Nicole asks;
1. Should I steer clear of the RC version until it is released? If so which version should I go for?
The RC2a version of osCommerce is no more than osCommerce MS2 with a few bugs fixed and some security updates. I would go with RC2a as I believe it’s stable enough for a live shop…
2. Are there template clubs like rockettheme with professional looking templates?
I don’t know of any template “clubs”, but there are a handful of people selling templates and a handful of developers who are making bespoke oscommerce sites. I myself run an osCommerce Templates site, and I also have a free RC2 template right here…
3.How long does it usually take to get OSC up and running?
If you are talking of just getting it up and running “straight out of the box” it should take no more than 5 or 10 minutes! Then of course, you’ll need to add on any extras that you need (such as contributions like SEO Urls, Discount Vouchers etc)…and then you’ll need to implement a design.
And then of course, you need to load the products…
I suppose the average site woner would probably spend a month doing all that?
4. DO you think Joomla/Vitruemart is a viable option considering I already know joomla?
That I cannot answer as I have no experience with Joomla or the Virtuemart addon.
5. If you think OSC would be the best option, how would you go about learning OSC if you were a newbie to it?
I’d install osCommerce and have a play with the codebase. I’d buy myself an ebook to get a good head start on 99% of all other osCommerce users ( ebooks sites: www.oscbooks.com & www.oscommercemanuals.com ) and I’d try my best to learn the in’s and out’s to see if osC is suitable…
Nicole, I think that osCommerce is very suitable for most store owners. It has it’s problems, just like any other cart, but the great thing is that the codebase is open so that you can change it up to suit your needs, and there are lots of people ready to help you out…
Does that help at all?
Cheers, Gary
ps, you can see some great examples of osCommerce sites at the Hot 100 list – so you can see that osCommerce is supremely flexible with the ability to do almost anything. In fact, I’d say that osC is only limited by one’s own imagination and skillset!
Thanks Gary,
Yes, that does help alot. I’ll give it a try. The other thing I forgot to ask you is if I can download a “french” version of OSC? As for the templates, could you give me a few links of reliable template makers? It seems that the one I see all the time is the 3 column one…Is it easy enough to modify? Colours, adding images, etc…Would the back-end admin utilities really help a startup biz? Can they link into excel or other order/inventory management applications?
many many thanks, Nicole
p.s. if any of your readers are joomla vets, please let me know what you think.
Hey Nicole,
I am 100% certain there must be a french language pack. Basically, you’d install osC as normal (the three languages supported on install are; english, german, spanish). After you’ve got it up and running, the first thing you’d do is find that french language pack and upload it. This shuldn’t take more than a minute or so as it’s only a few language files…
The 3 column design is pretty basic, I agree. But it is easy to create your own design and work it into osCommerce. I’m in the process of reworking my osc templates for RC2, so I won’t give a link. My suggestion before worrying about templates, is to get osC installed along with the french laguage pack – it might be that you hate osC once you start working with it!
Cheers, Gary
ps, if any other readers have anything to add to my comments, please do feel free to post whatever is on your mind. It’s kind of hard for me to put myself into the shoes of someone brand new to osC, so I’d really appreciate any more comments…
French Language Pack:
http://www.oscommerce.com/community/contributions,1372
Cheers, Gary
Hi
Would like to know if anyone do offer osCommerce installation service, I have tried and get errors. Cant do it.
thanks
Sipho – yes, I can offer an install service. Cost would be very little. Email me, link is up there ^
Gary