Installing Multiple Plugins

[Fisherman]

Howdy!

I need to install a lot of plugins and am wondering if there's a best order of install. I've searched but couldn't find any info in it. The list of what I need and what I've downloaded is below. If you have any suggestions about the order of installation or a better plugin than what I've downloaded, please chime in.

Thanks.

Need - Downloaded
SEO - ultimate_seo_urls_210.zip
Zen Lightbox - zen_lightbox-v1.6.4_1.20120428.zip
Easy Populate - EasyPopulate-4.0-master.zip
Google Sitemap - sitemapXML.zip
RSS Feed - RSS Feed.zip
Cross Selling - Ultimate Cross Sell for Zen Cart.zip
Social Sharing - Social Bookmarking - manual instructions.zip
Wish List - WishLists.zip
Column Layout Grid - column_layout_grid_2_3_1.zip
Product Attributes - cart seems to already have that installed.
Database Backup - backup_mysql_plugin_v5.zip
Captcha for contact forms, etc. - ???

[stevesh]

The order doesn't make much difference. What you have to do is unzip the mod files on your local computer and compare them to see if two or more mods modify the same file(s). If so, you'll need to manually merge them into one file containing the edits from both mods, a process I've found to range from very easy to impossible, depending on your knowledge of PHP.

For example, if you install one mod that changes, say, tpl_product_listing.php, then install another that changes the same file, you will overwrite the first mod's edits when you upload the second's.

In the case of the mods you've listed, the consensus here seems to be that if you absoilutely have to have a URL-rewriter (which won't help with SEO), use the one by ceon.

Database Backup, Google Sitemap and Easy Populate are admin-related, and shouldn't clash with any of the others, but you'll want to check them against each other.

The only mod of the ones you listed I have used are Google Sitemap and Column Layout Grid. Yes, attributes are included in the core Zencart code.

My attitude toward mods is to install as few as possible, and then only to solve a particular business issue. Unless your products are particularly appearance-intensive (women's clothing, etc.) I wouldn't bother with gimmicks like Lightbox.

[schoolboy]

My attitude toward mods is to install as few as possible, and then only to solve a particular business issue. Unless your products are particularly appearance-intensive (women's clothing, etc.) I wouldn't bother with gimmicks like Lightbox.

Exceptionally good advice...

AVOID these "SEO URL" modules. They do nothing for SEO and have the potential to cause many "problems".

For IMAGE enhancement, we use Image Handler 4 (on zc1.5.x sites) and we also like plugins from magictoolbox (which are commercial, but cost a very modest amount).

[Fisherman]

Good stuff. I'll need Lightbox on this one. The lady sells silver jewelry. Some bling for her bling? LOL

Heading over to get the url rewriter by Ceon.

Thanks guys!

[schoolboy]

Lightbox is clunky... See how we use Magictoolbox HERE

[picandnix]

instead of CAPTCHA have a read of this thread, much neater and one less hoop for customers. I think there was even talk of it being in future ZC release core.
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...a-contact-form

[Fisherman]

Lightbox is clunky... See how we use Magictoolbox HERE

I like those Kenwood coffee makers. I'll try Magictoolbox. Looks good.

[Fisherman]

instead of CAPTCHA have a read of this thread, much neater and one less hoop for customers. I think there was even talk of it being in future ZC release core.
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...a-contact-form

Thanks. Checking it out.