Winchester Responsive

[DrByte]

What's involved with getting the Winchester Responsive template to work with ZC 157b? Just a brief read through the threads, seems like some have got it working.

It is indeed a bit painful.

What about the template has you wanting to use it? Is there a certain feature that drew your attention? What are your top 3 reasons?

[kwright]

It is indeed a bit painful.

What about the template has you wanting to use it? Is there a certain feature that drew your attention? What are your top 3 reasons?

Well, the general layout of the Winchester Responsive, and being mobile friendly, is what drew me to use it. However, I would say:

1. Top nav menu (desktop view)
2. Home page slider & highlight banners, which use the banner system which I can schedule
3. Flexible footer

What I didn't mention is that we are already using the Winchester Responsive on 154 and are wanting to update to the latest 157. I'm not apposed to changing the general look going to a different template, but would like to keep the same features.

I guess I could just add them to the responsive default template?

Thanks

[DrByte]

Like any template, upgrading it requires manually updating all the changes made to core Zen Cart files into all the files this template adds/overrides ... which in the case of this template is a lot.
And there are a few dozen "new" files this template adds that should be reviewed for PHP compatibility changes that are needed.
Probably also worth upgrading the 3rd party javascript scripts that it depends on. In some cases some of them are no longer maintained.

[DrByte]

Yes, you could just build those same desired features onto the default responsive_classic template.
Or you could explore the ZCA Bootstrap 4 template for stronger mobile-friendliness and add any needed features to that.
ZCA Bootstrap Template

Those are some options to consider.

[kwright]

Yes, you could just build those same desired features onto the default responsive_classic template.
Or you could explore the ZCA Bootstrap 4 template for stronger mobile-friendliness and add any needed features to that.
ZCA Bootstrap Template

Those are some options to consider.

OK, so if I were to start from scratch, it sounds as if the ZCA Bootstrap 4 template would be a good starting point. Yes?

If I were to go in a different direction and purchase a modern premium ZC template, any recommendations?

[dbltoe]

If I were to go in a different direction and purchase a modern premium ZC template, any recommendations?

Most creators of such templates are actually porting them over from another use. In so doing, they more than likely use layouts and terminologies that do not match Zen Cart.

If you were not going to add ANY mod that affected the product pages for example, store bought might work for you.

However, most folks who do any mods wind up quitting the store bought in frustration. Yes, there are those who can "see" what's going on and work with the differences. Most folks cannot and wind up spending many extra dollars.

You can always open a thread asking for opinions on a cart you think might work for you but, most folks here will state the old "caveat emptor."

[kwright]

Most creators of such templates are actually porting them over from another use. In so doing, they more than likely use layouts and terminologies that do not match Zen Cart.

If you were not going to add ANY mod that affected the product pages for example, store bought might work for you.

However, most folks who do any mods wind up quitting the store bought in frustration. Yes, there are those who can "see" what's going on and work with the differences. Most folks cannot and wind up spending many extra dollars.

You can always open a thread asking for opinions on a cart you think might work for you but, most folks here will state the old "caveat emptor."

Thanks for the input!

I seem to go through the same exercise every time I start on a new ZC project and always end up with using a template from the addons and mod as needed.