X-Cart forums

[JWait]

Originally Posted by balinor

The CSS-based skin should actually make it EASIER to edit.

Have you actually tried to yet?

[balinor]

Of course. CSS is ALWAYS easier than tables.

[Jon]

I'm both looking forward to and a bit afraid of my first skinning of 4.2. A 73KB css file - wow - can you say css compression necessary?

[ahk]

So, I'm still not understanding one thing - what is a new X-Cart user supposed to do right now? A neighboring company just spec'd out 4.1.11 and the 3rd party apps they want to apply, and were about to make the jump - and then suddenly here is 4.2, with no skins, no compatible add-ons, and the probability of bugs. Is 4.1.11 still available?? If so and they continue on that path, then can they justify CDSEO, Marketing Manager Pro, One Page Checkout, Template etc., at ~$1k knowing that these things are likely not compatible with 4.2... ala, 'dead-end purchase'. Not to mention the customization time.

It seems to me, all 3rd party apps should be listed with some idea of their future concerning 4.2 - will they be upgraded to enhance 4.2? Will buyers be able to then upgrade their add-on when finally making the move to 4.2?

What do I tell me good neighbor??

[wicked]

Originally Posted by ahk

So, I'm still not understanding one thing - what is a new X-Cart user supposed to do right now? A neighboring company just spec'd out 4.1.11 and the 3rd party apps they want to apply, and were about to make the jump - and then suddenly here is 4.2, with no skins, no compatible add-ons, and the probability of bugs. Is 4.1.11 still available?? If so and they continue on that path, then can they justify CDSEO, Marketing Manager Pro, One Page Checkout, Template etc., at ~$1k knowing that these things are likely not compatible with 4.2... ala, 'dead-end purchase'. Not to mention the customization time.

Chill dude. The whole reason to use the new 4.2 is that it is less reliant on third party apps, which quite frankly have turned into a nightmare of late with little developers just vanishing leaving all user hanging etc....

4.2 has the SEO thing built in now, so no need to use the third party apps, and take it form someone who has tried many add ons to Xcart, I can not wait to rebuild my sites n the new 4.2 and stop using third party apps, it makes future upgrades much easier etc...

Originally Posted by ahk

It seems to me, all 3rd party apps should be listed with some idea of their future concerning 4.2 - will they be upgraded to enhance 4.2? Will buyers be able to then upgrade their add-on when finally making the move to 4.2?

Give them time they probably will.......

[ahk]

Chill dude. The whole reason to use the new 4.2 is that it is less reliant on third party apps, which quite frankly have turned into a nightmare of late with little developers just vanishing leaving all user hanging etc....

I hear ya - but for the person about to make an investment in X-Cart *right now*, it is all pretty confusing. I can't say that I totally agree about 3rd party apps, I use many as well: CDSEO, MMPro, MaxMind, Remember anonymous, one page checkout, ezupsell and others. No doubt, there have been some bad apples, as there are in any niche - but I am quite happy with the companies that produced these addons/mods, who for the most part are run by solid, helpful and supportive people.

4.2 has the SEO thing built in now, so no need to use the third party apps,

So version 4.2 does everything CDSEO does? And it does what ezUpsell does? And it has a one-page checkout? And integrates with MaxMind? And performs the functions of Marketing Manager Pro? And Buy Together?? And the custom functions of BCSEngineering? (I'm not trying to be cute - I'm really asking...??) These have all been, individually, important tools to me, and have each had positive effects on sales. Without them, I'm not sure that I would be interested in X-Cart. And now, those questions above are what my neighbor needs to figure out in a hurry. He has made a number of commitments to be ready to launch this part of his business, chose X-Cart in large part due to the functionality of the software WITH his selected add-ons, and really doesn't have time to just wait around and chill.

Give them time they probably will.......

For those who can, Kudos. But for those who have a financial stake in getting products online in a certain timeframe, this isn't really an option.

[bigredseo]

Personally, I"d still go forward with a 4.1.11 launch and 3rd party apps. While there are integrations now done in the 4.2.0 version, we all saw how long it took 4.1.x to be stable enough to actually use. Even at 4.1.7 there were still issues. Personally a .0 ANYTHING is not something I'm going to install for a live site.

As for dead ends on 3rd part apps, if you get functionality out of the apps, even if it's short term, the investment is worth it. I'd go 4.1.11 and the apps and move forward with the development. It'll take a while before I'd trust 4.2.x to use in a live environment personally.

[balinor]

It isn't confusing, you stick with the known factor - 4.1.11 until 4.2 has the bugs worked out and the add-ons available (you'll still need them). We'll be installing and developing on 4.1 for the next 3 months at least.

[ahk]

Personally, I"d still go forward with a 4.1.11 launch and 3rd party apps.

you stick with the known factor - 4.1.11 until 4.2 has the bugs worked out and the add-ons available (you'll still need them). We'll be installing and developing on 4.1 for the next 3 months at least.

Thanks - am feeling that way as well.


There are really only wrinkles for the new guy because 4.2 does have some features built in that would be a great help - authorize/capture being one of them, SEO another (meaning an SEO conversion will likely be coming in the near future) and of course CSS. But when you factor in the bugs potential and add-on/theme waits, the real decision seems to be: Do it now with 4.1.11, or wait 3 months and see what's shakin'.

Plus, for the 3rd party apps I'm talking about, I'm relatively hopeful that they will find a way to adjust for 4.2 (even CDSEO?), and help out those who purchased their products before and during this transition.

I'm looking forward to hearing from some of these 3rd party app developers!

(though I believe that's a different forum...)

[carpeperdiem]

I can add the following:

1. Bill Brewer (Altered Cart) has forgotten more about coupons and special offers than ANYONE at x-cart will probably ever know. Until Bill says OnSale is perfect with 4.2, no dice. Same for one page checkout. Same for search.

2. Jon Peters (WebsiteCM) has forgotten more about dynamic rewrites and SEO than most people know. DO we really think stock code can compete with a project that Jon has been focused on for YEARS?

NOT TO MENTION -- all the other mods from BCSE and WCM that are SPECIALISTS in the code they are modding... I know that BCSE will do a perfect job of meta page titles, keywords and descriptions, per page. Are we really getting this functionality of of the box?

We must weigh pros and cons. And the cons of 4.2.0 TODAY vs. a 4.1.11 install -- no argument. Let's see where 4.2.5 is in a few months (or even wait for 4.3) - That's my $.02