Things every New Zenner needs to know

[Shinmai]

+1 Ken

A builder put up a sign that read "Free house to anyone!". A man shows up to find just the frame of the house built and all of the rest of the material needed to finish it neatly piled up around the site. The builder said all of it was free to the person that would put effort into finishing the house. The man went away sad because the builder would not tell him what the house was supposed to look like nor would he stay and show him how to put it together. Sound familiar?

I dare say that ZC has more resources to complete the framework than any other open source system out there. The framework is free, but you have to put the effort into it. I am grateful for the help that I get on this site when I get stuck. I usually only ask after having put the time in to try an figure it out for my self. Take the time to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, PHP and maybe some SQL. You won't regret it and you just might end up with a beautiful "free mansion" of a site that all you had to do is spend the time learning and creating.

Wow...That is exactly what I felt after reading 65 pages of this thread in one day. I deeply respect and appreciate all the "Zen Masters" repeatedly answering the same questions (just even in this thread)! If you read this in on shot, you can see how many people skip reading all the thread and asking the same questions over and over. Imagine how many times they are answering the same thing through out the forum... I once struggled with osCommerce after building 80% of my shop because of too many add-ons which I wasn't sure if they are right ones or work properly and the program support was too massive/some outdated and got lost in it. Sometimes get a answer from another newbie person and I don't know if that is the right answer... This forum is great and well informed, well structured so many experts actively monitoring and supporting. I am so glad that my hosting company added ZenCart as another option. Even though I could customize the osCommerce site quite a bit, I believe there are more study needed for ZenCart customization - but I am willing to learn.

First of all, English IS my foreign language so I started from the very bottom line when it comes to "learning". LOL

Often I see that because people work all by themselves trying to figure out particular function/customization without any immediate human support system at home/work so comes to this wonderful forum and tend to "vent" their frustrations...

I must say everybody have their own situations and I believe those ZenMasters who patiently reply to all the quesitons are one of teh busiest people trying to help - I've never seen the forum so kind and helpful "expert" constantly answering.

I have three jobs (having two companies), two kids with tones of sports activities, 4 hours of sleep everyday but I want to build my online website so bad that I basically taought myself HTML, learned how to use FTP, scratched the surface of PHP and MySQL, taught myself Dreamweaver and now going to phpAdmin even before getting into Zencart customization. Read Security Issues Steps right after I installed ZenCart but now I am reading threads just to make sure I am going right direction/steps.

My only suggestions to this wonderful project for newbie would be why not make a quick YouTube "How to"s for basic things that people are keep asking about? I've seen some YouTubes about ZenCart admin panel and within 5 min. I could see what Admin panel looks like even before getting into it and people can see how to get the certain files from the server to your PC, modify it and upload to correct folder in server side using FTP program and so on... Just short segment of those and list the links so people won't ask repeated quesitons... I've seen a lot of those how to YouTubes for osCommerce but not many for ZenCart.

Anyhow, I am very excited to start this ZenCart journey and hats off for those very patient zenmasters that support this community.

Cheers!

[kuroi]

@Shinmai

In some ways this thread is rather unfortunate. It was actually started to ask new users what they needed to know (those of us who have been around for a while can sometimes forget what it's like to be a new user and where we got stuck on our way in), but people started posting questions, and because of the title it's often mistaken as the starting place for new users.

However, a much better starting place is the Tutorials and FAQ section which can be accessed from the link top right of this page.

[Shinmai]

Hi kuroi,
Yes, I've been reading FAQ, wiki/tutorials, printing contents and reading them constantly. They are very helpful. I kind of got lost when I read the "ZenCart Program Flow (v.1.3 series)" but I am sure it will start to make sense once I get to know more about this cart. Besides, I found so many other info in wiki, FAQ to help me out first.

Many people already mentioed in this thread already but for this "Things every New Zenner needs to know" project, as a newbie, I would like to see steps after installation (doesn't need to be too detailed but just to see big picture of "you are here (installed the program)" mall map kind so I know where I am and which way I am/shoud be going to reach to the "Goal" - which is go on "Live").

I know I can find detailed info/how to instructions on each part (and I found so many already) but when it comes to "steps" i.e. after installation, 1. Before doing anything, you need to read security issue and follow the instruction and apply patches (which I already printed the details and done it), 2. Read about override system and understand how it works (or at least try so you realize that you don't change the core files and make upgrade easier), and so on.

I think I can find tons of info in this forum, wiki, FAQ but I am not sure if I am doing in right order (and afraid to find out later that I did things in wrong order or missed something so I have to start all over agian...). That kind of easy to read map will help newbie like me a lot.

Thanks

[rasabeh]

I agree with Shinmai. I purchased a Zen Cart template from template-monster.com and honestly fully expected instructions on how to make my site look exactly like that right away. Did not think I would buy the frame and have to figure out how to build the inside by myself. So I too think it would be extremely helpful to have instructions after installation with every template telling you how to get from point A (installation) to B (complete up and running website that looks like the template) without having to learn everything right away. Isn't that the point of buying a template? I feel like I wasted my $140 when I've spent just as much time as I would have if I used the free cart.

Plus I bought the Zen Cart e-book and don't feel that went into nearly as much detail as I need it to so I'm disappointed with that $30 also.

I understand the learning curve is huge and there is a lot of support and documentation but I expected buying a template should have been much faster and easier to implement.

[DrByte]

I agree with Shinmai. I purchased a Zen Cart template from template-monster.com and honestly fully expected instructions on how to make my site look exactly like that right away.

...

Isn't that the point of buying a template? I feel like I wasted my $140

Yes, and that's why ALL your concerns and beefs about buying from template-monster should be taken up *directly* with *them*.

[Shinmai]

I agree with Shinmai. I purchased a Zen Cart template from template-monster.com and honestly fully expected instructions on how to make my site look exactly like that right away. Did not think I would buy the frame and have to figure out how to build the inside by myself.

Humm, that wasn't exactly what I was saying... If you read above, I was agreeing with earlier post about getting the free framed house and some people are still complaining about not getting one-on-one complete guide on how to do plumbing, paint, install windows, how to hang curtains, etc (which by the way you can find if you search in this forum, wiki, etc. in my opinion...).

But anyhow, for those templates, I don't know all the technical part but just reading from Zencart forum (and some other sites), I got a impression that it would be some how more technical if you were to modify these since you have to know what version of cart they are using, upgrade it, understand the mods, CSS, apply security patches, etc. I am a newbie so I won't be able to do all that from the start (or take very very long time if I ever finish it).

I ordered Zencart manual from LuLu.com and I am waiting for it so I can't say how it would be helpful for me but just reading books from library about PHP, MySQL, CSS, Dreamweaver and Photoshop, I learned a LOT about basics which is helping me to get comfortable with some codes and files. I really want to set the shopping cart and go live today if I can (so I can sell all my products that are sitting in my office!) but I also think if you are pilot, you can't just learn how to fly in 1 hour and go for it just to crash the whole plane. There is no short cut for this but learning is worth it (and with 4 hours of sleep), I am trying to get to the goal.

[rasabeh]

Yes, and that's why ALL your concerns and beefs about buying from template-monster should be taken up *directly* with *them*.

Touche. You are totally right. I shouldn't take out my frustration on Zen Cart. This is a powerful product and I understand it takes awhile to learn anything new. For some reason it didn't occur to me that it is template-monster's responsibility but it is. I apologize...*sheepish*

[rasabeh]

Humm, that wasn't exactly what I was saying... If you read above, I was agreeing with earlier post about getting the free framed house and some people are still complaining about not getting one-on-one complete guide on how to do plumbing, paint, install windows, how to hang curtains, etc (which by the way you can find if you search in this forum, wiki, etc. in my opinion...).

But anyhow, for those templates, I don't know all the technical part but just reading from Zencart forum (and some other sites), I got a impression that it would be some how more technical if you were to modify these since you have to know what version of cart they are using, upgrade it, understand the mods, CSS, apply security patches, etc. I am a newbie so I won't be able to do all that from the start (or take very very long time if I ever finish it).

I ordered Zencart manual from LuLu.com and I am waiting for it so I can't say how it would be helpful for me but just reading books from library about PHP, MySQL, CSS, Dreamweaver and Photoshop, I learned a LOT about basics which is helping me to get comfortable with some codes and files. I really want to set the shopping cart and go live today if I can (so I can sell all my products that are sitting in my office!) but I also think if you are pilot, you can't just learn how to fly in 1 hour and go for it just to crash the whole plane. There is no short cut for this but learning is worth it (and with 4 hours of sleep), I am trying to get to the goal.

I agree with your post but maybe I didn't say it the right way...I know what you mean about 4 hours of sleep...

[crlannen]

Quite frankly I think Zen Cart is anything but Zen like. Zen is simplicity...not having to change multiple files or visit different area in the backend to accomplish one simple task. I have the book "e-Start Your Web Store with Zen Cart", and am just shocked at the required steps for tasks that in other carts just is a single step.

The project I'm working on if I hadn't inherited it would be going to a different shopping cart.

I'd suggest rewriting the Admin completely. Organize tasks along Layout, Content, simply the Attributes. Adding pages has got to become a simpler process. Give me the option to where I want the page to appear by just clicking a check box or selecting an option (do I want it under Information or More Information, or some place else). Add the ability to create custom forms to pages.

As others have mentioned trying to find answers in the forum is like searching for a needle in the haystack.

A free cart is not necessarily a good thing. I've wasted more time trying to find answers to what should be a simple tasks, and it would have more paid for a purchased cart.

Chris

[ALiepinieks]

Quite frankly I think Zen Cart is anything but Zen like...

i try to hold my tongue, but seriously, this is third one i've seen this morning...

try to remember that open source is not simply a means of ensuring something is "free". it allows a broader development and support base than that which might normally be hamstrung through the politics and commercialism of shrink wrapped products.

if you truly wanted a custom solution that fits your needs but don't have the time, patience, or ability to figure out how to do it using zen-cart then perhaps you should be paying a developer? the trouble is, you're idea of organisation, standard tasks and common features is probably different to mine, so who's right? would you prefer a bloated product that fits every possible niche (and subsequently performs like a dog on prozac), or something that does what the majority of e-commerce platforms really need, and leaves the rest up to the community?

i also have found it takes some time to search the forums when i need a very specific answer, but strangely enough (and ive hardly touched PHP or mySQL before using zen-cart) i seem to have come up with a solution every time.

if you can find it in yourself, try to be a little less critical of the people and the product that *might* not suit your purpose, as it really isn't all that bad : )