Second step in setting up your cart - templates

[Music Man]

OK....I started by reading http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=230.

This is too advanced for my current knowledge level.... Is there a Zen for Dummies out there some place? I need more basic instruction that does not assume I am already knowledgeable.... In other words...I'm just getting started....is there something for a newby to use that is a more basic...step by step approach?

[abltdco1]

Hi i am a newby. having some real trouble setting up zen cart. can someone please mail me at ab8ltd@yahoo.co.uk for some help. Many thanks. Dan

[opelawebworx]

Just gettinf started and had a question. I am using xamp as a local server to get familiar with everything. couple of questions come up.

1. when i set up MySql through xampp how do I upload to the web?
2. how do I upload the finished cart to my site.
3. If I have to work from my domian for each cart, How do I unzip the templates I use form the Zencart site properly?

Okay mor then wo questions but i am trying to head off spending a bunch of time on a local serve only to find out i have to start over and work diretly for the hosting site.

[pe123]

Hi,

I'm very new. I have installed ZC here:
www.rehomeonline.com/cart/.

I want to keep the "clean" look of my site. I've noticed that there are two "Home" links, one with the "Log In" link at the very top and one indented a little bit and further south on the page.

Is there any way to condense these navigational elements into one horizontal line so that they don't take up as much screen real estate and also cause some confusion?

Also, when you click on one of my products, there is third set of links, "Live Workshops" and "Webinars". Do you know how I could better display these headings to let people know that they are product categories? I don't think that it is obvious that they are product categories.

Sorry for the very not-so-advanced-but-still-perplexing-to-me questions.

Best,
P

[pe123]

Oh, I also forgot to ask the question that I came in here to ask in the first place which is...

I can't figure out how to make my products sort in the sorting order that I designate. They seem to sort randomly, at least on the new products page which is the first page you see.

I don't think my customers understand that this first page is only a new products page and that there are more pages to be seen than this.

Any pointers are VERY MUCH appreciated! Thank you!!!

P

[jonnyl94]

Heeelppp!

I want to install the template, "bluezenfish", but when I upload the files to the template directory, and then go into admin and select template selection, the template doesnt show in the list? I've tried with two other templates but cannot seem to make it work...


Any ideas?

J

[SandyFishGirl]

As long as there are 'new kids on the block' the forum will be full of silly questions, like this one.....

WHERE is "includes/templates" ????????

following the instruction on this page http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=142

I did as suggested, making the new folders, files, re-naming... (Inside my server)

THEN - I get to the end & read the instruction

Upload your /CUSTOM folder to your server.

I just did ALL of the previous steps IN my server.

From Admin home - tools - template selection; I only had the default template. SO, I deleted all of the folders & files I had just put into my server. Went back to Admin home - LOOKING for "includes/templates" I am unable to find any such thing from the Admin home

There has to be a SIMPLE answer to WHERE (via my server files? or in the Admin home) do I go to make a custom template. If it IS done in my server - why the instruction

When you've finished, your new file structure should look as follows:

list of folders/files followed by

Upload your /CUSTOM folder to your server.

I'll keep looking to try and figure this out - any suggestions would be appreciated - as well as any imput on the e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart - is it going to help a non-code person as myself?
THANKS!!!!!

[jaypg1]

I have tried to use the same method of adding an image to the header to: #navColumnOne { hopeing to get an image behind my left side boxes. I've gone through the FAQ's and there doesn't seem to be anything on this, any ideas?
cheers.

[SandyFishGirl]

I did get the cart installed! BUT - - I was having a really hard time with this cart It's probably a great program, for people that know how to read and write HTML. Not me. I am currently using one that has an admin, kinda like Zen - but has a WYSIWYG site builder. Well, it's actually a WYSIWYG program I already had - with the Web Shop built in. I didn't try it first, because it looked complicated - UNTIL, I tried this cart - ha! I need MUCH more code training before I can use this cart to it's fullest

HOPEFULLY - one of the "Zen Masters" will help you out with this

[albakir]

I am posting this information in order to provide a link that will more easily provide solutions for typical problems faced by most new Zenners. (Devs feel free to edit this for completeness and accuracy.)

Start here to learn just about everything you need to know to get started customizing your site - http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=230
http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=143
http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php?article=232

Zen Cart is built on a system called ‘overrides.’ When you have worked hard on customizing your site you do not want to lose all that work when a new version or cart update comes along. So, follow the guide for creating a custom template and it will ‘override’ the stock template after any updates.

All of the files you change should go in special folders you create for your template. Something like /custom or /my_template. Your new custom template folder should only contain files that have actually been edited for your site. Copy the files from template_default, edit them, and make sure they are in the correct ’my_custom_template’ folder. Most of the /custom folders will be in directories that also have a /classic folder. The classic folder is a landmark to let you know you are in the right place.

If you are using ver 1.3+ you should use the template default as a basis for your new template and not the Classic template.

Remember to edit template_info.php and turn on the template in admin.

The Wiki also has great information. However, since the forum experienced an emergency reload, the links may not have been updated. Be patient. Some of the information refers to ver 1.2+ and is slightly different in 1.3+ so read carefully.

http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._-_Customizing
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...on_-_Templates
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p..._API_Overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Basic_Checklist

If your new template does not work, please double check the following things before having a panic attack, starting to blame the devs, claiming there must be a bug and/or appealing to everyone’s good nature since you ‘are such a newb.’ Before posting a thread needing "emergency attention" ask:

1. Are your edited files in the correct folders?
2. Are you editing the correct files?
3. Have you misspelled a file or folder name?
4. Have you have turned on the template?
5. Have you have used Admin> Tools> Developers Tool Kit? Put the text you want to change in the box at bottom left and select ‘all files.’ You will get a list of files with that text.
6. Have you re-read the tutorials because you missed a step.

I have committed all these sins, and more, so do not think you could not have made a mistake.

Best wishes for your Zen success.

can you help me out to Get rid of text next to logo.gif on main page of Apple-zen template....{To change any of the site colors, open up includes/templates/apple_zen/css/stylesheet.css. To overwrite your own logo, upload your logo.gif to includes/templates/apple_zen/images/}