Things every New Zenner needs to know

[clydejones]

There's a wealth of information in the tutorials/FAQ section as well as in the wiki.

[cmcgaugh]

Hi Bruce,

how's the project going? Can you please give us
an update?

I like Zen Cart a lot....amazing app. Forum's great, too!

There is a ton of very good documentation....it's
just difficult to distill it and figure where to start.

My only problem at present is understanding how the
css affects the layout....e.g. the css that came with
the template I'm using ("Custom", aka Aqua Shade)
doesn't seem to control the layout for that template.
(not asking for help here.....will post in the right place later)

I've used CSS before, but the css that comes with
the cart seems pretty complex and advanced.

I'm sure if I poke around long enough I'll figure it out.

As a new user, it would be good to have a simplified
set of instructions on how to set up a very basic cart
say with 3 categories, 10 items each. Then how to
expand the cart and change the layout with the CSS.

"Baby steps" (from "What about Bob")


Thanks for taking the time to help us!
Cal - an enthusiastic new Zenner

[clydejones]

...My only problem at present is understanding how the
css affects the layout....e.g. the css that came with
the template I'm using ("Custom", aka Aqua Shade)
doesn't seem to control the layout for that template.
(not asking for help here.....will post in the right place later)

Did you activate Aqua Shade in admin -> tools -> template selection?

[cmcgaugh]

Did you activate Aqua Shade in admin -> tools -> template selection?

Yes, I did. I've used the admin panel a little but the css readme
said I should alter the css to customize the layout.

I've been tweeking the css that is in the Aqua Shade folder.....changing a background color here,
re-naming a background image there....nothing seems to
make a difference. But I know the css has some function,
because if I re-name it, the cart layout and colors go to Hell!

Another curiosity is that the logo has to be in the template_default/images
folder instead of the Aqua Shade/images folder.

There must be a common denominator here.....just haven't found it yet.
The main css seems a bit long and complex.....~620 lines worth. Is it all
necessary or just there if you activate part of the cart that needs it?

Thanks, Clyde

-Cal

ps- do you know what's going on with the TENZNTK-project?

[clydejones]

I haven't used this particular template. I'll download it to my test site and check it out.

Check the Tutorial/FAQ and the wiki. I put a lot of things from the project there.

[kuroi]

The template works perfectly, just like any other. However, a very common error made by people new to Zen Cart is to make a copy of the stylesheet before starting to edit it, but then leave the copy in the css directory with the original. As a result the changes made to the original file are over-ridden by the copy and it looks as though the css isn't working. The answer is to delete the copy or put it somewhere else.

[clydejones]

That template has a folder called Custom.

copy that folder to includes/templates and upload to your server.

I'm guessing you have already done this.

in admin -> tools -> template selection click the edit button scroll down and find custom and click update.

Now go to admin -> tools -> layout boxes controller scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click reset.

Bring up your "shop" in your browser.

You should be able to edit the stylesheet.css in the Custom/css folder to control colors, fonts, etc. CSS controls styling and formating not the layout per se.

As far as "layout", depending on what you want to do, you may have to play around with the template files to get the structure you want.

[cmcgaugh]

Thanks Clyde & Kuroi,
I didn't mean to derail the thread for the project,
but appreciate your help very much.

I've been to the Wiki, and have downloaded a lot of the pages
which I will print out with the pdf to find the info I want at a glance.
I find a hard copy of the material easier to work with and assemilate.

Anyway, you got me over the bump in the road.

Cheers & Happy New Year!
Cal

[clydejones]

Good luck and Happy New Year

[AngelT]

Good luck and Happy New Year

Thank you very much and

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR YOU TOO!

God Bless Youuuuuu........ all the days of your life!

AngelT