Can I edit my templates with a WYSIWYG application?

[Jayd]

I've read a lot of different posts on the forum on this subject and I just want to make sure I've got this straight.

It is not possible to edit a php template page with a WYSIWYG editor unless you can work in code mode correct??

I'm using v1.3.9h and it's my first install of Zen Cart. I bought a template from Template Monster and installed using the override system no problem.

I was under the impression that I could further modify with Dreamweaver (CS5) but I don't know php or CSS which is proving to be an insurmountable obstacle. I followed all the dw instructions for setting up a web project, attaching associated files, linking CSS files, setting up MAMP, connecting dw to my Zen Cart db... all up about 2 days of mucking about just to get a bunch of "Fatal error: Call to a member function whatever() on a non-object" on various lines of code or one of a few other errors for every single file I tried.

I'm a big fan of zc so I'm willing to put in the time to get up to speed on CSS and php but time is a factor so I just want to be absolutely sure that I'm not missing anything.

Jayd

[stevesh]

I've never used Dreamweaver, so I don't know exactly what 'code mode' entails, but I can't see any way to style a dynamic PHP site with what amounts to a fancy HTML editor.

As I understand it, DW does include a text editor and FTP function, but the usual advice here is to put DW aside when working with Zencart.

The good news is that I've created scores of Zencart sites and don't know anything about programming PHP. I can occasionally hack someone else's code, but only in very simple ways, so you don't need a lot of PHP knowledge. CSS, yes, but that's a lot easier to learn, especially if you use Firefox (and IE) Web Developer and/or Firebug.

[Jayd]

Sorry Stevesh... 'code mode' is text edit. Very new to this

So you would suggest I concentrate my studies on HTML and CSS? I went to start a php tutorial and it said I should do HTML/XHTML & JavaScript first.

Thank you for making that absolutely clear. I'll stop looking for the easy way around it subsequently making loads of useless work for myself!

[afo]

Concentrate on css first. HTML isn't really necessary for Zen Cart since most of the HTML is generated by the php on the fly.

[stevesh]

Concentrate on css first. HTML isn't really necessary for Zen Cart since most of the HTML is generated by the php on the fly.

True, unless you're an oldtimer like me who prefers to code the HTML in product descriptions and EZ pages manually. There is a built-in HTML editor for that, though.

The hard part, I think, is wrapping your mind around how Zencart does stuff. Once you understand the template override system, and the fact that most layout changes are done in the files that begin with tpl_, you're on your way.

[afo]

True, unless you're an oldtimer like me who prefers to code the HTML in product descriptions and EZ pages manually. There is a built-in HTML editor for that, though.

The hard part, I think, is wrapping your mind around how Zencart does stuff. Once you understand the template override system, and the fact that most layout changes are done in the files that begin with tpl_, you're on your way.

I didn't think about the EZ-pages. I use HTML for that myself, but I'm an old hand at HTML and it's almost second nature. Still, if I were starting out with Zen Cart, I'd look into CSS first and let the HTML come later.

Yes, the template/override system does involve a learning curve. I know it did for me until it dawned on me how it actually worked and then it was much easier to get the results I wanted.

Now I just need the time to play with the latest version of ZC and make some changes to my nephew's site. He'd like to sell his book from his website.

[gjh42]

...showing once again why it can be a good idea to build an informational site in Zen Cart. Adding sales later becomes trivial instead of a major realignment.

[Jayd]

WOW!! Firebug is like being a child in a candy shop.

Thank you all for the advice. Feeling much better about taking this on without a WYSIWYG.