Which One For Shopping Cart?

A lot of what you can use depends on what server are you running?

Me personaly would keep away from microsoft stuff (asp etc) and go with something like php/mysql

Well, if I'm "running a server," I certainly don't know what it is (?). I have MSNtv (formerly WebTV) and was just wondering if it's possible to "program" a shopping cart just by writing code, such as Java, into a notepad (and will it work?).

you can "program" something in perl, php, cold fusion, asp, et cetera, in a regular text editor, but to RUN the program, you require a server that can interpret those languages. No server capabilities, no working shopping cart.

Is this "server" thing some sort of software that you buy, or is it sort of like a web-hosting program that you have to pay a monthly fee for to join (or is it something different)?

Also, are there other options to shopping carts? The only option I've come up with is the creation of code for an order form that can be sent directly to one of my e-mail addresses, but I would likely only be able to accept checks or money orders through that system (this code is very similar to code you would use for a "Submit a Question" button).

For your needs, I'd say use paypal.com instead of trying to roll your own.

A server is a web-host, yes. You don't "join" it, you rent it or pay for an internet connection to your own.

"Roll your own?" I didn't get that one.

Anyway, thanks for the advice about Paypal. However, if I ONLY use Paypal, and then find that there are many (potential) customers that don't use it, do I just lose these (potential) customers? NOTE: I guess I'd like something similar to the part of your site, Suzanne, where you can order the T-Shirts (at least, I think that was your site).

Quote: ...you rent it or pay for an internet connection to your own.

Since I have an internet connection with a monthly fee, does this mean I already have a server somewhere on here, too? Or, does connecting to a server involve a different connection than the one I have. Please explain exactly how this server thing works (as much as possible, maybe even with an example of how I would find a server to rent or get connected to).

Thanks.

web hosting is what you're looking for and the connection to the web for a server must be much larger than the connection for just surfing. you are ONE person surfing. A server must be able to handle thousands of hits at once, or more.

webtv is not typical, for what services you may have, you'll have to contact msn.

as for paypal, well yes, people need to sign up to pay you through that service, but you can set up a mailing address and accept cheques as well, or money orders.

I really have no idea if an msntv user can connect to a server, though I seem to recall you telling me that wasn't a problem since you had friends and family and a library with real computers who could serve your needs. A slower web connection (instead of the faster ssh or ftp) would be possible, but I'm not sure about file uploading, since, well, where would the files be coming from?

Otherwise, you connect to servers every time you surf.

I recommend you travel to google.com and look up "history internet" or "history web" and go searching for sites that cover these basics in detail.

oh, and "roll your own" is a reference to cigarettes -- rolling your own instead of buying premade. It's been adopted in programming for scripting your own scripts instead of purchasing or using premade scripts to do similar functions.

Glad you remember me, and I'm glad it was just cigarettes.

As you can see, I'm not one who cares to search "google" for seemingly endless references to what I'm looking for. I could search a "keyword," get back thousands of hits, go to 100 of them, and still have more questions than answers. In other words, this is much faster, and less like diving into a jungle of facts which I may or may not need to know. For example: I searched the word "Java" recently when thinking about shopping carts, and came up with an unbelievable amount of information which I just could not use at all.

I would think that many MSNtv users have made sites with the server stuff somehow (just don't know how yet). I suppose contacting MSN would be a good idea (wish I knew who to ask for, though).

Thanks again for your time and patience. Sure would be nice if you were a neighbor or a relative.

How does one update their profile on here anyway?

Steve, you really need to contact msn and explain that you want to use their services to build an online store and do they provide you with the secure server space you'll need and also do they offer any premade scripts you could utilise.

A tip on searching google - don't use single words! Type in two or more words that describe what you're looking for, eg. java shopping cart scripts, it will return more accurate results.

To update your profile go to the top of the page, click the link 'control panel' on the left by the search box, then go to 'edit profile'

Thanks Julia. I actually did use more than one keyword (i.e., "java shopping carts" or "shopping cart scripts"), but I was also looking for stuff concerning just Java.

Looks like I'll be contacting MSN soon, huh.