Completely a Newbie

[LadyShelly2]

Well, it has taken me a pretty long time to get my webpage to where it is now. I've been busy with graduating, moving, and still looking for a job. My point is that, now that I'm done with school I can really work on my webpage! *Cheer*

But, problem is, I have no idea about how to go about changing a few things without having to completely redo my entire webpage.

I'd really really love to go have my own e-commerce/shopping cart system on my webpage instead of going through PayPal.

I tried one before, where it dynamically created and set up all the items and buttons, which was nice, but I couldn't get the format or layout look that I wanted.

So, how can I keep the same layout or format of the current way to shop on my page but have it be the osCommerce instead of PayPal?

I'll reiterate that I'm a complete newbie at osCommerce and need to learn much more about it so I can effectively operate my website. If any one can help me or give me a starting point as to where to look for the solution to this kind of problem, I would be forever greatful!

Thanks for reading this!

P.S. my website: http://www.themoorecollection.com

[Jade Dragon]

Originally posted by LadyShelly2

So, how can I keep the same layout or format of the current way to shop on my page but have it be the osCommerce instead of PayPal?


OSC will not work in a framed site. The best you could to to emulate the styling through the CSS. The CSS can change the colors of the box headers, colors of the page, background, etc. but it cannot change the layout. These type of CSS changes can usually be done in a couple hours of experimenting.

However. . .

To be able to change the layout requires a basic knowledge of PHP and lots of time and patience. All the layout coding is done by hand and usually takes 12-30 hours of editing to make all the changes across the many different files to create a new layout for the OSC engine.

I cannot tell you specifically which files to change to make major layout changes. This would take to much time, which is also why there isn't huge customization docs on the net for OSC. If you do have a questions on individual problems if you get stuck, then I can probably unstick you. But I cannot walk you through the whole process.

I suggest setting up a test OSC to look at and experiment with the code a bit, to see if you are able to make it look the way you want.

=)
Jade

[LadyShelly2]

Thank you so much for the info.

Since I've been rather busy, I haven't learned anything about PHP. But from the quick search I did, it looks really intriguing. It's something that I definitely want to learn. I've already found some great tutorials.

It's going to be time consuming, I know, to try to change things over. And first things to go are going to be the frames. I've been wanting to get rid of them for a while now and they've definitely got to go now.

After I get that done and after I learn much more about the osCommerce and PHP and such, I'll probably have lots more questions that I'll come back here and ask. But that won't be for a while.

I just wanted to see if there was any chance there was an easy solution anyone knew of, I really wasn't expecting one since I've hurt myself with those frames.

But I really do appreciate all the information and suggestions. I've just got to sit down and learn some more stuff! :)

Then I'll ask more questions!

Thanks again,
~LadyShelly