I am going to work with a webhosting company which do not have oscommerce installed on their server, how hard is it going for me to install it?

its going to be a share webhosting.

if so, then would it be better to go for a company which has its own e-commerce software ready to use?

and also, if they have their own package of e-commerce (too expensive for my present needs) with monstercommerce, then, would you think they could try to make my oscommerce fail so I get their system?????

Webhosts offering Fantatico can install oscommerce easily for you. It's pretty easy to use.

OScommerce is very easy to install, so long as you are at least slightly familiar with php/mysql.

OSCommerce is as simple to install as any other script. It should be a smooth process if you're somewhat familiar with PHP and MySQL, as Neosurge stated.

Personally, I do not like OSCommerce. It's a descent shopping cart for basic needs if you plan on selling physical products. On the other hand, if you plan on selling virtual goods, OSCommerce is not the best choice. In the end it becomes quite a hassle to customize the installation with all of the features you need due to having to install several (user contributions) modules seperately. I also find OSCommerce to be quite outdated and it doesn't feel very secure to me. In order to keep up with updates (such as payment gateway upgrades) you'll usually need to scout out a module contributed by an user on the OSCommerce web site.

Depending on what you're selling and what your preferences are, OSCommerce could either be a great cart or the opposite.

oscommerce needs register_globals register_globals on. I personally use zendcart instead of it.

See the docs and faq
http://www.oscommerce.info/
http://www.oscommerce.info/docs/english/

OSCommerce does not come to mind with you say simple. I have done quite a bit of research on many PHP/MySQL eCommerce applications and these are my recommendation for you

OSCommerce is a open-source project so it free, but it been around a while and has not seen any major development is a couple years. But is very popular none the less.

If you want simple I would look at CubeCart, they say on their site that it is “Used by over 1 Million Stores” There is a free version available through Fantastico, or you can purchase it for only $69.

Others of interest are:

CS-Cart while currently only at version 1.32 this cart is as full featured as carts that have been around for much longer - $125 (this is the best kept secret right now)

I also really like PinnacleCart they have a hosted offering or you can purchase it, but at $597 it’s more expensive. Very nice stores and great administration area.

Also if you want to do more research check out HotScript.com and you’ll find a lot more.

Depends on your level of skill with php, mysql and html......

If your proficient in them then oscommerce should be easy to install, and if also proficient in understanding others code, then altering it should be easy also.

If your uncomfortable with any of the above, then there will be a learning curve.

I really apreciate your advise thanks a lot lot lot!!!!!!!

OSCommerce is as simple to install as any other script. It should be a smooth process if you're somewhat familiar with PHP and MySQL, as Neosurge stated.

Personally, I do not like OSCommerce. It's a descent shopping cart for basic needs if you plan on selling physical products. On the other hand, if you plan on selling virtual goods, OSCommerce is not the best choice. In the end it becomes quite a hassle to customize the installation with all of the features you need due to having to install several (user contributions) modules seperately. I also find OSCommerce to be quite outdated and it doesn't feel very secure to me. In order to keep up with updates (such as payment gateway upgrades) you'll usually need to scout out a module contributed by an user on the OSCommerce web site.

Depending on what you're selling and what your preferences are, OSCommerce could either be a great cart or the opposite.

Hi,

May I ask which shopping cart you like? I am looking for a solution, too. Which shopping cart seem secure to you?

Also, how easy is it to apply fixes/patches to these open source carts? I have used phpbb as an open source script and updating it was never too hard, althought I always had my fingers crossed.

Thanks.

I am using Oscommerce, but you have to be a little skillfull with the problems you will face. The quantity of mods and contributions are amazing.

I tried cubecart, but it was hacked. Also with them you have to install patches almost every 2 months

Personally we recommend the use of cube cart due to it be very versitile in design, easy to install and use. They support tonnes of different payment processors and shipping systems. Although updates are regular it show that they are looking to improve their current system. Updates for cubecart can easily be done through fanastico providing you have a cpanel host and they update their files daily.

Hope that Helps

What many people fail to understand is the osCommerce is actually really easy to customise, yet there are so many sites out there that look like the original, out-of-the-box install.

It is great from physical products as someone mentioned but there are other carts I use for digital products.

Cubecart is beautiful in design, no boubt and has things others dont have, but when I started to change stuff I ended changing a lot of things. So I had to do the updates too often. If you dont make the updates your cart gets hacked even if you dont use it or is hidding in a subdirectory.

but there are other carts I use for digital products.

I thank you all you are very kind and wise, could you tell me what other carts you use for digital products?

I installed OSCommerce and I have to say I can't believe how many basic things it can't do properly. This was especially shocking considering how popular it is.

Another thing to consider is that OSCommerce doesn't work very well with PayPal. If someone uses PayPal to pay, then after they are done paying they have to make sure to click the "return to merchant" button and wait to get themselves back to your shopping cart site or else OSCommerce doesn't record their order at all. Many people just close the browser window after paying with PayPal and don't bother to let it take them back to the shopping cart site. So every day I have to compare the PayPal payments against what OSCommerce has managed to record as orders. Insane!

Oh yeah... and ZenCart is from what I've heard a spin-off of OSCommerce. And it apparantly has some major improvements on OSCommerce.

I installed OSCommerce and I have to say I can't believe how many basic things it can't do properly. This was especially shocking considering how popular it is.

Do you mind briefly mentioning the basic things osc can't do properly? I am myself trying to make a decision on cart. I am leaning towards zen-cart, mainly because continued support and what seems to be more often security updates.

Thanks.

We are in the process of moving our CRELoaded (OSCommerce) shop to CS-CART.
So far we like what we have seen about CS-cart.

Just a bit concerned on what and how will our customer database be affected once we migrate from OSC to CSC

any experiences pls. let us know

thanks

i think virtuemart ( formly known as Mambo phpshop) is an excellent ecommerce platform.

Zencart for me. Been using them for about 2 years. But I must say I prefer the old days. The forum are small helpful community. You will get a help/responses in a matter of hours.

But now, it has expanded and receive a lot of members. Sometimes you get help, sometime you dont.

Currently, I'm looking for a fresh looking template for it. Not so much available though.

:)

CS-Cart while currently only at version 1.32 this cart is as full featured as carts that have been around for much longer - $125 (this is the best kept secret right now)



so true, i have used cs on about 5 projects so far. with about 4 more coming.

We are in the process of moving our CRELoaded (OSCommerce) shop to CS-CART.
So far we like what we have seen about CS-cart.

Just a bit concerned on what and how will our customer database be affected once we migrate from OSC to CSC

any experiences pls. let us know

thanks



i have messed with cs-cart but i never moved or xfered a database to it. but i insure you the support of cs is very good, and i can tell they know what they are doing.

Dont' be afraid to ask cs. They are very helpfull

Try using a loaded snapshot of oscommerce. I believe CRE offeres a loaded version of oscommerce with many modules preinstalled which should facilitate your needs.

CRELoaded is horrible... tons of broken stuff, bugs, problems, things that don't work right. I spent 3-odd months with my shop on CRE and it absolutely killed my website. :mad: Ugh!!

I switched to ZenCart (http://www.zencart.com) and everything's been smooooth sailing ever since. :)

wakymaky, I am not sure you realized this, but this was a 19-month-old thread... usually it is best to let sleeping dogs lie. Not that advice isn't welcome, but I am sure the folks who started this thread have long since moved along. As well, a lot has changed since the original carts were being discussed 19 months ago. :)

:D Bailey

I am using OSCommerce myself (can see the shop in my signature). I have no experience in ecommerce, and try OSC for the first time with recommendation from friends since Dec 2005.

Honestly, I find OSC to be too outdated. The software was designed in 2002 and still being used today in 2008, with very little update and still very much lacking in features and design.

PayPal flaw is the biggest disadvantage to live shop.

Tones of mods have to be installed in order to make your shop "practical". The default installation is UGLY, I don't think you can sell or impress your customers or visitors with the default design and layout of OSC.

Having say that...I must say if you have time and are willing to learn, OSC can make wonders. Many pro shops using OSC as the foundation, then install useful mods and customise it to the professional look. You can find many support and template ready for OSC.

I am still grateful to OSC as it has taught me a lot which I will never know if I just buy and use one of the "perfect" store. OSC forum is very helpful and informative. :)