Test Drive Free Templates

kuroi · 29th August 2006, 01:19 AM

There seems to be a very welcome upturn in the number and originality of templates emerging at the moment. However choosing between them can be difficult. Even finding out what they look like takes a fair bit of effort. So here's a tool to make it much, much easier ...

zencarttemplates.info lets you test drive all the 1.3 templates currently available in the downloads area. You can switch to any template from any page, without losing your place in the store, making it easy to compare how well each deals with different parts of a representative store (played by the Zen Cart demo database).

If you find a template that you'd like to download, there is a link at the top of the page to bring you back to the appropriate page in the downloads area.

ideasgirl · 29th August 2006, 02:37 AM

I was thinking to do something similar....

but too much work with my "stuff".

Thanks!!! I know the community will appreciate this.

TinaS · 29th August 2006, 02:41 AM

That was very nice of you to do Kuroi !

Sketchy · 29th August 2006, 09:57 AM

That is uber cool!! That's awesome of you to do that. This should help people get into the swing of things with the override system, by making it easier to view templates and finding one that suits them.

kuroi · 29th August 2006, 12:53 PM

I certainly hope so Sketchy. And take some credit yourself - Candied Apple/Blueberry together with Sophy Blue, Simple Zen and the Gloss templates meant that the number available leapt suddenly as did the originality index inspiring me to put this together to make that more visible.

The site's far from finished. I intend (for example) to add a further info such as links to support threads and wikis where they exist.

And overall, I hope that this will encourage more designers to start pushing the boundaries a bit and contributing more (quantity) and more (creativity) templates knowing that they will have more visibility than was previously the case.

Sketchy · 29th August 2006, 02:00 PM

Thanks for that, I hope the users are pleased with the creations.

Well, your site looks good so far. That's a wonderful idea of the links, kind of like a showcase and directory guide. That sure will make things easier for people new to Zen.

You're right... I'd love to contribute more as I build more.

ideasgirl · 29th August 2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

And overall, I hope that this will encourage more designers to start pushing the boundaries a bit and contributing more (quantity) and more (creativity) templates...

The only thing that is discouraging (spelling?) me of creating more free templates is that users aren't respecting the copyright/link back note on the footer, eventhough is the only thing I ask for.

DrByte · 29th August 2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ideasgirl

The only thing that is discouraging me of creating more free templates is that users aren't respecting the copyright/link back note on the footer, eventhough is the only thing I ask for.

Funny what people will do with "free" software, isn't it ... somehow they think they suddenly own it ...

Valid point, but now we're getting off-topic.

TShooters · 29th August 2006, 10:07 PM

Thanks so much, Kuroi! You do good work!

momoftwoadorablekids · 30th August 2006, 12:18 AM

WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH!! That was helpful, I love the glossy black template!

Is there a mod for that template switcher trick??

29th August 2006, 01:19 AM	#1
kuroi Totally Zenned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 9,438	Test Drive Free Templates There seems to be a very welcome upturn in the number and originality of templates emerging at the moment. However choosing between them can be difficult. Even finding out what they look like takes a fair bit of effort. So here's a tool to make it much, much easier ... zencarttemplates.info lets you test drive all the 1.3 templates currently available in the downloads area. You can switch to any template from any page, without losing your place in the store, making it easy to compare how well each deals with different parts of a representative store (played by the Zen Cart demo database). If you find a template that you'd like to download, there is a link at the top of the page to bring you back to the appropriate page in the downloads area. __________________ See and test drive Zen Cart's free templates at zencarttemplates.info 8 new templates added Kuroi Web Design \| Twitter (Questions answered in the forum only - so that any forum member can benefit - not by personal message)

29th August 2006, 02:37 AM	#2
ideasgirl Totally Zenned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico Posts: 1,038	Re: Test Drive Free Templates I was thinking to do something similar.... but too much work with my "stuff". Thanks!!! I know the community will appreciate this. __________________ IDEAS Girl ~ IDEAS Creative Group = *Your image... our business!* My contributions: Sophy Blue / Sophy Blue-Grey / Mistik / The Bookshelf / Dynamic Sideboxes

29th August 2006, 02:41 AM	#3
TinaS Totally Zenned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,147	Re: Test Drive Free Templates That was very nice of you to do Kuroi ! __________________ When the world gets in my face I say Have A Nice Day. * I DO Think and I HAVE BEEN Zenned - therefore, I AM * I donate - do you? Custom Templates and Zen Services CRS Designs, Inc.

29th August 2006, 09:57 AM	#4
Sketchy Totally Zenned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032	Re: Test Drive Free Templates That is uber cool!! That's awesome of you to do that. This should help people get into the swing of things with the override system, by making it easier to view templates and finding one that suits them.

29th August 2006, 12:53 PM	#5
kuroi Totally Zenned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 9,438	Re: Test Drive Free Templates I certainly hope so Sketchy. And take some credit yourself - Candied Apple/Blueberry together with Sophy Blue, Simple Zen and the Gloss templates meant that the number available leapt suddenly as did the originality index inspiring me to put this together to make that more visible. The site's far from finished. I intend (for example) to add a further info such as links to support threads and wikis where they exist. And overall, I hope that this will encourage more designers to start pushing the boundaries a bit and contributing more (quantity) and more (creativity) templates knowing that they will have more visibility than was previously the case. __________________ See and test drive Zen Cart's free templates at zencarttemplates.info 8 new templates added Kuroi Web Design \| Twitter (Questions answered in the forum only - so that any forum member can benefit - not by personal message)

29th August 2006, 02:00 PM	#6
Sketchy Totally Zenned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,032	Re: Test Drive Free Templates Thanks for that, I hope the users are pleased with the creations. Well, your site looks good so far. That's a wonderful idea of the links, kind of like a showcase and directory guide. That sure will make things easier for people new to Zen. You're right... I'd love to contribute more as I build more.

29th August 2006, 10:07 PM	#9
TShooters Totally Zenned Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,051	Re: Test Drive Free Templates Thanks so much, Kuroi! You do good work! __________________ Country Kitty Crafts

30th August 2006, 12:18 AM	#10
momoftwoadorablekids New Zenner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13	Re: Test Drive Free Templates WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH!! That was helpful, I love the glossy black template! Is there a mod for that template switcher trick??

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