Converting to CSS

[roblasch]

I have a development store (the live one is still v4). It was setup by the host from the old store. So it contains the products, categories, etc. There is no order or customer data that I have to worry about. There are a number of pages that have had their templates altered. As far as I know, there are no add on modules in use. The provider for each one is miva, I assume that is proof that there are none I need to worry about. My question is this: What will happen if I change the framework to the "Default Miva CSS Framework", what will I lose? Will the site then be pure CSS? Will templates and pages that have been edited still be in use? Will the products and categories still be in the database? I want to make the switch, but I need to know that I can revert if there is trouble, without involving the host.

[PCINET - Andreas]

Re: Converting to CSS

Changing the framework is like changing your cloth. You stay you but after the change you may look like a new person :)

Your catalog (products & categories = you) are not touched when the framework is changed but all the HTML code (code = clothing) is changed.

BTW There is no pure CSS. CSS is only a way to define the layout of a page using an external file. You probably mean a table less site where all content is in DIV container and not tables in tables in tables.

[roblasch]

Re: Converting to CSS

You are correct, I am talking about the table-less layout. And actually, since the part I am having problems with is the basket, which should be a table anyway, it is a moot point. I am trying to avoid is the font tags, etc. So if I change the framework, I will still have my database intact, but will lose the customizations I have made to pages, correct? If I switch back would they still be there? When I am in the css framework, will I still have the same ability to edit the page templates? All of the templates that have been customized use a table-less layout, so it is fine if they are used by both frameworks. But I think that is not the case. Correct me if I am wrong, but my belief is that all customization to pages and templates is unique to each framework and when you switch from one to the other, all customization is erased.

[PCINET - Andreas]

Re: Converting to CSS

Before changing the framework you should save the existing framework so you don't loose any customization you applied. This way you can switch back without loosing anything.
You are correct all templates are overwritten by the new framework so any customization is gone.
BTW banishing tables is nonsense but minimizing it is good :) Google or browsers don't care about the usage of TABLE or DIV. It's just about using tables for every aspect of layout.

[Gamelord]

Re: Converting to CSS

As for all your products and data, you can save that information in the 'Export' feature in your admin. The info is exported in a spreadsheet which you can open with most any spreadsheet program (office, excel, open office, etc...). From there you can actually manipulate it in whatever way you want, or just hold onto for safe keeping.

Once you switch your store over, you can import that info back into the store
(if needed). Switching your framework won't delete or remove any of your products, but if you have any custom fields or special data, the new framework will not be able to use that until you re-install the info(code) for the custom fields etc...

(IMO), your best bet if you want to change over to a 100% CSS store is to save your data, then delete your store from the Admin, then reinstall the store using the CSS settings, then import your products/categories/etc... back in.

Advantage: to doing this is that your entire store will be setup using CSS including all the back end info, not just the page layout templates and such. Plus all features will be automatically enabled.

Disadvantage: You will need to build your layouts and design again from scratch. If you are changing the store to CSS, you will probably need to do all of this anyways so not really much of a disadvantage. You will also have to import all your data/images back into the store. If you do this from a saved spreadsheet file, it only takes a few minutes to do so again, not much of an issue.

If you are not in a hurry to get this done now, I would highly suggest signing up for the Developers Training Series Level 1 - which is starting in a few weeks. This is an online course that will walk you step by step you through what you are wanting to do. The online course is Free and will take about a week or so to complete.

Hope this helps.