Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

So I`m assuming that if you discovered a shopping cart solution that worked even better than your osCommerce or ZenCart - that you would consider using that program as well?

I just find it interesting that many of the gurus here have claimed that AppleCart is outdated, ineffective, and simply a "piece of junk".

 But when you look at the ease of use, the multi-functions, the expanded capabilities including an in-house gift certificate module, a fully integrated off-line data base management system, full system support, and FREE updates - and extraordinary results with the search engines - why would anyone consider an "open source" solution such as osCommerce or ZenCart?

Whats in it for the "gurus"? Why stay stuck on providing a Ford Pinto when you can have Corvette? Unless of course, they can keep a customer "locked in" as their customer by writing "special scripts" that can`t be modified, except by them? Hmmmmm....

With AppleCart, the gurus still can have a stream of revenue as a VAR,  - or even by re-designing the display templates, since they are html based. But they don`t need to write any code, since the AppleCat solution is fully supported by the design company, Spads.com. The data base is exported as a flat file, so the template fields are easily editable. (Getting way too technical here.   )

Unless of course - the client has no money. But then we have already gone down that road before, eh?.

If I have read this correctly, blondie prefers AppleCart, most the others here prefer ZenCart or Oscommerce. It`s clear blondie thinks eveyone should change to Applecart. But I doubt most that use the other carts, are going to change.  Probably because, as said, they`re happy with the carts they`re using.

ZenCart provides everything we need for our site.  The admin section is simple to understand and update. Our company hires Roland to do all updates and changes. The reason? I`d rather take care of orders and customers.  This way I know all updates and changes are made, and it`s something we don`t have to worry about, or bother with.  That works well for me. 

Gotta to go....it`s Mom`s Day.

This is completely wrong.

PHP is not a binary executable. If you have the password to your site (and you should, if it is your site), then you have all the source code you need to take your site anywhere you want it. Just give a new developer FTP access and that new person has all the code they need to modify anything.

If you purchase a cart that is proprietary software, and is running on exe files, then no - you do not have access to the code no matter who you are.



Here again you are wrong, because right on their site they have an option for purchasing an upgrade - upgrades to the AppleCart software are not free!

I have yet to see a good reason for even having an offline database system IMO. Most companies are trying to move towards an centralized database system (in-house or external) maintained over the network. Why would you want to work backwards and have this data on a hard drive that is not maintained 24/7 or backed up ever hour by a professional hosting company?

If you want to talk support ... why program a shopping cart in a language that no one wants to use anymore? Go do a search on Amazon - how many recent Perl books are there? How many large and/or successful sites use Perl? How many .pl sites can you point me to?
Now do a search for something like PHP, ASP, or CFM. These are more modern languages, used by most companies.

OK, go do a search for other shopping carts - you will find a lot of mentions.
Now do a search for Spads AppleCart, and you get 2 mentions, one from SUN and one from here.

When you are done with that, go talk to the top designers and the W3C, all of who DO NOT support tables for layout!

I don`t really care which product anyone uses, or who supports what. I am not tied to one product or another - I use what is needed in each situation or I build my own. What I am growing tired of is the constant insulting of "web gurus" in every AppleCart thread like being a web developer has become a bad thing. If you want to do it all yourself because you don`t want to hire someone, then great. Some people want to hire someone and not do everything themselves or know anything about the code behind it. But really, stop insulting people like Roland and myself who are honest, hardworking developers that are helping people in the best ways we can - not using products to make a quick buck and scam innocent bystanders. That notion is really quite absurd and offensive.

I have provided enough reasons why someone should consider a technology they use, and why I personally wouldn`t use this particular technology ... but really, anyone can use anything they want. But just, please, stop insulting developers here.

And Happy Mother`s Day, JerkyJanie!

Yes BlondieBlue prefers AppleCart.

NO, BlondieBlue does not think that everyone should change to AppleCart !!

In fact, I never said such a thing. (There is no need to get your "panties in a wad" over this. I was simply commenting on the features and aspects of the AppleCart Shopping Cart and Data Management System. I am a avid beleiver that folks here at SuN should have information on multiple solutions. And that the discussion should not preclude one solution from being discussed, simply because a portion of the SuN family dismisses that solution.

I agree that for a small online store like yours, osCommerce or ZenCart is a rather good solution. But when you start to look at the mega and super stores, carrying hundreds of items - then AppleCart is a very formidable competetor to osCommerce or ZenCart.

And here`s why ... please help me a little bit here - if I wanted to do a price change for an entire line of products - I`ll use GoTruckStop.com as an example - say I wanted to do offer an across the board discount for the entire line of Shifter Knobs - can ZenCart do a "Search and Replace" with 1 click - and change All 25 Shifter Knobs prices- and then with 1 more click - upload those price changes into the store?

And then when I want to go back to the original price - 1 click reverts the prices back to the original price for ALL 25 Shifter Knobs - and with 1 more click re-uploads the original prices into the store?

..... Or do you need to do price changes 1 item at a time?

I`m not trying to be confrontational here - just simply attempting to understand the differences between AppleCart and ALL the other solutions.

I`ll compare more features later - but lets just address price changes for now, ok?

Wrong again blondieblue, there are several contribution`s for oscommerce that allow you to do this.

You can keep trying to push AppleCart on everyone. The truth is the power of proprietary system can`t even come close to that of open source solutions. The only good thing about AppleCart and similar programs is it allows complete idiots to build and run a website.  Which is a great thing for the idiots, but not such a great thing for developers and even some buyers (visitors to the site).

It`s funny how you mentioned  we should "think outside the box" when it`s you who is clearly closed minded.

As far as trying to ram something down people`s throats .... gee, I didnt think that an non-emotional discussion could get so emotional on your part - especially when you violate the terms here at SuN by calling folks complete idiots simply because they have a difference of opinion or are asking questions. I find it amazing that the "gurus" here are so closed minded and have not even contacted Spads.com to understand more about AppleCart - I guess the gurus are just soooooo smart - that they already know it ALL !!

I have gone the the site and found it not too helpful to learn about the program, what it can or can not do. There is a list of lastest features .

As for SUN`s terms of use... I think this thread is way off track from the original post. Maybe a new thread to compare ecommerce solutions would have been a better forum.

Also, the tone of your posts and "labeling" people gurus etc. aparently because they hold a different opinion than yours is offensive.

The biggest problem I have with this prolonged dialogue is you keep saying the same thing over and over again... and keep spewing the same misrepresentations over and over again. Thus, it is not helping SUN members.

In an effort to end the spread of misinformation, this is my last post on this matter.

Respectfully submitted, Roland

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First of all, the term "guru" is an acknowledgement of a level of expertise far above others here. It was never intended to degrade or demean anyone. It was simply an attempt to identify those that have skills far superior than us "peasants".

No need to run away - I simply was asking for some real life examples where price changes can be made within the ZenCart or osCommerce style store to multiple items - without have to go each and every item.. In other words, a "Global Search and Replace" for a difined group of products. (Now thats a real life application within retailing !!)

There is also another thread going in the Sales area heree in the forums talking about customer discounts based upon a customer profile - and the use of accumulating sales history to impliment those multiple level discounts. (Again, thats a real life application that in fact CraigL was asking about.) And Roland you even admitted that your ZenCart application did not offer such a feature.

So why be so closed minded - when in your bag of tools not only would you be able to offer your ecommerce clients your ZenCart solution - but also be able to offer another solution with the AppleCart Shopping Cart and Data Base Management System.

Look, TJ, or TacoCharlie, or whatever your name is - we`re not going to play this game of "gurus" and "peasants" anymore. I`m with Roland and TwilightPics on this one.

Well thats pretty obvious, because it has been the "3 Amigos" here that have shown just how closed minded some of the "gurus" are - when it comes to other shopping cart solutions.

So now, rather than providing actual web sites that are using the things theat the "3 Amigos" have posted about ... the 3 Amigos "pick up their marbles and go home".

I can understand passion in your positions ... but somehow this entire scenerio reminds of Ann Coulter`s book ... "How to Argue with a Liberal and Win". In her book she outlines that when a Liberal`s arguements fall flat on their face ... since their arguements and positions are based solely on emotion - then Liberals will attempt to go "personal" (like TwighlightPics did with his "idiots" comment) or Liberals will run away (like you and Roland have done)

I`m not saying that the 3 Amigos are Liberals ... I`m just saying that it reminds of Ann Coulter`s analysis of  Liberals.

Again, all I`m asking for is a few web sites where they are using an either osCommerce or ZenCart - that offers a "Global Search & Replace" for multiple price changes - since that function is a common retailer practice (both for bricks & mortar as well as on-line stores.)