What's involved with OSCommerce download

[The Old Sarge]

We have three ecommerce websites, all two years old, and we plan to start two more in the next few months.

 

We have become dissatisfied with our current site builder/host and are considering a move to OSCommerce.

 

Here are some questions we'd like resolved before we make any moves:

 

1. What exactly is involved with OSCommerce download as far as computer equipment, disc/storage space, etc? Could one run 5 ecommerce sites from a home PC with OSCommerce, or is this asking too much?

 

2. What are your recommendations as to hosting an OSCommerce site? Is direct access to FTP files necessary?

 

3. How user friendly is OSCommerce? Could a guy with a basic working knowledge of html and css pick up the in-and-outs quickly?

 

4. Is there any limit on the number of items an OSCommerce catalog or shopping cart can hold?

 

5. Does OS have the capability to update inventory thru any certain database programs?

 

6. Where can one download an interactive tutorial or trial of OSCommerce before "biting off more than he can chew"?

 

Thanks.

[Guest]

running on a home pc doesnt work well, as you should have a hosted server somewhere.

direct access to ftp is for you to upload your files.

the # of items in the catalog is limited basically by hardware.

dont know what you mean by update inventory, as that is mostly done in back end.

download the application and load it up.

[phunter]

We have three ecommerce websites, all two years old, and we plan to start two more in the next few months.

 

We have become dissatisfied with our current site builder/host and are considering a move to OSCommerce.

 

Here are some questions we'd like resolved before we

Thanks.

Hello,

 

from 1: oscommerce is "modular". You can run many oscommerce with apache, each within an virtual server on an ip, mysqldatabase server, with perl an dbi::mysql module.

With real shop,the problems is that you need bandwith, database fast responses, and fiability (24/7 365days/years). So you have to find good hosting for 5 ecommerce.

 

from 2: For me (trust me and die..like they say), i find www.hostrocket.com and you can look there too, but they did'nt support oscommerce. It is an addons that you can install with fantastico in cpanel, or with oscommerce installation that i prefer.

 

from 3: i've to use ssh to connect and install it, phpmyadmin to build the databases and cpanel to protect directory. With fantasticoda it is done in a breeze but need to install/and/or remove specific modules.

Also oscommerce use php (and not html), i suppose css but don't know really. An index.html if put with index.php from oscommerce is take before index.php but i suppose apache configuration can change that.

I saw real shop with oscommerce that have other design and very nice too, so for me it is a learning curve of open software with forums and contribution.

 

from 4: i suppose it is mysql database limits.

 

from 5: there is modules to update inventory (not in accountability inventory sense)

 

from 6: For a trial, there is http://www.oscommerce.com/shops/demonstration, for trial you can download oscommerce, then install it on a server "pc home" with perl, php, apache etc, then try it before you put your 5 lives shop.

 

And you will be not the only one ...

Hope you good fun.!

[The Old Sarge]

Thank you both! That was very helpful.

 

Any other comments.

 

BTW, when I asked if ftp access was necessary, I meant is it necessary for me to have access to my ftp files. (My current builder/server does not allow it. I have to send everything to them and they do the update.)

[♥Monika in Germany]

now ... that would not be a good idea for you if you want to hack and change, install and try modules. You need a good webhost that allows you full FTP control

[The Old Sarge]

now ... that would not be a good idea for you if you want to hack and change, install and try modules. You need a good webhost that allows you full FTP control

 

Thank you, Monica. I suspected as much. In fact, I was hoping someone would tell me. lol I need one last excuse to drop my current host.