Is it better to use the script from my host, or download the files

[Rusty105]

I want to install ZenCart for my on line store, I have been using oScommerce, but not really happy with it. My question is should I use the script provided by my hosting company, Blue host, or should I download the script directly from here and install that way?

Thanks
John

[schoolboy]

It is preferable to do a manual install using a downloaded and unzipped version of the latest release.

Often, hosts don't have the latest version, so you end up having to do an upgrade.

Additionally, an install through "fantastico" (or other server-side script) will not install the demo products and features - which are very useful for newbies as they show how a lot of configurations are enabled in ZC.

[Twaddle]

For testing purposes I often use the auto installer, but for live sites I always do a manual install, there's things like store owner and emails that usually have some default usernames in and if you do a manual install you tend to go through these things manually in a logical process, whereas with the autoinstaller you'll more likely than not overlook these things.

That said, using the autoinstallers I've never encountered any problems.

[Merlinpa1969]

at this point the simple answer is that most of the auto installers ( fantastico and installatron at least ) are running with more uptodate code then you get in the SF download

[Rusty105]

at this point the simple answer is that most of the auto installers ( fantastico and installatron at least ) are running with more uptodate code then you get in the SF download

Why is that ?

[Twaddle]

at this point the simple answer is that most of the auto installers ( fantastico and installatron at least ) are running with more uptodate code then you get in the SF download

I'm confused as well (what's an SF Download also?)

How can the autoinstallers be more up to date than a manual install?

[schoolboy]

(what's an SF Download also?)

How can the autoinstallers be more up to date than a manual install?

SF = SourceForge - the official download site for ZC.

Managers of some autoinstallers will generally make sure the version they offer is up-to-date and patched.

The "official" version of Zc 1.3.8a on SF is "un-patched" and users have to go through a sometimes tedious process of patching files that have small bugs as well as applying the various security patches.

There is some debate as to why the devs don't patch up the SF download - I imagine their attention is focused firmly on 2.0 ...

[VincentD]

Do it yourself. My host just messed things up when they did it.

[Twaddle]

Do it yourself. My host just messed things up when they did it.

In what way?

[RodG]

My question is should I use the script provided by my hosting company, Blue host, or should I download the script directly from here and install that way?

Thanks
John

I see you already have several different opinions on which way to go, so to help decide I thought I'd give my 2cents worth.

If the host has an auto-installer then I'll always use it for the initial install.
Two reasons.

1. If lucky the auto-installer will create a pre-patched installation (as has been mentioned elsewhere in this thread).

2. The auto-installer will ensure that your database get created and set-up correctly.

Needless to say, this is going to avoid a few stumbling blocks for beginners, and it simply makes things quicker and easier for those of us with more experience.

Having said that, I have also had some pretty bad experiences with some auto-installations and rather than mess around trying to figure out what went wrong it has been easier to install from the source.

Cheers
Rod