9 replies to this topic

[DunWeb]

Ok,

I am looking for some community feedback about the functionality of v2.3.1. Comparing v2.3.1 to other carts and 'ideas', what would you like v2.3.1 to do that it doesn't do 'out of the box' ? I am not talking about contribution improvement, but something that is NOT currently available.

For example, I am currently working on an 'Account' module, that will allow customers to have a running account in the cart. The customer would deposit funds into their cart account, and then make purchases from that account. The customer will have access to the account balance, purchase history and be able to withdraw funds from the cart at any time if they choose to close their account within the cart.

These are the kinds of ideas I am looking for and would like any 'ideas' or feedback from the community.

All CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions are welcome.



Chris

[14steve14]

Chris

I could go on for ever what i think 2.3.1 should do out of the box. A fully loaded version of oscommerce should really be the aim, so users dont have to add and code contributions to make their site work. If it came fully loaded, everything should work straight away. Adding contributions coded by people that dont fully understand oscommerce can be a total nighmare.

What i would really like to see is something that creates and saves thumbnails and images in subcategories based on the product categories and subcategories.

On my 2.2 store i use the additional images contribution. This creates three images of the original, which is possibly over kill, and saves them into the images folder based on the category they are in. This makes finding and altering images so much easier than trawling through thousands of images in one folder.

Next would be a product info page that shows a shipping cost next to the price based on the cheapest shipping option available. This gives the customer a rough idea of any shipping costs.

A sensible working newsletter manager and some way to create those newsletters using products in the store.

Finally a better way to update stock levels. At the moment you have to open every item in admin to update stock levels. A simple single page to update stock would benifit everyone.

I am sure that you will get lots of other ideas, but these are mine. But I still think a fully loaded oscommerce which is correctly coded could be the way to go.

[NodsDorf]

I have to agree with Steve, a package that entails at minimum the security fixes that are basically required along with the SEO options. Then add the most popular Add-ons. Even if they aren't used they would still be nice to have there. I get that every site is different and the more complicated you make the code, the harder it is for people to learn and contribute to. However, oscommerce as it is now is already complicated enough that somebody without web skills really has little chance of making something work without help.

The next thought I had was the ability to SKIN the site. Yes, I know we can do it now by changing the images and CSS ourselves which most everybody does. What I'd like to see is a built in switch like select currency or language. A switch that allows color blind people to switch the skin based on session and saveable to account preferences would be really cool.

[DunWeb]

Hi guys,

I agree a 'loaded' cart would be great, however the site moderators would never allow that to be uploaded to the add on area. As for the other suggestions, I will keep them in mind as I begin writing the code for new modules.


Keep the ideas coming. I will pick some of the better ones and being creating the modules.




Chris

[14steve14]

DunWeb, on 11 April 2011, 12:45, said:

Hi guys,

I agree a 'loaded' cart would be great, however the site moderators would never allow that to be uploaded to the add on area. As for the other suggestions, I will keep them in mind as I begin writing the code for new modules.


Chris

Its a shame that the oscommerce team dont come up with a fully loaded version themsselves. A correctly coded version would allow easy updates to be added, and no conflicting code. Oscommerce could be the best software if it took note of what others are doing, and did it better. Users want a fully funcional working store, and dont want to spend ages adding in contributions. Let alone spending ages in a forum trying to find out why their store no longer works. Thats got that off my chest.

[NodsDorf]

I know some people who work on many sites just make loaded versions theirseleves so they don't have to continue to install the same modules. There was also one posted in the add-on section I tried out had like 40 installed contributions. Unfortunately, it had a lot of issues when trying to modify something.

[Xpajun]

14steve14, on 11 April 2011, 13:27, said:

Its a shame that the oscommerce team dont come up with a fully loaded version themsselves. A correctly coded version would allow easy updates to be added, and no conflicting code.Oscommerce could be the best software if it took note of what others are doing, and did it better.

Isn't that called osC v3.0 [img]http://team.mudlark.info/Smileys/muddies/Wink2.gif[/img]

[DunWeb]

Xpajun, on 11 April 2011, 15:21, said:

Isn't that called osC v3.0 [img]http://team.mudlark.info/Smileys/muddies/Wink2.gif[/img]

OSC v3.x will not be fully loaded either, although I hear it will have the ability to install add ons from the admin area. A HUGE leap forward for osCommerce.




Chris

[toyicebear]

If a "loaded" V2 is what you guys want, then there are plenty of pre-made loaded carts out there based on oscommerce to choose from.

I for one, am quite happy that oscommerce comes in a very basic core version which you then can customize to your needs.

Even so 2.31 has a few glaring things missing:

1. Wysiwyg html editor for text input.
2. Info page maker and editor
3. Front page text editor
4. Manual home page title and meta tags editing.
5. Automatic meta tags for dynamic pages like products, categories and manufacturers.
6. Sitemap
7. Automatic Thumbnails

So quality add-ons for those i am sure would be a welcome addition, even better a "starter" pack with all in one go.

[DunWeb]

Quote

For example, I am currently working on an 'Account' module, that will allow customers to have a running account in the cart. The customer would deposit funds into their cart account, and then make purchases from that account. The customer will have access to the account balance, purchase history and be able to withdraw funds from the cart at any time if they choose to close their account within the cart.

Ok,


A little off topic here. Is there any functionality that you would like to see similar to the example ?? I am looking for ideas here, although I appreciate everyone's responses I would like some positive input on potential add ons.



Chris