Is Virtuemart Dead?? [No!]

[FrankA]

I am using Virtuemart as a catalogue only and the first two sites are using it for an open information project. I have been publishing my glass research as copy lkeft for 6 years now. Until recently everything has been jhtml but time runs by and more people want to share information so Joomla/Virtuemart offer a faster way forward.

Secondly, I am planning a subscription site which will also uses Joomla/VM in catalogue mode and will happily contribute some cash, not wealthy in fact unemployed and living of savings, but I need this product working. So please can the developers give an indication of how money can help. I am learning PHP but will be some tme before I can contribute that way.

For example I would like the additional images and browse screens combined, if I paid someone to do that would that help the project as a whole? Not all the users fully understand how open source software projects work.

[pcinvent]

I love virtuemart when it was still in Phpshop version.
The advantage of joomla CMS intergration make it shine in e-commerce system.

However, it looks like Virtuemart had not release any new version for a long time.
Just kind of worry if this project still alive? Is the admin still doing his acquaintance job?

I wanna donate this project but the Paypal is in Dutch. e-mailed the admin soren about the difficulties of donation through Paypal for other country half an years ago, but no reply yet.

Guys, don't you also have the same feeling worry about the life time of this project???
If this project is dead, I will need to seek other project instead ASAP.

[fidel]

Please be more specific as to the specific purpose of the development you have referenced and its projected completion. Also, please provide the projected cost, since I believe if this is really worth it, myself as well as the community can purchase it for the good of all.

While I agree with you to some extent, I do not see a huge amount of posts upon your profile. Likewise, I see little more than mere complaints posted by you within this thread and virtually nothing specific to offer up front to get the progress you seek underway.

Stand and take the lead. Otherwise, sit back and continue your complaints merely to have them fall upon def ears.

I too have had major problems, and in fact I have tried myself to get things corrected, but i am now working on a solution with some programmers which when ready will be available for purchase by forum members, The reason for a charge for the componant is that there is a charge made by programmers to get this resolved, which is why I cannot offer this free.

However having said that, Virtumart themselves ought to be solving the problems I have raised if they dont want Virtumart to end up as a part working fossil.  Lets face it would you want to own a new car that the gearbox only had 2 out of 4 gears working.....of course you would not.....but this is what we have at the moment, with everyone like you and me trying to solve what should be Virtumarts problem.  I am now just waiting to hear from the Virtumart team as to their reply to my questions.

Good luck with your work, I will post here when the componant is complete. with a description of what it will do for memebers.

[fidel]

I love virtuemart when it was still in Phpshop version.
The advantage of joomla CMS intergration make it shine in e-commerce system.

However, it looks like Virtuemart had not release any new version for a long time.
Just kind of worry if this project still alive? Is the admin still doing his acquaintance job?

I wanna donate this project but the Paypal is in Dutch. e-mailed the admin soren about the difficulties of donation through Paypal for other country half an years ago, but no reply yet.

Guys, don't you also have the same feeling worry about the life time of this project???
If this project is dead, I will need to seek other project instead ASAP.

The tremendous advantage this store has over others is the Joomla Framework, which enables highly extensive software applications to be integrated into the platform. This includes the Joomla CMS, which should be used as a source for keyword focused content, which can virtually eliminate the need for advertising through search engine derived traffic.

I must agree, the Paypal button upon Virtuemart as well as other projects like OpenSEF lead to foreign currencies. Donating a simple case of beer can be somewhat difficult.

[usasportstraining]

I wish I knew how to program.  As someone above mentioned about themselves, I (we) know just enough to be dangerous.

You can certainly pay for an Ecommerce solution with professional support.  I myself am trying to save money and I like being able to add enhancements or adjust things on my own.  I used osCommerce prior to my current version of my site and am much, much happier with Virtuemart.  It has it's problems, but all in all it's a great product. 

I applaud Sauren and the other developers for their work.  We just need a few more to assist them. 

[fidel]

I don't know of any other projects - even commercial - that are as accessible, supportive, extensible and as easy to use as the Joomla / Virtuemart package. And you're right, the Joomla / Virtuemart package is much cheaper and is far easier, modular, modifiable and easier to change the look than osCommerce.

[UglySign]

ECJC released 1.1.8 with a Joomla installer for those familar with osCommerce.
I dont know, i tried osCommerce when doubting VM, but i couldnt get away from VM.

I think they need to release J! 1.5 and VM 1.1 .... like now

[fidel]

ECJC released 1.1.8 with a Joomla installer for those familar with osCommerce.

That's milestone of progress for the ECJC project.

I dont know, i tried osCommerce when doubting VM, but i couldnt get away from VM.

Going from Virtuemart to osCommerce is extremely difficult to logically do - if not impossible. But if you've been using osCommerece for a while and happened to dabble with Virtuemart one day, it can still be tough for the hard of heart to break their bond with os when only considering a few minor features they might loose if they were to migrate to an easier system, such as VM, which can do only with hacks. It's good for us that the competition doesn't realize the benefit of such a powerful package as VM's big brother, Joomla.

[FrankA]

The language problem with Paypal is well known and Paypal provide the additional code needed for correcting the problem (I think it is a weak solution as 'I think' it hard codes to English). But the language issue only causes a problem until you sign in when it switches to the account language.

<input type="hidden" name="lc" value="US">

[TomC]

Going from Virtuemart to osCommerce is extremely difficult to logically do - if not impossible. But if you've been using osCommerece for a while and happened to dabble with Virtuemart one day, it can still be tough for the hard of heart to break their bond with os when only considering a few minor features they might loose if they were to migrate to an easier system, such as VM, which can do only with hacks. It's good for us that the competition doesn't realize the benefit of such a powerful package as VM's big brother, Joomla.

I am very glad to read this comment, Fidel.  As an impressed newbie to VirtueMart, I must say that I am very excited about the possibilities I see.  While I am hopeful that development of enhanced features and modules continues at a healthy pace, it woudl seem to me that if there is a function that does not currently exist for VirtueMart, it wouldn't be a very difficult thing to commission a PHP programmer to create it . . . am I wrong? 

Mind you, I am not an expert in PHP programming and/or integration of scripts with exisiting applications.  However, isn't the very essence of "open source" the ability to create improvements, enhancements and new functionality?  This being the case, there are resources out there where one can commission such work at pretty reasonable prices  . . .  http://www.scriptlance.com comes to mind as a very robust community of international programmers, designers and coders who are anxious to bid on/receive such projects.

Just my two cents worth .... for now.




TOM

[fidel]

While I am hopeful that development of enhanced features and modules continues at a healthy pace, it woudl seem to me that if there is a function that does not currently exist for VirtueMart, it wouldn't be a very difficult thing to commission a PHP programmer to create it . . . am I wrong?

Nope. You're absolutely right.   

Mind you, I am not an expert in PHP programming and/or integration of scripts with exisiting applications.  However, isn't the very essence of "open source" the ability to create improvements, enhancements and new functionality?

That's exactly what the open source community seems to be about to me. It is very forward thinking. Joomla appears to be at the forefront and Virtuemart is a powerful sidekick.

[usasportstraining]

I have to commend Soren and the other developers for all their hard work and continued support (the moderators included).  I think Virtuemart will only continue to grow as Joomla does. 

I can tell you firsthand that having a modular design is much, much better than many of the alternatives.  Paying for a proprietary system on a webhost can be an expensive lesson, if and when you decide to go to a better/different host.

[k31thd]

I am new to the forums and I want to chime in in support of the VM project team, from top to bottom. 

Our company (after being in business for more than 12 years) is in the process of building a new eCommerce site with an extensive online catalog (literally thousands of items with variants).  Virtuemart is the best product for our needs, bar-none.

No it isn't perfect.  The forums haven't answered all of our questions directly. BUT, with a little creativity, a little knowledge, this system is EASY to figure out.  Most of the issues I see on the forums seem to be from folks who modify stuff without understanding how they are affecting the rest of their installation or not understanding how the system is designed.

As far as issues regarding CSV imports, try using the recommended CSV Improved plugin for Joomla!  It works, if you use it correctly.

Open source rocks and so do the Joomla and VM teams.  As soon as our site is making money, we will certainly donate to both.