Unable to upload media using media manager

[ThomasT]

OK, I just used winmerge to move my original 1.3.8a files (on the left of the winmerge interface) to the new 1.3.9 files (on the right of the winmerge interface) and it did the eaxct opposite - the original files were erased and the new files were placed in their stead. Fortunately, I have the original files on my server.

My assessment at this point is that there is no easy or reasonably safe way to upgrade Zen Cart without taking a day off of work to devote to the process.

Dr. Byte, you mentioned security problems with 1.3.8a. How serious are these? Considering the upgraded process, a few minor bugs might acceptable than destroying my site through an esoteric upgrade method if there are easier fixes.

Thanks!

T

[ThomasT]

Perhaps I'm just confused about this conceptually - it seems to me that if I "merge" or replace the old files with the new files then it seems that I'm bascially deleting all of the content that is different in the new version, therefore I'm uploading the old version to my server.

All I want to keep is the front-end interface. When I upgrade Expression Engine, I just make a backup of my template files and upload the functional code of the new version and install. That way I'm using the old front-end interface with the new functional code of the upgrade and it can be done within ten minutes.

Is that possible with Zen Cart? I may not be understanding the upgrade process here.

Thanks!

T

[DrByte]

You're not understanding the process.

You need to identify all your customizations, and then copy those customizations into the new version's files. Merely overwriting files isn't going to solve anything.

[ThomasT]

Ah, so I need to copy every bit of code/markup I've written and paste it into the files of the new version of Zen Cart, and then upload?

[DrByte]

That's the concept, yes.
Naturally, if there's stuff you no longer need/want, you can skip that.
And, if you've made any override files, you'll need to do similarly with those too.

[ThomasT]

OK, I understand. I think I should point out that that's not really "upgrading" as much as it is "redoing the whole site." That costs businesses more money paying developers and weighs against the free aspect of Zen Cart.

Do you guys expect to restructure things so that modular/automatic upgrades will be possible in the future? I'm curious because as I mentioned this does add quite a bit of unexpected cost.

[DrByte]

It's not really "redoing the whole site", because all you're doing is combining your customizations into the new files.

Think of it like this ...
- A bug is found in a template file, for say the product-details page
- But you've customized that template file to add some special effect you want on your site
- Your upgrade needs to involve *you* to make sure that *both* your own customizations as well as the newly-fixed template components

And you're calling that "redoing" the site?
Sorry, that's not "redoing".

There's a little rolling-up-the-sleeves to get your hands dirty when upgrades come along. Zen Cart puts a lot of effort into attempting to keep upgrades as painless as possible. After you've done one or two, you'll realize it's not as bad as you first thought.
As to the idea of "unexpected cost", it's only "unexpected" if you had made incorrect assumptions beforehand.


Forgive me if I'm wrong in thinking that to "redo" the site is to throw out all your customizations and truly start from scratch, with a clean set of files, and a new design idea, and building from square one, not copying from work you've already done. As well as installing all new versions of addons and making a whole new look and feel.
THAT is complex, and time-consuming. And, yes, costly.



Pardon me if this sounds defensive, but ... I guess if you expect everything for free, then there's no point arguing the point, as you've got your mind made up.

[ThomasT]

From a business perspective, if I have to pay developers to go in and recombine code on pages they've already been paid to work on, it is "redoing." It doesn't matter if the code is being copied and pasted or re-written from scratch. It costs the same amount of money. I can upgrade Expression Engine myself without having to write a bit of code because the architecture was designed for non-technical people. That doesn't cost anything because I can do it on my lunch hour, without having to post questions or pay a developer.

What you have here is e-commerce, for businesses. If you're wanting to move forward into a paid product, or be more successful getting donations, you'll want to consider who your customers are. I have to justify every penny I spend and I didn't expect to spend any more upgrading the software.

The fact you've had to spend as much time describing the upgrade process to me could be seen as an indicator that it needs to be simplified.

I'm not saying this to be critical of your work, I'm saying this to help you out. You've got a good product here, but in the future you may want to reconsider how much time and money your customers may unexpectedly get into when they need to upgrade to a newer version.

[DrByte]

I don't recall forcing you to upgrade "unexpectedly". You chose to do that on your own after considering the advice offered.



But, thanks. It's always nice to have new mentors.