is STS still the easiest route to customize oscommerce?

[kade119]

been awhile since i've customized this application but the last time i did, i used sts stemplates , just want to be sure its still the most popular method

[redbone]

been awhile since i've customized this application but the last time i did, i used sts stemplates , just want to be sure its still the most popular method

 

Yes, STS is still alive and kicking and has even been updated.

 

I think its still very popular and I use it in all my stores.

[kade119]

Yes, STS is still alive and kicking and has even been updated.

 

I think its still very popular and I use it in all my stores.

 

thanks friend

[none_uk]

Yes, STS is still alive and kicking and has even been updated.

 

I think its still very popular and I use it in all my stores.

 

whats your site? i got STS installed but not impressed

[bkellum]

been awhile since i've customized this application but the last time i did, i used sts stemplates , just want to be sure its still the most popular method

Even though I support STS, the correct answer to your question depends upon your PHP skill level. If you are highly skilled in PHP, then STS may be of assistance in some time-saving added functionallity such as different looks for categories, products, infoboxes, etc. with the addition of adding PHP code directly within the template itself adds even more creativity.

 

If you ARE NOT highly skilled in PHP, then STS is the perfect choice. It allows you to design your shop with skills you already know such as HTML, JavaScript, Flash, and other popular web technologies.

 

As for the post above who was not impressed with STS, I'm not sure you understand what STS does. What are you not impressed with? STS still requires you to know how to create a web page, just without PHP. If you know PHP, then that is an added bonus to use with STS but not required.

[sdrio]

I think maybe the 'simple' part of STS is the problem. We have been discussing this elsewhere . . . there's definitely a trade off between ease of use, and design flexibility.

[brui]

Hi, im a total noob on this forum. What is STS?

[sdrio]

Hi, im a total noob on this forum. What is STS?

 

http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/1524

[none_uk]

Hi, i have a good HTML skill but still find it restricted when using STS thats why i asked if i can see some sites which used STS to make changes maybe it will help me understand how i can use STS for my site

[bkellum]

Hi, im a total noob on this forum. What is STS?

STS stands for the Simple Template System.

[bkellum]

Hi, i have a good HTML skill but still find it restricted when using STS thats why i asked if i can see some sites which used STS to make changes maybe it will help me understand how i can use STS for my site

Hello Ron,

I'm here to help you out with any misunderstandings you may have with STS (just let me know). :thumbsup:

 

I don't find STS restrictive at all. As a matter of fact, I find it quite the opposite. For example, try adding a different header for each category or product using a stock osC. It can be done of course but not as simple as using STS to do it. Try adding a new image to be displayed according to the language selected by the user using a stock osC. Again, it can be done but not as simple as using STS to do it. Want to integrate your osC store into your existing web design? Try doing that using a stock osC without STS and it is not all that simple. STS makes it as easy as designing a typical web page.

 

STSv4.5.8 has some awesome features:

• infobox templates: Do anything you want with the header (or no header), modify the content, use background images, etc.
  
• category templates: Have a master category template or one for each (or both), add text, images, flash, etc to your category pages with ease.
  
• product templates: You decide how your product is listed. Do you want the image to the right, left, or even multiple images, you decide how it is laid out. Want to modify the content? Just create a content template as a master or a specific product.
  
• Create a different template for any occasion by simply changing one line in the STS Module in the admin similiar to how you change payment and shipping modules. You can even turn STS on or off in the same manner. Very simple! As a matter of fact, you tell STS what template folder to use in the admin, no PHP coding required.
  
• Popup Image Template: Create as many popup image templates that you need, one for each product, or have a different popup image template for a specific category, etc.
  
• Product Listing Template: Have a template around the product listing.
  
• Image & Button Selection: Place images & buttons in your template folder and STS will use those instead of the stock osC buttons. If STS can't find that particular image or button, it will use the stock image or button in the images folder. Very cool!
  
• Use PHP code directly in the template: This allows for some creative pages if you know what you are doing.
  
• Layout of Infoboxes: Very simple straight-forward method of placing infoboxes where you want on the page or leave them out altogether.
  
• And literally so much more... See the STS User Manual for many more features as well as the STS Power Pack site.
  

STS gets most of its bad reputation from earlier versions that would slow the shop down or make it difficult to install other contributions. That is a thing of the past since version 4 came out in 2006. Unfortunately, users that had those issues with the earlier STS versions are the ones being heard. STS is so much more advanced from its beginning. Grant it, the first version of STS was awesome and is the reason we have STS today. A big thank you to the origianl author "Brian". :thumbsup:

 

I'm not saying that everyone should use STS. Again, if you are good in PHP, then leave STS alone and code away. If you are good in PHP and want some easy, quick layout functionallity, then STS is still a good choice. If you are not good in PHP, then STS may be your only hope in designing your osCommerce shop the way YOU want it.

 

Hope this helped,

[none_uk]

Hello Ron,

I'm here to help you out with any misunderstandings you may have with STS (just let me know). :thumbsup:

 

I don't find STS restrictive at all. As a matter of fact, I find it quite the opposite. For example, try adding a different header for each category or product using a stock osC. It can be done of course but not as simple as using STS to do it. Try adding a new image to be displayed according to the language selected by the user using a stock osC. Again, it can be done but not as simple as using STS to do it. Want to integrate your osC store into your existing web design? Try doing that using a stock osC without STS and it is not all that simple. STS makes it as easy as designing a typical web page.

 

STSv4.5.8 has some awesome features:

• infobox templates: Do anything you want with the header (or no header), modify the content, use background images, etc.
  
• category templates: Have a master category template or one for each (or both), add text, images, flash, etc to your category pages with ease.
  
• product templates: You decide how your product is listed. Do you want the image to the right, left, or even multiple images, you decide how it is laid out. Want to modify the content? Just create a content template as a master or a specific product.
  
• Create a different template for any occasion by simply changing one line in the STS Module in the admin similiar to how you change payment and shipping modules. You can even turn STS on or off in the same manner. Very simple! As a matter of fact, you tell STS what template folder to use in the admin, no PHP coding required.
  
• Popup Image Template: Create as many popup image templates that you need, one for each product, or have a different popup image template for a specific category, etc.
  
• Product Listing Template: Have a template around the product listing.
  
• Image & Button Selection: Place images & buttons in your template folder and STS will use those instead of the stock osC buttons. If STS can't find that particular image or button, it will use the stock image or button in the images folder. Very cool!
  
• Use PHP code directly in the template: This allows for some creative pages if you know what you are doing.
  
• Layout of Infoboxes: Very simple straight-forward method of placing infoboxes where you want on the page or leave them out altogether.
  
• And literally so much more... See the STS User Manual for many more features as well as the STS Power Pack site.
  

STS gets most of its bad reputation from earlier versions that would slow the shop down or make it difficult to install other contributions. That is a thing of the past since version 4 came out in 2006. Unfortunately, users that had those issues with the earlier STS versions are the ones being heard. STS is so much more advanced from its beginning. Grant it, the first version of STS was awesome and is the reason we have STS today. A big thank you to the origianl author "Brian". :thumbsup:

 

I'm not saying that everyone should use STS. Again, if you are good in PHP, then leave STS alone and code away. If you are good in PHP and want some easy, quick layout functionallity, then STS is still a good choice. If you are not good in PHP, then STS may be your only hope in designing your osCommerce shop the way YOU want it.

 

Hope this helped,

 

thank you for taking your time to explain, i will look into it more. this sounds interesting :) "Want to integrate your osC store into your existing web design". has any one done that? is there a read up on how to?

 

many thanks