Question about Javascript popUps - Closer views of products

[GamaRide]

Where do I go to set this up?

Do I need a module? If so, why?

Can I just put in the javascript myself? If so where?

Also I'm looking to show a few images of the product inside the popUp window. Like so: http://tinyurl.com/yx9m79


:confused::mad::(
Thanks

[dotCOM_host]

In MM v4 you'll need a Product Page Templates module from Viking Coders to accomplish all you described. The stock system simply doesn't have a way to let you edit the default product template. Once you get that module installed, you'll be able to edit your product page templates (you can create different templates for different product types, categories, etc) and you can incorporate the multiple product views, pop-ups, etc, any way you like.

[GamaRide]

In MM v4 you'll need a Product Page Templates module from Viking Coders to accomplish all you described. The stock system simply doesn't have a way to let you edit the default product template. Once you get that module installed, you'll be able to edit your product page templates (you can create different templates for different product types, categories, etc) and you can incorporate the multiple product views, pop-ups, etc, any way you like.
Thank you very much for your help.
But I'm still wondering why didn't everything just come with Miva? Why all these three party modules? It seems like a scam to me.

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Sounds like you did not research your choice of Shopping Cart software much.

MIVA Merchant has always been a modular software. It was designed with the intent to have plug in modules to enhance the base installation.

Why doesnt MIVA come with everything? Because not every one...in fact very few people, need everything. So why load up a server with a ton of things the majority of store owners are never going to use.

With this system, if the base installation does not include what you need, there is likely a third party module to fill the need.


Thank you very much for your help.
But I'm still wondering why didn't everything just come with Miva? Why all these three party modules? It seems like a scam to me.

[dotCOM_host]

Thank you very much for your help.
But I'm still wondering why didn't everything just come with Miva? Why all these three party modules? It seems like a scam to me.
I feel the same way every time I have to pull into a gas station... why didn't my brand new car come with a fuel tank that never needs refueling? It's a scam I tell you - a scam! New cars should never need gas, they should run indefinitely on the free tank of gas you get with the car purchase.

:-)

Sorry, couldn't resist... All software has some sort of limitations and different 'philosophies' used in creating them. MIVA Merchant is a very modular system. It may not come with all the bells and whistles, but there are many aftermarket, 3rd party modules you can add to your store to accomplish what you need. Just because YOU need a different product template doesn't mean that everyone else will, and not everyone is willing to pay for it if they don't need it. Compare it to something like Yahoo Stores, for example. You get a simple, single template, and you cannot deviate from it one bit (with Yahoo Stores). With MIVA Merchant you get 'similar' locked-in status out of the box, BUT, unlike Yahoo Stores, MIVA Merchant was built with the idea that you CAN make changes in it - hence the 3rd party modules you can add to make changes to your store that are beyond the stock software feature set. You can't do that with Yahoo Stores, can you? Do you begin to see the advantages here, and the reason why not 'everything' is built in?

Now, if you want a more full-featured system out of the box - forget MIVA Merchant v4, and go straight for v5. It has built in template system that allows you to change just about everything in your store, without any 3rd party modules. If you don't like the limitations in v4 - move up to v5. This version has been around for about 2 years now, so it's not exactly anything "new"... if your host doesn't offer it - look for a different host, perhaps one that specializes in MIVA Merchant hosting. (shameless plug - there's one mentioned right blow)

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Even MIVA Merchant 5 has its limitations.

The built in template system is very limited in that it only allows for one template per page, which means if you want Category A's layout to look different than Category B's, or product A different from product B, you still need modules.

Many 'added' features and functionality require third party modules.

One of the major advantages however, is as Remik mentioned, less need for modules as the out of the box product is much more flexible. Another advantage is the speed of the code and engine as well as the ability to use MySQL as your database (if your host doesnt support it - dont bother going to MM5...find a new host that does support MM5 with MySQL).

One drawback that seems to be a show stopper for many merchants with MM5 - no softgoods download module (although MIVA has been promising this is due to be included soon...), fewer payment gateways are supported, not all hosts offer the MySQL backend, and far fewer modules are available than with MM4 and OpenUI.

[Datagg]

Nice write up guys.....

It almost misted my right eye up.....

No really... Good writeups.....