aabox.com offers a free download of Oscommerce that has
lots of features/mods built in

scroll down, look just above the page's first horizontal
rule(close to bottom of page) you will see the following
text that is NOT highlighted like a normal link:
Download AABox MS2-MAX

http://aabox.com/ms2-max.html

For list of features, go here:

http://aabox.com/info/ecommerce_hosting_features.html

I'm switching hosts and will be using this version,
but have NOT tried it yet. So I don't have a clue about
any possible bugs. I think it is worth trying out and
they have a forum that seems to be quite active.

Wendy

Wow - -
They've included just about all of the most popular mods. This is something that's taken me the better part of a year to do.

I downloaded it, but have not yet installed it to test.

Please post back after you test it a bit.

Will help the rest of us who are gonna be using it.

Thanks in advance!

Wendy

PS...I'm currently using the regular 2.2 with some mods
and it took me forever to get where my site is now.
Looking forward to the switch!:D
(www.its2cheap.com)

Hi,

The forums to discuss ms2-max are not on aabox.com, they are at oscdox.com

Also, the download at aabox is the most current complete package, but there are several upgrade packages available at oscdox that are going into the next release of max, like the 'template switching' feature in the new BTS1.2a upgrade (basic template structure) and Option Type Feature mod. OSCdox is where the updates get posted for testing as well.

There are a few small bugs that are lingering in the template upgrade, but they are related to the different template packs not being fully updated with all the max mods. That is an easy fix.

Overall max is very stable and works well. The 1.5+ version has been out for over 6 months, and it has had a lot of use, so it has been thoroughly bug tested. I have done 200+ installations of it and they run great. The best thing though, if you do run into trouble is that OSCdox is very active and you can usually find answers to your questions quickly.

Thanks for the added info, much appreciated.

Here is the link to the oscdox forum:

http://www.oscdox.com/index.php

I have not downloaded or installed it myself but I know awhile back they included my Dynamic MoPics contribution and I was getting a number of emails about it not working in the Max version. When I did some investigating I found it was either not installed correctly or some of the core had been changed enough to break it.

I have not received any emails on it for some time, so I assume the author of Max fixed the problem.

Dreamscape,

Dynamic Mopics always worked correctly in MAX, all of the problems were user error on configuring the settings for Dynamic Mopics. People usually have a learning curve with that mod, for some reason they don't grasp the dynamic nature of the mod.

The only real change to the original Dynamic Mopics mod was that the code Mopics adds the original product_info page was moved to the product_info.tpl template, since MAX uses BTS. Other than that, it is 100% original Dynamic Mopics. :)

There are a couple of long threads at oscdox that cover this topic to death.

Oh, one last thing, Dynamic Mopics is an excellent mod. I have used it ever since you made it available, what a time saver!

Originally posted by msasek
Dreamscape,

Dynamic Mopics always worked correctly in MAX, all of the problems were user error on configuring the settings for Dynamic Mopics. People usually have a learning curve with that mod, for some reason they don't grasp the dynamic nature of the mod.

The only real change to the original Dynamic Mopics mod was that the code Mopics adds the original product_info page was moved to the product_info.tpl template, since MAX uses BTS. Other than that, it is 100% original Dynamic Mopics. :)

There are a couple of long threads at oscdox that cover this topic to death.

Oh, one last thing, Dynamic Mopics is an excellent mod. I have used it ever since you made it available, what a time saver!

Wow, thank you for that statement. I myself have a hard time understanding why the learning curve for it is so high. I certainly did not intent it be that way. I intended to make it overly easy.

The errors people were sending me and way they described it, I had assumed the code was altered quite a bit. Sorry if I was mistaken :)

Found another Osc cart with built in mods, called Zen Cart:
http://www.zen-cart.com/modules/frontpage/

Site has screenshots, features list, and a support forum.

If anyone has used or is using this one, please let us know how you like it.

Thanks,

Wendy:D

Thats def a nice looking osC snapshot they have (though I wasnt able to find a demo). I think you'll find many hosts with feature packed osCommerce snapshots.

There are many good loaded osCommerce packages.
A simple google search will show up many more...

I recommend some popular ones below...

CRE
http://creloaded.com/modules.php?name=Downloads
WebMakers
http://www.thewebmakerscorner.com/
AABox
http://aabox.com/ms2-max.html

Try them all out because they all have their strengths
and weakness. It really depends what you want AND
expect from your shopping cart.

It sounds trivial, just pickup a shopping cart software and use it.
This may work if your just getting into selling on the internet
and your needs and expectations are minimum.

All this changes once you compete to sell your items on the web.
You want to do this efficiently and not get bogged down.

Once you realize there are close to two thousand contributions
for osCommerce
- a light bulb should turn on -
and you should ask.

a.) Why are there so many contributions and what could be lacking in the base code.
b.) How much customization do I need to ease my workload and
provide a good experience for my visitors.
c.) Which combination of contributions best achieves my goals.
d.) What are my expectations and requirements of my business
and which contributions of osCommerce can help me achieve them.

Much of the above decisions are subjective but the results of
or your business will be real hard earned money or abysmal
failure.

Rather than solely depending on what others say, play with
the demos and get your hand dirty then pick the one your
most comfortable with.

Originally posted by sadcox66

a.) Why are there so many contributions and what could be lacking in the base code.
b.) How much customization do I need to ease my workload and
provide a good experience for my visitors.
c.) Which combination of contributions best achieves my goals.
d.) What are my expectations and requirements of my business
and which contributions of osCommerce can help me achieve them.


Hi Sadsox,

Well said and excellent start to a list.

I would also consider

- What level of support do you require
- Do your business requirements change frequently, therefore resulting in countinual functionality changes to your online store
- Are too many mod additions simply too many, or are your needs complex enough to justify the increased complexity
- Do you require custom mods and how many
- Is your osCommerce shop your sole distribution channel or does it simply compliment a traditional brick and mortar business

Please feel free to add to this list as I think many people will find value in it...