Curl error on version 1.3.8 Help please

Hi I installed Zen 1.3.8 onto my server and started the install, came back that my server did not accept Curl. I had a word with them and they said Zen is compatible and this latest version must not be as compatible as previous versions. Before I got through installing V1.3.7 is there going to be this issue again?

Also can I run a "dummy" page to customise my cart before going live ....assuming I can get it to work at all ....thanks for any reply.

Joanne
Uwoodtoys
https://www.uwoodtoys.co.uk

No. Install 1.3 8. Your host (one.com) either has curl installed or they don't. Zencart works with curl installed, regardless. If not, find a better host.

The usual development method I use is to install Zencart to yoursite.com/test, password protecting the directory if necessary, then moving the folders and files to the root and editing the two configure.php files when you're ready.

Thanks for the reply. One.com are fantastic as a host ( and Ive had a few) ...I wouldn't consider moving. Is there no other way around this problem?

You need to find out IF cURL is compiled into PHP, and to do this use the following:

1. Create a new text file on your desktop and rename it to info.php (ignore the warning about changing the file type).
2. Put this code in the file:

<? phpinfo(); ?>

3. Upload via FTP to the root of your web.
4. Then go to it in your browser e.g. http://www.yourdomain.com/info.php

Check it to see if cURL is installed.

Don't leave that file in place - delete after use

Vger

In your Zen Cart files is an "extras" folder. In that folder is a curltest.php script.
Please post a URL link to that file so we can see the results it gets. Those results will explain more about your server's CURL capabilities and maybe indicate what next steps need to be taken.

Hi again, I spoke to my host one.com and they say the definitely do not support curl therefore any test would not be needed. That said the agent I was talking to also said they had Zen cart users on there server? so whats the deal here?

Can I use Zen without the Curl support on the host server or not?
Would an older version work?
or can anyone suggest an alternative shopping cart?

Thanks for any replies,

Joanne
Uwoodtoys
https://www.uwoodtoys.co.uk

You can use Zen Cart without CURL support if you don't want to use PayPal or Authorize.net or Linkpoint or UPS or currency update services. The list keeps growing with each new release of Zen Cart.

A host who doesn't support CURL is typically either in the dark ages or doesn't know how to secure their servers properly ... and thus isn't really a wise choice for running your business on.

If you're looking for a different shopping cart, I can recommend looking on Google or your favorite search engine.

The posters website is UK Based, but the servers their site is on are based in Denmark - so no help for search engine placement. Additionally the company they use provide Windows servers, and they're not the best choice for running PHP on.

But they seem to be happy with this company - presumably because they are dirt cheap or even free.

Vger

Hi, yes one.com are very cheap , and unlimited uploads . Also has 24/7 live chat so any problems are answered there and then, none of this 9 to 5, 5day a week hosting that some provide. Just a thought...with my broard band package comes a bit of free webspace, could I somehow use this ( compatibility permitting) to run the shopping cart , whilst the website is hosted elsewhere?

thanks again.

What do you sell? Why do you need unlimited upload and download? Do you really use it that much?

If you dont, why do you need it? If you do, I'm amazed that they havent kicked you out for some trivial reason (like overloading the server)

Most hosts offer 24/7 services now, depending on you budget etc.... you can always get a good one with great service.

Anyway, back to your question: if you plan to test the business first, you can go ahead and try it on whatever server you have now, why not? If the business grow you can move. But make sure you are on a secure server tho.

It's quite obvious that your main interest in them is that they are cheap or free, so you can't really expect to get what you need. Which means that you'll have to settle for what they do provide.

Your idea of using free web space provided by your broadband provider is yet more evidence that you only want things that are "cheap" or "free".

Try to forget that my company is certified by Zen Cart as a suitable host, and listen instead to my experience with eCommerce websites. How can you expect to run a profitable business when you're not prepared to spend anything in setting it up?

If this is just a hobby site for you, something to mess around with but not a serious business then your approach is perfectly fine and understandable.

If this is a serious attempt to run a business then you won't do it unless you are prepared to invest what it takes to run a serious business.

one.com don't provide cURL, which provides a basic from of encryption, and I doubt that your broadband provider would either. I can't see anything on the one.com website which says you get a Shared SSL or have the chance to buy Full SSL. So what are you going to do to protect customer data? Nothing? Very few people buy online these days from websites which don't show the SSL padlock on pages which should be secure, and quite rightly so.

Using an offsite payment processor like Pay Pal is fine for when customers are off your website, but what about when they Register for an account, Login to their account, their account details - are you going to leave them unprotected?

You also missed my point about where their servers are hosted and the impact this would have upon search engine links. Your existing homepage has a Google Page Rank of 2, and as far as I can see it is the only page which has any page rank at all.

Your current business stategy is not working, and in my opinion you need to rethink things.

Vger