Looking to migrate to ZenCart from OSC

Thanks .... I have loaded a host of different templates on the OSC site so I'm fairly conversant with how they are installed ( and yes I do backup all the files before I start LOL!). OSC looks the same as ZenCart in many aspects (probably built on it anyway).

Have to say I don't like the standard OSC / ZenCart category listings in the left sidebox and have made significant changes via addons to the site (will post a screendump later) so I'm hoping that I can achieve the same here.

DigiBooks:

Thanks .... I have loaded a host of different templates on the OSC site so I'm fairly conversant with how they are installed ( and yes I do backup all the files before I start LOL!). OSC looks the same as ZenCart in many aspects (probably built on it anyway).

Have to say I don't like the standard OSC / ZenCart category listings in the left sidebox and have made significant changes via addons to the site (will post a screendump later) so I'm hoping that I can achieve the same here.

My understanding is that zc was built on/from oscommerce at one point, but that aside. I have no doubt in your ability, it's just that because the templates have been provided free with detailed instruction, there are some aspects that still could be automated, but require gross manual manipulations of the data/admin interface. I have some automated things I am setting up for one template that I'll need to forward to the author so that it canbe incorporated and make the installation a little faster if a user chooses to go the quick way instead of gaining the pride in the effort. :)

AH rght ... I probably have the "which came first" the wrong way round lol!

You're right with clear instructions generally you can get these things working first time. I am not a PHP programmer so I just try to learn as I go. My main reason for moving away from OSC if I can is, as already stated, their support is really poor sometimes. This thread already gives me greater confidence that I might be pointed in the right direction if I'm struggling.

Appreciated guys!

DigiBooks:

Have to say I don't like the standard OSC / ZenCart category listings in the left sidebox and have made significant changes via addons to the site (will post a screendump later) so I'm hoping that I can achieve the same here.

I've used this mod and like it:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1

Also, if you intend to categorize by author, may I recommend my Manufacturer Sort Order mod:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1668

Hi stevesh

Thank you for the links .. I will check them out tonight :)

Hi pickandnix

The free download is perfect - just what I'm looking for.

Is it an addon that needs to be installed?

Hi stevesh

I just did some searching for free product checkout and notice that you were talking to someone about the 'freecharger' module. I did a search for that but could not find anything

OK pickandnix has explained about the Free Order setup so I will be running a trial later tonight and then trying the category menu that stevesh has pointed me to.

If all goes well I can then start looking for all the other things I currently use on OSC but probably after I have trialed copying my OSC databases across and make sure I can see all my products / customers etc.

Thank you everyone for your help - I'm beginning to like ZenCart already :)

The conversion script can be found here

Thank you Design75!!!!

I have committed to getting off OSC as soon as possible and getting up and running on ZenCart. You guys here have given me more assistance in 24 hours then the OSC group has over the past 2 months!

I don't confess to be a PHP programmer or understand it all but I feel that, finally, I have found a friendly team who are willing to assist those of us who are not as experienced. As I go along I hope that I will be able to help others as I build my knowledge of the system ... in the meantime I apologise if I need to seek some help from time to time.

Morning all.

With a bit of guidance from pickandnix I have succeeded in getting the Free Download system working on a test product. I can now see that ZenCart works pretty much the same as OSCommerce only it has far more settings which in the long run makes it a far better system.

I have found that ZC will allow you to upload images anywhere you choose. A fresh OSC install has exactly the same setup as ZC in that the sample products have their manufacturer and product images stored in separate folders yet there is NO way you can define where to upload these images when you add new data! This is really annoying because all my author, book series and book cover images have all been stored in the same folder as the system images.

SO my question is that when I convert the data across from OSC am I going to be able to define where certain images go or will I have to trawl through 5500 products and manually reset the image locations?

Thanks

DigiBooks:

Morning all.

With a bit of guidance from pickandnix I have succeeded in getting the Free Download system working on a test product. I can now see that ZenCart works pretty much the same as OSCommerce only it has far more settings which in the long run makes it a far better system.

I have found that ZC will allow you to upload images anywhere you choose. A fresh OSC install has exactly the same setup as ZC in that the sample products have their manufacturer and product images stored in separate folders yet there is NO way you can define where to upload these images when you add new data! This is really annoying because all my author, book series and book cover images have all been stored in the same folder as the system images.

SO my question is that when I convert the data across from OSC am I going to be able to define where certain images go or will I have to trawl through 5500 products and manually reset the image locations?

Thanks

I would say somewhat a loaded question, because there are several factors that could affect that situation. First of all though, I would think it would be suggested to transfer the database information first before "uploading" pictures. Then ftp the photos to the location(s) applicable.

(Reason for at least that sequence is that the data transfer is likely though not guaranteed to overwrite existing data in the database including image location. And no I haven't downloaded/tested the converter to claim how it works/what it does.)

So the next thing though is that if the image locations do transfer, then it would be expected that the images should be stored in that path for them to show immediately. Otherwise, you could go product by product and upload the image(s) to the location desired. The third option is to store them where desired and use aate tool that can do changes in several products at once. Effectively each product to have an image needs 1 or more images associated with it the other images justneed to have the same base name as the "original" file's name. Where the other files contain all of the name of the base file and some other information where the images will be shown in the alphabetic order of the additional image(s).

Something about the process would need some work to place them other than in the folder path that is identified in the other program. Or the old files could be left in the current path with all new files being "sorted"

mc12345678:

I would say somewhat a loaded question, because there are several factors that could affect that situation. First of all though, I would think it would be suggested to transfer the database information first before "uploading" pictures. Then ftp the photos to the location(s) applicable.

(Reason for at least that sequence is that the data transfer is likely though not guaranteed to overwrite existing data in the database including image location. And no I haven't downloaded/tested the converter to claim how it works/what it does.)

So the next thing though is that if the image locations do transfer, then it would be expected that the images should be stored in that path for them to show immediately. Otherwise, you could go product by product and upload the image(s) to the location desired. The third option is to store them where desired and use aate tool that can do changes in several products at once. Effectively each product to have an image needs 1 or more images associated with it the other images justneed to have the same base name as the "original" file's name. Where the other files contain all of the name of the base file and some other information where the images will be shown in the alphabetic order of the additional image(s).

Something about the process would need some work to place them other than in the folder path that is identified in the other program. Or the old files could be left in the current path with all new files being "sorted"

Thank you for your reply. I am pretty much resolved to expecting quite a bit of work to get all the data transferred (just wish now that I had gone with ZC in the first place!)

I'll take a look at the database structures and see how that pans out ... maybe there will be something obvious that I can do a batch process on.

One other question - on the OSC site I recently added an addon that enables me to suspend any customer account for reasons of nuisance or unpaid subscription. I know that this addon modified the customer table somewhere (basically adding a suspend flag field). Are you aware of any similar addon or feature within ZC that will cope with that please?

DigiBooks:

Thank you for your reply. I am pretty much resolved to expecting quite a bit of work to get all the data transferred (just wish now that I had gone with ZC in the first place!)

I'll take a look at the database structures and see how that pans out ... maybe there will be something obvious that I can do a batch process on.

One other question - on the OSC site I recently added an addon that enables me to suspend any customer account for reasons of nuisance or unpaid subscription. I know that this addon modified the customer table somewhere (basically adding a suspend flag field). Are you aware of any similar addon or feature within ZC that will cope with that please?

I am not sure if there is already present in ZC for banning custmoers, but if there isn't there is always the possibility to port the osc mod to ZC. do you have a link to the osc mod? So I could take a look and, see?

Design75:

I am not sure if there is already present in ZC for banning custmoers, but if there isn't there is always the possibility to port the osc mod to ZC. do you have a link to the osc mod? So I could take a look and, see?

Hi Design75

I've attached the mod here for you .. and thanks

Alan

DigiBooks:

Hi Design75

I've attached the mod here for you .. and thanks

Alan

Why ... oh why ... didn't I check out ZenCart before I plunged into OSC???????

OK I know why ... it was because the Admin setup of products etc. had a lot less attributes so I thought it would be simpler to manage.

You are quite right Design75 ...... Go to customer, edit and change status from Approved to Banned ... cannot login or shop!!!!!!!

You guys at Zencart have thought of pretty much everything ..... Thank you!!!!!

Evening all.

Have to say ZenCart is so much easier to modify than OSC ever was! I found a suitable free template which was constricted to a central 950px layout and with a bit of work is now running at full screen width.

Just a couple more things to change then I will have a go at transferring the data to make sure that works before I continue further.

Demo at: http://digibooks.org.uk/TESTBED

stevesh:

I've used this mod and like it:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1

Also, if you intend to categorize by author, may I recommend my Manufacturer Sort Order mod:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1668

Thanks stevesh.

I have installed the CSS Flyout Menu and just now need to blend it into the new template :)

Well I have to say guys that I am truly impressed with ZenCart!

So far I have installed a new template and a CSS Flyout menu. On OSC To do both of these things I had to add new files and edit a mass of existing files to make them all work. On ZC all I have had to do is add new files, go into the Admin console, switch on and make a couple of adjustments. As I load everything to a Testbed first to try it out and then implement it on a live site this is saving me hours of work!

And ... as I've said before ... you are such a helpful group. I really do appreciate all your help and advice and look forward to being able to assist other users as I learn more about ZC.

DigiBooks:

Thanks stevesh.

I have installed the CSS Flyout Menu and just now need to blend it into the new template :)

Well after a bit of playing around I have blended the CSS Flyout Menu into the new site template. Love to know what you all think.

http://digibooks.org.uk/TESTBED