Using the e-start your web store with zen cart

I have spent the day installing zen cart to my computer using the instructions from the "Using the e-start your web store with zen cart" which is using v1.3.7-full-fileset-12302006. At the end of Chapter 2 in mentions applying bug fixes, as I am using this as a training exercise before I go on-line should I just fix up the bugs so that the information will reality to the Book?

Just a puzzled what to do next, so someadvice would be much appreciated.

Regards
Debalee (a 24hr beginner)

Have you got a zencart webshop up-and-running on your home computer. ie: can you open it up on a browser and work in the site's admin section? Can you see the webshop in a browser?

I would really start with the current version of Zen Cart which is v1.3.8a ... v1.3.7 is rather old and has issues that were corrected in v1.3.8a ...
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81696

Be sure to read through these posts and apply the updates:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=659717#post659717

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97461

Btw, updates to the book covering Zen Cart v1.3.8a can be downloaded from here.

fairestcape:

Have you got a zencart webshop up-and-running on your home computer. ie: can you open it up on a browser and work in the site's admin section? Can you see the webshop in a browser?

Yes I have got a zencart up and running on my home computer and I can browser and I can use the site admin section.

I am up to Part 2 Chapter 4. I was surprised I achieved it and understood most of what I was doing.:clap:

Ajeh:

I would really start with the current version of Zen Cart which is v1.3.8a ... v1.3.7 is rather old and has issues that were corrected in v1.3.8a ...
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81696

Be sure to read through these posts and apply the updates:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?p=659717#post659717

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97461

Thank you, Ajeh for this advice I will sit and look at these before I start anything.
Just feeling a little nervous about doing the updates but I'm sure I'll get there.:no:

canopy:

Btw, updates to the book covering Zen Cart v1.3.8a can be downloaded from here.

Thank you so much, for writing the book it has made the journey a look easiers and no I have download the update I will print them out and go the next step.

As only being a beginner to zen cart I was getting so confused on what I was suppose to do and I had forgotten where I had put my copy I really felt it was beyond me and I wasn't going to got ahead. But somehow yesterday morning I found my copy and I got all of part 1 finished.

So before I start part 2 I will do the updates.

debalee:

Thank you, Ajeh for this advice I will sit and look at these before I start anything.
Just feeling a little nervous about doing the updates but I'm sure I'll get there.:no:

After reading the notes and the downloading the updates for the book I'm now feeling very overwhelmed so I'm making the decision to download 1.3.8a and starting over I will only need to put in a little bit of data for the exercisers so that will give me more practise with them
This will mean I'll have 2 stores side-by-side so after I have achieved this do I will then use the new shop, do I delete the old shop, before going ahead so I don't get too confused, which it is easy for me to do.

Okay here goes.

It's OK to have two (or more) stores running side-by-side on the same server, as long as:

1. They reside in different directories
2. They run different databases

As this is on your home computer, it's better to delete the 1.3.7 version as you will not need it on your (future) live store.

Just work with 1.3.8a

Fairestcape,
Since I was last logged on I have download my training exercise store and have made my shop one all in version1.3.8a, I cannot belive I did it. I use my book the bit about the zones confudsed my abit so at least I can practise in the store before I use the shop one, to make sure I really do understand what I'm doing.

I have them in the same directories under very different names, so after I have had alook round I will detail the 1.3.7 version

I have printed off the known bugs (and fixes) with v1.3.8 (that Ajeh suggested) I feel very nervous with this as code is very new to me (like 3 days), if I take my time I know I'll get there. So if the changes have already been done in v1.3.8a I will not have to do any thing. And if I'm one the right track I do this on my copy on my computer?

I think you are adopting a very sensible and practical approach to learning about ZC before you commit yourself to a working (real) webshop.

All the while this "test" shop is on your local computer, you can make as many mistakes as you like - as no actual (real) sales will be affected, and no (real) customers will be made angry!

The point is this:

You really only need to have zencart version 1.3.8a - and if you run ONE or even ONE HUNDRED installations, they should all be operating on the latest version.

In a couple of weeks' time, after you have developed a better understanding of how ZC works, you may feel confident enough to MOVE your webshop to an internet server to start online trading.

Only you will know when you are ready for this - and the process will no doubt involve working with the book and visiting the forum for tips and tricks.

But when you are ready for a real, live shop, MOVING it to an internet server is quite straight-forward and there are lots of FAQ, tutorials and advice posts on this website.

Naturally, if you come up against obstacles, then submit a post and people will help.

One piece of advice...

When you decide to go live, please consider choosing a host that has good zencart knowledge, and who has configured their hosting environment to accommodate zencart.

There is a link to "certified hosts" at the top of this web page.

Hello,

Thank you for your E-start manual. THis has been an incredible help.

I am using MAC OS X, and I'd like to set up a Local Mail server, to test ZenCart's email functions offline, but the example in this manual (Mercury Mail server) is Windows based.

My question is, What software for my Mac (latest version, 10.5.) will preform the same functions (setting up local mail server) as the example used in this manual?

Thank you.

Setting up a mail server on a Mac is more complicated because the Mac runs an operating system based on Unix which has tighter security constraints. You'd need to be familiar with the system administration aspect of running such an advanced operating system in case you unknowingly open up security holes.

If possible, I'd suggest you test your mail settings on your remote host instead. This can be done by setting up another test store and using another dummy test account instead.

For example, if you current 'live' store is www.example.com/store, your 'test' store might be www.example.com/test.

Then by configuring extra test email accounts, you will be able to test your mail settings without affecting your 'live' store.

If you'd still like to run a local mail server, then you may want to consider the different free and open source IMAP/POP and SMTP servers that come bundled with Unix/Linux systems (Postfix, Courier-IMAP, etc). You can then turn to their individual forums for more information.

^thank you for the advice, Canopy.

I have indeed, been testing my mail functions "online".