I need step-by-step instructions on updating my site! Help!

I currently have ZenCart version Zen Cart v1.3.7.1/v1.3.7 and I need to upgrade to the newest version so I can get USPS shipping module up and running. I need step-by-step instructions on how to do. I am new to website maintenance. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :smile:

Start here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/content.php?140-how-do-i-upgrade-my-site

I unfortunately do not know or understand all the computer lingo. For example what is a new directory, php files, etc. I am very new to website maintenance so I pretty much do not know how to anything lol.

theteapet:

For example what is a new directory, php files, etc.

:shocking:

I am very new to website maintenance so I pretty much do not know how to anything lol.
Maybe I'm mistaken, but if you don't understand not even the very basics, how do you think you'll be able to upgrade your site? It's not a 3-click process... It actually does require some knowledge and there are 2 approaches - you can either rebuild your site from scratch or do manual file comparison and merging.

If you're clueless about what you're doing, you should NOT tackle with the live site because the damage you do might be irreversible. Instead, create a FULL backup of the site (both files and database) and then start upgrading on a clone site. You're in for quite some work, but it's definitely gonna be an interesting learning curve for you.

theteapet:

I unfortunately do not know or understand all the computer lingo. For example what is a new directory, php files, etc. I am very new to website maintenance so I pretty much do not know how to anything lol.

Everyone here, including the Zencart developers, were at one time new to this and not up on the computer lingo. No time like the present to start learning.

stevesh:

Everyone here, including the Zencart developers, were at one time new to this and not up on the computer lingo. No time like the present to start learning.
I can't think of a single time that Stevesh and I have even come close to disagreeing on a solution to a problem.

Also, I am one of the first to tout that time spent learning is probably the most valuable with the greatest "return on investment".

But, in this case there's more at stake than just some time spent.

1. Any site using 1.3.7 is in big trouble.

• The version is ancient and vulnerable to attack if not already attacked. (Sorry, but I don't think theteapet would notice.)
• The version uses abandoned versions of PHP and MySql.
• The above two items lead to a major concern about the capabilities of the host.

2. Not knowing how to create a directory indicates to me that FTP, file compression, file editing, etc. are way out there on the learning curve.

It is NEVER a bad thing to admit that you don't know and ask for help. It is ALWAYS beneficial to know where to find answers. This forum is one of the best for answers.

However, unless this shop is just a side project or hobby, I think this is one of those times when necessity and expediency overrules the opportunity to learn.

@theteapet - Please see a PM sent your way.

stevesh:

Everyone here, including the Zencart developers, were at one time new to this and not up on the computer lingo. No time like the present to start learning.

I don't agree with this. Back when I was a teenager I knew everything about everything.

As I got older I forgot most of what I knew and had to relearn from scratch. :-)

Cheers
RodG

RodG:

I don't agree with this. Back when I was a teenager I knew everything about everything.

As I got older I forgot most of what I knew and had to relearn from scratch. :-)

Cheers
RodG

Yes, but everything is backwards and upside-down in Australia as compared to the US. :laugh:

dbltoe:

I can't think of a single time that Stevesh and I have even come close to disagreeing on a solution to a problem.

Also, I am one of the first to tout that time spent learning is probably the most valuable with the greatest "return on investment".

But, in this case there's more at stake than just some time spent.

2. Any site using 1.3.7 is in big trouble.

• The version is ancient and vulnerable to attack if not already attacked. (Sorry, but I don't think theteapet would notice.)

• The version uses abandoned versions of PHP and MySql.

• The above two items lead to a major concern about the capabilities of the host.

3. Not knowing how to create a directory indicates to me that FTP, file compression, file editing, etc. are way out there on the learning curve.

It is NEVER a bad thing to admit that you don't know and ask for help. It is ALWAYS beneficial to know where to find answers. This forum is one of the best for answers.

However, unless this shop is just a side project or hobby, I think this is one of those times when necessity and expediency overrules the opportunity to learn.

@theteapet - Please see a PM sent your way.

We agree this time, too. I didn't notice @theteapet was using 1.3.7.

stevesh:

Yes, but everything is backwards and upside-down in Australia as compared to the US. :laugh:

Are you suggesting that US teenagers DON'T know everything? <shakes head in dis-belief>

Cheers
RodG

Another sign that prominently hung above my USAF desk...

Pobody's Nerfect!

dbltoe:

Another sign that prominently hung above my USAF desk...

Pobody's Nerfect!

Is there another one that reads "Stop reading these silly signs and get back to work" <g>

Cheers
RodG

Well I am sorry balihr that I am inferior to you with maintaining a website. I thought this website was a zen cart community that helps other users to solve problems, not criticize. I did not ask for your help personally. I was asking for anyone's help which I greatly appreciate. If you do not agree or understand what another user is asking then simply do not respond. Like these other helpful and kind users have said, we have all started out things with not knowing how to do them. Be a little kinder to people or don't say anything at all. Thank you.

theteapet:

Well I am sorry balihr that I am inferior to you with maintaining a website.
WOW!!! I've never said that, nor have tried to suggest anything like that. How on Earth did you manage to misinterpret my post that badly?!

I thought this website was a zen cart community that helps other users to solve problems, not criticize. I did not ask for your help personally. I was asking for anyone's help which I greatly appreciate. If you do not agree or understand what another user is asking then simply do not respond. Like these other helpful and kind users have said, we have all started out things with not knowing how to do them.
If you weren't so offended by the first line I wrote, maybe you would have noticed that I actually DID give you some advice and tried to help... But, let's put that aside and get back to topic.
This is a Zen Cart community, but it's not a place where you should come to learn about directories or php files. The "step-by-step" guide that you were looking for and were asking about would've been a 30 pages long tutorial - if you're doing an upgrade, you need to understand at least the very basics. Otherwise, it's just like saying you want to rebuild your car's engine on your own, but you don't know what a screwdriver is...

Be a little kinder to people or don't say anything at all. Thank you.
I'm simply amazed how you managed to misinterpret my original post... Did you even bother to read it?

I honestly believe I AM pretty kind to people here and have helped quite a few members of the community, but never mind that... Have YOU bothered to think if YOU could be kinder to the community and actually search the forums for an answer to your question? Your question had been asked AND answered many times before by other people - all you need to do is read those posts and find all your answers. If you really want to learn something and be able to DIY, you'll do the research and read what other people say, especially on a topic that was discussed so many times, plus it has a guide in the wiki section. Otherwise, you'll just post a 2-line question and expect for someone to spend half a day writing 12000 lines of instructions so that you could just sit back, relax and follow it to the letter without breaking a sweat.

Now, let me re-post what I said the first time. And, I'm kindly asking you - please read this:

balihr:

If you're clueless about what you're doing, you should NOT tackle with the live site because the damage you do might be irreversible. Instead, create a FULL backup of the site (both files and database) and then start upgrading on a clone site. You're in for quite some work, but it's definitely gonna be an interesting learning curve for you.
And, yes, I still think it's gonna be an interesting learning curve for you - maybe you'll understand that it basically has the same meaning as "we have all started out things with not knowing how to do them"... Yet somehow, I'm the opposite of "helpful and kind users"... :huh:

Anyway, I wish you best of luck and honestly hope you'll be able to do this upgrade.

Regards,
Leonard

I too manage my own web site and I am not a web developer. I do, however, have reasonable computer user history. I would recommend hiring one of the people on this forum that can update your site. Most other issues I work through, and with the help of this forum, am usually successful. Currently I have been bitten by the USPS module upgrade and am digging through the forum looking for the solution. Updating your site is very complicated and worth paying someone to do. I have learned Zen Cart from scratch. You have to understand how to work with your hosting service along with working with zen cart admin.