Template Files

[Guest]

I simply do not have time to peel through 10 megs of code to find the template files (which most would assume are labled with either a directory or filename of something like "TEMPLATE", "TEMPLATE FILES", etcetera). Can somebody tell me how to keep this affordable to a cheap client and guide me to the files I need in order to make customizations?

 

Thanks,

 

"fucd"

 

I tried to register with about 18 names, but "fucd" was all that was left ... so "fucd" I am. :D

[wizardsandwars]

header.php

footer.php

column_left.php

column_right.php

all of the infoboxes.php

 

and stylesheet.css

[paulm2003]

Is MS3 out already? :huh:

 

If you are looking for osC2.2MS2 template files you better install a template contribution first

http://www.oscommerce.com/community/contributions/category,8

 

After you installed the BTS the templates are in.............."catalog/templates" :) ,

but if you want to keep it simple you might like the STS better.

[wizardsandwars]

And If you plan on ever upgrading to a new version of OSC, I wouldn't suggest installing a template contribution at all.

[Guest]

And If you plan on ever upgrading to a new version of OSC, I wouldn't suggest installing a template contribution at all.

Why even have contributions then? Installing a template contribution does not prevent you from upgrading. Sure if you just want to copy and paste new files over old, then you can't do that...

 

For that matter why even bother changing your site from the default layout? It only makes upgrading in the future more difficult.

[wizardsandwars]

Yes, however the templating systems drastically change the OSCommerce code, and the fact of the matter is that OSCommerce will soon have it's OWN templating system.

 

Using either STS or BTS now is fine, however, if and when you wish to upgrade, You'll basically have to start from scratch eliminating everything you altered to add STS or BTS. With other contributions and design layouts, you simply have to re-apply the contribution. But in all likilyhood, you will not be able to re-apply the BTS or STS to the MS3 version of OSCommerce.

 

The best appreach is still to apply your design changes directly to the php code and stylesheet.css.

[paulm2003]

Using either STS or BTS now is fine, however, if and when you wish to upgrade, You'll basically have to start from scratch

That could be true for any contribution you decide use now, if you want to upgrade to MS3 later.

 

With other contributions and design layouts, you simply have to re-apply the contribution.

Only if these other contributions become available for MS3. Or if you rewrite them yourself of course. ( http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66003 )

 

But in all likilyhood, you will not be able to re-apply the BTS or STS to the MS3 version of OSCommerce.

Unless they are updated to work with MS3, and that's also the same for any other contribution.

 

The best approach is still to apply your design changes directly to the php code and stylesheet.css.

I certainly agree about the stylesheet. And, unfortunately, altering PHP code (or using a contribution that does it for you like the STS or BTS) is a must if you really want to change the osC cart design.

[wizardsandwars]

I'll concede that it's practically the same with every contribution. However most contributions are relativly small and easy to update for new versions, while templating systems are not. Especially considering that OSC will probably have its own form of templating system in place by MS3, and therefore it would be redundant to install one of theswe current template systems on top of that.

[paulm2003]

However most contributions are relativly small and easy to update for new versions, while templating systems are not.

Indeed I don't expect the BTS to be updated easyly (also because I'm quite sure Brenden won't). But most "personal" changes to the current osC code will also be useless for MS3 I expect.

 

Especially considering that OSC will probably have its own form of templating system in place by MS3

The templates created for the BTS might be not to difficult to use for MS3, I hope :) .