Building Online Stores with osCommerce: Professional Edition: Learn how to design, build, and profit from a sophisticated online business. [Paperback]

David Mercer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1904811140 | ISBN-13: 978-1904811145 | Publication Date: December 5, 2005 | Edition: Professional Edition

The book can be read from front to back, but each chapter is self contained so the reader can skip chapters to read those that they are interested in. Each chapter will move from basic to advanced where applicable and also relate what the administrator (reader) is doing to how this affects what the client sees on the site. So, for example, the customization chapter will start off with a discussion on the concept of design and how to relate this to your business. Once the reader has a clear idea of what they need to do, we look at some really simple changes such as modifying the site's language, before moving to some advanced modifications which may involve some PHP programming. At the same time the discussion will demonstrate how the changes made affect the site.Throughout the book, much consideration is given to the "right" way to doing things. Readers will have the great advantage that they begin, from the very start, doing things properly. This will save them a lot of time and effort in the years to come as they build on and modify their site. Utilizing best practices and sound methodologies is a great asset for beginners and experienced users alike. At all times, the coverage given in this book pays homage to the fact that, ultimately, the reader has a business goal in mind. To this end, the material never gets bogged down in technical issues or long discourses, but rather focuses on what is practically important for the online business and then moves on. To complement this, there are plenty of suggestions and hints as to how and where to look for further information. This book is written for anyone who: Already uses OSCommerce. Would like to use OSCommerce. Would like to make a website for their business. Is charged with administering, running and maintaining an OSCommerce site. Is interested in learning how an eCommerce application is created and maintained.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Mercer was born in August 1976 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Having always had a strong interest in science, David came into regular contact with computers at university where he graduated cum laude with majors in applied math and math (although he minored in computer science). As a programmer and professional writer who has been writing both code and books for about nine years, he has worked on a number of well known titles, in various capacities, on a wide variety of topics. His books have sold tens of thousands of copies and have been translated into over 6 different languages to date. David finds that the challenges arising from the dichotomous relationship between the science (and art) of software programming and the art (and science) of writing is what keeps his interest in producing books piqued. He will no doubt continue to write professionally in the future. David balances his time between programming, reviewing, writing, and contributing to interesting web-based projects such as RankTracer and LinkDoozer. When he isn't working (which isn't that often) he enjoys playing guitar (generally on stage and unrehearsed) and getting involved in outdoor activities ranging from touch rugby and golf to water skiing and snowboarding. Visit RankTracer or find him on LinkDoozer where he is generally lurking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Packt Publishing; Professional Edition edition (December 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904811140
• ISBN-13: 978-1904811145
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New to osCommerce? Check out this one!!!, February 1, 2006

By 

Monika Mathé "aka Monika in Germany" (Frankfurt, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Online Stores with osCommerce: Professional Edition: Learn how to design, build, and profit from a sophisticated online business. (Paperback)

I've seen this book a bit earlier than most as I had the pleasure to do the technical reviewing of it. Normally not too fond of tool books, I really enjoyed reading this one - well to be honest it was quite an addiction for me to read it. I was actually on vacation at my parents home and they thought it was pretty weird for me to lock myself in my dad's computer room to read it for hours.

So why did I enjoy it this much? This book really covers it all ... from setting up a dev environment on your local puter to finetuning your store at the end. In between there is lots of tips on business decisions, never in a dry voice though but full of examples and easily understandable explanations why some things just work and others do not. The writer has a chatty tone which is refreshing to read and never boring.

All admin parameters are explained, contribution installation is demystified and tips for turning your store into a fun and secure shopping experience pop out from all pages. A perfect guide for those newbies who enjoy reading the knowledgebase or forumns but still like to have a book on hand for easy reference. Even a total beginner could build a fab store with the step by step explanations found here.

Especially the security part is a topic often neglected in new shop creation and will distinguish your shop from those which just don't make it. Ditto for looks and functionality to create a pleasant shopping environment for the visitor and an easily managable backend for the shop owner.

As I'm totally in LOVE with osC (geez now that's a secret I tell you here so NOT!!!) I felt like a little sponge while reading the book. Yes there were passages that were new to me too and that I eagerly implemented in my stores. So good for business and so fun at the same time. Enjoy!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction to osCommerce, December 21, 2005

By 

John Morehead (Sebastopol, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Online Stores with osCommerce: Professional Edition: Learn how to design, build, and profit from a sophisticated online business. (Paperback)

I am a PHP programmer but have no experience with osCommerce. I needed a "big picture" view of how osCommerce works and how it is customized. I also needed some detail as to how modules inter-relate. This book satisfied both of those requirements.

It is written in a casual, easy-to-read way, and is suitable for folks new to e-commerce technology as well as people like me who need some orientation before setting out to customize things.

This is my second Packt book, and I am very happy with the overall quality.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you need to set up an e-commerce store, March 28, 2006

By 

T. Fetcho (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Online Stores with osCommerce: Professional Edition: Learn how to design, build, and profit from a sophisticated online business. (Paperback)

This book helped me to install and configure all the tools needed to get a development osCommerce site running at home. I did run into some configuration problems however, the online community helped tremendously. This book really does a fine job of explaining what the out of the box tools can do and how the contribution modules can further improve your online store. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in building an online store since osCommerce and all the tools required are opensource (free) and in many ways better than the costly competition.