laymans instructions needed

August 2, 2003

I have come to oscommerce often, I love it, and I am excited about the technology and the open source community, but the language is beyond me. :? :( :( I design simple websites, but know very little about backend, server, php, mysql or any database for that matter. I have looked through the forums and have searched all the newbie questions, but I think I'm the newbie of all newbies because although I downloaded all of the requirements (chapter 1 wiki docu) I need to create the entire site on my computer first, and was going to put apache on a separate drive. I don't even know if that is possible. I don't even recognize what most of the extensions are. I tried reading through the oscommerce Chapter 3, began making the directory of catalog and admin as a subdirectory, but the win zip file for osc 2.2ms2 contains files without any hierarchy so I put all the files into catalog, and don't know which are supposed to go into admin, or images and includes under admin or download ....etc.

I don't expect anyone to explain the entire process, but it would be nice if someone could refer me to links that could help me understand a little more about how things work, what things mean, and some basic instructions if they are already somewhere out there on the net. I don't have any computer courses under my belt, I just pick things up when I can and learn what I can from what's out there.

8) Aloha, Angela

davechl · August 2, 2003

Hi Angela,

The php/mySQL/catalog/shopping cart thing is also relatively new to me. I installed oscommerce a few weeks ago and have been hacking it since then. It has been working out well, although to "non-programmers" like us complex customizations are out of the question.

It sounds like you've read up on instructions, but you need more of a step-to-step guide to what they mean? Let me know where you are stuck. I went through a similar discovery process.

David

August 2, 2003

Where I'm stuck:

1). I read enough to get confused about what to do first. I have windows XP, I don't know if I need apache installed or even if I should install it over XP on a separate drive. :?

2). I began scanning through the zip files of apache, php, mysql, osc 2.2ms2, and phpadmin, and started with chapter 3 - organizing hierarchy.

I got as far as naming the folders, and then I opened the osc zip and copied all the files into the catalog folder, but didn't know which files were supposed to go into admin, download, and all the others listed on Chapter

3.

I really like Kevin Yank's instructional style over at sitepoint.com. He intelligently gears tutorials for the advanced reader with links in the body for people needing more explanation or an entire tutorial on computer jargon mentioned in his tutorial. Too bad there's nothing on installing apache.

Thanks for your help and optimism David.

chfields · August 2, 2003

I can help with part of your trouble. When you unzip osc ms2 there is a folder called catalog, that folder has all the files for OSC in their proper order.

As for the rest. myphp,apache...I know nothing about that. I have only been working with this for about 6 months, but I have mine set up on a host. I hope this helps...

gladiator · August 2, 2003

I might be totally off here but,

the way you describe how the files are all unorganized is sounds like you have unzipped without the "use folder option" in winzip.

When you press Extract in winzip, make sure you have the box "use folder options" marked. Then all the files should be in their correct directory.

About putting up your own server seems very difficult. Easier to find a cheap host and try it out there.

August 2, 2003

Yes, I guess my winzip extracted without folders, thanks Peter & Craig

Whew. I've done that and everything is in order now. I simply made a folder called OSC on the separate drive and left the files outside the folders in the root.

If I can't figure out apache, I will look for a host that can support osc. I simply wanted to be able to learn a little more about backend and servers through this process.

Aloha, Angela

Orphon · August 2, 2003

Yes, I have mine hosted... I think this is much easier, I would like to set up my own server at some point.... but I would like to be in business first! :)

Find a cheap host, maybe 5 or 10 a month and get going... then work on the server after that.... just my 2 cents

August 3, 2003

I took your advice angela, (nice name :)) and I am currently installing it online. I don't know what the database name is referring to... is it my server's or am I creating a name for the database with passwords etc.

what are persistent conditions, and what is a better way to store? files/ database?

Thank you ,

Aloha, Angela

Orphon · August 3, 2003

I am a novice also, so hopefully someone else will chime in to make sure I am correct ...

the username and password are for you database...

On a shared server you will want to NOT use persistant connections and store in the database....

hope this helps :)

But go here for a lot more-----> http://wiki.oscommerce.com/

for your current situation go here-----> http://wiki.oscommerce.com/helpInstallNew

August 3, 2003

Your host may or may not have already made a database for you. If they did, just use the name they gave it. If they did not, use whatever method they allow for administration of a database to make a blank database (of whatever name--just remember it so you can put it in the install).

Hth,

Matt

P.S. If you search for *EasyPHP*, you will find a number of posts about installing locally, for future reference.

August 3, 2003

I've used the name of the mysql database they gave me, but it's still saying access denied. I've written tech support hours ago.

Initially I wanted to install this program on my computer, but got stuck on apache as you've probably read.

Thanks, Angela

August 3, 2003

localhost was the server name that worked, not the IP. Ok, now I need to change permissions in the config.php to 644 - how do I do this and where on the page do I make the change?

aloha, Angela

August 3, 2003

this must be really basic and I'm embarrassed to ask, but I must. I'm still stuck on this last step for initialization:

Rename the catalog/install folder or delete it.

Reset the permissions on /catalog/includes/configure.php to 644 (if you are still getting the warning message at the top set configure.php to 444 which is read only - this happens on some servers that have been updated for security reasons).

Set the permissions on /catalog/images directory to 777

Reset the permissions on /admin/includes/configure.php to 644

Create the dir /admin/backups and set the permissions to 777

Set the permissions on /admin/images/graphs directory to 777

I don't know how to change the numbers, It doesn't look like any numbers are in the document. What am I doing wrong?

aloha, Angela

Orphon · August 3, 2003

To set permissions you can use an FTP program.... or depending on your host, their control panel might have a way to do it...

The permissions aren't IN the file really... It dictates who can read and who can write to each file...

August 4, 2003

My host has support for mysql and php, but had permissions not in numerical code, but letters. I had to reinterpret them.

Ahhh, my admin and catalog page pop up, and I am thrilled. Now the real work begins. Thank you for your help!

Aloha, Angela

August 4, 2003

I have my oscommerce up an working, I just have to finalize these steps which I don't fully understand.

8. Create the dir /admin/backups and set the permissions to 777

I've done this by creating a subfolder and calling it backup, but there seems to be a backup.php file... should I put this file into the backup folder or is the backup.php file the actual subdirectory?

9. Password protect your /catalog/admin dir using .htaccess How? I can't even open the .htaccess file, unless you are supposed to do it from a control panel or something else. Is this the .htaccess file that is in the catalog folder or the .htaccess file that is in the admin folder which by the way I can only get a glimpse of in dreamweaver, but the File Manager Tool on my host's control panel doesn't recognize or list those files.

10. Add to your DirectoryIndex statement and include the following :

default.php index.php What is my directory index statement, where can I find it? and do I create this default.phpindex.php file, or just drag it in from somewhere?

This can be done in the Apache httpd.conf file if you have root access, or can be done in a .htaccess file in your /catalog directory. If I am working on an online server, this does not apply to me...or does it?

Your help is much appreciated.

Aloha, Angela

August 4, 2003

8. backup.php is the code to do backups. The backup directory is needed for it to dump backups when it is done. It backs up everything in the database, client info and configuration.

9. Your host's control panel should provide a way to secure the admin directory. However, they would be the ones to ask.

10. It applies to everyone. If you don't have a way to do it, ask your host.

Good luck,

Matt

August 4, 2003

I set this up in notepad and saved it as .htpasswd

htpasswd -b -c .htpasswd username: sandra password: bullock

then I put it in home/user/passwords (folder)

When I type the url to get to catalog, it appears and when I add on admin, it gives me the name/password prompt, but user/pass comb won't let me in.

I know you said even if I don't have apache, that it would still apply to me, but where would I find the configuration file or what else can you suggest. I really appreciate leads.

Aloha, Angela

laymans instructions needed

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