Re: Shopping Carts

Thank you, Dan B., Tedd, Dan H., and Jason: I don't mind subcontracting and have already stated to my client that this could possibly happen. I definitely want a quality product. I will work hard within a reasonable timeframe and if I'm not satisfied with my work, I'll call someone. One concern of mine is that the person/company I subcontract may cost as much as the entire amount this client is paying. Any idea what making a shopping cart work safely and properly might cost? I appreciate all of you sending encouragement. I'm learning more and more each day; the momentum is in a positive direction. Just wish it was faster. Thanks again, Kista -- Independent Artist Kista Tucker Dance http://kistatucker.com kista@rochester.rr.com Anakeko Productions http://anakeko.com designs@anakeko.com On 2/25/08 12:17 PM, "Daniel Brown" <parasane@gmail.com> wrote: > On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 9:17 PM, Kista Tucker <kista@rochester.rr.com> wrote: >> Oh my gosh! > [snip!] > > Kista, > > The response you got from Tedd is probably the most accurate and > best advice you could get on this subject. > > DO NOT, by any means, attempt to write your own cart. It's > reinventing the wheel, and if you don't have the experience in > PHP/MySQL/security/eCommerce/data retention/inventory tracking/module > development/API controls/SDK development/et cetera, then you run much > more of a risk of losing the client than to suggest a well-developed, > resilient, well-supported, established shopping cart. For that, I > think Zen Cart is a fine option, regardless of the opinions of others. > > And, when all else fails, remember that there is a whole community > of developers out there (and here) who would be more than willing to > help you with your project(s) for a fair price. If your client wants > quality and reliability, just remember that he or she will get what > they pay for.... and while the software may be free and open source, > it still requires someone knowledgeable to get it all going in the > right direction. > > Stealing from the context of Tedd's message (specifically: "Try > not to be the guru here, but....") arises a very well-known quote: > > Jack-of-all-trades: Master of none. > > If you do design, stick with that. Otherwise, you're effectively > stating to your client that you don't respect them enough to provide > the best possible service and products, and that any bare minimum will > do. > > And with that, I hope you know that I'm by no means attempting to > insult your intelligence, but only offering advice from my own > experience. ;-P