experienced with the web - html - little php - css - servers - ftp - its not an easy point to start of with.

 

Good luck - kind regards,

Tom

 

 

Well, I've had websites for years and have a just a bit of trouble with tables, but this php stuff takes the cake! I'm having a terrible time but not ready to give up yet. Hope I'm not wasting my time....

 

I might be too old for this!

 

Greta