database upload

[stitchnkitty]

Hi Schoolboy
Yes your did an you have been great along with everyone else- that was a help to see if I wanted to invest the time which of course I did-

Sorry about that - newbie thinking here - I thought that why try and fix one problem and then create another - I have my cart is a subdirectory which will need to up a level. And my images are not showing along with the DB issue
SO tried to move my cart up a level and my server suggested I reload as opposed to just moving - SOOOO
since I am on Dialup. that is what is going on right now.

Ok so that did not work I am still at the subdirectory. Had the same configuration problems as I had before and could not get them straightened out at that time so I changed everyhting back!

[schoolboy]

I think you are a bit confused about the database... Firstly, you only every "upload" it ONCE.

After the database is created you basically leave it alone (unless you are skilled at MySQL and you are tinkering about with it for a specific reason.)

But don't fiddle with the database. Once it is installed for the first time, you leave it alone.

What you are probably referring to is getting DATA into the database, and this is a different issue.

If you are trying to load Product Data, you can either do this manually via the admin console Product Edit/Add screen, or you can use a program like Easy Populate if you have a lot of products - and I recall you having a LOT of products!

See my WIKI on E.P here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate

[stitchnkitty]

Hi there Thanks for all your thoughts-
Hmmm
OK
Yes I will be adding to my base over the next year - MY thoughts were that I could work on my zencart that is located on my computer and then when a section is done I can upload it to the site - and of course I was think ing that it was done via the DB.
I was doing this thru the Admin part of my computer cart. I would also have 2 working copies of my cart without adding the product twice.

And since I am on DU I thougt I could do this leisurely and inbetween customers.

you are right(as always)I guess I am confused on this.

[schoolboy]

I see what you are saying... you do all the work on your local machine, then periodically "replace" the remote server install with the stuff on your local drive...

On a superficial level this may seem logical, but there is a lot of activity on the LIVE (remote) server that is not going to be evident on your LOCAL machine. (customer activity in particular!!!)

If you take the database off your local machine and overwrite the database on the server, you effectively DELETE everything that relates to customers, purchases, tracking...

I know you are on DU because broadband is not available to you (which for the USA is surprising), but managing your store in this way is not a good idea at all.

[stitchnkitty]

Oh golly I forgot about all the customer data!! Great Point - that is no good!!!

OK newbie thinking again-
Can I just upload the 'files' within the database that are effected by the addition of new product? Such as product_id and products and such? Everyone talks about Easy populate but that seems like another issue that will need to dive into that would delay the addition of product???

I think you can see I am just not quite grasping this as of yet!

[Website Rob]

If you are just wanting to update new Categories/Products then EasyPopulate would solve a lot your problems and is worth the time to learn it. Start with the free version if you wish but I do recommend the pay for version as it is much better.

[schoolboy]

Everyone talks about Easy populate but that seems like another issue that will need to dive into that would delay the addition of product???

Read my WIKI tutorial...
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate

[stitchnkitty]

OK I sure will - one more Q? I was think while driving in -
Would it be easy to put into easy populate and then upload to both the computer cart and then to the website cart ? I know it seem redundant but it really handy to have the updated site on the computer when a customer calls in with Q?

[Website Rob]

since I am on Dialup.

I'm just going by what was previously mentioned.

[schoolboy]

I'm just going by what was previously mentioned.

So was I Rob... the observation was not aimed at your comment - I have made the same remark earlier.

As I played an earlier role in introducing the OP to Zencart, I felt it would be helpful if I did a quick check on the availability of Broadband in their geo area...

... and it looks like this area is awash with broadband.

Sure... if you're located at Rattlesnake Gulch in the middle of the Mojave - where communication is largely by cleft stick - then broadband is an issue.

But when it's available, what's the reason not to use it - if you are running a serious online business its probably essential.

I know a guy in the Zambezi River Valley in Zambia, who pays $500 a MONTH for a special satellite link up, to run his webshop...