Confused about installing add-ons

I've just installed Zencart 1.3.8 to a Readyhosting.com Windows 2003 server running php 5.1.2 and MySQL 4.1.22. I also installed Zenmagick to the site. I haven't installed any other mods, and I've been playing around with populating the database.

I'd like to add a couple of other add-ons, but I'm a bit confused about the install routine. Documentation seems to be incomplete on the install process, unless I'm missing something.

In a couple of instances, the install instructions say to Unzip the archive, then FTP it to your server. The challenge is, when I unzip some of the archives, they have the exact folder structure as my existing Zencart folders. If I copy the folder structure from the unzipped archive, it would overwrite the existing structure. The archives don't unzip into their own separate folder, unless I'm doing something wrong.

As I missing something? I've a solid Windows & DOS background, which tells me that I can't unzip or unrar an archive into a similar structure without overwriting the same folder name. Are things different in the *NIX universe? I know files are case-sensitive, but I would expect a similar behavior to DOS.

BTW, I'm using either Windows XP native unzip support, or PowerArchiver.

If anyone can shed light on this issue, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

The folks here who use FileZilla say it will simply add the new files and subdirectories to the existing structure, not delete what is already there. I'm too chicken to have tried that, when I've installed new templates I've manually copied the new files and subdirectories in.

What works for me?

Back it up, and then spray and pray... I don't like the duplicate directory trees... I've been using SSH Secure Shell, and it's slow, but it works.

invision:

I've just installed Zencart 1.3.8 to a Readyhosting.com Windows 2003 server running php 5.1.2 and MySQL 4.1.22. I also installed Zenmagick to the site. I haven't installed any other mods, and I've been playing around with populating the database.

I'd like to add a couple of other add-ons, but I'm a bit confused about the install routine. Documentation seems to be incomplete on the install process, unless I'm missing something.

In a couple of instances, the install instructions say to Unzip the archive, then FTP it to your server. The challenge is, when I unzip some of the archives, they have the exact folder structure as my existing Zencart folders. If I copy the folder structure from the unzipped archive, it would overwrite the existing structure. The archives don't unzip into their own separate folder, unless I'm doing something wrong.

As I missing something? I've a solid Windows & DOS background, which tells me that I can't unzip or unrar an archive into a similar structure without overwriting the same folder name. Are things different in the *NIX universe? I know files are case-sensitive, but I would expect a similar behavior to DOS.

BTW, I'm using either Windows XP native unzip support, or PowerArchiver.

If anyone can shed light on this issue, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

HA! Exactly why in ZenMagick add-ons/plugins live in a single folder! (Same for themes, btw!)

From what you write this sounds like you plan to add zen-cart mods. If you plan to use ZenMagick, be aware that generally storefront mods won't work as ZenMagick is using a completely different templating system.
There are ZenMagick plugins for various things and even a few to make popular zen-cart mods work.

Admin mods, like the PDF Order centre or others should be fine.

mano

"Documentation seems to be incomplete on the install process, unless I'm missing something.

In a couple of instances, the install instructions say to Unzip the archive, then FTP it to your server."

For a properly packaged mod, that is exactly what you need to do, and it is as simple as dropping the mod's /includes/ folder into your store's root... that is, as long as you are using a reliable utility like Filezilla.

Matching folders will merge into the existing ones, and new subfolders if any will be added to the existing structure.

Matching files are subject to overwriting existing ones, but for a properly built mod this can only be a problem in two cases: when modifying files that are not within the template override system; and when a previously installed mod affects the same file as the new mod.