dangerstudio.com

Updated with 7 new templates.

Modding phpBB is very similar to OSC, only phpBB is made easy back-end to install templates and you have a better UI in terms of adding content. With OSC all the mods added, much like contributions, are hand-coded. When you install a contribution you modify few lines of code, unless you overwrite existing files with an already modded file (unless you have other contributions installed and don't want to conflict, you would have to manually add them in.). I added a few contributions to the templates, especially Order Editor and Manual Order Maker; all the other cosmetic mods are handcoded in (you can search the lines of code to see where they're entered.). I just finished a new one a few moments ago, I always start out with a fresh OSC copy and take it on from there. I think it's best to manually do the editing; you have more control over what you do since you're the one physically adding the modification. Dreamweaver is an amazing tool for editing; that's pretty much all you need besides a good program to search code for exact location of where you want to add an object. That, plus any FTP tool that lets you do live editing. The few stores I expect on releasing will have all kinds of third-party additions such as a Shout Tag Board, Skype and ICQ integration and built in hit counters (seperate from the contributions you see now.). If you go to http://www.dynamicdrive.com or http://www.hotscripts.com you can implement any of those in OSC by embading the script code into the existing OSC pages. This gives birth to new options, features, look and feel. Something I expect on becoming big once enough pre-configured stores are released rather than the plain, base OSC cart you can download here. It would be great to see a better UI for installing mods and editing pages directly through OSC's admin panel, but somehow cross-installing multi-contributions and features always conflict.. Which ends up in 100s of random errors that are visible and some errors that exist but you can't see until someone actually complains "I get an error when I try to.." which could all be avoided if careful testing takes place.. The only way so far I know of, of making the kind of additions and cosmetic change to OSC is by manually editing each file. Cosmetic mods don't affect the store in any way but the look of it. Addition 'Features' always conflicts somehow with an existing module.. if two or more are installed. Maybe they're going to release an easy UI editor that would prevent conflicting, until that time (which I think will be a very long time) hand-coding and manual editing is your best bet to get the results you want. :) The cool thing is, OSC is so versitile you can add ANYTHING to it. One thing I love about it and hate about all other stores is that if you want to add a board, a game, a forum, link exchange, directory swaps, image galleries, upload and account systems, etc. It can all be done within minutes if you know how to plug them in. I found some good tutorials I'm planning on posting on the site, as well as write a few. I am collecting as much information possible at the moment so I can bang out an amazing resource site that would answer all those questions and than some. :)

I presonally don't use STS, the best way I think modifying OsCommerce is by hand-editing the files yourself. Some people might think otherwise; on dangerstudio.com in the download section you'll find a peice of software called WindowsGrep; this software is used to search lines of code for matching strings on any of the PHP files. I use this software to locate positioning of text in OsCommerce and know where to add an image, a div tag, a flash element or a dynamic contact peice. I recommend the best way to start learning to hand-edit is to install a fresh copy of OSC and do live modifications through FTP. For example; here's a screenshot I took of live editing the right hand menu by adding an image. There's different ways to go about it, when I am able I'm going to write some good tutorials but so far I am working on developing a huge library of resources for everyone. I think it's best to live edit the shop via FTP, preview in the brwoser, and go on with the editing. Since OSC platform is so flexible you can insert anything, anywhere you'd like. The #1 rule is, always make back-ups. :thumbsup:

Try and re-upload the original installation's Admin folder back; like a full restore of the admin area back to it's original state. I hope this works for you, Goodluck

We're going to add 10 new ones by the end of the month; I'll add a gift shop one for you. The one you showed ]me in the last link isn't hard to create actually I'll put up something like it. Most customization is easy to make, simply altering images and colors (different style sheets.) You are right, 100 bucks is way much for starters, although you could do what I did at first, install a test cart on your server and modify the files by editing colors of tables, backgrounds and inserting images in random spots (especially header/footer.). :thumbsup:

You need to set up .htaccess file password protecting the directory or go through you hosting admin control panel and set permission/password on the folder /admin in your /catalog.

Hi, I just put up 13 OsCommerce templates on my site; figure since I found them I'd share with the world so. They're very slick with Flash elements and some with ASP content. They are located at http://www.dangerstudio.com Feel free to download, comment, etc. Enjoy fellow OsCommercers :)