New Manager Look in progress

Howdy,

Last night I started developing the new look inside store manager areas of the version 5 series. I have tinkered with several idears on the look and layout previous to last night. However, as I was working thru designs to actually implement, I was curious about some issues in displaying a new look. So to do a quick check, I loaded up a template from the front page of AgoraCart.com. The result was very good and better than I had expected. I started to wonder if I shouldn't keep this look for the store manager layout. After talking to a few folks and showing off the initial concept, I decided to keep the manager layout consitent with the official website appearance. In doing so, I've found that I can tie in help sections and misc features of the cart in a tighter fashion than I could with a design from scratch. Plus it saves much needed time to develop templates for the client/customer side of the store, whcih also needs a new look or two.

So, I am proceeding forward with this new manager look that ties into the look and feel of the official website. However as time marches forward, I will look at refining the look and the features it highlights. First off, I will remove items that might be offensive to designers and web hosting companies as I'm not looking to take their customers away. Besides, I love interacting with design and hosting companies of all shapes and sizes. In fact, I'd rather send business to a competitor that uses and builds around AgoraCart than let business slip into other arenas, so I consider it necessary and it is a long standing tradition with me to promote those that promote the cart.

On other notes:

I finally finished the electronic downloader. I had some final issues to clear up with this new add-on feature. It's not as clean as I'd like, with features such as dedicated download variables for thank you pages and emails (I attached to existing ones to save time in going thru all the payment gateways). I also want to expand it so you can log into the store and get a list of your downloads, but I'll save that for expansion programming as the version 5 platform progresses over the next 1-2 years of development.

I also finished the taxable/non-taxable indications for each product. Each product is considered taxable by default unless you indicate otherwise in a predetermined userfield. Later I want to be able to indicate differing rates for products as some states and countries need this expanded. But hopefully this is a step in the right direction to build upon later.

Well, that be the end of my notes fer today. I nee dto get back to work on what I think is the largest functional increase of AgoraCart in this single release versus all the changes over the last 3 1/2 years. It's going to be exciteing to see all the "wows" folks will have when they see how much it has improved in one release.

Till next time... fight hard, fight with honor, and may you be victorious in your ecommerce venture

Mister Ed

 

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