Newby Advice Needed - how to build website

DivaVocals:

You will find that people are A LOT more willing to help in this community when you ask questions that are specific and based on you clearly demonstrating that you are trying to "learn how to fish" vs just "coming to pick up some packaged fish" if you get what I mean:smile:..
Considering I'm pushing double digit hours just on install and I'm about to start over, I think I'm not asking for packaged fish. Mostly trying to get the lay of the land on editing. I very much appreciate all the help.

DivaVocals:

You might want to start by going to the free downloads (plugins) link and looking for a template.. You want to try and find one that has the basic layout that you desire.. DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP in trivial things like: "Well it's not the colors I want" COLORS can be modified.. Look for a LAYOUT that is 90% of what you want.
Sounds good, thanks!

Sounds like you've got a plan in place.. :smile:

Remember:> DivaVocals:

I also suggest NOT going to a vendor like Theme Forrect, 12leaves.com and MOST DEFINITELY NOT Template Monstrosity (AKA Template Monster). Their GORGEOUS but POORLY CODED templates are not favs around here as they most often include CRAP CODE (yep I said it) that plays poorly with other modules or even OBLITERATES default behaviors (and NOT in a good way) because the template makers can't be BOTHERED to provide instructions for how to PROPERLY turn things on/off from the admin..

CosmosK:

But rename the admin folder at the end?
No you will STill need to rename your admin folder after the install is done.. You will be prompted to do so.. and while we're on the topic, I've seen SO MANY shopowners using SIMPLE admin folder names that ANYONE with pulse could GUESS at.. DO NOT rename your folder using anything like:

• epanel
• administration
• storeadmin
• mystoreadmin

etc.. etc.. you get the point right??

I personally rename the admin folder by combining the word "admin" with a string of randomly generated letters and numbers that I grab from an online secure password generator.. so you end up with something like admin4Hgwo8SWloErm

Just wanted to thank you all for the help. I got my store running and got a couple orders already. I used the westminster responsive template and it's going well! Thanks! http://cosmos-industrial.com/

CosmosK:

Just wanted to thank you all for the help. I got my store running and got a couple orders already. I used the westminster responsive template and it's going well! Thanks! http://cosmos-industrial.com/

Great! Now maybe you could also help others do the same thing as you navigate this forum. Worst case you send them to this thread! :)

Sure thing, I will be around. The main issue I had that could be fixed is the instructions. There are tons of instructions out there and they are all outdated. The install is very easy, but you would not understand it as such reading up on it. I followed DivaVocals instructions and it worked, unless I fell into her trap and she's busy hacking away at my site :) The official ZC download has old outdated instructions bundled with the install files. I'm actually surprised how fast I got up and running, in hindsight of course. Thanks!

CosmosK:

Sure thing, I will be around. The main issue I had that could be fixed is the instructions. There are tons of instructions out there and they are all outdated. The install is very easy, but you would not understand it as such reading up on it. I followed DivaVocals instructions and it worked, unless I fell into her trap and she's busy hacking away at my site :) The official ZC download has old outdated instructions bundled with the install files. I'm actually surprised how fast I got up and running, in hindsight of course. Thanks!
Well dang.. You mean I was actually HELPFUL!!! :laugh:

Glad ya got everything working!!!

DivaVocals:

Well dang.. You mean I was actually HELPFUL!!! :laugh:

Glad ya got everything working!!!

Yes, does happen every once in a while. :P

mc12345678:

Yes, does happen every once in a while. :P

Hahahaha.. you are a funny man..

CosmosK:

Sure thing, I will be around. The main issue I had that could be fixed is the instructions. There are tons of instructions out there and they are all outdated. The install is very easy, but you would not understand it as such reading up on it. I followed DivaVocals instructions and it worked, unless I fell into her trap and she's busy hacking away at my site :) The official ZC download has old outdated instructions bundled with the install files. I'm actually surprised how fast I got up and running, in hindsight of course. Thanks!

Not sure what you mean by "outdated" if you mean that they were written a long time ago, sure, but how surprising is it that they still work? To me, it is an indication of a consistent approach and methodology that has stood the test of time. With regards to the instructions included in the Zc 1.5.4 still referencing 1.5.3, well that was something another indicated after it was released. Apparently the beta testers either noticed the situation and didn't say anything thinking it would get caught in the final review for issue, or they didn't look at them in sufficient detail... I can claim the later...

I believe the instructions at least elude to the fact that it is not a step by step detailed instruction (although I think Dr. Byte's version is a little more along that path than the previous instruction(s)), but by being less specific to a version's requirements, means that the instructions do not need to be tweaked each time a release is made. Further, the forum is always open to ask questions, and there are plenty of helpful people. Once the "language" is learned, seems like the confusion of the old days becomes a memory... :)

DivaVocals:

Hahahaha.. you are a funny man..

I could make that statement only because whether you know it or not (from people's posts) that your interjections do guide to useful solutions. :)

All the instructions about setting permissions of critical files to read/write for all and no mention of what to set them back to or when. This is an issue and what I'm calling outdated instructions. DivaVocals said that the permissions should not have to be modified and it seems she is correct considering my install went fine when I did it like she said after multiple less successful attempts to install.

CosmosK:

All the instructions about setting permissions of critical files to read/write for all and no mention of what to set them back to or when. This is an issue and what I'm calling outdated instructions. DivaVocals said that the permissions should not have to be modified and it seems she is correct considering my install went fine when I did it like she said after multiple less successful attempts to install.

Couple of things there. One, I have found some hosts do not like 777 permissions for folders, but are fine with 755 permissions. Is that a problem with the instructions? I would say no, as the download by link code sets the on-the-fly created directory to have 777 permissions as well... So for the case(s) experienced, it is a host variation that has nothing to do with the "age" of the instruction (even newest ZC version uses 777 and it is always/often stated that those are the permissions to give.

As to the "restoration" of settings or the settings to be applied after install, if you open the docs folder provided as part of the install package, select the index.html file, then go to section 5 (Security - Securing Your Site), the permissions expected are provided there...

Yes there are a lot of available instructions. Yes they got summarized to something useful, but additional instruction to "finish" the process of installation is available and do describe what is necessary.

mc12345678:

I could make that statement only because whether you know it or not (from people's posts) that your interjections do guide to useful solutions. :)

Why thank you!!! Sweet of you to say!!!:smile: