Quote Originally Posted by bluesky1992 View Post
I am new to Zen Cart. I have V1.3.9h installed on a web server in Kansas. I live in Oregon. I have made changes to the Classic template. I understand I should create a directory "CUSTOM". Then copy Classic template file to directory and rename it to myname_template.
Just to clarify things, you don't have to create a directory called "CUSTOM" ... This is merely an 'example' that is used to signify the ACTUAL name of the directory where you place your customised files.

"myname_template" is also just an[quote=bluesky1992;1068638]other example of the same thing .... They BOTH indicate that you should use a name of *your choosing*, which will be the same name that you call your 'new' template.

Quote Originally Posted by bluesky1992 View Post
Do I need to have Zen Cart installed on my computer while developing this website?
Good question. Ideally you should have a copy installed on your local machine, and you should be using this for *all* customisations, testing and so forth. When you are happy that all is ok on your local machine you can then copy the files over to your live site with little fear of breaking things.

Many people seem to get themselves in all sorts of bother with this though, so if it is a new site you are setting up it is perfectly acceptable to place the store in maintenance mode and do all your edits, etc on the live site.
Do be prepared to mess things up though, because this is almost inevitable until you learn how it all fits together.

If you use this method DO make regular backups as you are working on it, and ensure you do a full backup on a regular basis (regular will depend on how busy the store is). With a quiet store, once a week, or possibly even once a month will do, but on a busy store at least once a day would be more prudent.

Anyway, hopefully this answers your questions?

Cheers
Rod