New to osCommerce, need help

[WaterlooMinis]

I am new to osCommerce, having just taken over a webstore from a friend. I'm not even sure who to contact to get help with the site. I can log in, and can figure out most issues, but there are some I just need help. And I probably need to upgrade the latest as well. Any suggestions?

[allaboutwicker]

Well, you sound like you are off to a good start. I would suggest to search forums here or google any issues and you should find the answers. If not post specific questions and you should get a response or go on the chat room and someone might be in there who can help. Do you know what version you are running?

[MrPhil]

If the store is running more-or-less satisfactorily right now, wait until after the holiday rush to try upgrading. Although, you can get a head start by setting up an osC 2.3.4 store in a test directory (private) and try migrating your data over as a test. If you are currently at 2.2 RC2a or earlier (any 2.2), you should plan to install 2.3.4 and migrate your data, which will involve multiple database upgrades. Do not attempt to upgrade code from 2.2 to 2.3 -- you'll end up with a "Frankenstore" which will be very difficult to maintain. If you are at 2.3 or later, you should be able to safely migrate code and data in-place, version-by-version. In any case, the first thing is to know how to take a complete backup, how to see if it's good, and how to restore it. You don't want to be learning this stuff in panic mode after you've trashed your working store! Once you have a working vanilla 2.3.4, play with ThemeRoller and CSS file editing to see how to customize it, and start looking at add-ons you want to use. Take the time to document whatever you've done to your store, so that you can easily migrate to newer versions as they come out. You don't want to fall behind more than a year or two, or a couple of versions (they come out on a very irregular schedule). Procrastinating until your hosting service upgrades PHP and your store suddenly fails is not good.

[WaterlooMinis]

Looking at the Version Checker, it appears I am v 2.3.1.

 

My main goal right now is to figure out how edit the front page. I've looked through all of the modules I do have, and can't see any method for doing that. I know something is working in the background, because I have a "New Products for December" section that updated its own header when we went from November to December. But I can't edit the content of that section, or better yet, remove it for now. I did figure out how to change the sidebars, but nothing for the center section.

 

Thanks for your input.

[♥joli1811]

Would help if you post  a link if you do not mind

 

It is easier to say what has been done on the shop

 

There are several was to modify the front page depends a bit on your skill set (learning curve) and what has been done already .to the shop

 

Upgrading to 2.3.4 or bootstrap 2.3.4  is recommended

[WaterlooMinis]

http://store.waterloominis.com/catalog/

[allaboutwicker]

I just found this thread and looks like it may be quite helpful for you. http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/topic/368458-231-a-how-to-road-mapno-questions-just-how-tos-please/

[allaboutwicker]

3. modify here: catalog/index.php
-to turn off or hide find <?php include(DIR_WS_MODULES . FILENAME_NEW_PRODUCTS); ?>
change to: <?php // include(DIR_WS_MODULES . FILENAME_NEW_PRODUCTS); ?>

4. modify here: catalog/includes/languages/english.php
- to modify find: define('TEXT_GREETING_GUEST', 'Welcome Guest, <a href="%s"><u>log in</u></a> or <a href="%s"><u>create an account</u></a>'); (this is not the exact syntax of the stock code, but this is where you can change it)

[WaterlooMinis]

Sorry to seem 'thick' on this, but the only place I can find anything 'index/php' related is under Tools/DefineLanguages/index.php. The header shows as 'english/index.php'.

 

That has lines that look like this:

 

<?php

/*

  $Id$

 

  osCommerce, Open Source E-Commerce Solutions

  http://www.oscommerce.com

 

  Copyright © 2007 osCommerce

 

  Released under the GNU General Public License

*/

 

define('TEXT_MAIN', '');

define('TABLE_HEADING_NEW_PRODUCTS', 'New Products For %s');

define('TABLE_HEADING_UPCOMING_PRODUCTS', 'Upcoming Products');

define('TABLE_HEADING_DATE_EXPECTED', 'Date Expected');

 

This is just part of it to give an idea of what I am seeing.

[allaboutwicker]

You need to get into the actual files of the website to modify certain things. It can't all be done in the admin section. Do have an ftp account set up where you can work with the files or you should be able to wok with the files via the cpanel of your website, no?

[allaboutwicker]

You can add text and things to this line: define('TEXT_MAIN', ''); But it will not change other parts as you will need to go into the actual file to do so.

 

define('TEXT_MAIN', 'Place your additional text, etc. here', ''); 

[♥joli1811]

would personally recommend
 
Information Pages Unlimited v2.05 A for OSC v2.3.1 uploaded by slick 27th may
 
http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/1026
 
or go for the modular front page by Jim
 
http://addons.oscommerce.com/info/7626
 
the first gives you the ability to add as many extra pages as you want eg -> shipping / terms/ about me etc so  install saves time later  when personalising pages
 
The second adds a variety of differnt functions to your front page
 
You can of course go straight into the code in the index.php but would not really recomend if you are new it is easier with the addons mentioned
 
Regards
Joli

[php-novice]

Hi, I am new to osC and a total novice with php.

 

I have been wading thru the convoluted osc code (to me that is - probably not for a seasoned programmer) trying to figure out how to add an entry box (in product add/edit in admin) along with the apro database field and supporting code, to add a sort order to products as per the sort order for categories.

 

I realise that you can click on price and description fsoa, to change sort and reverse sort order.

 

 I looked at (what I could decipher) the code for the category sort to try to copy it, but got totally stymied.

 

I figure it is probably a very simple mod for someone that knows what they are doing, can anyone help or at least point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks :)

 

PS hope this is the correct place to post this ?

[MrPhil]

PS hope this is the correct place to post this ?

 

No it's not. You hijacked an existing thread. Please start your own thread. You could try asking the forum owner (via "Report" button) to split this off into a new thread.

[burt]

The forum mods don't like doing that as it is an utter waste of time.

[WaterlooMinis]

@Joli,

 

Thanks, that seems to be what I'm looking for. I certainly didn't want to start editing code, if it wasn't necessary. I will work through how to download it and install.