Is there a Primer?

[Guest]

I was really pleased when I found this shopping cart. It looks like it's pretty robust in its features.

 

But... am I missing something? I followed the Installation directions and everything installed fine. The sample cart is up and running and I can access the Admin Tools. I've been searching the forums here for the past week but I haven't been able to find anything to assist me in taking the next step and applying the cart to MY Web site.

 

Is there a "primer" or something that takes us through the procedures step-by-step on how the cart works and what to do to insert the code into our HTML pages? Is it even possible?

 

Do I use the Admin Tools to delete the sample items and categories and replace them with my items?

 

I know with lots of time, research, and effort, I can probably "back engineer" the pages and codes and make it work. But surely someone, somewhere, has a "how-to" user's guide on how to implement the code into our sites to make the shopping cart work.

 

Hopefully there is an overall blueprint/template on HOW things work, where they go, and how all the pieces work together. I really don't know where to go now...

 

Thanks for any assistance.

 

Nathan

[GemRock]

What about 'Downloads' -> 'osCommerce 2.2 Milestone 2 Update 051112 Documentation' & read through it?

 

Do I use the Admin Tools to delete the sample items and categories and replace them with my items?

 

Yes.

 

Ken

[Guest]

What about 'Downloads' -> 'osCommerce 2.2 Milestone 2 Update 051112 Documentation' & read through it?

Yes.

 

Ken

 

 

Thanks Ken. I downloaded this file last week and read it. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the principles. I've tried reading it several times but I still come to the same conclusions. For the 29 years that I've been in computers I have always tried to use the KISS system. When dealing with end users, I always tried to keep the documentation along with the "Keep It Simple, Stupid" approach.

 

For some reason, I am having a mental block with the documentation that I have found and read. The "light bulb" hasn't gone off above my head yet. I'm still looking for the ignitor that will make me feel like a fool and then I can say, "What a dunce I've been!"

 

I will read the Milestone 2 Update doc again. But if anyone has another suggestion, please let me know.

 

 

Thanks

[Lunargent]

Might not be much, but my approach with Oscommerce has been:

1) Installation

2) Browsing the contributions for the features I want. (Like additional pictures for your product, a different shipping method, another language).

3) Install said contributions and ensure they work (in english).

4) Update the information in the admin section

5) Edit the languages files to put your own text. (Admin- Tools - Define Languages)

6) Update the look of the shop by changing the pictures, the CSS and the .php files of the main directory. (No easy way to do this.)

7) Insert products and descriptions.

 

To be honest, in my first store, I did all of those step in no particular order. I am now transfering/upgrading that store to a new server and since I am changing version, non-ssl to ssl, and need to update the layout and products, I proceeded with a fresh install and found out that following that order ensures that I won't be doing the same task twice.

[GemRock]

...taking the next step and applying the cart to MY Web site...

osCommerce IS the web site. You can't and there's no need to ' applying the cart to' any Web site. osc has all the functions, albeit basic/simple, that you'd need to sell something online. Perhaps let's put it this way: osc is your new house. You don't need to move it into your old house in order to make it a house, although if you don't like, eg, the front door, then you could change/install a new one. An if you don't like the bath room, the kitchen, the funiture, the decoration, then you could have then all changed to your own taste. How? well, no one can describe this in a post. you could write a book on this subject. In fact, someone has written a book on this! As a starting point, browsing the My Store section of this forum may give you some ideas how osc could be made, and hopefully some hints on how, to look so different from its default setup, and from each other!

 

Ken

[♥Monika in Germany]

Thanks Ken. I downloaded this file last week and read it. I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the principles. I've tried reading it several times but I still come to the same conclusions. For the 29 years that I've been in computers I have always tried to use the KISS system. When dealing with end users, I always tried to keep the documentation along with the "Keep It Simple, Stupid" approach.

 

For some reason, I am having a mental block with the documentation that I have found and read. The "light bulb" hasn't gone off above my head yet. I'm still looking for the ignitor that will make me feel like a fool and then I can say, "What a dunce I've been!"

 

I will read the Milestone 2 Update doc again. But if anyone has another suggestion, please let me know.

Thanks

if you prefer a more chatty approach, I suggest reading the osCommerce Book by David Mercer (Amazon).

[Guest]

if you prefer a more chatty approach, I suggest reading the osCommerce Book by David Mercer (Amazon).

 

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my query. Thanks Monica for opening my eyes to the above book. I hadn't even given thought about there being books on this cart. I looked at Amazon and was astonished to find numerous titles on OSC.

 

Again, thank you's to everyone that assisted me.

 

God bless.