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osCommerce

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OS Commerce Mall?


John W

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I have an idea and before it dies of loneliness I thought I share it.

 

With so many of us trying to drive traffic and a lot of talk about links being beneficial for search engines, I wondered about a web mall for people using OSC. From a consumer standpoint all the stores would work in a similar way and that could be easier. Most of us are selling unigue product lines and even if two stores have similar products that's not so bad.

 

The thing that got me going on this idea is if I need to buy something I would like to try someone using OSC first but I'm not aware of anyplace that lists the stores by product types.

 

Does this make sense to anyone besides me? Does it sound interesting?

 

Any thoughts?

 

John

I'm not really a dog.

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With so many of us trying to drive traffic and a lot of talk about links being beneficial for search engines, I wondered about a web mall for people using OSC. From a consumer standpoint all the stores would work in a similar way and that could be easier. Most of us are selling unigue product lines and even if two stores have similar products that's not so bad.

 

Maybe a field describing product type could be added to the Live Shops Showcase?

jackhandy - http://jackhandy.com

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It sounds interesting, email Harold from the Team Page and offer to help set it up :) It would have to be hosted at osCommerce.com

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I do see one problem, even though I think it is a great idea, is that there will be so many sites that it would be almost impossible to find anything. So, it would have to be setup somewhat like directories, like Yahoo or the like. I do supposed that if you get enough categories, this may not be a problem.

 

MMMMM, what about a separate site for this. And maybe charge a very small fee for your listing, just enough to cover the webspace and bandwidth. I'm talking maybe a buck or two per month. Once you get enough traffic, it would be the cheapest type of advertising of all. And limit it to OSC sites only.

 

Oh oh, I'm giving away an idea. Oh well, we are all friends here. Anybody know of any open source directory software?

 

I'm not talking about a moneymaker here, I'm thinking of a conglomeration of people getting together to improve their sales. This is going to have to be a joint project.

 

I think Harald has enough to do, I personaly wouldn't throw another project at him.

Steve

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I suggested that a while back and even had the directory set up and would host the links for free. Was told that was a bad idea, the links need to stay here and I should volunteer to help with Live Shops, which I did, but haven't gotten any info yet on what I should do :)

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It seems like we shouldn't need too much bandwidth. Only the directory would be at the mall, all the stores would be at their present sites. I think Google can be setup to search over a subset of the internet, like only at our stores. I think I would try to make it search based instead of using categories like Yahoo does because I can never find anything at Yahoo. What I'm looking never seems to have a clear category that it would fit into.

 

It also seems like if we all linked to each other and to the mall that we would move way up on Google.

 

Since the internet is not space limited we wouldn't have to kick out weak stores like real malls do.

In olden times the men were made of iron and the ships were made of wood; now it's the other way around. :wink:

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I have software that has both categories and search capability and folks would add thier own url, but someone from the team has to give this the go ahead.

 

d

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Well, I'm glad to see some interest in the idea. I get ideas but I don't always know how to make them work.

 

I see several benefits to doing this. A big one is we are all consumers and I buy on the net whenever I can. And, if we know about each others stores and feel confident in their abilities, then we can point people to them. It's like Debbie said on a different thread, if someone trust me and I say you should buy that here, then they may do that.

 

I think it should work in two ways just like a regular mall by categorizing and then subcategorizing. And having a massive search feature would be great too. Is it possible to have a master search look at everyones allprods? Debbie, can your software do that?

 

As far as a cost, I'd be willing to pay to share costs. It could even bill quarterly or every 6mos to keep it simple.

 

I don't know nearly as much as most of you at making something like this work but we could look at some other we malls to get ideas on how they set up. But, I think there is a tremendous amount of talent and knowledge here.

 

I guess someone from the team would have to act as a project manager.

 

How hard and time consuming will this be?

 

John

I'm not really a dog.

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LOL, I don't think one single search can look at all the allprod files on hundreds of sites. There is a solution though, but let me do some checking.....

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I suggested that a while back and even had the directory set up and would host the links for free.  Was told that was a bad idea, the links need to stay here and I should volunteer to help with Live Shops, which I did, but haven't gotten any info yet on what I should do :)

 

Why would it be a bad idea to host off site? If we do this on our own, who would stop us? It's not that I don't think the team should be involved, but they have enough to do. I'm also not against hosting it on the OSC site. I would like to make that clear.

 

I also want to help out. Maybe the space rental would be a bad idea, maybe donations then or sell add space. And maybe it should be a free service. I just don't think one person or couple people should be stuck with the cost of the web space. One advantage of a free off site service, is it would be ok to mention it on the boards, since it isn't a commercial venture.

 

As far as customer added links, I thinks all links should go through an approval process. Set up a set of ground rules, That way it would keep out the non OSC site also MAYBE the non OSC supporters. Like require the "Powered byOscommerce" Text at the bottom of the site.

 

Just my 10 cents worth.

Steve

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I won't get into the specifics of hosting offsite, that can be another discussion after someone contacts the team.

 

I agree about the approval process. Go to coolcraftsites.com or coolfamilysites.com and try to add a web link or a link to the Top Sites. You can submit AFTER you create an account that is verified via email, and then the link waits for an administrator to approve it. Admins can edit the link for description and category, add a new category and move the link into it or deny the link completely. There is a rating system and a hit counter on each link. It's phpNuke, free software, administrators can be set with different levels. Easy to install, easy to manage, easy to search. I also have a hosting package with unlimited everything, so space and traffic isn't a problem if the team says it's ok to host offsite.

 

If they want it onsite, I just need a database table and about 12 megs of space in a subdirectory.

 

I *think* I can do something with the rss contribution if people add it to their sites to include that in a section that will also get spidered and will allow people to search on the categories in the stores, just not every product. The store description will have to contain the proper information for that.

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I will hopefully be talking to Linda about another subject in the next couple of days and I have a note about this for her.

 

I?m not trying to alienate anyone with this statement, but I don?t understand why it would have to be onsite and not offsite.

 

I'm going to go look at online malls today and look for good ideas.

 

The approval system makes a lot of sense and we should think about a set of occupant rules. Such as every store must be kid safe to view and the content of what is sold must meet guidelines.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that we need it to be easy to navigate. One thing my customers tell me they like the most about my site is that it is easy to get around and find what they want.

 

I?ll let you know if I see anything special at the other malls.

 

John

I'm not really a dog.

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Actually, there are quite a few adult product stores that use osc, so there should be a section for that with the appropriate warnings.

 

The rules for inclusion should be fairly simple, Powered by osC link and link back to the directory with a small button or a text link, even an invisible one.

 

Layout and design should be simple.

 

Just my .02

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Actually, there are quite a few adult product stores that use osc, so there should be a section for that with the appropriate warnings.

 

The rules for inclusion should be fairly simple, Powered by osC link and link back to the directory with a small button or a text link, even an invisible one.

 

Layout and design should be simple.

 

Just my .02

 

I agree with all that is said above. But I do think the link for "Powered byOSC" should be as it is in the stock OSC or a button, not hidden. I think that the owner of OSC store should be proud of who created the base for their store. I don't think it is fair to the dev team not to get a little credit for a great piece of software.

 

OH oh, I'm ranting again.

 

There also should be a notification system for users to report violators of the policies.

Steve

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I wasn't clear, yes, the pwoered by osc needs to be visible, the lnk back to the directory can be hidden since the true purpose of it is to get links back to increase search engine ranking.

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Yikes! If I could type I would be dangerous :lol:

 

The powered by osc ..... the Link back to the directory.....

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Okay, I see how that can work. It seems that you have very good grasp on this Debbie, of Loxly. 8)

 

Would it be conceivable to have people upload their allprods page for your SE to look at?

 

I?ll still talk to Linda about it and if needed sell the concept to whomever I have to. But, you let me know what you need help with in achieving our goal and I?ll let you know what I can do.

 

Just whistle!

 

JW

I'm not really a dog.

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Steve,

 

Do you really like tools?

 

Man, I love power tools! I think my favorite is my lathe. I really like turning wood.  

 

JW

 

Haven't bought one of those yet. It's on the list. But, alas, all my tools are in storage right now. Waiting for my new house and new shop to be built. Getting closer though :D :D If I had to pick a favorite tool, it is my collection of 1910, 20's and 30's Stanley planes.

Steve

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That is pretty cool and I guess why your avatar is what it is. Do you ever watch "The Woodright Shop"?

 

I am constantly amazed at the level of craftsmanship that our forefathers were able to create. I'm a fan of Shaker style but I think it's the simplicity that they employed. It's simply elegant.

 

If you are in a major city or close to one there is probably a American Wood turner?s club. Go to a meeting and be amazed. Plus, I bet you can find some pretty cool wood where you are.

 

Good luck with the new shop! Oh, and the house too! I was just thinking of where you would spend the majority of your time.

 

We probably bored Loxly with these comments, but she is an artist also, so maybe not.

 

JW

I'm not really a dog.

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I'm a craftman furniture type myself. I do like shaker too, the advantage to shaker is the woods cheap and available to me with out mail order. Lowe's and Home Depot don't carry much for hardwoods. I'm in a small town and there is nothing here and I refuse to go to Seattle.

Steve

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FYI, there is a place somewhere in Oregon called Cook woods and they sell on Ebay too. But, they have a website. They have a great deal of Exotic wood if you ever so desire but you need to know the wood because some of it is pretty well priced and some is not.

 

I have found some good sources for certain woods on Eba, but it takes a lot of looking. But, when you find someone who has a good amount of a certain wood you like you can sometimes get a pretty good deal.

 

There are not a lot of tool and wood guys here. I guess we got off on a sidebar. Wood is nature's artwork waiting to be discovered.

 

JW

I'm not really a dog.

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We probably bored Loxly with these comments, but she is an artist also, so maybe not.

 

JW

 

I am an artist and I love wood carvings 8) I don't get bored just busy :)

 

I can set up an area for playing with layout, categories etc with a go ahead from the team and about a day's notice. I have done LOTS of research on directory software so do claim a tiny bit of expertise.

 

:arrow: About Allprods, they are dynamically generated php pages, so to host them someone would need to get one from each store and convert it to html. It would also no longer be dynamic after that.

 

:idea: If someone would like to download the rss newsfeed or xml contributions and look at trying to get that to display all products, that would pull in the current products similar to the way Amazon and some other stores let remote sites pull in feeds. One drawback is that would use bandwidth from the stores providing the feeds. Hopefully that would be counter balanced by added shoppers :)

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