A few not so Zen Questions - trying to install addons

Hi, I'm eDee.
I am a new programmer, started learning about a year ago - mostly self taught, so please use little words. I speak HTML, JavaScript and I can hack PHP pretty well, but don't understand the "terms" used.

I have a few not so Zen Related Questions I'm hoping some nice person can lead me in the right directing.

I need to get the Google Base Mod up and running soon. I want to do it myself, but I have very limited knowledge with MySQL - you can see where this is going can't you?

It looks like I need to import files: googlefroogle.sql and update_1_6_8.sql into my MySQL. I REALLY don't want to mess this up and drop my database, I use GoDaddy and they use phpMyAdmin 2.9.1.1, are there simple step by step instructions for importing those files? I've searched google, but you have to be a master programmer to understand most of it. I understand how Google Base itself works, I've been using it manually for some time now.
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I want to learn and I am willing to read any link posted, so if you know of instructions for a nervous novice, please post.

Thank you,
~eDee

If you're installing the Google Base mod for the first time, you don't need the update****.sql files, just the install.sql file. Open it in notepad and copy the text to your clipboard.

Go to Admin>Tools>Install SQL Patches, paste it into the box and click send.

Well that was the simplest thing I've ever done. Thank you so much.
~eDee

Almost everything is simple to those who know how to do it. And now you're one of them :-)

Alternately, you may use phpMyAdmin. Once you select a database, you can use the "Import" tab to run scripts like this.

swguy:

Alternately, you may use phpMyAdmin. Once you select a database, you can use the "Import" tab to run scripts like this.

Now, I've imported .sql files before, but never without dropping the database first (intentionally). I was afraid if I just imported the googlefroogle.sql something horrible would happen to my current database. I did back it up, but I don't always trust I'll be able to get that working either.

If I just import the googlefroogle.sql file, would it replace the database I have or would it just add to it?
I think I want to ask "would importing the googlefroogle.sql file just add the table or tables I need to the database I have? Or would it replace it?"
Is that is what is considered "running a query"?

As you can see, I've been reading a lot and I think I'm mixing up terms.

Thank you,
~eDee

Importing the GoogleFroogle.sql has the same effect as pasting the contents of it into Admin>Tools>Install SQL Patches. No difference. In fact, I would argue that running it from phpMyAdmin is safer since with copy & paste there's the danger that you would accidentally not copy the whole file.

Take the time to get comfortable with phpMyAdmin - you'll be more confident in making changes once you have these skills.

Good luck,
Scott

One advantage of the admin install sql page is that it automatically adjusts for any database prefix you may be using.

If you don't have a prefix on your db tables (only really necessary if two applications need to share one database) that doesn't matter.

Well, this can't be right.

I installed it, gone over it twice. When I go to Tools then Google Base I get this:

HEADING_TITLE
TEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_OVERVIEW_HEADTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_OVERVIEW_TEXTTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_HEADTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP1aTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP1a_NOTETEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP1bTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP1b_NOTE
TEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP2aTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP2bTEXT_GOOGLE_FROOGLE_INSTRUCTIONS_STEP2_NOTE
TEXT_GOOGLE_FR

I'm assuming there should be something else there?

~eDee

Do I have to set it up so cron does it automatically?
Or can I pick when the system uploads?

You can do either, or even both.

I have a Cron job set for a weekly update just so I don't forget but if I change my prices or product titles/descriptions I also upload from the link on the admin screen.

Well, yesterday I spent the entire day ########ing around with the thing only to find out that GoDaddy's system times out, so I can't ftp it over.

SOOOOOOO, I took a different approach. I create the file using the Zen Cart Google Base MOD - then download it from my server to my PC, then upload it using my FTP to Google Base.

Took me all of 5 seconds and looks like it's going to work well.

It maybe the LONG way around the problem, but it works, I can remember to do it every few days. It's easy to rename the file and it only take seconds.