Second step in setting up your cart - templates

[SqueakeyCat]

ok, I am stuck. I have done well so far, going step by step with your instructions on setting up my own customized cart. I have gotten to

Extra Data Files
Custom file names - /includes/filenames.php
You've created a custom page (about_us) and need to reference the filename.
Create a new file (about_us_filenames.php) which would include the following:
<?php
// About Us Filename Define
define('FILENAME_ABOUT_US', 'about_us');
?>
Save the file to /includes/extra_datafiles/about_us_filenames.php and upload it to your server.
Note: These files will be called automatically, as would any other file in this directory, thereby telling the system what your custom filenames are.

and have been unable to find my about_us file. I named it about_us.php, as I thought that's what it should have been named. Problem is, when I refresh my site, it don't show, and I can't find where to put a link called "About Us" on the main page.

my site link is http://squeakeycat.net/shop. so far you can see the changes I have made to the template itself, while doing step by step with your tutorial pages. I am very very very "stupid" when it comes to php and how to code it properly, as I have never ever ever worked with php before now.

the about page that I made, I followed exactly the above direction, but nothing showed up anywhere.

I have a great working system for doing all my editing. I have my main site through doteasy.com and with using google chrome browser, I am able to edit my pages without having to put any of them on my computer.

if anyone can help with maybe what I could have done wrong for this not to show up, it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Kim

[timsownway]

I do know how to connect to the directories everyone is talking about. I've installed Zen Cart and configured it but I don't know where the folders are. How do I establish the connection to these directories?

[DrByte]

You must use your computer's FTP program to connect to the files on your website's webserver. Using an FTP program is a basic skill everyone needs to learn in order to manage a self-hosted website, and as such there are countless number of tutorials around the web for learning how to use FTP.
For some suggestions on available FTP programs and other tools you'll need for managing your website, see http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Useful_Tools

[Jeffburnes7]

Cool post here. Thanks

[markz]

Ugh. Okay, I've done a whole lot of work...backwards...after installing zencart, using the official zen cart manual for version 1.5.0. Didn't realize until now that I needed to install my own template to get the look I want for my site BEFORE doing anything else.

I've been trying for two weeks now to install the following, free template, using this thread, the manual, and the instructions provided the template's maker...and I still can't get it installed correctly so it looks like the screenshots provided here...

http://tinyurl.com/cvvqcu9

I've jumped through all the hoops in the manual for creating a set of 'custom' folders to override the classic setup. At this point I'm quite frustrated and have decided to finally throw in the towel and ask for HELP!

[gjh42]

The manual describes how to create your own custom template from scratch. A third-party template, free or commercial, already has all of the custom folders it needs; if well built as most are, all you have to do is unzip the template package on your home computer and FTP the /includes/ folder with all its contents to the root of your Zen Cart installation (where the ZC /images/, /includes/, etc. folders are). The template files will drop into their correct places without disturbing anything else. If you are separately creating new folders for your picaflor-azul template, you are probably messing things up.

[markz]

The manual describes how to create your own custom template from scratch. A third-party template, free or commercial, already has all of the custom folders it needs; if well built as most are, all you have to do is unzip the template package on your home computer and FTP the /includes/ folder with all its contents to the root of your Zen Cart installation (where the ZC /images/, /includes/, etc. folders are). The template files will drop into their correct places without disturbing anything else. If you are separately creating new folders for your picaflor-azul template, you are probably messing things up.

Via the first, small document I was using to install z-cart, I had already created numerous "custom" folders copied from zen cart's "classic" folders, and was trying to install the pica-flor inside the custom folders (duh!) Finally decided to uninstall zen cart and begin again, which is okay because this time I installed the latest version.

The new installation was smooth and seamless, and just as you mention...it dropped folders where needed. The files are now in two places, in the root and in a directory I created when installing zen cart.

I also messed up the small amount of code I had to add to tpl_main_page.php but once I got that sorted it worked, I've now got the basic template installed and am ready to begin customizing it.

Out of curiosity, which version is being called to do the work?...the root version (includes/folder) or the created (directory/includes/templates/folder)?

[gjh42]

Do you have two complete sets of ZC files, one in the root and one in a subfolder? Or just one ZC, with two sets of template files in the locations you described? Where is your ZC installed?
If the latter, only the template folders/files directly in the ZC structure are relevant. They should appear in the same place as the /template_default/ or /classic/ folders.

[sssteven]

I just installed zen cart and I cannot get the template for the front page to change. I uploaded 2 free templates to the includes/templates directory where the default way, and they show up in my admin as choices. However, no matter which one I pick it does not seem to go to my choice. It stays on the same one. I even went to the tools, layout layout boxes and hit reset but it doesn't seem to change the page.
Any one with advice is greatly appreciated, I am not a programmer and only have the basics.

Also along those lines I do not see a place to change the text on the front page, where would that be?

Thank you,
Steven

[ravynw34]

Did you upload all the files for both packages? When you set a template via the admin what exactly shows on the front end?