Is OSCOMMERCE for beginner?

[lonestardolls]

Is the download for the OSCOMMERCE web store for beginners? My friend has a live store: www.dollpeddlar.com which is an example on a large scale of what I want to do, I don't have the inventory that this person does. Should a person with a little more than average skills and experience attempt to download and set up the store? I don't want to get started then find out I'm over my head. I do not know any computer language.

Thanks, Dale

[♥Chris Perkins]

I was pretty much a total novice when I started, and it still scares me, but I think I'm doing ok.

 

If you have ever fiddled around with a bit of html, are of average IQ and can learn to think the right way, then you should be able to do it.

 

If you download it and install it, you'll know within about 10 mins if you'll see it through!

 

Is the download for the OSCOMMERCE web store for beginners? My friend has a live store: www.dollpeddlar.com which is an example on a large scale of what I want to do, I don't have the inventory that this person does. Should a person with a little more than average skills and experience attempt to download and set up the store? I don't want to get started then find out I'm over my head. I do not know any computer language.

Thanks, Dale

[tina_boots]

Is the download for the OSCOMMERCE web store for beginners? My friend has a live store: www.dollpeddlar.com which is an example on a large scale of what I want to do, I don't have the inventory that this person does. Should a person with a little more than average skills and experience attempt to download and set up the store? I don't want to get started then find out I'm over my head. I do not know any computer language.

Thanks, Dale

 

Everyone begins where they begin. In the process of making it your own, you will need to obtain skills you currently may or may not have. Allot yourself plenty of time, keeping your goals realistic, are what I've found to key to success.

 

Be well,

Tina

[Wendy James]

Many, many people who are beginners or have never looked at html or php use osCommerce.

 

It looks a bit intimidating but with the great contributions and the fantastic community there really is no reason to not atleast give it a try.

 

Downloading and installing is really very easy to do. Changing colors and wording on pages is basic if you take your time. Adding your items for sale is all done via forms, along with setting up your shipping, taxes, payments etc.

 

If you ever get stumped these forums are full of information and suggestion and people willing to help answer questions. : )

 

Give it a shot! Can't hurt to try.

[lonestardolls]

I was pretty much a total novice when I started, and it still scares me, but I think I'm doing ok.

 

If you have ever fiddled around with a bit of html, are of average IQ and can learn to think the right way, then you should be able to do it.

 

If you download it and install it, you'll know within about 10 mins if you'll see it through!

Thanks for the replies. sounds like I can do it, I have fiddled quite abit with html; some days I'm more above average IQ than other days (averages out to average IQ); and it's about time I learn to think the right way!! Wish me luck on my web store: www.lonestardolls.com

Thanks loads to all!

[lonestardolls]

Thanks to those who replied, I can't seem to get it downloaed and installed. I tried reading the posts but most of what is being talked about is over my head. I downloaded xampp and even was able to switch it to php4. But I am just confused and don't know how to get it downloaded and installed. If someone knows the tricks to getting it downloaded and installed and can tell me in simple English, I'd appreciate the help. I read the quick install guide, but I just don't 'get it'. Dale

[MaBiSmAd]

I'll give it a go -

 

1) You are fairly sure that PHP, Apache, and mysql installed correctly and are working? You have the root password to mysql from when mysql was installed and configured?

 

2) There are two settings that you need to change in php.ini to allow oscommerce to install and run. register_globals = ON and register_long_arrays = ON. You need to reboot your computer to insure that these changes take effect.

 

3) You need to create a mysql database for oscommerce and create a user and a password. Use phpmyadmin (included with xampp) to do this. Assign the user all permissions for the database. The names you choose for the database, user, and password are your choice.

 

4) Download and unzip oscommerce and copy the oscommerce "catalog" folder into your web server root folder.

 

5) Browse to the installation script folder. On a local computer this will be - http://localhost/catalog/install/ Follow the on screen instructions. If you are lucky, this will install oscommerce. You may need to change folder and file permissions before the installation and change some back after installation (see the installation documentation for specific permissions needed.)

 

6) Secure the admin folder (typically using the .htaccess file found in that folder. - I personally use Windows/IIS and secure this by enabling user authentication for the admin folder, so I cannot advise you as to the .htaccess file contents that are needed.)

 

7) Delete the install folder.

 

You are ready to use your store front (browse to http://localhost/catalog/) and the admin area (browse to http://localhost/catalog/admin/)

[lonestardolls]

I'll give it a go -

 

1) You are fairly sure that PHP, Apache, and mysql installed correctly and are working? You have the root password to mysql from when mysql was installed and configured?

 

No, I am not sure. I don't know about the root password.

 

2) There are two settings that you need to change in php.ini to allow oscommerce to install and run. register_globals = ON and register_long_arrays = ON. You need to reboot your computer to insure that these changes take effect.

 

I will check on this.

 

 

 

4) Download and unzip oscommerce and copy the oscommerce "catalog" folder into your web server root folder.

okay, i'll try

 

5) Browse to the installation script folder. On a local computer this will be - http://localhost/catalog/install/ Follow the on screen instructions. If you are lucky, this will install oscommerce. You may need to change folder and file permissions before the installation and change some back after installation (see the installation documentation for specific permissions needed.)

 

I'm starting to get lost here.

 

6) Secure the admin folder (typically using the .htaccess file found in that folder. - I personally use Windows/IIS and secure this by enabling user authentication for the admin folder, so I cannot advise you as to the .htaccess file contents that are needed.)

Probably I would get unlost if I wasn't lost before.

 

7) Delete the install folder.

 

You are ready to use your store front (browse to http://localhost/catalog/) and the admin area (browse to http://localhost/catalog/admin/)

[lonestardolls]

Well, the stoplight icon now has a green light instead of a yellow light. So I guess I got mysql installed correctly and is working? Now on to #2. Dale

[lonestardolls]

Where do I find php.ini ?

[MaBiSmAd]

1) I am not familiar with the steps that xampp goes through to install mysql, but when you install mysql by itself, the final step (and this is available as a shortcut on the start menu for mysql) is to run a "MySQL Server Instance Config Wizard." This takes you through several screens where the default choices are fine and on a security screen allows you to specify the root password. It then writes a configuration file and starts the mysql database service.

[MaBiSmAd]

Where do I find php.ini ?

 

This is typically in the c:\php folder (where php was installed.) I assume you are on a WinXP system? Easiest way is just to search the entire harddisk for it. There could be multiple ones, but PHP only uses one of them. You can find out where php is installed and where the php.ini file, that it is actively using, is located by putting a simple .php file in your web server's root folder and then browse to it - call this file phpinfo.php and put the following in it -

 

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

 

There will be some paths listed near the top that show where php is installed and where the php.ini is at.

[lonestardolls]

Thank you, I think I finally got the root password for mysql and that the window comes up with several tabs, including databases. Now if I can figure out how to switch the php.ini as mentioned in another's reply. Thanks, Dale

[♥GLWalker]

Just jump in and dont fret or look back. I started working with osCommerce in March of this year. I never worked with PHP before. Now I have built, edited, destroyed, rebuilt, and built again. Ive dedicated many many many hours to learning about this and as a result have moved on to working and writing code for other php driven sites and more. In the last two months I have even made a few bucks working on other peoples sites. This is a very powerfull cart with a steep learning curve but once it starts to fall together you can do damn near anything with it. Just make sure and BACK UP for even the Smallest Changes.

[lonestardolls]

This is typically in the c:\php folder (where php was installed.) I assume you are on a WinXP system? Easiest way is just to search the entire harddisk for it. There could be multiple ones, but PHP only uses one of them. You can find out where php is installed and where the php.ini file, that it is actively using, is located by putting a simple .php file in your web server's root folder and then browse to it - call this file phpinfo.php and put the following in it -

 

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

 

There will be some paths listed near the top that show where php is installed and where the php.ini is at.

I really appreciate all the help everyone is offering, I hope I'm worthy!! Perhaps I don't have PHP installed correctly. I have phpswitch located in c:\documentsandsettings\dale\programs\apachefriends\xampp

but I can't find just a c:\php folder .

Yes I am on winxp. I've done a system search for php.ini with no results.

As you can see, I'm a struggling beginner with this.

You mention "simple .php file in your web server's root folder and then browse to it - call this file phpinfo.php and put the following in it -" I really don't know what that means. Is the web server the apache? Or is it godaddy where I have my domain name registered?

Your help is so appreciated. Dale

[lonestardolls]

Just jump in and dont fret or look back. I started working with osCommerce in March of this year. I never worked with PHP before. Now I have built, edited, destroyed, rebuilt, and built again. Ive dedicated many many many hours to learning about this and as a result have moved on to working and writing code for other php driven sites and more. In the last two months I have even made a few bucks working on other peoples sites. This is a very powerfull cart with a steep learning curve but once it starts to fall together you can do damn near anything with it. Just make sure and BACK UP for even the Smallest Changes.

Thank you Gary for your support. Right now I'm so confused. I don't know if I have PHP installed correctly. I'm trying to find the php.ini files. I'm more encouraged that you tell me it is a steep learning curve, makes it not seem impossible, maybe just a lengthy.

If you have any suggestions on what to read to learn more I'm interested.

I'm so confused right now, that I don't know where php came from, how did I get downloaed what I have?

 

With the holidays I'm a little disjointed, but I'll work at it a few hours each day.

Thank you very much. Dale

[lonestardolls]

I went to php.net and downloaded php-4.4.1 since someone else said we would have to switch to 4 instead of 5. What program do I choose to open it with? I'm trying!! Dale

[Wendy James]

Not sure about xampp because I use easyphp but easyphp has a little icon down by my clock and if I right click on that there is a configuration link then a php one. I click on php and it opens my php.ini then I just did a search for register_globals by clicking on edit then find and made the changes I needed. If xampp isn't like that, you can just use your windows search function to find the php.ini file.

[MaBiSmAd]

Thank you Gary for your support. Right now I'm so confused. I don't know if I have PHP installed correctly. I'm trying to find the php.ini files. I'm more encouraged that you tell me it is a steep learning curve, makes it not seem impossible, maybe just a lengthy.

If you have any suggestions on what to read to learn more I'm interested.

I'm so confused right now, that I don't know where php came from, how did I get downloaed what I have?

 

With the holidays I'm a little disjointed, but I'll work at it a few hours each day.

Thank you very much. Dale

 

I can recommend a book called "Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache" By Julie C. Meloni. This book discusses installing Apache, mysql, and PHP and getting them to work. It also discusses and has examples for the PHP and mysql language. This would probably be a good present for yourself to turn around the experience you have had with this so far.

 

Since you have not found the php.ini file, it probably does not exist, and basically default values are being used and/or PHP is not actually installed and running. PHP was part of the xampp package. Unfortunately, packages like this, which promise a shortcut and promise to set everything up, don't seam to deliver on the "everything" part of this and they often have less documentation and instructions than the original parts that they attempt to bundle together.

[MaBiSmAd]

Is the web server the apache? Or is it godaddy where I have my domain name registered?

Your help is so appreciated. Dale

 

Let us backup and regroup.

 

You have two choices for hosting a web site - 1) Sign up with a hosting provider, where you will put your web pages on his web server, or 2) host your web pages on your own web server.

 

In your questions up to this point, we assumed that you were just trying to get this to work on your local development computer, as a learning experience. If it is your intent to host your web pages on your own web server at your location, please be advised that you need a static IP address or you need to sign up with a Dynamic DNS provider and you should have a dedicated server for this (mainly for security reasons.) All of this is not recommended for a beginner.

 

Do you just have a domain name that is parked at godaddy or have you also signed up with a web hosting company as well (godaddy or other)?

[MaBiSmAd]

I went to php.net and downloaded php-4.4.1 since someone else said we would have to switch to 4 instead of 5. What program do I choose to open it with? I'm trying!! Dale

 

Actually, the latest download version of oscommerce does work with PHP5, so this is a non-issue.

[lonestardolls]

Let us backup and regroup.

 

You have two choices for hosting a web site - 1) Sign up with a hosting provider, where you will put your web pages on his web server, or 2) host your web pages on your own web server.

 

In your questions up to this point, we assumed that you were just trying to get this to work on your local development computer, as a learning experience. If it is your intent to host your web pages on your own web server at your location, please be advised that you need a static IP address or you need to sign up with a Dynamic DNS provider and you should have a dedicated server for this (mainly for security reasons.) All of this is not recommended for a beginner.

 

Do you just have a domain name that is parked at godaddy or have you also signed up with a web hosting company as well (godaddy or other)?

I have my domain name at godaddy and web hosting at netfirms. This is what I did a few months ago:

www.lonestardolls.com

Thank you for your help. Dale

[lonestardolls]

I have my domain name at godaddy and web hosting at netfirms. This is what I did a few months ago:

www.lonestardolls.com

Thank you for your help. Dale

I had posted perhaps on another topic forum, that my friends web store, www.dollpeddlar.com is the format that I liked. I've been looking for several months at web stores to decide how I want mine to look. I liked my friends and I saw that it was powered by oscommerce and I logged onto oscommerce' web site in hopes of finding a way to have a web store like hers. I initially thought that I was getting into a 'template' type deal, where I could download the basic web store design, where then I can put in my own particulars to my store. I am sure there is computer terminology to explain what I mean, but I do not know it so I hope I've explained it.

I had no idea it was this complicated and I appreciate everyone's help, I don't like to keep asking for help. If I'm over my head, then I need to know so I can just bail out and find another way. thanks. Dale

[MaBiSmAd]

I have my domain name at godaddy and web hosting at netfirms. This is what I did a few months ago:

www.lonestardolls.com

Thank you for your help. Dale

 

Ok. Is there a reason that you don't want to use the e-commerce solution that they offer?

 

As for getting Apache, mysql, and PHP installed on your personal computer, this is not required in order to create an online store using oscommerce or any other similar script. The only advantage to doing this is for the learning experience and the ability to experiment more easily before putting your store on line. The major disadvantage to doing this on a local computer then moving it to another server is that there will certainly be configuration differences between the two. What you get working locally may not function at all on your hosting company's server (they may have a configuration that does not support something you want to do and they are certainly not going to change what they are doing for a single customer.) It is better to get it working once on their server, than to do it twice.

[MaBiSmAd]

P.S. In viewing the FAQ on the netfirms web page, their e-commerce solution is based on oscommerce. Installing it on your online web page and getting started may be easier then you think.