Test my site...

[toprob]

I'm looking for a few people to test my new site prior to launch. At the moment I'm attempting to integrate a couple of features which really need to be tested well. You'd need to sign up to the store and make a purchase, either via credit card or Paypal. Don't worry, you won't need to use an actual credit card, and the Paypal module uses the sandbox, a test site which doesn't actually charge you anything:)

I will choose who gets to order what, and how they pay. I'm also testing a voucher system, so some testers may be asked to purchase a voucher and send it to another tester...

You would have to agree not to give anyone the store link, as it is just an early test site at the moment. Over the last couple of weeks I've managed to destroy the new store a number of times, and had to start over. The problem is getting my additions to work with each other. It's a bit of a juggling act, but it'll be worth it, I hope.

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 23 2009, 07:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm looking for a few people to test my new site prior to launch. At the moment I'm attempting to integrate a couple of features which really need to be tested well. You'd need to sign up to the store and make a purchase, either via credit card or Paypal. Don't worry, you won't need to use an actual credit card, and the Paypal module uses the sandbox, a test site which doesn't actually charge you anything:)

I will choose who gets to order what, and how they pay. I'm also testing a voucher system, so some testers may be asked to purchase a voucher and send it to another tester...

You would have to agree not to give anyone the store link, as it is just an early test site at the moment. Over the last couple of weeks I've managed to destroy the new store a number of times, and had to start over. The problem is getting my additions to work with each other. It's a bit of a juggling act, but it'll be worth it, I hope.

Hi Rob I will have a bit of time latter tonight to do some testing for you I you would like me too

Cheers
Doug

[toprob]

Thanks, Doug, but it'll take me a day or two to fix a couple of known bugs.

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 23 2009, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, Doug, but it'll take me a day or two to fix a couple of known bugs.

Ok just let me know when it is ready to test and I will attack it for you I'm usually available from about 1pm until 1am daily

[ZK-MADMAX]

If you are still setting up your site using Joomla I could offer a hand or two, as my site is based entirely on Joomla and add-on modules etc.

[toprob]

Thanks, but I'm thinking of giving up completely on Joomla, and shifting back to OSCommerce. I've had problems with my shared secure server -- Joomla doesn't support them, apparently -- and VirtueMart is so buggy I wonder why people use it at all...

OSCommerce is a lot trickier to customise than Joomla, but at least I know it can handle my shared secure server, Paypal and different currencies -- all these have given trouble with Joomla/VirtuaMart.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 23 2009, 11:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, but I'm thinking of giving up completely on Joomla, and shifting back to OSCommerce. I've had problems with my shared secure server -- Joomla doesn't support them, apparently -- and VirtueMart is so buggy I wonder why people use it at all...

OSCommerce is a lot trickier to customise than Joomla, but at least I know it can handle my shared secure server, Paypal and different currencies -- all these have given trouble with Joomla/VirtuaMart.

Rob - whatever you do, don't go down the OSCommerce route. It's *terrible*. I really think Virtuemart is a much better product. I had to customise OSC so much - just to get it to do the most basic things. I know other Joomla developers that also think the same.

If I get some time this weekend, I'll register and see what I can break

[spongebob206]

Hi Rob,

I'll be back in town Sunday.

if you still require assistance just send me a message.

Cheers Mate

[toprob]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Oct 24 2009, 03:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rob - whatever you do, don't go down the OSCommerce route. It's *terrible*. I really think Virtuemart is a much better product. I had to customise OSC so much - just to get it to do the most basic things. I know other Joomla developers that also think the same.

If I get some time this weekend, I'll register and see what I can break

Thanks, SB. I need to work on my shipping costs before I get anyone to test it, but I may not have time over the weekend. Once I am ready, though, I'll send the link and some things to test. At the moment I'm just concerned with testing Paypal, and the voucher system. Product descriptions need to be worked on, but this can come later. I don't want to do too much work on a product database if I'm just going to dismantle it and start over -- I've done that a few times.

OSCommerce is certainly more difficult to work with. However there are some limitations in Joomla/Virtuemart which make it unusable for me:

• It can't handle a shared secure server;
• Paypal is broken for NZ currency (this is apparently a major problem for anyone selling in a currency which isn't one of the big three);
• Currency conversions for 'Attributes' don't work (when overseas customers order boxes, it charges them less than the download:);
• Sometimes it 'forgets' all the multiple downloads which make up some of my downloadable products. The FSX Collection is made up of 5 downloads, but sometimes it only serves up one or two. Not all the time though...

I know it has impressive features, but to run a store they really need to work. Joomla would be great if I didn't have a store. It has some beautiful features which are easy to install, but it doesn't do ecommerce well.

OSCommerce is just a store, so it does that well. I know that Paypal works, I know that currency conversions work, I know that the secure server works, because I used it for years without problems. In OSC I can normally solve any issues myself, but in VirtueMart I get entirely lost trying to figure out the code. I notice that most flightsim download stores use OSC.

Adding a feature in Joomla normally requires an auto-install then set up the options. In OSCommerce it means an hour pouring over PHP files in Winmerge and trying to figure out what bits of code I need to keep, but by then I have a good idea of what the code does:)

[spongebob206]

Ok Mate,

Can help you anytime. Good Luck

Cheers

[ZK-MADMAX]

Fair enough there, Robin.

As an alternative option, have you consideredZen Cart?

A few techie forums are constantly discussing the benefits of both, and you will find most people tend to lean towards Zen Cart. I don't mean to impose or anything, but here are a few links to these threads if you want to have a read (hope that's OK).

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42563
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=34131

I've worked with both OSCommerce and Zen Cart, as well as Virtuemart (my current setup), and next to Virtuemart I would have to say Zen Cart has been the most effective.

Just my two cents anyway

[toprob]

QUOTE (ZK-MADMAX @ Oct 24 2009, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fair enough there, Robin.

As an alternative option, have you consideredZen Cart?

A few techie forums are constantly discussing the benefits of both, and you will find most people tend to lean towards Zen Cart. I don't mean to impose or anything, but here are a few links to these threads if you want to have a read (hope that's OK).

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42563
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=34131

I've worked with both OSCommerce and Zen Cart, as well as Virtuemart (my current setup), and next to Virtuemart I would have to say Zen Cart has been the most effective.

Just my two cents anyway

Thanks for that -- I have just installed this, and I'm amazed to find that it is an upgraded OSC -- with some of the trickier things, such as gift vouchers, pre-installed. If I can make it handle multiple downloads, then it may be a better choice.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (toprob @ Oct 24 2009, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for that -- I have just installed this, and I'm amazed to find that it is an upgraded OSC -- with some of the trickier things, such as gift vouchers, pre-installed. If I can make it handle multiple downloads, then it may be a better choice.

Seeing as you're doing all the "leg work" on this ... I'd be interested to hear how it all pads out. Regardless of OSC or VM, I've found setting up currencies/payment gateways for NZ to be a real PITA.

Of course - more than happy to test the site. Let me know when you're ready ...

[toprob]

Ok, so I've had to makes some changes here. I did have a site ready to go, but I've decided to try it in Zencart and see if it works -- so far, so good, but it will be a while longer before it is ready for testing.

I need to release the new site to serve up Supercity reliably, so it may go live before it has all the functionality of the existing site, hey that sounds familiar....