New install - how should I install a template - can't find any instructions

[schoolboy]

Thanks Schoolboy - very clear.

I'm using FileZilla 3.5.3 and when I drag the 'includes' folder over to the 'includes' folder on the server - it adds it as /includes/includes/' .... Is that what you meant by "to their correct locations" ? "


Sorry to be a pain, but I'm new to Zencart and since (having not used the template yet) I don't know whether it's a "GOOD" template - I(anyone) would want to know where the files should/are going as it's quite possible that having tried the template I would want to remove it and try another.

Thanks again

I do not use Filezilla because it is cumbersome, clunky and insecure. I use WSFTP Pro from Ipswitch, as it is a much easier and more user-friendly program, and it is SECURE...

Anyway... the confusion you are experiencing has nothing to do with zencart. If you have aspirations to be a "webmaster", then understanding the tools you will be using is essential.

Here is a tutorial on how to use filezilla. You should also acquaint yourself with other "webmaster" stuff, and a good place to start is w3schools.com .

Managing your server and site installation is not something that we teach on this forum - mainly because there are thousands of other sites that are dedicated to teaching this stuff, and some do it far better than any helper on this forum could do... and besides, why re-invent the wheel?

[SPH]

Yes, it seems that you are still learning your FTP program and how to copy* files across from your computer to your server. Includes/includes/ is definitely incorrect.

But once you learn your FTP, this template package is already in the good, correct structure that Schoolboy mentions. Just copy from includes to includes and all of the template files will automagically go to their proper places.

As for templates, here are some more that may work, possibly with color changes, in case you have not yet seen them:

http://www.brandonturpin.com/online-...bbiamo_supremo
Use template switcher left column to see more

http://www.picaflor-azul.com/free-de...id=newport_eco
Again, use template switcher to see more

http://zen4me.com/demo/hope/
Nice new template with top and side flyouts

http://samwilson3d.com/ebony/ - I just discovered this one the other day in the plugins section. Very elegant and attractive, IMO, but has some issues with IE Compatability View and some CSS alignment problems (prev/next buttons, alternate pics, etc.)


*I use Core FTP lite and FTP Commander (both free) but do not "drag". Rather, I make sure the folders are lined-up on my computer and remote server then click the arrow to copy across. BTW, I also use ftp for quick edits, copying to a work/test folder from my remote server to my computer, edit, them copy back across. Usually faster than cPanel, for me.

If making an edit on a live site, I put a ~ behind the original file like .php~ to save it. Then copy the edited file across. If it didn't work as expected, I delete the edited file I just copied across and take the ~ out of the original to put it back.

You'll learn your own methods along the way.

[Gretsch]

Thanks SPH,

I've only had time for a quick look so far, but two of your suggested templates look very like I'm after - thanks.

With respect to my 'confusion' about file structure. As above, I believe I followed your earlier suggestion & dragged the /include/ folder, but you now know I'm using FileZilla and have suggested that I don't use 'drag'.
If you would confirm where the files should go, this might conclude the matter. If I re-ask the question:

The ZJ-Template-Pack structure is:
Folder - ZJ-Template-Pack
└ includes
__└ extra_configures
__└ languages
__└ english
__└ modules
__└ ...

So I assume I upload everything that's in 'extra_configures' to the '/includes/extra_configures' folder.
and everthing that's in 'languages/english' to the '/includes/languages/english' folder
etc etc
Is that right?

fyi: I last looked at zencart some 3 yrs ago, and decided on using cubeCart and Shopify since then as they had a better UIs. However, cubecart's latest version has problems with the shipping modules, so I thought now might be a good time to re-look around the market. Both have good instructions about how to install and how to build templates - and remain hopeful about zencart.

[SPH]

Yes, that sounds right but your file structure does not look correct. English is under Languages; it is not a separate folder outside of languages.

Here is the packet's file structure on my computer:

includes
_extra_configures
_languages
_modules
_templates

So only four folders under includes/

I don't use filezilla (although intended to check it out one day) but on my two ftp systems I have includes/ on my computer lined up with includes/ on my remote server and click on includes on my computer side to highlight it and then hit arrow button to copy it across to my host. It sends the includes and subfolders across in proper order.

But this is what you want:

includes/extra_configures
includes/languages/english (I'm showing where english folder goes)
includes/modules
includes/templates

Yes, I've looked at alot of opensource carts and tested Cubecart years ago when looking at Zencart. There are several nice carts out now, including Prestashop, Opencart, CS-Cart (free community edition). But in most cases, I've found that Zencart does things a little better than these other carts. For example, Zencart's Easy Populate function, IMO, is superior and easier to use than the equavilents in these other Carts. I also think image management (Image Handler) better, and if you're in to SEO URL rewriting, the CEON Zencart mod I think beats the others with their built-in rewriters hands-down. And the base Zencart does come with alot of function.

And I've yet to find an opensource cart with a better selection of FREE templates.

Hope you get this template installation figured out with your ftp, as it's kind of fun trying out new templates. You might want to eventually pop-up another zencart solely for testing templates and mods and such.

What templates did you think might work?

[SPH]

Also remember that once your template files are properly loaded and in your admin, that after selecting the template you go to Layout Boxes Controller to set the data base for that template.

And here is a good time to get one of the data base plugins that allow backing up straight from your admin. We use DrByte's DB plugin which allows back-up and restore right from zencart's admin.

Perhaps it was the same with Cubecart and others, but you should get in the habit of backing up your data base before every major site work. I backup before installing a new template and before every Easy Populate upload, etc.

[Pookiehair]

Can I ask a similar question here please?
I already have my website up & running in the ZC 1.3h version in the root folder (public_html) of my site. I dont want to disturb or change anything on my original site.
I have uploaded the ZC 1.5 version into public_html/test-area
I want to install a couple of templates to play around with in the 1.5 version test-area.
My question is this: Do I install the new templates includes folder contents to
public_html/includes
or
public_html/test-area/includes

Many thanks for any help.

[stevesh]

public_html/test-area/includes, assuming the two sites are completely separate.

[Pookiehair]

public_html/test-area/includes, assuming the two sites are completely separate.

Great. Many thanks for your speedy reply.

[Gretsch]

I do not use Filezilla because it is cumbersome, clunky and insecure. I use WSFTP Pro from Ipswitch, as it is a much easier and more user-friendly program, and it is SECURE...

Silly me ... I used it because:
a) I found it recommended in Zencart's faqs http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?...-with-zen-cart
b) I've been using it, and its predecessor on Unix, for about 20yrs.

Anyway... the confusion you are experiencing has nothing to do with zencart. If you have aspirations to be a "webmaster", then understanding the tools you will be using is essential.

Forgetting my aspirations for a moment. SPH has given less condesending info for me to follow up

Thanks for trying to help though.

[schoolboy]

Good to hear you are not a novice then... it can be a long road if you've not had previous experience.

The key to getting modules (any add-on) installed is to make sure that the folders/files get sent to the right place.

The first step in ensuring this is to make sure that when you unzip an add-on, you take a quick overview of all the FOLDERS it contains, and I always "drill-down" through the folders to see the hierarchy, and get a quick look at all the folder names.

Then, I read through the instructions (README, or other help file) to see if there are any specific things that need doing before I send the add-on to the server.

For complex add-ons, I look for any support thread/topic on the ZC forum, and see if anyone has had problems. If I see a "regular guru" on these postings (stevesh, SPH, DrByte, Ajeh, niccol, divavocals... and many others of course) I pay attention to their comments.

Then, when I am ready, I make sure I navigate to the right folder LEVELS on both my local machine and the remote server - so that when I start the FTP process, I can be sure that the folders (and their sub-structure, with the files) are all being sent to the right place on the server. The most common reason add-ons don't work after upload, is because files have not been ported to their correct location(s).