Simulate a website

SpaghettiOs · 17 Jan 2010 at 12:20

Hi all,

I've been asked to set up a retail website. In the past I have only dealt with standard HTML and haven't had to use anything else complicated. I'm intending to use osCommerce as the backend, does anyone have any experience with this, or could recommend an alternative/better package?

Also, is there any way of simulating this website on my computer? Reason being, I don't as yet have any web space for this site, and wouldn't like to rent some if its not going to work.

Cheers,
James

JamesU2005 · 17 Jan 2010 at 12:26

This should help, tutorial might not be bang up to date but should give you an idea of what you need to do:

http://www.ultraedit.com/support/tutorials_power_tips/uestudio/local_php_mysql_dev_environment.html

wesley · 17 Jan 2010 at 14:45

easyphp
xampp
wamp

i prefer wamp

steve-h · 17 Jan 2010 at 16:50

wesley said:
i prefer wamp

unwashed potato! · 17 Jan 2010 at 18:00

install xampp on your pc, then go and download opencart (1.40 just released few days ago). i just starting using this for my new eco shop and it's so easy to use and is really modern. i tried many others and they are a mess such as oscommerce, magento, prestashop.

Pho · 17 Jan 2010 at 19:49

OpenCart has some bugs (due to be fixed), 1.3.4 may be the better choice

.

unwashed potato! · 17 Jan 2010 at 20:59

Pho said:
OpenCart has some bugs (due to be fixed), 1.3.4 may be the better choice .

you know how soon? and what the bugs are?

SpaghettiOs · 17 Jan 2010 at 21:11

Thanks guys. Wamp is working great and so is openCart. How easily customisable is it? I know there are the standard options you can change, but not knowing much php, is it quite difficult to create a unique look?

unwashed potato! · 17 Jan 2010 at 21:49

gamer_boy said:
Thanks guys. Wamp is working great and so is openCart. How easily customisable is it? I know there are the standard options you can change, but not knowing much php, is it quite difficult to create a unique look?

easy if you understand css and can understand php a little, just make sure to follow the error messages, see your mistakes, and then either post on here or post on their forums (they can be a little hostile so better here imo) if you get stuck and people will help.

Pho · 17 Jan 2010 at 22:09

Mammalian said:
you know how soon? and what the bugs are?

I'm sure I typed 1.4.0 in there, but either way, I meant OpenCart 1.4.0 has some bugs, OpenCart 1.3.4 should be fine

.

Not sure off hand, from reading their forums they seemed to suggest a week or so.

unknowndomain · 17 Jan 2010 at 23:28

I was going to suggest stearing away from osCommerce