Things every New Zenner needs to know

[hem]

A major drawback to things Internet or Web site related is that people seem to think, or believe, that everything should be easy to understand and operate. This is not true most anyplace on the Internet and especially with scripts (like Zen Cart) that offer a lot of built-in features. By definition; "The more features there are the more complicated it will be."

Think of the first time driving a car or just getting into one now. Sit in the Driver's seat and just look at all the options/features one has within arm's reach. Remember the first time driving a car? Trying to stay inside your lane, watching the rear view Mirror, watching what's coming at you, checking your speed and heaven forbid if you wanted to turn on the radio. And now, driving a car is mostly routine and pretty easy to do.

Probably one of the most succint and real descriptions of web development I've ever read.

[meknownowt]

On the other hand, if, as is often suggested to noobies but we oldies just as often get berated for suggesting it, you could try reading the tutorials/FAQs where you would have found the cunningly named How do I use the Developers Toolkit?

And which of the 16 FAQ lists is that hidden in that is leading to 367 FAQs. That is a lot of reading for someone who does not even know what that tool is.
and I have to say until it was mentioned on here I did not even give it a second thought, when I looked at it, as there is no real explanation as to what it can do unless I knew to look for it.

But you have brought up a good point maybe all the information is allready there but burried in all the inforamtion a bit like the file system.
So maybe rather than making a new helpfile to be burried with the rest it would be a better idea to add some form of search fecility to the inforamtion allready available or a simple link page with more of a beginers view of what is available.

But for me I would still prefer the map of the zencart files, so I had some idea what I can delete and what I should not touch.

But thanks for the link

[DrByte]

I would still prefer the map of the zencart files, so I had some idea what I can delete and what I should not touch.

You probably don't want to delete much of anything.

Nevertheless, the documents at these links may be of helpful reference to you:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=378
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=298

[meknownowt]

You probably don't want to delete much of anything.

0_47&products_id=298[/url]

why? there is a tun of stuff I would want rid of that is taking up product space Videos Music and other thigs I do not deal in could all go.

I undesrstnd they may need to be deleted again after an update but I can't see any reason to kep them?

[penster]

How do I place a question on the forum I have gone round in circles I think I must be blind I have a problem with my cart I deal mainly in Uk currency but also want to sell to other countries. I set the currency to default UK and selected the other countries I wished to use. But it still works in dollers when I price things so I am having to go to Xe.com to convert. Also I noticed that when I click on the UK currency in the settings it says for example:

Example Output:
£30.00 = £15.87

I certainly dont wish to rob myself and I am worried I will under charge customers. Can anyone help me with this. I appreciate all the hard work you guys are doing and I am sorry if I am being a little dense

[TShooters]

Penster,

To post a new thread, go to the appropriate section of the forum for your
question, and there should be a "New Thread" button on the left top, under the menu bar.

Have you see this tutorial on setting up default currencies?
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=79
Set your default currency to 1.00000.

Hope this helps.

[penster]

Penster,

To post a new thread, go to the appropriate section of the forum for your
question, and there should be a "New Thread" button on the left top, under the menu bar.

Have you see this tutorial on setting up default currencies?
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=79
Set your default currency to 1.00000.

Hope this helps.

Thanks TShooters
I set the default by that very tutorial. It says my UK is set but keeps halving the total as though it thinks its dollars
I will try it again and thanks for prompting me on the New Thread "doh"

[seand95]

Does this book include instructions on how to manage the website and do things from the FTP angle? Thats the toughest part for me to grasp without always bothering my tech savvy friend for help.

Thanks

[Website Rob]

Now the following may be classified as the Brutal Truth but is it something that is expected of every new Zenner.

Using an FTP problem is one of those things everyone should know, if they run a Web site. Just like a Browser, FTP is learned through experience and people decide which one they want to use. Both have nothing to do any script but are required for basic usage of a Hosting account.

Any Book or install instructions for a script will usually provide information on what files are uploaded where but that is all the information one should need or expect. To learn more on how to better use an FTP program one needs to practice with it and/or visit the site of the where the FTP program was obtained.


In fact, the above would also apply to people looking for answers to questions. Be it here or somewhere else, many questions have already been asked/answered and many sites have Reference links, Tutorials and an FAQ section, such as this one does. Before starting a new thread one should do a Search, read the FAQs or Tutorials and see if their question has already been answered. Perhaps they will find a similar type thread and can post there, where the question is relevant, rather than starting a new thread on an old question. And posting the same question in multiple threads is considered bad form.

[seand95]

I understand an FTP program. Whats unclear to me is how and where apply the available modifications. Most have very good instructions, but i must be doing something wrong. I just hope the book contains a lot of info. On that area. I don't need to know how to add new products to the site manually, add categories, manage the layout, etc.