Hi,
I have just downloaded the free version of zen cart to my computer.

I am ok on computers using basic programs like word, excel etc. etc. but I don't have a clue where to start with this....it all looks quite complicated to a novice.

Can anyone recommend where to find the best step by step instructions to follow so I can try and set up my own online shop from scratch.

Has anyone else with very limited computer experience managed to do this?

Thanks

Karen

How to install zencart on your home computer..
thread at zencart forums, url below, should help
i.e
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...ighlight=xampp

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Zen Cart isn't a Windows application like those that you mentioned. The files that you've downloaded are supposed to be installed on a webserver and not a desktop. What the link that Dezina gave you does, is instruct you on how to install a webserver with PHP and MySQL on your PC so you can run Zen and other web applications locally. If you want to run it on the web. then you'll either need to open up your PC to the net (not recommended) or FTP the files to a web server.

I'd suggest running it locally, then when you're happy with the results, upload it to your webspace.

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Lawrence

If you would like to try zencart, before installing
on your home computer/webhost, you can, via
http://www.opensourcecms.com/index.p...sk=view&id=300
Option there to log in as admin etc...

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Dezina & Laurence

Thanks!!!!

I had very little confidence in my abilities but.....with your useful links and advice I have just managed to set up the store onto my computer......I can hardly believe, with no problems whatsoever.

Could you please advise where is the best place for me to get instructions to start tailoring this to my own requirements. Also, what exactly are the templates. Do I have to buy something or can I just load up my own logo and wordings and change the colours myself?

Thanks again for your help

Karen

ZenCart Forum is your friend..plus
http://tutorials.zen-cart.com/index.php

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You'll find instructions on how to do the basic things you asked on this forum, just have a look through these threads http://www.eshopforums.com/f13/ most of what you want to do is discussed there e.g. changing the header and store text.

If you want to get really adventurous with your template then some HTML and CSS knowledge is required and a bit of PHP won't go amiss either. If you want a store with more than just some minor cosmetic changes to the default template without having to learn the intricacies of template design yourself then you'll need to install a 3rd party template. There are some free ones available, but if you want a professional looking site then it'll be better to buy a professional one. If you want to see some of the templates available, all you've got to do is check out some of the members sig links on this site.

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Lawrence

Thanks for the info.

I am ok with basic stuff but I am not at all great with all this terminology.

I wanted to start off just putting in my own logo and heading with my company name.

Can someone please give me really simple english instructions.....I gather I have to upload some files to my server??? but I don't have a clue how to do this unless I have simple english instructions .....please help.

I need it spelling out to me!!

Thanks

Karen

Hi Karen

The most basic way to change the logo is to replace the image located at \includes\templates\classic\images\logo.gif with the image of your choice. This address is relative to the root of your store, if you are unsure of where your Zen store is located on your PC there is a very easy way to find the physical location of the image. Display your Zen store on your browser then simply right click on the logo and select "properties", this will display the location of the image on your harddrive, all you have to do is replace the image.

Some of the text on the page can be changed from the define pages editor in admin, the other text can be changed by editing your language files located at \includes\languages\english.php and those contained within the \includes\languages\english\ folder. You can edit these files with Windows' notepad program.

When you read other tutorials you will see "/" used instead of "\", this is because "/" is used on the web (and on Linux) as a separator whereas Windows uses "\" in it's addresses.

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Lawrence

Patrick
I have found that zencart is stored in My Documents on my computer.

I have saved my logo to the file in my documents localhost/store/includes/templates/classic/images/logo.gif

Now...how do I get this onto the store I set up and access through http://localhost/store/admin/login ?????

I think if I can just get my head round how to do this then I should be ok for some other basic things!!!????

Hope you can help....I need it!

Karen

That won't change the logo in http://localhost/store/admin/login , it will however change the logo in http://localhost/store/. As far as I know, you can't change the logo that is displayed on your admin page as this is against the licence agreement. I'm sure Dezina will correct me if I'm wrong about this. What you have done should have changed the logo on your shop page, it it hasn't then try <shift><page refresh> if this doesn't work, right click on the current logo, select properties and check the address of the image. If it's still \includes\templates\classic\images\logo.gif then it's likely that you've put the file in the wrong place, You should have received an "overwrite file?" warning message when you tried to replace it, if you didn't, then it's been placed in the wrong location.

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Lawrence

Lawrence
I am still really struggling here with trying to change the logo.

If I login to the store and right click I can see it is stored at http://localhost/store/includes/temp...mages/logo.gif

I have saved the logo I want in my pictures on my computer.

I can't get my head around what to do....despite your instructions....sorry but I did say I am a complete beginner on computers.

Can you please talk me through this in really simple steps explaining exactly what and why I need to do.

Thanks
Karen

ps. I have managed to change some of the categories in the shop .....at least that is a start!!

You are probably right Lawrence, no idea why someone would wish to change admin logo, not met this request before, so cannot confirm for sure.

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Karen, what is the EXACT name of current template for your store?

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Hi Dezina,

When I initially downloaded zen cart I saved it at

c:\documents and settings\Owner\my documents\ zen-cart.v1.3.1 - fully patche - 07052007

I can also open internet explorer and type in

http://localhost/store/admin/login.php

I then enter my username and password to enter the site. This is where I have managed to alter the categories to those I need for my store.


I am not sure how to alter the logo or name of the store. By reading the threads it seems as if I need to put info into the files on my computer stored in my documents and then transfer these to the store I open by going through internet explorer. Is this right....and, if so, how do I do this?

I am sorry I just don't understand computer jargon and I really want to be able to do this myself as I think I will have a lot more control over things rather than renting an internet shop.

Thanks

Karen

Dezina

Fogot to mention I also have some zencart files on my computer at

C:/xampp/htdocs/store


I am really not clear about what is what. I just understand that the xampp bit lets me design the website before getting it onto the internet but I am not sure where I start altering things and where I upload them to.

I think I am fine when I log in through internet explorer and enter products, prices, categories etc. Its just the more techy stuff I am lost with.

Help....
Karen

You did not answer my question!!
When you visit via internet explorer, you are accessing zencart files in
C:/xampp/htdocs/store
so your template files are stored in
C:/xampp/htdocs/store/includes/templates/
You can find out name of current template being used by zencart
via zencart admin, then choose tools, then templates

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Dezina
I have logged into the store using internet explorer then entering username and password.

Gone to tools

Template selection

Right clicked on template selection and clicked on properties

the address is http://localhost/store/admin/template-select.php

Karen

Log in as admin, choose tools then template selection...
you should now be at a screen, left hand side, which states name
of current template being used i.e.
Classic Contemporary Green

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