Explanation, if possible, please

[JDog21]

I'm a total newbie. I'm trying to load products on my new ZC site. I have discovered that I need to install a cross selling module, because cross selling will bee very important regarding the items I'm selling.

So I download a cross selling module. It's instructions say that the first thing I should do is install another module, called module_manager.

Just my luck. I don't want to mess with this, but I have no choice.

So I download module manager (rev 18; most recent version). I read that it might be a pretty good thing to have, so I try to stay positive.

The installation instructions seem simple enough: Upload all files and folders to the corresponding locations. This module automatically installs itself, no need to run any sqlpatch


So do I take the new admin folder and ftp it to the root directory? This will replace my admin. Or, do I open the new admin folder and ftp the contents to the inside of my existing admin folder?

Same with the includes directory module manager has. But, also, which includes? Admin, or store?

Directions don't specify.

Once I get straight on this, I'll be asking about the cross sell module installation. It looks difficult.

I am doing ALL of this on a separate, practice site I installed, so I can get it right, before messing with the project site.


Thanks for any advice.....

[schoolboy]

First rule about installing modules (particularly those that make changes to the database) is to BACKUP your site.

There are many methods you can use to do a backup, and I won't go into them here... but a backup is strongly recommended.

When you use FTP to send files / folders to the server, you will not overwrite FOLDERS... just their contents, if such contents have duplicate filenames. FTP does NOT overwrite FOLDERS.

So... if the modules you are installing have UNIQUE files (ie: files that do NOT have identical names to others on the server, and that are in the same location) - then just port the whole folder across.

You can (hopefully) set your FTP program to PROMPT you if it encounters a duplicate file, and to ASK FIRST if you want it over-written or not.

[JDog21]

This is the nightmare I thought it would be. The whole reason I switched from OSC to ZC was to avoid exactly this......

The "module manager" doesn't work. It can't be installed, or if it is installed (I don't know) it does not work. When I try to access it from admin it gives a bunch of messages about files being missing, etc.

Will I try to install this cross sell module? Of course not! It looks 10X as difficult as this module manager thing, and I spent 3 hours messing with it! Besides, it has to have a module manager, for some reason, which I can't install anyway.

I will promote other items (accessories, etc.) as links on the product page.

[clydejones]

This is the nightmare I thought it would be. The whole reason I switched from OSC to ZC was to avoid exactly this......

The "module manager" doesn't work. It can't be installed, or if it is installed (I don't know) it does not work. When I try to access it from admin it gives a bunch of messages about files being missing, etc.

Will I try to install this cross sell module? Of course not! It looks 10X as difficult as this module manager thing, and I spent 3 hours messing with it! Besides, it has to have a module manager, for some reason, which I can't install anyway.

I will promote other items (accessories, etc.) as links on the product page.

Try this one ( www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=76 ) scroll to the bottom of the page and download version Author: Granville Version: 1.3.1

doesn't require the module manager and is much easier to use.

[JDog21]

Thanks, I will give it a go. Do I have to somehow "uninstall" this module manager thing I tried to put in?

I would prefer to just leave it in there (unless it's going to screw things up). Of course, all of this is being done on a practice site. My project site is not involved yet, until I figure out what I am doing.

[clydejones]

Thanks, I will give it a go. Do I have to somehow "uninstall" this module manager thing I tried to put in?

I would prefer to just leave it in there (unless it's going to screw things up). Of course, all of this is being done on a practice site. My project site is not involved yet, until I figure out what I am doing.

You can probably just leave it.

[schoolboy]

One of the unavoidable aspects of website management (irrespective of the systems and programs you use) is the requirement that the "webmaster" has a fair degree of knowledge of the fundamental principles involved.

Zencart is no different from osCommerce, Magento, Joomla, Wordpress, Drupal, Prestashop.... (this list is endless) ... in this respect.

There are literally hundreds of online tutorials on how to manage websites, so there is no point duplicating this information in this forum.

The one good thing is... if a complete idiot like me can get to grips with it, then practically anybody can.