Easy Populate 1.2.5.4 support

How would I set up Easy Populate to import the fields in the Book Type addon? I need to import products using CSV, but also need these fields to import.
Thanks!

new12:

How would I set up Easy Populate to import the fields in the Book Type addon? I need to import products using CSV, but also need these fields to import.
Thanks!

Hi New12,

This is a loaded question :p ... if you know PHP and MySQL you can customize the easypopulate.php file to add these fields. If the columns added with this "Book Type" are just in the products database, you may be able to do it quite easily by following the example of other fields in this database.

Also, version 1.2.5.4 does not support CSV. You would have to look at some of the other versions for that code, but be mindful that many of those tend to have problems... you would have to do some extensive reading in those threads to identify those issues.

-cj

Working on ATTRIBUTES import/export for Easy Populate... I'd say I'm about half-way done. I can, at present, import and create Options Names of any of the 5 types with associated Options Values, and apply these to the given Products Model. Note that this is just the basic stuff to start.

I do not use attributes extensively, so I am looking for feed back from those of you that do.

Issue: Do you use DUPLICATE Option Names?
Example:
Option Name 'Color' with Option Values 'Red,Green,Blue' and
Option Name 'Color' with Option Values 'Cyan,Magenta,Yellow,Black'

Zencart will let you define multiple option names with the same products_options_name value.
This 'works' because products_options_name is not the key --> products_options_id is the key.
To auto populate the attributes it is easier to use just products_options_name uniquely, otherwise you will have manually define the key.
I see manually picking the key at potentially problematic.

So, are DUPLICATE Options Names a 'must have'? EP imports products based on a unique model_id, any objections to unique Options Names?

Issue: Work Flow -> One-Step Import or Two-Step Import or Both?
One-Step Import: Build Option Names, Options Values and Assign to Products in One-Step.
Two-Step Import: (Step-One) Build Option Names and Option Values First (i.e. create all your base attributes and values first)
(Step-Two) Assign Attributes to Products (with all the associate details) (Duplicate Options Names makes this VERY Tough)

I have the (very simplified) One-Step Import working. The more details you add, the more complex it becomes. Add multi-language support, and things start to get crazy!

So, if you have some input on desired work flow, I'm open to suggestions. Like I said above, my use of attributes is limited so I don't have that long term "feel" for using them and the work involved to maintain them over time.

Thanks for listening! Any input/feed back is appreciated. I hope I communicated everything clearly!

Please, no requests for code at this time. I'll announce when I'm ready for beta testers.

-cj

everytime i try to import using the latest version of easypopulate i recieve this error.

MySQL error 1054: Unknown column 'p.products_group_a_price' in 'field list'

can someone please offer me help on this issue??

you are either not using 1.2.5.4 or have un-commented the section for products group pricing mod.

Since you don't have this mod installed, those columns do not exist in the products database. look for the langer version in the downloads section for 1.2.5.4.

Keeps sending me to the admin login screen.

Zen cart version: v1.3.9h
Easy Populate 1.2.5.4

Nothing has been installed other than Zen Cart and Easy Populate. It's a shared server on hostgator. Nothing else is in this directory.

Hi, i've set up zen cart without any problems. I'm trying to install 'easy populate' with zen cart. Everything has seemed to work perfectly until I try to access the 'temp' folder through 'Tools > easy populate' in the zen cart admin (check pics below). Everytime I do try to upload or click any of the links, it takes me to the zen cart admin login screen. I'm not even logged out, I can simply hit back and I'm still logged in. I've been trying to fix this for about 5 hours without any luck. I have set the 'temp' folder permissions to 777 and that doesn't solve it.

Anything I do on this screen:
http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/7969/67212706.jpg

it goes to this screen:
http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/9319/25372705.jpg

Thanks, I'm sure this is an easy fix, I'm not a coding pro, I just know enough to break stuff

I found the problem!!! :smile: This fixed it:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37150

I would have deleted my post since no one has replied but I can't seem to do that.

I am working on getting my zen cart up and running, so right now i have it working in a preview mode from Go Daddy. This evening I uploaded Easy Populate into the zen cart directory. I am not understanding how to actually install this add on. All of the files were put into the same directory as the zen cart files, and i don't find a file called set up or where to go to install it as it does not appear in the admin - tools section.

Perhaps i missed a step or am just not understanding. Any help would be appreciated.

Ken

kenwvs:

I am working on getting my zen cart up and running, so right now i have it working in a preview mode from Go Daddy. This evening I uploaded Easy Populate into the zen cart directory. I am not understanding how to actually install this add on. All of the files were put into the same directory as the zen cart files, and i don't find a file called set up or where to go to install it as it does not appear in the admin - tools section.

Perhaps i missed a step or am just not understanding. Any help would be appreciated.

Ken

Firstly... You have my sympathies (GoDaddy is propably the worst place to host eCommerce - I hope you let common sense prevail and move to a better hosting environment).

Anyway... There are TWO folders (and several files) in an UNZIPPED download of Easy Populate 1.2.5.4

(You should use version 1.2.5.4 as it is the most stable right now).

These folders are:

admin
temp

(Then there are a few FILES... but ignore those for now).

In your FTP program, navigatge to the ROOT of your installation on the server... The place where you see these folders:

cache
download
extras
email
images
includes
media
pub

(and depending on how your admin folder is named)...

zc_admin (or)
myadminfolder (or)
some_other_name_i_have_given_to_admin_folder

All you need do is MAKE SURE that the "admin" folder in the unzipped copy of easy Populate is given the SAME NAME as your admin folder.

The all you do is FTP this admin folder and the temp folder to the root installation of your zencart.

EG:

In your FTP program.

LOCAL PANE . . . . . . | . . . . . . REMOTE PANE
zc_admin . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . zc_admin
temp . . . . . . . . . . . | . . . . . .

Firstly... You have my sympathies (GoDaddy is propably the worst place to host eCommerce - I hope you let common sense prevail and move to a better hosting environment).

What is the problem with GoDaddy and who would you suggest I use for my hosting. I am in Canada so don't know all the companies out there.... just went with one I had heard good things about.

Ken

kenwvs:

Firstly... You have my sympathies (GoDaddy is propably the worst place to host eCommerce - I hope you let common sense prevail and move to a better hosting environment).

What is the problem with GoDaddy and who would you suggest I use for my hosting. I am in Canada so don't know all the companies out there.... just went with one I had heard good things about.

Ken
I personally would suggest (and love) 1and1.com.

They are great for ease of use and there customer service is top notch. Also on top of that they are cheap.

One negative that I have found is thaat for the SSL you must use there company which costs $150 a year where as through Go Daddy you can get an SSL for $12.95 a year with the exact same quailty service. There is someone on here (I think it is Kobra) who works for a hosting company which seems decent but I think they are based in Europe. If you search the forum for 'Hosting companies' you should see a bunch of places people recommend. I would suggest looking at the places suggested by people like, SchoolBoy, Kobra, Dr. Byte, etc!

Just my thoughts.

outeredge2:

I personally would suggest (and love) 1and1.com.

They are great for ease of use and there customer service is top notch. Also on top of that they are cheap.

One negative that I have found is thaat for the SSL you must use there company which costs $150 a year where as through Go Daddy you can get an SSL for $12.95 a year with the exact same quailty service. There is someone on here (I think it is Kobra) who works for a hosting company which seems decent but I think they are based in Europe. If you search the forum for 'Hosting companies' you should see a bunch of places people recommend. I would suggest looking at the places suggested by people like, SchoolBoy, Kobra, Dr. Byte, etc!

Just my thoughts.

Hmmmm...

1and1 is probably on a "par" with GoDaddy...

The thing with these "mass" web-hosts is that they are "stack-em-high, sell-em-cheap" operations. They load their servers to the absolute limit (and beyond), they run antiquated hardware and server software, they do minimal configuration (usually to avoid paying fees to other software providers), and they are generally clueless about best-practise when it comes to sophisticated programs like eCommerce.

There are many technical reasons why using a good host is important when doing eCommerce, and quite a few business reasons too. (Reliability, security, support and service...)

If you want to host in a proper environment, consider using one of the certified hosts (link at the top of your screen.

Hi,

Zencart 1.3.8a
easy populate 1.2.2.5a

Problem
I have large html descriptions on my products and they seem to be breaking across multiple lines when I download the full ep file to make changes. This means I get 400+ lines under each product line in the csv but not in the description field.

Has anyone else come across this and have a solution?

Thanks in advance.

Simon
https://www.beltingonline.com

sijeffs:

Hi,
Zencart 1.3.8a
easy populate 1.2.2.5a

Problem
I have large html descriptions on my products and they seem to be breaking across multiple lines when I download the full ep file to make changes. This means I get 400+ lines under each product line in the csv but not in the description field.

Simon
https://www.beltingonline.com

Simon,
Have you tried 1.2.5.4? Some of the 'updated' versions are questionable. Also, if you have more than 255 characters in a descrption, you need to use OpenOffice. Excel is limited.

Check your mailbox, I've sent pm.

-cj

I am new to Zen Cart and Easy Populate and have created a small file (about 10 products) to see if I can get EP to work. When I upload it I get the following error.

No model field in record. This line was not imported

I have tried putting numbers and letters and a combination of both in this field but am still getting the same error.

Is there a document available that walks you through EP?

Thanks,

Ken

kenwvs:

I am new to Zen Cart and Easy Populate and have created a small file (about 10 products) to see if I can get EP to work. When I upload it I get the following error.
No model field in record. This line was not imported
I have tried putting numbers and letters and a combination of both in this field but am still getting the same error.
Is there a document available that walks you through EP?
Thanks,
Ken

Ken,

Give Schoolboy's wiki a read...
http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.php/Easy_Populate

One thing to note is that you must have a unique model number for v_products_model and you will need to specify the categories.

If you spelled v_products_model wrong, that will give you trouble. Best to create 1 product in the store, then do a full export to get your column headers.

-cj

Good Day

I succeeded in getting EP to work by saving the file as a CSV file and not a txt file.

I have 1300 digital products in my store at this time and am wondering if it is possible to add the attributes in EP somewhere, and also the download file name.

On a separate note, I have my hosting with GoDaddy (I know, my bad) but cant move it right now. The issue I am having is that I have my zencart inside a directory called ZenCart, and can\t get the page to open up to my main zencart page as GoDaddy requires the file be named Welcome.html. Is there a way to have the Welcome.html forward to my zencart page, or better yet, is there a way to get around this and remove the ZenCart directory, or is that going to create a real mess.

thanks,

Ken

kenwvs:

Good Day

On a separate note, I have my hosting with GoDaddy (I know, my bad) but cant move it right now. The issue I am having is that I have my zencart inside a directory called ZenCart, and can\t get the page to open up to my main zencart page as GoDaddy requires the file be named Welcome.html. Is there a way to have the Welcome.html forward to my zencart page, or better yet, is there a way to get around this and remove the ZenCart directory, or is that going to create a real mess.

thanks,

Ken

Try this for kicks.

1 delete that page welcome.html. (not required)

2. insert this page and call it "index.htm"

See the line that says var redirecturl=
Change that to the actual path of your zencart store.

Should work for now.

Ken,

I might mention the var line shows 3 meaning it delays for three seconds then goes to your page. You can set that to 2 seconds.

Anyway, this posting is off topic... sorry