re-configuring existing storefront

[thatwebguy]

Hello all,

 

I'm hoping that someone with a little more experience with oscommerce can provide me a few pointers.

 

Unfortunately, this client has been burned in the past by other developers and even though I don't know that much about osc, they trust me and are willing to wait while I iron out the issues...

 

I've been asked to set-up a new iMac to be an administrator machine for a web/retail business. My mission is to make the administration of the site as easy and quick as possible. I had heard that people use dreamweaver to admin osc and I was hoping to find much more information about how to set up dreamweaver to be the author - this is very important to the client. There seems to be some tricks to configuring dreamweaver to run the site on a test/staging server before it is uploaded to the web server.... Can anyone point me in the right direction for how to get dreamweaver cs3 or cs4 up and running with a seamless transition for an already developed osc-based site? I am sure that it is a relatively simple process. I can't seem to find a comprehensive guide....... And hit and miss is always the wrong way to go.

 

I am also wondering how to find out what version of the osc cart is installed on the clients server and whether osc keeps track of what contributions have been installed? Maybe I am missing a configuration page? I can find what modules have been installed easily enough. From looking at the basic installation as downloaded from here and comparing it to what the client has up and running, there seems to be some differences in the file structure. I am really hoping to be able to add more contributions to the existing installation without having to start over. I am getting the impression that contributions can conflict...and don't like thinking about the possibilities.

 

Any help and pointers to good posts is greatly appreciated in advance.

[♥kymation]

First, the easy part: What version is my shop?

 

Next, using Dreamweaver to admin osCommerce? Seriously? You might use it to make changes to the code, although it's not well suited to that. It would be useless for anything else. All you need to admin an operating osCommerce store is a web browser (Safari or Firefox on the Mac) and an email client. That's it. Not exactly much setup needed there.

 

Installed contributions is another matter entirely. You could look for notes in the files themselves. I add a comment to the top of every file when I add a contribution or make other major changes. Most contributions also comment the changed sections of the code, so you can look for those. A good file comparison utility will handle that and more, and will save you a lot of grief as well. Get a copy of the osC distribution that's the same version as your store and compare the files to yours.

 

Regards

Jim

[thatwebguy]

First, the easy part: What version is my shop?

 

Next, using Dreamweaver to admin osCommerce? Seriously? You might use it to make changes to the code, although it's not well suited to that. It would be useless for anything else. All you need to admin an operating osCommerce store is a web browser (Safari or Firefox on the Mac) and an email client. That's it. Not exactly much setup needed there.

 

Installed contributions is another matter entirely. You could look for notes in the files themselves. I add a comment to the top of every file when I add a contribution or make other major changes. Most contributions also comment the changed sections of the code, so you can look for those. A good file comparison utility will handle that and more, and will save you a lot of grief as well. Get a copy of the osC distribution that's the same version as your store and compare the files to yours.

 

Regards

Jim

 

 

Thanks for the link and info. The primary reason that Dreamweaver is wanted is primarily for the design. I understand that php is generally undersupported in dreamweaver at this time. We were all just hoping for some pointers on how to integrate dreamweaver into the design end of the project.

 

I have read that there are extensions available for older versions of dreamweaver that are meant for use with osc. I can't seem to find any extensions that have been built for cs3 or 4 specifically, though. It seems like many people want to be able to administer their sites with dreamweaver and some say that they do - but - without any clear or concise info on how it is done. If anyone can tell me where to look for a good guide to using dreamweaver for osc graphics/layout work, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

Dancing around the php seems like the only option. When is adobe or someone going to realize that php is here to stay?

[anaren]

Even I'm interested in this, has anybody been able to figure out how to use Dreamweaver CS4 for customizing OSC?

[Guest]

Even I'm interested in this, has anybody been able to figure out how to use Dreamweaver CS4 for customizing OSC?

I have been using DreamWeaver to change code, and play with design. Basically I have started a blank html page, created the design I want, and then cutting and paste it into the php code.

I also use it to change the stylesheet css. I can see the colors that I want to pick.

I also find it easier to make changes to the php in DreamWeaver, because the codes are in different colors, and are easier to read. I make changes, then send them through DreamWeaver.

However, I have added all my products through the admin., although today I found out that I can use html tags in the descriptions.

I am like the rest of the newbies and hackers here. I just make it all up as I go along!