We're currently using the latest version of Sunshop (4.1) and we're wondering if you or one of your readers has ever built a bilingual site with this cart?

So far, we have translated the language pack but we can only use one or the other by manual selection in the admin panel. We wanted to use a splash screen to let the client select his language and then have Sunshop call the appropriate language pack.

Also, how do we get Sunshop to accurately update the database independently of the language being used so the products quantities are properly maintained globally?

BTW, our PHP knowledge is very basic; we only started looking at PHP after the purchase of Sunshop.

Thanks!

Norm

I keep promising to write a review of Sunshop 4, but am having to work around my schedule (I'm a web designer). Sunshop 4, in my opinion, has quite a number of enhancements from the earlier versions. If you can believe it, the guys at TurnkeyWebTools actually asked their customers what we wanted, and implemented just about everything from a ridiculously long list. I'm building two stores with Sunshop 4 right now, and it's also much easier to work with than earlier versions, and (as you can see in the demo), it's pretty snazzy.

Any complex software can be a bit confusing at first, but if you look at it and play with it, you'll get the hang of it. You can also ask questions in the TWT forums.

I'm teetering on the verge of buying Sunshop as I really do like the look of it and all the features.

BUT I'm quite a lot concerned about the discussion about the available templates. I have limited
editing skills but quite liked the 'modern blue' / 'red' layouts anyway. Are you saying that these are in the demo but not in the software when you buy it?

I'm dizzy with looking at options for my new store and thought I'd finally decided on Sunshop until I read this.

Any updated comments on the template system for the new version would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

http://www.turnkeywebtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6582

I would also say, for those of you who are undertaking to modify Sunshop, if you're going to modify the core files (anything beyond the templates), it pays to:

1. keep track of what you're doing, and
2. know that modifications to core files are going to cause problems when upgrade time comes around … because upgrading will wipe them out. See #1 above.

I normally keep a Word doc noting what modifications I've made (and where), links to any pertinent information, etc. Believe me, it saves a lot of grief up the line and I don't have to rely on memory months or years later.

Lastly, I have to say this: if you're going to do much more than swap out a logo — if you're going to restyle the templates for *any* software, let alone modify core files of the program — you'll really need to know some things. None of us were born knowing this stuff; we got where we are by studying, testing, and keeping at it until we got it.

I understand that it can be frustrating and supremely confusing, but there isn't any way around learning how to do it. That is, there isn't any quick one-shot route to programmer or web designer knowledge. I'm talking years, not weeks.

That said, I'll be posting some tips about how to do certain things (like swapping out the Sunshop logo for your own). Just give me a bit.

In such a case, it's usually best to delete the files on the server before uploading the new files. I first ran into this with WordPress upgrades (if you don't know, WordPress is blog software); the WordPress guys strongly recommend deleting the files on the server before uploading the new ones. I would never have believed that some files on the server may not get overwritten during the upload — but I've since lived to witness it.

I don't know if this is of any help, but it could be.

What kinds of modifications do you need? If you could contact me, I'll see if I can lend a hand.

I wonder – does anyone have leads about where to find someone to modify Sun Shop? Someone who's familiar with it already.

Thanks