yes but how do i get to the page to edit it!!!!!!
dan
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yes but how do i get to the page to edit it!!!!!!
dan
hello dan
did you install with fantistico? if so...this is a problem i had when i started...reading about what files to edit but not knowing how to get to them
you need a copy of all the files on your computer hard drive so download them from sourceforge.... unzip it to your hard drive
you need a good text editor...crimson is free
browse the files on you computer to find your downloaded zencart file set...go through the folders to find the file you need to change...in your case to find
includes/languages/english/header.php
open the "includes" folder then the "languages" folder then the "english" folder...in this last folder you'll find the file named header.php
edit this file in you text editor and "save as" in a new folder called whatever your_template is
then you need an ftp client to upload files that you change...filezilla is good and free
connect to your server with filezilla....on the right are the files on your server...the left the files on your computer...
click through the folders (in a folder called public_html or equivalent) on your server till you get to includes/languages/english/ in the english folder create a new folder and call it whatever your_template is
open up your_template on the server side... and go over to the computer side
find the copy of includes/languages/english/your_template/header.php on your computer....upload header.php to includes/languages/english/your_template/ on your server
if you've changed your template in admin > tools >template selection to whatever your_template is then you should see you changes online
hope that helps yourself and others...
Quote:
Originally Posted by monkeymadness
:huh:
Hi,
Thanks for all your help but I am very sorry to ask you for the link of what I need to download I went to the website and got so confused.
I really am so sorry.
Daniel
hehe at the top of the forum it says "get zen cart"
which takes you to
http://sourceforge.net/project/showf...kage_id=171544
click on the
zen-cart-v1.3.0.2-full-fileset.zip
and choose your nearest location to download the files
its all a bit daunting at first but once you get the hang of it hopefully you'll love it too
good luck
:smartass: I'm so pround!!!! :smartass:
All I did was go to filezilla.sourceforge.net
Downloaded FileZilla and downloaded the files through that!!
Now I can customised my Page!!! I never new i could!!!!!
:thumbsup:
have fun
New Zenners should know about the 'no image' picture, and how it can be done automatically.
(I uploaded a whole bunch of "no image" pictures manually before I found that...which was right now...and I still don't know how to use it.
Also, new zenners should be directed to Image Handler, I just found that one too, wish I had it months ago.
And there may be more mods and such that would be good for newbies to know about, but thats what I know about and wish I had months ago.
We become a global society with the internet and that society tends to stand in front of the microwave and holler, "Hurry Up!"
How many of you still have shrink-wrapped instruction manuals all over the house?
How many, like my son-in-law, installed an LCD screen with a giant bracket only to find it did not have one cable installed properly. Only needed to set the delay for surround sound! EVERY movie is Godzilla with English dubbed! And, there's "not enough time to get it down and connected properly."
I still feel that the index page for ZC_Install should present the option of reading the docs, FAQ's, and Wiki with a recommendation to do so before continuing.
80% still won't do it BUT they'll have seen that there are docs, FAQ's and the wiki. Maybe it won't come as such a shock later.
in reply to dbltoe: I don't know if you're saying stuff in response to my previous post or everything else in this thread...I haven't kept up with it.
I did find the information I was looking for in the wiki docs, but damn, things just aren't easy to find.
I really think the biggest problem is that there is just TOO much information, too many options, too many little details. Too many things that have similar names, and do similar things, but don't do the same thing.
I don't think it's bad, it just takes a long time to become a zen master, and if you're looking for something specifically, it can be difficult to sift through pages and pages and pages of forum topics, and then you post your questions and sometimes all you get is "use the Search form!"
And that's not just here, any information forum I've ever been on...there are thousands of threads and it can be very difficult to find information.
The Wiki doc takes a nice approach for the admin section, listing every option and has a description...but it needs to be easier to find, the Admin is one of the most confusing parts of Zen Cart because there are just so many options.
Ok I give up. How do you change the sales message and welcome message.Quote:
Originally Posted by clydejones
Stewart
How do I Change the Sales message or TaglineQuote:
Originally Posted by Keremel
To change the “sales message goes here” or “Tagline Here” text to say what you want open the includes/languages/ENGLISH/header.php file in your code editor. Find the following line of code:
define('HEADER_SALES_TEXT', 'TagLine Here');
Replace the tagline text with your own text, making sure that the single quote marks are not left out.
How do I Change the Welcome Guest Message
If you want to eliminate “Welcome Guest!” Would you like to log yourself in?” message completely, turn off the Customer Greeting in your Admin -> Configuration -> Layout settings -> Customer Greeting -> Show on Index Page and set to 0.
If you want to replace this message with one of your own, start your text editor and open the includes/languages/ENGLISH/index.php file and locate these lines of code
if (STORE_STATUS == '0') {
define('TEXT_GREETING_GUEST', 'Welcome <span class="greetUser">Guest!</span> Would you like to <a href="%s">log yourself in</a>?');
} else {
define('TEXT_GREETING_GUEST', 'Welcome, please enjoy our online showcase.');
}
define('TEXT_GREETING_PERSONAL', 'Hello <span class="greetUser">%s</span>!');
As you can see, there are two Welcome messages depending upon whether you wish you Zen Cart to be a fully functioning store, or just a showroom. Edit the message starting from the word “Welcome” but be careful not to change the text in angled brackets, or the brackets themselves. Make sure that the single quote marks are not left out. If you want to include an apostrophe in your text e.g. “Lucy's Store”, you will need to put an escape character before the apostrophe, i.e. “Lucy\'s Store”.
How do I Change the Congratulations! Message?
If you want to change the Congratulations! You have successfully installed your Zen Cart™; E-Commerce Solution? Text with your own open the includes/languages/ENGLISH/index.php file and find the following code:
// This section deals with the "home" page at the top level with no options/products selected
/*Replace this text with the headline you would like for your shop. For example: 'Welcome to My SHOP!'*/
define('HEADING_TITLE', 'Congratulations! You have successfully installed your Zen Cart™ E-Commerce Solution.');
} elseif ($category_depth == 'nested') {
// This section deals with displaying a subcategory
/*Replace this line with the headline you would like for your shop. For example: 'Welcome to My SHOP!'*/
define('HEADING_TITLE', 'Congratulations! You have successfully installed your Zen Cart™ E-Commerce Solution.');
}
Replace the text starting “Congratulations” with your own text. Make sure that the single quote marks are not left out, save the file and upload to your server.
Hey everyone! As you can probably see I'm new to ZC and this is my first shopping cart experience. I just wanted to know what credit card processing companies you can use with ZC? I've looked in the payment modules and is that it? My client uses Innovative Merchant Solutions and they want to stick with it (they're switching hosting companies). I wasn't sure you can pick the one you wanted or what they had in the module you had to use.
Thanks!
Welcome to Zen Cart.
There are a few additional contributed payment modules available here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...ex&cPath=40_48
It may be necessary to write one for the merchant in question. You could post an ad in the Commercial Help Wanted section to hire someone to write such a mod if needed.
Hey I think it's a great idea to start a ZEN GUIDE for new zenners.
An idea I'd like to contribute to you is that maybe you should consider adding a "GOING LIVE CHECKLIST".
Maybe a run-through, or a 'checklist' for new zenners to check before they actually go live with their site.
I wish I could find one right now! It would be a great way to make sure that I've got everything covered.
:cheers:
www.everythinglebanon.com/shop TEST SITE
Did you look in the FAQs?
:unsure: Hello everyone, I am brand new to Zen - well sort off, I had a web designer get me as far as i am now. Due to differences of opinion, we are not working together anymore. I want to know how to change some of the aspects of my template, I have no clue how to access any "behind the scenes" parts of the site, thank god I have the admin part down.
I want to change some aspects of my template design, like colors, the header design. Can anybody walk be through the basics here - I hear people talking about modifying lines of code, I don't even know where the code is acessed from!
Any help would be greatfully appreciated
here is what I have so far http://www.apostle.com
:unsure:
Get thee to FireFox!
Seriously, get a copy of FireFox with the Web Developer's and HTML Validator extensions. This will "show you the way" when you really need to know what's happening. For example, some of your hovers are not working due to a misspelling of the word hover on line 44 of the colors.css.
It may surprise you to even know that you have a colors.css. Did me. AND... It may be doing weird things to the site as I don't immediately see where it's called.
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...etup_ChecklistQuote:
Originally Posted by christayah
I want to change some stuff on my template design, like colors, the header design. Can anybody walk be through the basics here - I hear people talking about modifying lines of code, WHERE IS THE CODE LOCATED? - i HAVE FF WITH THE DEVELOPERS kit - I am probably the most clueless zenner in here, can some tell me where the code is edited from or where it is at????
with Firefox and the Web Developer's toolkit, you can click on edit css in the web toolbar. There you can change your colors, etc. that are not graphics. Graphics will need to be changed outside the cart and re-inserted. Wording or code that you want to change can be found in the admin control panel using the tools menu and the designer's toolkit under it. Use the last item on the list and select all for the search area. It will tell you what file(s) you need to edit.
huhm, i don't see the css button - should I be in admin for this or on the Main_page itself??
You may not have the FireFox toolbar open. This is not in the admin section of your site but in the toolbars in FireFox.
Or, it may not be installed. Look first under Tools in FireFox. Is there a menu item Web Developer? If not, it's not installed.
If it is there, got to View, Toolbars and click on the Web Developer Toolbar.
Once the toolbar is open, you'll see a green blob next to the letters CSS.
The other helpful item on that toolbar is information. Items 4 through 6 on that menu are very helpful to me.
you are right it is not installed - how do I get it?
http://chrispederick.com/work/webdeveloper\ for the Web Developer and http://users.skynet.be/mgueury/mozilla/ for the HTML Validator.
There are many others you may like as well. Just got to Tools, Extensions to find more.
Ahh, good looking out! - Thanks for the help!:D
one more thing, I just replaced my template, what is the path to change the footer (copyright info) & the header (my own Custom Logo/header)?
Here's where your other great tool comes into play. Go into the admin portion of your site, to the tools menu. Go down to Develeoper's Toolkit and open it. In the last item on the list, enter Copyright in the left-hand box. Tab to the next and select the one that searches in both the admin and catalog. Tab again to the search button and hit enter.
You'll use this almost as much as FireFox.
:smile: COOL!!! Now it comes up with a whole bunch of them, can the search be narrowed down? I take it the same applies to the "tag line"!? Another question (fyi, thanks for your patience) can the body width be adjusted, I am not using any right side boxes - just on the left, and I wanted to strech it out to the far corner, sdo it looks fuller, is this possible??
Usually you can narrow it down by the name of the file. Header, footer, and main would give you a pretty good idea of where they would be putting data. Others are not as revealing but you will get the hang of it.
Use Firefox for the appearance of the site. If you use information and display div order. you'll note that some things are called wrapppers. These define the size of the area they wrap. By adjusting them in the css, you'll resize the site.
Remember that changes to files should be saved in your template override files to save them from being overwritten in future upgrades.
you lost me there - how do I save them in the overide??
Winfab-
Bolding, exclamation points and yelling are generally frowned upon. They indicate a bad attitude. Now, there are lots of very nice people that are willing to help if you will be patient.
The files you need to look at are on your web server and you need to access them via FTP. If you do not know what that is then please Google for a basic FTP tutorial.
I am sorry I didn't realize that, I was just trying to make it stand out - I will keep it it mind for future postings - thanks for the heads up
anyway....:D
Don't know what template you are using without a link to your site and I am on a laptop in the middle of nowhere so we'll word it this way.
if the file is includes/templates/whatever.php, you would change it and save it as includes/templates/winfab/whatever.php.
This is, of course, assuming that your are using winfab as your directory names for the override directories.
Search the FAQs and wiki for a better explanation of the override system.
the url is www.apostle.com I found the email footer, made the changes, re-uploaded and it still looks the same - Am I missing something, is there more then one place I need to make this change (I changed it under includes/languages/english/email_extras.php) the change didn't take place...not sure about that, any ideas??
I believe the override is under winwood
Unless you look at an email, you won't see a change. try looking for just plain footer.:wink2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Winfab
And..... Since you have changed to the sophyblue template, the file would be saved as includes/languages/english/sophyblue/email_extras.php
We were attracted to Zen by it's multilingual capabilities. We are bravely starting a zen store with 5 languages and I would love reading a good tutorial on how this works and how not to end up mixing up language translations when they are updated (which will be constanly on our site). To add to the potential problems the original language to be translated could be any of them to all the rest.
I'm a real new Zenner and I would like to know how to post a new thread.
I do not need to post right now but yesterday I searched and searched for a way to post a new thread. It took me a long time but I finally found a button that took me to a new post box.
Today, I'm looking again but cannot find a way, so having a "Post New" button in the navigation would be great.
Just my opinion.
Syl
There is a new thread button. You navigate to the section in which you want your post to appear and a new thread button will appear at both the top and bottom of the page.Quote:
Originally Posted by smprowse
Hey, kuroi, Cool and thanks.
I still think it should be included in "Things every New Zenner needs to Know" because I didnt' know that and I'm sure I'm not the only new person who didn't know how to start a new post (or could I be the only one? lol).
Thanks,
Syl
You're not the only one. It took me a while to figure this out when the current version of the forum was launched, and over 1,000 posts later I've still used that button less than 20 times :lamo:
Being an absolutely new Zenner, I wonder if the Tutorials were don and, if so, where are they please? Thanks alot.
Tutorials are being worked on. Until then there is lots of information int eh FAQ, and an increasing amount in the Wiki. There are links to both at the top of the page.
Being a new zenner myself I also suggest reading the Archives, lots of good stuff there, I found a tremendous amount of info there.
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/archive/index.php/
The fourms are confussing.
Where can I go to find out to correct the place where my cart goes to my webpages?
Can this site be used with FrontPage?
I think this cart is to difficult for me to get connects. I enjoyed setting up products but other than I am just completely lost.
Help in austin.
Sorry, I don't quite get your questions but I can tell you that ANYTHING is better than FrontPage. It inserts code whenever and wherever it feels like.
Having had about fifteen years experience with various computer projects I've long appreciated the need for a good, well-written guide and manual for any new participant and plan. That combined with my software engineering background has always given me a methodical approach to any new project, and looking into the Zen cart is another new exercise for me.
Having read throgh this thread I see there is a need to build up an easy-to-read and effective step-by-step description of the cart, its structure and function, ideally illustrated and easily navigable.
My first thought was that you ought to look at reproducing the old Zen pdf manual, which is a good starter for me even though it is a couple of years old. :book:
Does anyone here know the writer Ken Alger, and is the source file available for up-dating?
Once you have this in place it's just a matter of running a regular update of a source master document, drawing together writing and image captures from other contributors and placing the new pdf printed file for download.
Certainly it's a lot easier to print and read a 100+ page manual than try hunting around scores of linked pages, FAQs, Wiki references, and getting lost in the process.
The other good source I found here seems to be the site being created by JollyJim referred to earlier in this thread by Woody.
##############.helpfiles.co.uk/ :lamo:
Although it seems incomplete is could be the basis of a very friendly and easy-to-use reference manual that many may contribute to in an ongoing project? Again this could use illustrations (the same ones?) as in a printed manual.
If you needed to create both an online and and offline experience then these two suggestions might be the most efficient routes to follow.
:smartass:
How do I change the template. I've tried downloading ones and I can't figure it out. I would rather make my own and I can not figure out how to do that ether. Can someone please help me. And could you please tell me in normal English instead of computer lingo, that just confuses me even more.
Please help me.
Thanks,
tomcoug
You will need access to your FTP Server, a good image editing software (I recommend Adobe PhotoShop 7-8.0) The file that dictates what your pages will look like is called Stylesheet.css & your image folder.
The path (through your FTP Server) is:
Includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/css/stylesheet.css
Includes/templates/YOUR_TEMPLATE/images
There is allot of good people here willing to help you, I am still learning myself & also use frontpage, though I am still familiarizing myself with the code, it is well worth the time. GOOD LUCK!!
See, that was the funny thing. I never load demo data, because all too many times I've had to spend a day or so tracking down all of it to remove it. I did let it load the demo EZ pages. The *first* thing I did after installing (and I followed the readme for that) was to look for a manual. Nope, no manual. So, I went looking for an online manual. Nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by dbltoe
So, I started searching the forum. Found the wiki. Downloaded a buncha stuff on the override system, knowing I'd need that. Then hunted down the info on the EZ pages. I had found the demo pages, but they really didn't say all that much about the 3 or 4 places you have to turn 'on' to make them show up.
My main concern is that I have to train my customer on this package. He's *not* a webbie. He's a pool hall owner who thinks Front Page is all that. He will be updating his main page (which is in EZ pages) regularly. This isn't going to be fun, because he'll be *very* confuzzled by the way Zen is laid out.
OK, my next suggestion (along with many of the others in this thread):
A CSS map. I'd like to know what CSS files, and where in those files the various areas come from.
Right now I'm planning on changing the EZ pages sidebox to display menus similar to the CSS flyout menus I'm using on my product catalog.
The site is here:
http://216.14.216.28/index.php?main_page=index
Not a problem, I'm fairly used to CSS, and Topstyle Pro is a nice little program that makes working with CSS pretty easy, so it shouldn't be that big an issue.
But with the heavy emphasis on CSS, I'm with all the others in that it needs to be given a piece of the 'getting started with Zen' document. It has a lot of power, and if you can find what you need, the rest of it sort of falls into place.
(Thanks for the heads up on the links in my sig, I'd accidently done it like an href, LOL - more sleep, less coding, I guess)
Vicky - running off to finish my design changes....
vicky,
If you use firefox, you can try install web developer plugin. it helps identify CSS class and id easier just by hovering over the section you want to identify...
I found it a must have tool when work with Zen design.
Bruce,
I am a new Zenner and between programmers. I do not know my way around code but use common sense in working around the drop downs and catelgories. Any help you can as far as a a guide would be great.
There are alot of us that are using Zen because their particular hosting company uses it. As you probably know it is often hard to find your human"host" to answer questions and make the small changes needed when growing a business. I find dealing with all of this very overwhelming.
Any help you could bring to the table would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Add me to the list of people who could have used a commented css stylesheet. I had gotten my head wrapped around the 1.2.x version, and the 1.3.0 threw me off again.
Just things to say like: this is the background of the navigation bar, etc.
Probably many people like me are new to both zencart and css, so learning both at once is quite a headful of info.
What I would like to see is an index that indicates where to go to look at the code, change or modify each thing that can be changed. For example, what admin tab, code module, etc do I co to to change a certain feature.
I started in the spring and got a test store up on my computer (I use XAMPP which is an apache server, php, mysql, etc to provide a good test environment on a windows machine) and learned from the forum how to build my database with EXCELL. My store worked fairly well but my product supplier came out with a record amount of new products, so I started over in EXCELL. When I got the data ready to load, I came back to the forum and learned about the new version and patches. This time I started over and did it right. I like what i've got and am only a week or two from going live.
Try here in the Wiki Top 10 Questions asked by new Zen Cart™ UsersQuote:
Originally Posted by buyway
and here for an admin glossary
While I admit that some of the selectors are not reflective of what they are or do, I think that the properties are fairly self-explanatory:Quote:
Originally Posted by roaryg
A stylesheet guide is being worked on.Code:#navMainWrapper { /* this is the selector for the main navigation bar. */
margin: 0em;
background-color: #9a9a9a; /* I'd say this fairly self-explanatory */
font-weight: bold;
color: #ffffff; */ this refers to the text color */
height: 1%;
width: 100%;
}
Did this project ever get finished or published anywhere?
Sections of the QSM are still being worked on.
Some secitons have been published in the wiki.
Top 10 Questions asked by new Zen Cart™ Users
Useful Tools For Working With Zen Cart™
Creating a New Template for v1.3.0+
Thanks ;)
What's the best way to help/contribute to this, in the event of finding a good solution to a very common problem that's not currently addressed in the wiki?
e.g. "How do I Change the Sales message or Tagline?"
It would be good to also feature another variant;
"How do I completely Remove/Delete the Sales message or Tagline?"
Sketchy provided a really fantastic simple CSS solution here that doesn't require hacking code:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...824#post251824
It also has an account of obstacles i faced in the event of attempting to "remove" the tagline, because changing the SALES_HEADER-TEXT to have "nothing" appear, in the attempt to 'remove' it, ended up causing problems. IE was not happy with an empty div and it took me a long time for me to find the solution for complete removal of the <div, id=tagline> thing within posts shared on the forum.
Perhaps this solution is already published somewhere there, but i think it's worthy of review for the Top 10, which currently seems to be listing 12 items atm ;)
The following has been added to http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Top_10_questions:
Yes we know there are more than 10 questions, but as is explained in the introduction:Quote:
=== How do I Remove/Delete the Sales message or Tagline? ===
Earlier versions of Zen Cart™ required changing 3 files to accomplish this. This was necessary in order to eliminate the "empty div" bug in IE.
With Zen Cart™ v1.35 this is easily accomplished as follows:
open the ''includes/languages/ENGLISH/header.php'' file in your text editor. Find the following line of code:
Delete the tagline text, making sure that the single quote marks are not deleted.Code:define('HEADER_SALES_TEXT', '');
Quote:
Rather than a #1 - #10 list, the questions have been grouped for economy of editing.
It's a bug in v1.3.0.2 that's causing problems when you try to delete the tagline using that method? This CSS call helped me out as a temporary fix.
#taglineWrapper {
display:none;
}
I'll need to upgrade as there's something not quite right happening in that region atm.
> Yes we know there are more than 10 questions
I was asking what the best way would be to help & contribute to the effort. It's naturally going to need more than 10 things listed with time.
Anyone is able to edit/add to the wiki. Create an account, login and you're set to go.
Here's the fix to tpl_header.php from v1.3.5
You can add this to your current file.PHP Code:<?php if (HEADER_SALES_TEXT != '' || (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET2 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET2))) { ?>
<div id="taglineWrapper">
<?php
if (HEADER_SALES_TEXT != '') {
?>
<div id="tagline"><?php echo HEADER_SALES_TEXT;?></div>
<?php
}
?>
<?php
if (SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET2 != '' && $banner = zen_banner_exists('dynamic', SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET2)) {
if ($banner->RecordCount() > 0) {
?>
<div id="bannerTwo" class="banners"><?php echo zen_display_banner('static', $banner);?></div>
<?php
}
}
?>
</div>
<?php } // no HEADER_SALES_TEXT or SHOW_BANNERS_GROUP_SET2 ?>
I have been trying all day to set this up and I can't figure out any of it. I am finding that it tells me to go some where and I can't find where to go. For example on your "Template Selection" page you state:
"Template Description
This template set is designed to be easily modified using only the style sheet to change colors, fonts, and the store logo. Three images are required; logo.jpg, header_bg.jpg, and tile_back.jpg."
Well I think I found the style sheet and I changed the colors and I couldn't find no place for my store logo. But my page did not change at all. It looks just like when I first started. This is how I got to the style sheet - admin/includes/stylesheet. I have my own header/logo to use at the top of the page. I would also like for the left side to have a colored BG but can't find no place to do that. I also have a small logo to go at the top of the left side. The middle and right side I want just a white BG with black font.
I am so tired of dealing with this I am about to just toss in the towel and give up my site. It seems to me that for people like me who do not know any thing about css and I only deal with html more detail instructions with pictures would help out a lot. Well I don't find this template at all easy to change as you state.
Than I went to your "EZ-Pages" I don't find them very easy at all. I am so afraid to make one for I don't understand what to do. I feel once I get this figured out and set up it will work fine. But you really need better instructions for setting up for people who know nothing about this at all. Not everyone knows all of this.
Thank you for allow us to express our feelings and tell you what needs to be changed and done for beginners.
Have a wonderful day
Pamela
Check here in the wiki Top 10 Questions
That should get you started on most of your questions.
Thank you so much Clyde for the link. I feel it will help me out a lot. I really appreciate you responding to my questions.
Have a wonderful day
Pamela
I would like to know how to add external site links to the top bar or change the HOME link to another URL without changing the logo link. I have the cart on it's own domain and the main site on another domain so the HOME page link should point to the other domain and I'd like to add a CART MAIN link on the top bar that retuns the visitor to the main cart page. I've searched the miles of "documentation" for the secret but can't find it. Anyone know how to do this?
Thanks,
Mark
Refer to the topic below, may give some idea.
Change the logo link?
.
I am brand new, just registered. The funny thing to me is that as a beginner I am searching for a "where and how to get into editing". Do I "log in"? do I access via the ftp?
Even within this section of the forum the most basic beginners steps are overlooked. I do design web pages so imagine how daunting this would be for someone with lesser experience.
By the time someone reads and responds to this I hopefully will have figured this out.
Yes a basic guide would be exceptionally helpful. Maybe a guide done in a Camtasia like program.
Rick
In order to begin editing, you first need to have a copy of the Zen Cart distro located on your PC.Quote:
I am brand new, just registered. The funny thing to me is that as a beginner I am searching for a "where and how to get into editing". Do I "log in"? do I access via the ftp?
Check here for Text editors and other useful tools for working with Zen Cart
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Useful_Tools
Once you've edited and saved your files you can upload them to your server using an FTP client.
Bump.
Just to get my name on the reply list.
- - - - - - -
Lets Start with a GOOD Table of Contents then everyone can just take a chapter that they know something about.
I. Installation
I.1. Types of servers and software needed. SQL, php, etc.II. Administration
I.2 Linux
I.3 Microsoft
I.4 Specific Steps to install - which is in the installation docs but the names change depending on what your back end server software is.
I.5 Types of payments
I.6 Tax rates for specific zones
I.7 Attributes for items?
II.1.1 create an admin name and password.III. Operation
II.1.2 can I have more than one admin, maybe with limited powers
III.1.3 My clerk needs ability to print shipping documents but I don't want her/him to have access to the rest of the site.IV. What is a Template
a. How to modify your current template
c. How to create a new template
d. How to change graphics
e. How to modify a css. What to look for.
check here:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php
When it comes to the template system, my suggestion would be to have an option in the admin area to "create new basic template". It should prompt for the "folder name" of the template and any other basic info necessary. Then have it run a little PHP program that goes out and creates the new template folder in all the appropriate locations and copies over the necessary files from the default template locations.
Once that is done, a newbie can change to the newly created template and now it's fairly easy to find the template related files that he/she would like to alter. And if things don't work out, no harm is done, simply switch back to the default template.
Might also be good to have a choice that removes an existing template which basically does the opposite of the create template process described above.
I've been messing with Zen for a couple years now and it's seems to always be a stuggle to figure out where to create folders and then which files to copy over to those folders. It's usually easier to hunt down the particular image or text I want to alter and just alter it. Of course the problem with that comes about when an Update to Zen is called for.
The flexibility of the template system is awesome! But it's complexity is a bit much to take in. I think part of the problem for newbies is the fact that if you are not going to change something then you don't need to make a copy of it in your template folder. But now 6 months or a year later when I come back to it and have to do an upgrade I can't remember what I changed or even WHERE I changed it. And I end up once again searching for that template system information to read it again and get it figured out again. (I've done that probably 5 or 6 times in the last 4 years and I can't say with any confidence that I won't have to read it again) That's probably where the "road map" that so many have suggested would be of benefit.
Setting up another Zen Cart for a client...
:book: :artist: :book: :censored:
Hi Bruce,
Maybe the below information could help you to add more info to your "Getting Start" book. and also maybe you could help me out with my problem, please.
I have been working on the configuration of the eComerse Process. Befeore I started it someone else began working on it. That person did not complete all the process. Know happen that I myself are in the lerning cycle (beginner) of all this technology. But I have done the following:
1- All the appropriated folders were created
2- I have investigated that all MYSQL data base was installed and all the database files are distrituted in their respective folders.
3- All others files (like PHP files) have been modified.
Currently I have reviewed all the installation documentation like a)New Installation, b) First Step to Setup your online Shop and c) The Basic Checklist.
But I can not find the way of a) how to get in the Admin site. Acctually I do not know if Admin is the same as the Web Services Provider. b) How to get the program to setup all database files with the basic information (Currency, Products, Categories, Images, ect), c) How to customize the Shopping Page and d) how to assing the secutity level to files for users access.
Again, I have read all the instruction but they do not explaing exactly how to get access to all the above.
Would you please give me a hand on this or at least tell me where or who to go for information on these matter?
Truly yours,
Radhames Lopez
you access your admin panel Your_site.com/shop/adminQuote:
a) how to get in the Admin site. Acctually I do not know if Admin is the same as the Web Services Provider.
the database files are installed when zen cart is installed.Quote:
b) How to get the program to setup all database files with the basic information (Currency, Products, Categories, Images, ect),
check the wiki and the tutorials along with searching the forum. Lots of information in these areas.Quote:
c) How to customize the Shopping Page
do you mean for user access to the admin portion of your cart.Quote:
d) how to assing the secutity level to files for users access.
I want to put a small arrow image before the category name list in the sidebox and also the same for ezpages list in sidebox, can anyone guide please.
I'm guessing you mean something like this:
Categories
> My Product
If so this would require editing a couple of your tpl_?????.php files.
Thanks Clyde,
I got around the problem by installing better categories mod & editing the base images.
I have a new problem now!!!:no: I have installed Newsbox manager mod on my Zen 1.3.6. I cant change the font colour, tried all combinations in css.
In the admin area when i click on publish or unpublish i get this error.
Warning: reset(): Passed variable is not an array or object in admin/includes/classes/object_info.php on line 29
Warning: Variable passed to each() is not an array or object in admin/includes/classes/object_info.php on line 30
thankfully i have a backup just before this mod install.
Otherwise can you please suggest a good mod which can show news in a side box and full news links to news page.
I use a mod called News & Article Management, You can find it here:
http://www.dream-scape.com/pub/zencart/News_Articles_Management/
Quote:
Originally Posted by clydejones
Thank you Clydejones for helping me. I really appreciated.
When I get to work with that I'll let you know how every thing is going.:D
Dear All,
I need to have a HTML Header instead of static images, Where do i put the HTML code?
Currently i just copy the TPL_Header from Templates_default to classic Further i delete all the php code in TPL_header.php and replace with pure HTML code. This works for me....BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THIS IS THE WRONG WAY?? Can anybody guide on the correct way?
This is the right place and way to do what you want to do, though I would recommend creating your own template directory based on classic rather than using classic itself as otherwise your stylesheet is at risk of being overwritten when you next upgrade.Quote:
Originally Posted by saurabhgautam
If there's something that makes me slightly uncomfortable, it's the idea of replacing the dynamic PHP with static HTML, but only you can judge whether that's really necessary.
This Thread Is Sooooooooooooooooo Hijacked!
Thanks Kuroi for your comments: Yes i needed to have a HTML header as i wanted to give a unique look to the site. I'm developing this site on uniserver. The site is not a shopping cart, but i'm using Zen cart as a CMS (instead of joomla) as i find it more user friendly and easy.Quote:
This is the right place and way to do what you want to do, though I would recommend creating your own template directory based on classic rather than using classic itself as otherwise your stylesheet is at risk of being overwritten when you next upgrade.
Now, regarding creating own template directory: do i just copy classic folders wherever they appear and rename them to "custom" would this suffice?
If only stylesheet is expected to be overwritten during upgrade, then i can always copy the original stylesheet after upgrade?
[quote=Sermonzone;213340]
As a newbee, I'd like to see a small tutorial that steps one through setting up , say, a "wigit" company with two categories and three products ( a simple company that a newbee could understand and follow)
What you are doing is great! Thank you!!
All your points very good, add to this skeleton some explanation of the key directories and files in this skeleton so you can learn what to do with them. And one area I am still learning to deal with are the file permissions needed for the program to run properly in local mode for me when testing/adding stuff. That is issue keep bumping into.Quote:
Originally Posted by ladysaat
Me either, once I got zen-cart installed correctly i find this is a great application and I know why you all like it so much. I hope to use it with the new business I am planning when I retire next summer -- so am learning it now.Quote:
Originally Posted by ladysaat
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I like this app:cry: roach. May I suggest adding a section?Quote:
Originally Posted by Forum5
Since most of what is written about is about setting up a site and programming changes once a site is up, what about a section on
How it all works (Step by Step operating procedures - Using Zen-Cart))
a. Program generated e-mails
What activates them.What they mean. What to do with them. etc.
b. New Customers
What tells me someone is registered. How do I look at the
Customer data. Can the Customer data be transferred to a stand
alone data base. etc.
c. Processing Orders
How do I know I got an order. What do I do next. How and what
do I change in my ZC program to track order, inventory, etc.
d. Newsletters
How to generate a newsletter. How to send. etc.
I'm sure others have similar needs to these items.
Since I'm new to this.... If all this somewhere already, Please tell me where.
Thank you
Russssssss:cry:
What a brilliant idea! Has this project happened yet? Where do I find the link?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rastaker
===================================================
I totally agree with you Russssssss:cry:yuck:
There's a wealth of information in the tutorials/FAQ section as well as in the wiki.
Hi Bruce,
how's the project going? Can you please give us
an update?
I like Zen Cart a lot....amazing app. Forum's great, too!
There is a ton of very good documentation....it's
just difficult to distill it and figure where to start.
My only problem at present is understanding how the
css affects the layout....e.g. the css that came with
the template I'm using ("Custom", aka Aqua Shade)
doesn't seem to control the layout for that template.
(not asking for help here.....will post in the right place later)
I've used CSS before, but the css that comes with
the cart seems pretty complex and advanced.
I'm sure if I poke around long enough I'll figure it out.
As a new user, it would be good to have a simplified
set of instructions on how to set up a very basic cart
say with 3 categories, 10 items each. Then how to
expand the cart and change the layout with the CSS.
"Baby steps" (from "What about Bob")
Thanks for taking the time to help us!
Cal - an enthusiastic new Zenner :D
Did you activate Aqua Shade in admin -> tools -> template selection?Quote:
Originally Posted by cmcgaugh
Yes, I did. I've used the admin panel a little but the css readmeQuote:
Originally Posted by clydejones
said I should alter the css to customize the layout.
I've been tweeking the css that is in the Aqua Shade folder.....changing a background color here,
re-naming a background image there....nothing seems to
make a difference. But I know the css has some function,
because if I re-name it, the cart layout and colors go to Hell! :shocking:
Another curiosity is that the logo has to be in the template_default/images
folder instead of the Aqua Shade/images folder. :dontgetit
There must be a common denominator here.....just haven't found it yet.
The main css seems a bit long and complex.....~620 lines worth. Is it all
necessary or just there if you activate part of the cart that needs it?
Thanks, Clyde
-Cal
ps- do you know what's going on with the TENZNTK-project?
I haven't used this particular template. I'll download it to my test site and check it out.
Check the Tutorial/FAQ and the wiki. I put a lot of things from the project there.
The template works perfectly, just like any other. However, a very common error made by people new to Zen Cart is to make a copy of the stylesheet before starting to edit it, but then leave the copy in the css directory with the original. As a result the changes made to the original file are over-ridden by the copy and it looks as though the css isn't working. The answer is to delete the copy or put it somewhere else.
That template has a folder called Custom.
copy that folder to includes/templates and upload to your server.
I'm guessing you have already done this.
in admin -> tools -> template selection click the edit button scroll down and find custom and click update.
Now go to admin -> tools -> layout boxes controller scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click reset.
Bring up your "shop" in your browser.
You should be able to edit the stylesheet.css in the Custom/css folder to control colors, fonts, etc. CSS controls styling and formating not the layout per se.
As far as "layout", depending on what you want to do, you may have to play around with the template files to get the structure you want.
Thanks Clyde & Kuroi,
I didn't mean to derail the thread for the project,
but appreciate your help very much.
I've been to the Wiki, and have downloaded a lot of the pages
which I will print out with the pdf to find the info I want at a glance.
I find a hard copy of the material easier to work with and assemilate.
Anyway, you got me over the bump in the road.
Cheers & Happy New Year!
Cal :D
Good luck and Happy New Year
Thank you very much andQuote:
Originally Posted by clydejones
HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR YOU TOO!
God Bless Youuuuuu........ all the days of your life!
AngelT