Installation: In Reality How Easy Is It To Do?

[Guest]

Hi All,

This is my first post here. I realise asking this type of question in a community specific forum is likley to give biased answers, but I would really appreciate a to hear a few of your opinions.

 

So let me explain;

I wish to run an on line retail shop. I have been drowning under the myriad of options for cart providers.

 

So..

1) How easy is it to install OS and get it functioning to a basic functional/serviceable level?

2) What level of msql knowledge do you really require.

 

My knowledge base is pretty small at the moment but I like some of the stores and sites I have seen created using OsC as frame work.

 

Kind regards

 

John

[♥FWR Media]

I'm, presuming you have hosting.

 

1) Installation is a breeze, upload the files, create a database, run the install program. There are install issues that can happen due to the server set up but basically it is as said.

 

2) mySQL knowledge needs to be virtual zero, until you start playing around with code and queries.

 

To summarise you can get a shop up and running with virtually no knowledge, having said that modifying/individualising your shop is an entirely different matter.

[Jack_mcs]

Hi All,

This is my first post here. I realise asking this type of question in a community specific forum is likley to give biased answers, but I would really appreciate a to hear a few of your opinions.

 

So let me explain;

I wish to run an on line retail shop. I have been drowning under the myriad of options for cart providers.

 

So..

1) How easy is it to install OS and get it functioning to a basic functional/serviceable level?

2) What level of msql knowledge do you really require.

 

My knowledge base is pretty small at the moment but I like some of the stores and sites I have seen created using OsC as frame work.

Many, if not most users of oscommerce begin where are at, from my experience. However, that is not to say that it is easy. You can generally expect to spend 2-3 months on getting used to the shop. Once it is installed, it is pretty much ready to run. But you will find things that need to be changed and that is where the time factor comes in. You don't need any php or mysql knowledge. Although, you will need to learn how to manipulate the php files and upload mysql changes. Those are not difficult but, depending upon your level of experience and how fast you learn, they can be quite frustrating. So you should go into with the thought of spending a few months on getting the shop set up as you want it. If you are able to do it in less time, then all the better.

 

Jack

[bkellum]

John,

 

Valid points above.

 

The installation is web based, meaning that you will go through each step in your browser. You will need to upload all of the osC files onto your server prior to starting the installation of course.

 

Here is a good read; howbeit quite lengthy, but it will give you an idea of some of the pit falls you may run into:

 

OsCommerce Quick Install Guide

 

Good luck,

[Guest]

Here is a good read; howbeit quite lengthy, but it will give you an idea of some of the pit falls you may run into:

 

OsCommerce Quick Install Guide

 

Good luck,

 

Thanks for posting this. However I have run into a few rather frustrating problems that nobody mentions:

1. How many fields do I make the data base and what do I fill in? a blank database seems to impossible but it could be that as I'm using the php for the first time I'm doing something wrong but then there doesn't seem to be another option on mine.

2. where do I find the permissions to change? clicking the files gets me a loverly chunk of html programming that made my eyes cross in about 3 seconds - do I need to look in all of that to find it or have I done something wrong?

 

I hope you or someone else knows the answers to these questions. Presumably when I have sorted problems 1 & 2 the rest will become more clear and hopefully a lot easier <g>

 

Jessamy - clueless

In The Netherlands

[germ]

1. How many fields do I make the data base and what do I fill in? a blank database seems to impossible but it could be that as I'm using the php for the first time I'm doing something wrong but then there doesn't seem to be another option on mine.

 

Part of the "installation" includes the import of a "default" database already loaded with a few "products". You just have to add your own, and remove the default ones using the "Catalog" link in your "Admin". You really shouldn't have to monkey with the database except through "Catalog" in the "Admin" area.

 

2. where do I find the permissions to change? clicking the files gets me a loverly chunk of html programming that made my eyes cross in about 3 seconds - do I need to look in all of that to find it or have I done something wrong?

 

Your host should have given you a link to a "control panel" where you can "login" and manipulate things on your site.

 

Via the control panel, you can:

 

1. Delete files

2. Upload/download files

3. Rename/copy files.

4. Create new files/folders.

5. Change file/folder permissions

 

Many other things are usually available in your "Control Panel" as well.

[spot_on]

I'm on my 3rd installation and it Never Ever Works the first time. Some of it is due to my ISP and the settings and lack of support and information about them, but neither does osCommerce want to play sometimes!

 

I have lots of programming experience and 14 years in databases, and to be honest the database bit is basic. It's the settings, permissions, and fixing things which just don't work which take the time and make you want to lose the will to live.

 

So, for me, installation is a ball-ache, not a breeze. Glad someone's got it sussed tho'.

[Guest]

Part of the "installation" includes the import of a "default" database already loaded with a few "products". You just have to add your own, and remove the default ones using the "Catalog" link in your "Admin". You really shouldn't have to monkey with the database except through "Catalog" in the "Admin" area.

Your host should have given you a link to a "control panel" where you can "login" and manipulate things on your site.

 

Via the control panel, you can:

 

1. Delete files

2. Upload/download files

3. Rename/copy files.

4. Create new files/folders.

5. Change file/folder permissions

 

Many other things are usually available in your "Control Panel" as well.

 

Thanks for responding Jim!

 

So basically how do I make the database I'm told to make in the installation guide? I only get the option to add fields so I'm totally confused now.

 

I do indeed have a control panel but was trying to change to permission settings to 777 and clicking the file only got me said chunk of eye crossing HTML. I'm probably missing what to many seems obvious but isn't to me and I'm certainly nit used to having so many problems working stuff out as I can usually install and use any programme I want without consulting the book though in this case the instructiuons only confuse me and i don't know what i should be doing as what i am doing is failing - akk that sounds whiny but it's not supposed to be but after 2 days of trying and failing I'm getting really frustrated.

 

Jessamy

In The Netherlands

[germ]

Gee... I really feel fortunate now...

 

I don't actually have an osCommerce site, I'm just doing one for a co-worker, and it installed on the first go round...

:blush:

 

Of course, we've spent a few months changing things. From a programming standpoint, I've had it ready for over a month now.

 

He didn't want the catalog on the main page, so I modified it to have a "main page", and a "catalog page".

 

And he's having a bit of trouble with Paypal, so I think I'll be installing the IPN mod for Paypal soon...

 

I've got 31 years experience in programming various things, 12 years of it working with UNIX, and about 5 years of it working with servers, web sites, and associated languages.

 

And I've learned new things.

 

We have our own SSL certificate. That was a learning experience. First time I'd done one of those.

:lol:

 

The only "bug" I haven't been able to "squash" is that our "search" using the osC code never finds anything. I made a few posts about it, searched posts here and tried a few things, but it still doesn't work.

:(

 

Frankly, my coworker would have never gotten this far without help from someone. He has no programming experience, and no experience working with servers and web sites.

 

But I diverse....

 

Jessamy,

 

So basically how do I make the database I'm told to make in the installation guide? I only get the option to add fields so I'm totally confused now.

As I recall, and I did this 3 months ago so I hope my memory doesn't fail me, during installation you first have to just create a database, then the osC installation imports a "sample database" filled with 30 or so sample products in various categories and sub-categories into the database that you create. So, basically, you create it, osC populates it. I've never had to do anything with the fields in the database except add new categories and products via "Catalog" in the "Admin" section. If the database is already there, you should just have to import the data from the sample provided with the osC code I guess.

 

I do indeed have a control panel but was trying to change to permission settings to 777 and clicking the file only got me said chunk of eye crossing HTML.

 

Control panels work differently.

 

Ours, you first click the file - ONCE!

 

Then this menu appears to the side.

 

It has various things in it.

 

It has a place that says "Access Permissions". Under it are checkboxes for "user", "group", and "other". Each one has 3 checkboxes to the side for "read", "write" and "exec" permissions, and there is a "Change" to click after checking all the boxes you need to.

 

That's how we change file permissions.

[Guest]

Jessamy,

As I recall, and I did this 3 months ago so I hope my memory doesn't fail me, during installation you first have to just create a database, then the osC installation imports a "sample database" filled with 30 or so sample products in various categories and sub-categories into the database that you create. So, basically, you create it, osC populates it. I've never had to do anything with the fields in the database except add new categories and products via "Catalog" in the "Admin" section. If the database is already there, you should just have to import the data from the sample provided with the osC code I guess.

Control panels work differently.

 

Ours, you first click the file - ONCE!

 

Then this menu appears to the side.

 

It has various things in it.

 

It has a place that says "Access Permissions". Under it are checkboxes for "user", "group", and "other". Each one has 3 checkboxes to the side for "read", "write" and "exec" permissions, and there is a "Change" to click after checking all the boxes you need to.

 

That's how we change file permissions.

 

 

Thanks for responding! I'll take a deep breath and try again <g> my control panel doesn't have stuff like that but maybe if I right click I will get more options... I may lack in programming experience but i make up for that in sheer stuborness hehehe.

 

I did find out why I couldn't find the php.ini file so I could set the globals... it helps if one actually *has* said files on one's computer <g>

 

Jessamy

In The Netherlands