wide product images--how to List them?

I am trying out a few shopping systems for a new store, trying to find a solution that requires minimal modification, to ease upgrade maintenance. (I learned that the hard way from osCommerce...numerous plugins means upgrades are nearly impossible without starting over.)

Anyway, I have wide images (aspect ratio is about 4:1), and the image cannot be too small in the product listings; preferably around 400px by 100px tall, although the exact sizes may vary.
I would like to list them like this:

This is kind of a blend between what some have called list vs. grid, because the text is below the image, but the other information is on the end.

Is there a way to do it with Zen Cart just with formatting?
If not, can it be done with just a template or theme edit that will not be overwritten with ZC system updates?

Thanks, and any other advice for handling this would be appreciated.

You could take a look at this:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1585

I haven't used it.

I am trying out a few shopping systems for a new store, trying to find a solution that requires minimal modification, to ease upgrade maintenance
I do not believe that you will find any cart that has a reliable "one click" upgrade schema

stevesh:

You could take a look at this:
http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1585
Thanks; that looks like it will do it. I would still like to hear about Template and/or Admin Settings that can do the job; if there are none, I will look further into that plugin.

kobra:

I do not believe that you will find any cart that has a reliable "one click" upgrade schema No, but the fewer mods that are required to get the end result, the fewer hassles there will be in upgrading. At one time, I really liked osCommerce; when I was looking at it from a coder perspective, and a naive webstore owner. Then it came time to upgrade, and I either had to pay to have the same work duplicated (installing the same 18 or so contributions into a new version) or I have to pay to have each edited line edited in my version. (I no longer have time to work on the webstore for days on end.) I would much rather start with a cart system that minimizes the editing of the core.

I would much rather start with a cart system that minimizes the editing of the core
As long as you requirements are not too needy ZenCart uses an override system that when used correctly, limits the number of files edited that will require checking during an upgrade

These tutorials should guide you
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?228-understanding-the-override-system
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?78-how-do-i-set-up-the-template-overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?289-what-is-template_default

kobra:

As long as you requirements are not too needy ZenCart uses an override system that when used correctly, limits the number of files edited that will require checking during an upgrade

These tutorials should guide you
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?228-understanding-the-override-system
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?78-how-do-i-set-up-the-template-overrides
http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?289-what-is-template_default

Thank you for the links. A little reading shows ZC has a template file for tpl_modules_product_listing.php

If it does what I am hoping, then I'm set. Some systems I have looked at had similar template setups, but for some odd reason they omitted the product listings.

It would be far easier to use CORE features, then look at an image zooming function.

In this way, your product pics can be rendered initally as suitable thumbnails, and when HOVERED OVER, will produce a ZOOM.

See an example

Your adjustments cannot be done in tpl_modules_product_listing.php; they would need to happen in /includes/modules/your_template/product_listing.php. This is the main file modified by Flexible Product Listing, and I think you would be better off using it than trying to make the same complex modifications on your own.

schoolboy:

It would be far easier to use CORE features, then look at an image zooming function.

In this way, your product pics can be rendered initally as suitable thumbnails, and when HOVERED OVER, will produce a ZOOM.

See an example
Zooming is not the solution; the image quality is the most important aspect to draw attention; it must be a minimum of 400px wide. Furthermore, the height must be appropriately sized (~100px) to avoid wasting space. Zooming may work to add functionality, but it won't work for providing the required results.

gjh42:

Your adjustments cannot be done in tpl_modules_product_listing.php; they would need to happen in /includes/modules/your_template/product_listing.php. This is the main file modified by Flexible Product Listing, and I think you would be better off using it than trying to make the same complex modifications on your own.
Thanks