Things every New Zenner needs to know

[clydejones]

I am brand new, just registered. The funny thing to me is that as a beginner I am searching for a "where and how to get into editing". Do I "log in"? do I access via the ftp?

In order to begin editing, you first need to have a copy of the Zen Cart distro located on your PC.

Check here for Text editors and other useful tools for working with Zen Cart
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Useful_Tools

Once you've edited and saved your files you can upload them to your server using an FTP client.

[Forum5]

Bump.

Just to get my name on the reply list.

- - - - - - -

Lets Start with a GOOD Table of Contents then everyone can just take a chapter that they know something about.

I. Installation

I.1. Types of servers and software needed. SQL, php, etc.
I.2 Linux
I.3 Microsoft
I.4 Specific Steps to install - which is in the installation docs but the names change depending on what your back end server software is.

I.5 Types of payments
I.6 Tax rates for specific zones
I.7 Attributes for items?

II. Administration

II.1.1 create an admin name and password.
II.1.2 can I have more than one admin, maybe with limited powers

III. Operation

III.1.3 My clerk needs ability to print shipping documents but I don't want her/him to have access to the rest of the site.

IV. What is a Template

a. How to modify your current template
c. How to create a new template
d. How to change graphics
e. How to modify a css. What to look for.

[clydejones]

check here:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php

[lynbor]

When it comes to the template system, my suggestion would be to have an option in the admin area to "create new basic template". It should prompt for the "folder name" of the template and any other basic info necessary. Then have it run a little PHP program that goes out and creates the new template folder in all the appropriate locations and copies over the necessary files from the default template locations.

Once that is done, a newbie can change to the newly created template and now it's fairly easy to find the template related files that he/she would like to alter. And if things don't work out, no harm is done, simply switch back to the default template.

Might also be good to have a choice that removes an existing template which basically does the opposite of the create template process described above.

I've been messing with Zen for a couple years now and it's seems to always be a stuggle to figure out where to create folders and then which files to copy over to those folders. It's usually easier to hunt down the particular image or text I want to alter and just alter it. Of course the problem with that comes about when an Update to Zen is called for.

The flexibility of the template system is awesome! But it's complexity is a bit much to take in. I think part of the problem for newbies is the fact that if you are not going to change something then you don't need to make a copy of it in your template folder. But now 6 months or a year later when I come back to it and have to do an upgrade I can't remember what I changed or even WHERE I changed it. And I end up once again searching for that template system information to read it again and get it figured out again. (I've done that probably 5 or 6 times in the last 4 years and I can't say with any confidence that I won't have to read it again) That's probably where the "road map" that so many have suggested would be of benefit.

Setting up another Zen Cart for a client...

[AngelT]

Hi Bruce,

Maybe the below information could help you to add more info to your "Getting Start" book. and also maybe you could help me out with my problem, please.

I have been working on the configuration of the eComerse Process. Befeore I started it someone else began working on it. That person did not complete all the process. Know happen that I myself are in the lerning cycle (beginner) of all this technology. But I have done the following:

1- All the appropriated folders were created

2- I have investigated that all MYSQL data base was installed and all the database files are distrituted in their respective folders.

3- All others files (like PHP files) have been modified.

Currently I have reviewed all the installation documentation like a)New Installation, b) First Step to Setup your online Shop and c) The Basic Checklist.
But I can not find the way of a) how to get in the Admin site. Acctually I do not know if Admin is the same as the Web Services Provider. b) How to get the program to setup all database files with the basic information (Currency, Products, Categories, Images, ect), c) How to customize the Shopping Page and d) how to assing the secutity level to files for users access.

Again, I have read all the instruction but they do not explaing exactly how to get access to all the above.

Would you please give me a hand on this or at least tell me where or who to go for information on these matter?

Truly yours,

Radhames Lopez

[clydejones]

a) how to get in the Admin site. Acctually I do not know if Admin is the same as the Web Services Provider.

you access your admin panel Your_site.com/shop/admin

b) How to get the program to setup all database files with the basic information (Currency, Products, Categories, Images, ect),

the database files are installed when zen cart is installed.

c) How to customize the Shopping Page

check the wiki and the tutorials along with searching the forum. Lots of information in these areas.

d) how to assing the secutity level to files for users access.

do you mean for user access to the admin portion of your cart.

[saurabhgautam]

I want to put a small arrow image before the category name list in the sidebox and also the same for ezpages list in sidebox, can anyone guide please.

[clydejones]

I'm guessing you mean something like this:

Categories

> My Product

If so this would require editing a couple of your tpl_?????.php files.

[saurabhgautam]

Thanks Clyde,

I got around the problem by installing better categories mod & editing the base images.

I have a new problem now!!! I have installed Newsbox manager mod on my Zen 1.3.6. I cant change the font colour, tried all combinations in css.
In the admin area when i click on publish or unpublish i get this error.

Warning: reset(): Passed variable is not an array or object in admin/includes/classes/object_info.php on line 29

Warning: Variable passed to each() is not an array or object in admin/includes/classes/object_info.php on line 30

thankfully i have a backup just before this mod install.

Otherwise can you please suggest a good mod which can show news in a side box and full news links to news page.

[clydejones]

I use a mod called News & Article Management, You can find it here:

http://www.dream-scape.com/pub/zencart/News_Articles_Management/