Stephan Miller

Archive for the ‘Software’ Category

I have to admit that cool tools like these will eventually make certain types of programmers worry about job security. But I see it as a tool. I have an idea about the movement of data that will make me money and then I have to figure out the way to get that done. You see, I deal with masses of data for the most part. They make me money.  Read more... (767 words, 4 images, estimated 3:04 mins reading time)

This is the third Magento book I have reviewed at this blog. The first book took a beginner through the basics of adding products to and running a Magento store and not much more. The second book was for Magento Developers interested in extending Magento’s functionality. So both of those books covered the “build it” part of running an online store with Magento. And this book covered the “and they will come” part of running your store.  Read more... (1151 words, 2 images, estimated 4:36 mins reading time)

Let me guess. You’re an in-house ecommerce developer. About a year or so ago you heard about this slick ecommerce software called Magento. You’re skeptical but you see a large community and free extensions. So you think you can make it work.

Yeah, you can start with that default Magento theme. It’s better than that crappy table driven one you are currently using with osCommerce anyway. So you start with the default theme. And all is well until you try to get that stupid dog picture off of the sidebar. Some of you might have just stopped there and I can’t say that wasn’t a wise choice. But for those of you who stuck with it, this is probably only the first WTF moments in a long line with Magento.  Read more... (830 words, 3 images, estimated 3:19 mins reading time)

First, let me tell you that I will soon be receiving the Magento 1.3 PHP Developer’s Guide to review. Magento has an architecture link no other software. Hopefully this  book sheds some light on developing with Magento and beats hunting a pecking through the forums. The last book I bought for a CMS was one for Drupal. With WordPress, I picked up everything I know online.  Read more... (275 words, 2 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

Reason Not to Blog #3: I just can’t find the right tool.

There is no killer application that will do everything for you. Quit searching. This is something I have to tell myself often but I forget.

I will start something new as a beginner and make great strides and I will always mess it up by looking for tools to help me do the work.

I will get just that close to a blogging schedule, then I will go looking for software to make it easy.  Read more... (466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)