My 3rd install and I don't know what I'm doing

I can't get the template default to even show up on the Admin. Nothing i put in custom files shows up. Only time any change shows up is if I put it in the Classic folder. I know this is not a good idea for future upgrades but at least I got the logo on the site.

I can't get the Zen Cart on top of the browser to change. I did read the thread and I went to the meta_tags file and changed everything. it will come up but gives an error, something about can't load from meta_tags already loaded from header or something but it still says Zen Cart. The meta_tags file active also seems to shift all the formatting.

I want to center this logo (my 1 and only Photoshop triumph) also. I have no idea where to do this. I opened and looked at the css file but I have no clue what is what in here. It's all martian to me.

Not only am I new to Zen Cart, I am new to programming and even much of the terminology. I apologize for posting in the forum since I do not know if these answers are in this vast library. I've been reading for 4 days and have printouts of threads all around me, dozens of pages. This change you see here: http://208.109.193.212/index.php?main_page= has taken me all this time to get to. My sister works for adobe Systems but will not help me.

I'm about to give up. I don't even know if I can get the PayPal and shipping mods to work much less the SSL certificate. I know the problem is me. Any help and I will put you in my will. I mostly have Rush cds if that's any incentive...:wink2: I've got to get this new site up and running and retire my current free site.

Sincerely,
Cheryl

I can't get the template default to even show up on the Admin.

I supposed that you did this

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=142

**pay special atention of **the last part:

tools -> template selection. and **tools -> layout boxes controller

**> I went to the meta_tags file and changed everything.

You need to change just

define('TITLE', 'YOUR_TITLE');

What else did you change?

I want to center this logo

You need to change your stylesheet.css file,

#logoWrapper {

padding-left:[B]300px[/B];  the pixels that you want to move the logo.

}

To center your logo, look in your stylesheet for

#logo, .centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .attribImg {
	float: left;
	}

and change it to

#logo {
           text-align: center;
}

.centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .attribImg {
	float: left;
	}

Please read the FAQ about setting up your own template. It's not as complicated as you think. Once you get the template set up, you have to go into the admin to tools->template selection and select it from the list.

KaeFeE:

I supposed that you did this

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=142

**pay special atention of **the last part:

tools -> template selection. and **tools -> layout boxes controller **

Yes, I did all this, and nothing shows up but the defaults.

You need to change just

define('TITLE', 'YOUR_TITLE');

>  
> What else did you change?
>  
>  
> The "everything" refers to the words and the tags in the single quotes.
>  
>  
> You need to change your stylesheet.css file, 
>  
> ```
#logoWrapper {
 
padding-left:[B]300px[/B];  the pixels that you want to move the logo.
 
}

Thank you very much. I shall do this.

After reading the responses, I think I may delete everything and reinstall one more time. Do the stuff for the new template again, and then do the changes suggested. And see how it goes. Maybe I inadvertently changed something that is causing the problem. A new, clean install would take care of it.

One more time,
Cheryl

afo:

To center your logo, look in your stylesheet for

#logo, .centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .attribImg {
float: left;
}

>  
> and change it to
>  
>  
> ```
#logo {
           text-align: center;
}
 
.centerBoxContents, .specialsListBoxContents, .categoryListBoxContents, .centerBoxContentsAlsoPurch, .attribImg {
    float: left;
    }

Please read the FAQ about setting up your own template. It's not as complicated as you think. Once you get the template set up, you have to go into the admin to tools->template selection and select it from the list.

I printed all the directions off and I thought I followed everything. I must have missed something. As I said in my last post, I think i shall delete everything and re-install one more time. That way I know the original stuff is where it is supposed to be.

Then I shall do the template instructions again. I have the printed info right here. Then I will do the changes you folks have provided.

For me, it isn't just setting up my own template. I've had crash courses to learn about FTP (what it is and where to get one), API, SSL Certificates, find a text editor, etc. and now I'm attempting to alter code. I'm drowning in information. :wacko: It does seem easier with each install. :lookaroun I'll be happy to get back to soapmaking again.

Thank you for the life preserver. I shall give it one more go.

Kind regards,
Cheryl

FTP is easy. Try SmartFTP or FileZilla. Both are free for personal use and employ the usual "drag and drop" method of moving files.

For text editors, use Notepad (if you're using Windows, it's already on your machine). There's also Crimson Editor (which I use and find very helpful with php files) and Text Pad. Both are free for personal use.

Take a deep breath and relax. You're overcomplicating things. You don't need to be programming! ZC is very easy to use and modify. A clean install is probably your best bet. Make certain you're using the override system. It'll make your life easier in the long run.

I don't know about KaeFeE's suggestion for centering your logo. I know the method I posted works because I found it somewhere here in the FAQ and am using it on a prototype cart I'm working on.

One more suggestion... if you're not using FireFox (a browser), I suggest you download it and get the Web Developer plugin. It will allow you to make changes to your stylesheet and see them on the fly. You'll have to copy your changes into your actual stylesheet and upload it to make them permanent, but it saves a lot of trial and error. I'm not a huge fan of FF, but it has its uses.

You can PM me if you need someone to hold your hand. :wink2:

:cool: I have uploaded everything again and put in the custom folder called sacred_showers. **For the first time **my SS template shows on the drop down templates menu. :D

I did go to the layout boxes controller as suggested and clicked on "reset." When I click on the catalog button on top, I get an error screen saying site not uploaded correctly. Is this supposed to happen at this stage? The folders are empty except the css folder.

Here are the files I have in my sacred_showers template folder per the "How do I create a new Custom Template?" tutorial.

/sacred_showers
/common
/css
-print_stylesheet
-stylesheet
-stylesheet_css_buttons
/images
/sideboxes

Okay, can I simply copy the css file from the Classic Green template and put it in my sacred_showers folder and make changes to this? I really have only a few changes to make.

I want my logo in the top, I want Sacred Showers in the browser top, and I want to change the blue color word buttons in the bar (privacy policy, et al) to say black. That's it. Just SacShowers wherever Zen Cart is (except the copy right and "powered by" stuff).

Since the classic template works, I thought maybe I could just put my changes in its css file loaded into my template.

Thank you. I'm not panicking again yet. I'm breathing. . . .wishing I still smoked...

Cheryl

PS. Mary Ellen, I'd PM you except I'm not sure what software I need to do it. Or most communication, I still use the phone or email. :cool:

To PM anyone on the ZC forum, click on their user name or avatar (mine is Marvin the Martin) and you'll get the option to send a "private message" (aka PM). It's like email. :)

As for creating your own template, anywhere you see a 'classic' folder, you can create a folder for your custom template. You don't have to have a matching folder in each location. It's just a way of letting you know you can have a custom folder.

A couple of key places for custom templates are in includes/templates. You'll definitely need the css folder in your custom template folder and (possibly) the common folder. Look at the contents of the template_default folders. Your includes/templates/custom folder should include the template.php file to identify the custom template.

The other key place is in includes/languages. Copy the english.php file into your custom template. You also should create a custom template in includes/languages/english/ and copy the header.php, index.php and meta_tags.php files into it.

Those should give you a pretty good idea of what you need. There may be a few more, but that depends on what you want to do. You don't need to have every file in your custom folders. You only need the files you want to modify.

After a couple more deletes and re-installs, I found the problem by working my way backwards, through the Installation instructions -- I had forgotten to re-name the dist-configure.php files after upload and BEFORE installing.

So, for anyone who is having difficulties I want to encourage you to review the instructions on whatever you're doing, and ask a question or take a break when you feel frustrated or have been looking at the stuff too long -- this software works and even lets someone with very little exposure to tech stuff (like me) have a go at customizing their store.

I want to thank Mary Ellen for holding my hand when I needed it and giving me encouragement. :D

I have a little ways to go before I'm done with customizing and begin my product upload. Nonetheless, I think I will have a great new store very soon and I did it with a little help from The Friends in the Forum. I've never been any place with so many willing and helpful people. Wish I could work here all the time. :wink2:

Thanks and hang in there,
Cheryl

Thanks for those important reminders Cheryl. :clap:

We've all been newbies, Cheryl, and we've all needed our hand held at some point or other while starting out with ZC. From my own experience, I know there's a learning curve, but once you get past that point, you start wondering why you thought ZC was so difficult.

I'm glad you've been able to get things going. We look forward to seeing your store live. :D

Cheryl

I just looked at your site and you are getting there! yay!

The most helpful information that I found on custom templates is here:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=142

Its a handy guide for the file structure for custom templates and comes in handy!

Best of luck

Only your 3rd install? I've been here for about 2 years and I still practice installing and modifying. And I practice / play with each new version before going public with them. I have had many sandboxes to play in over the last 50 years. Zen Cart and my store has been by far the best one yet.

Play, Play and then Play some more.

motech:

Cheryl

I just looked at your site and you are getting there! yay!

The most helpful information that I found on custom templates is here:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=142

Its a handy guide for the file structure for custom templates and comes in handy!

Best of luck

Hey, Thanks for link! I shall read up on it in the am. And thanks for the encouragement and checking my new site. I still have the old one up on my free home page. Zen Cart will be looking heck of better! Just a few more custom items and I shall upload products. Hopefully tomorrow.

Again, thanks for stopping by, for the link and the encouraging words.:cool: