How to change quantity to meters?

I am using Zen Cart for my fabric business and in order for customers to purchase material they have to enter the quantity in meters. I was wondering how I could do this as I do not know how to specify a unit (meters) and allow customers to buy decimal amounts (eg 1.50 meters instead of just 1 or 2 meters).

Also I was wondering if it was possible to add a 'sample buton' alongside the standard 'Add to basket/Add' button. This is to allow the customer to purchase a small sample of fabric (for a set price) before purchasing a large quantity, to make sure the color and texture is correct.

Thank you for your help!

See Answers below

rob62:

I am using Zen Cart for my fabric business and in order for customers to purchase material they have to enter the quantity in meters. I was wondering how I could do this as I do not know how to specify a unit (meters) and allow customers to buy decimal amounts (eg 1.50 meters instead of just 1 or 2 meters).
You would change this word in the language files includes/languages/english.php (I think) the problem is that if you are selling a spool of thread, it will still say meters. Best bet is to add a line in your description that items are sold in meters length.

Someone else will have to add in selling a fraction of a whole unit, I thought there was a switch for that, but cannot remember where.

Also I was wondering if it was possible to add a 'sample buton' alongside the standard 'Add to basket/Add' button. This is to allow the customer to purchase a small sample of fabric (for a set price) before purchasing a large quantity, to make sure the color and texture is correct.

Create an attribute called (for any reason) "Sample" make it a check box and set the attribute price = 0
I have not tried this myself, but it should keep you busy for a bit.
John ><>

Thanks for your help. I changed the text to make it more clear we sell in metres in the language file english.php file that you suggested and set my product quantity units to 0.25 (so I was able to use decimal amounts).

I decided for the samples it would be easiest to set up a new product called samples with an attribute relating to the different colours of that fabric type.