Zencart, PHP et my html problem.

[micky]

I had someone install a Zencart shopping system on my site. ((( I would have done it myself but it's really beyond my abilities at this moment.. But I'm studying hard !)))

I've got some text on the mysite.xx/store/index.php page.

Well long story short...
The text is all wrong and in the wrong language.

And after a night of opening pretty much opening every php file in dreamweaver and trying to play detective. I am still no closer to finding where to edit the text on the main page.

I can view the source code directly from the site and I can see what needs to be changed. But unfortunately, I'm lost after that.

If someone can point me in the right direction... I'm certain I can figure it out on my own.

Thanks a whole bunch !

---------------------

below is the code that I need to edit.

<!-- bof upload alerts -->
<!-- eof upload alerts -->

<div class="centerColumn" id="indexDefault">
<h1 id="indexDefaultHeading"></h1>

<h2 class="greeting">Bienvenue <span class="greetUser">cher visiteur !</span> Voulez-vous <a href="http://www.mysite.#*$!/store/index.php?main_page=login">Vous Connecter</a> ?</h2>

<!-- deprecated - to use uncomment this section
-->

<!-- deprecated - to use uncomment this section
-->

<div id="indexDefaultMainContent" class="content"><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="4"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bienvenue sur notre boutique en ligne !</span></font><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><font size="2">Vous trouverez ici le fruit de notre travail sous diff&eacute;rentes formes mais aussi des accessoires pour le d&eacute;guster.</font><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div></div></div>

<!-- bof: whats_new -->
<div class="centerBoxWrapper" id="whatsNew">
<h2 class="centerBoxHeading">Nouveaux produits pour avril</h2>
<div class="centerBoxContentsNew centeredContent back" style="width:33%;"><a href="http://www.mysite.#*$!/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=1_4&amp;products_id=7"><img src="images/5.jpg" alt="L'examen de la voiture de police" title=" L'examen de la voiture de police " width="100" height="79" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mysite.#*$!/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=1_4&amp;products_id=7">L'examen de la voiture de police</a><br />&euro;89.00</div>

[rocknbil]

A WYSIWYG editor is a sure way to bork up files fast (IMO . . . .)

As a developer myself, I would expect that my client would be on me like S.O.A.S., if you paid someone to install Zen Cart and it's hosed up, this is their ball. So first explain your dissatisfaction and have them fix it, if you can.

Everything you mentioned should be manageable by the zen cart configurations. See the forum/help files for Zen Cart to help you there.

The only thing you should need Dreamweaver for is modifying templates (which it's fine for.) Also IMO, a developer should understand that helping you configure your cart should be "part of the deal," but if this was not agreed on prior to having them install it you may be on your own.

[micky]

it's like pulling a chicken's teeth.
Whatever it is that is inside a programer's brain. I wish was in mine. Because I'm just lost when it comes to that stuff.

I suppose in a worst case situation I can look for another programer. Can someone give me a list of skills I should require them to have ?

[rocknbil]

Or like putting socks on a rooster, sometimes. :-)

Your question is a bit like asking for a description of "the perfect woman" (or man, if you're a wom- err . . . if you like men.)

I personally like, and respond best to, RFP's that describe accurately and completely what you need. You don't have to start off with "I'm not knowledgeable about this stuff" - developers who are less than knowledgeable themselves seize this opportunity to use your lack of knowledge against you, hoping their lack of skill will never reveal itself.

A "perfect" RFP for me, in your situation:

"I have a zen cart install and require some assistance in configuring the templates and system settings to obtain the results I'm looking for. It was originally installed with the wrong language, and this needs to be fixed; I will be editing my templates in Dreamweaver, so I would require at least a working guidance from the developer on how to modify the templates on my own. Communication is a must for successful completion of this project, as this is the reason I'm requesting a new bid. Please provide at least two working examples of Zen Cart configurations you've installed."

Although this is a "perfect" RFP for me, I'd have to pass. I've installed a few Zen Carts and uninstalled them all, don't like it, too heavy, too many . . . problems. So I don't have working examples. :-)

Last, on the pricing, don't go for the cheapest you can get. You will ALWAYS get what you pay for. This, in fact, is a large portion of my work load, "fixing" the mess created by down-and-dirty quickies when the client is trying to get off cheap.

[M_B_Walker]

Pretty straightforward fix, Micky. Go to Admin for your Zen Cart. Click on Tools/Developers Tool Kit. In the "Look Up in All Files" section, enter a word from the page you want to change (such as Bienvenue). Click on Search. You should get a list of all files that have that word. One of them will have the phrase you want to change. Just open that file and make the change.

And don't forget to back up the file before you change it, just in case.