Module Question - how do mods work?

[alamo]

My company is paying a hosting service to design a website with my input. They have created the home page and are using the zen cart for the -commerce part. Since our company doesnt have unlimited funds to devote to a website, I thought this seemed like a reasonable plan.

Now that I'm starting to realize that the basic ZC doesnt provide me the options I really want, and because we cant afford to have a custom site built, I have started looking at the mods suggested in many of the forum threads.

My problem is how can you see what a mod does? I dont have ZC on our own computers, and dont have a clue about programming. Our site host says they will add any module I want (for $100) and then charge another $100 if I dont like what it does and want it removed.

I'm still in the beginning stages of setting up categories so there is no point in making the site live. I have set up some basic categories and have created one product - with the thought there is no point in creating additional products until I get the first one set up for our needs.

Any suggestions? If I dont know anything about programming,so is downloading ZC to my computer and then trying to add mods going to show me what I want? Or because I'm programming challenged, am I better off paying someone to screw around with options?

[misty]

If I dont know anything about programming,so is downloading ZC to my computer and then trying to add mods going to show me what I want?

Yes..use Wamp...instructions on how to install on your home
computer at
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=586

Or because I'm programming challenged, am I better off paying someone to screw around with options?

NO, not at $100.00 per mod...
Have demo site that will show some of mods available
http://dezinashop.com/demo/

[alamo]

I'll give that a try - thanks.

[misty]

I'll give that a try - thanks.

If you are going to try WAMP, suggest you read thread below
first, regarding which version of wamp to install...
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134435

[stevesh]

I'm still in the beginning stages of setting up categories so there is no point in making the site live.

I'll sort of disagree with that. You may not want to take your site 'live' (available to the public) right now, but you do (IMO) want to install it to a remote server. The local option (WAMP, etc.) works for some, but hosting is cheap and you'll get some experience with FTP, etc.

Your company might also want to reconsider its choice of hosts if they want $100 to install and remove mods.

I think your best bet would be to create a Zencart test site in a subdirectory on the server and install mods yourself on that to see how (and sometimes if) they work.