Support Material for version CS4

Just signed up. First time dealing with databases, etc., started to do the ecart_gsg.pdf tutorial and ran into snags at only page 10. The Data Source Name panel displayed in the tutorial and the directions accorded it are not the same as the one that displays in either Dreamweaver versions CS3 or CS4. By the look of the interface displayed in the tutorial, I am guessing that this tutorial hasn't been updated since Dreamweaver's version 8!

So Ok WebAssist, I believed your hype that roughly states that the great unwashed can produce these wild and wonderful sites. Now that I am into it, I discover the major piece of support that you offer is way out of date and causes confusion, not to mention more work to figure things out.

Asking the obvious now, are there updated versions of the tutorial available?

It is true that the Getting Started Guide for eCart was created quite a while ago, and we know it needs updating. It is actually slated to be updated in the near future. However, since WebAssist has decided to focus our efforts on PHP/MySQL only, you will not likely see much of an update in regards to ASP instructions.

If you are completely new to building websites, i encourage you to use PHP/MySQL instead of ASP. All future WebAssist products will not be working with ASP.

To get you started with PHP/MySQL, take a look at this guide here:
web_dev_begin.pdf

Thank you Neil.

While your reply was very helpful, it also served to scare the bejeebers out of me even more.

I spent two hours this morning fighting with that tutorial trying to figure it out, thinking the entire time that I WAS in a PHP/MySQL tutorial, and not ASP one which you state this tutorial is directed to.

Since reading your response, I went back into that tutorial and the Download page on WebAssist. No where does it state it is an ASP tutorial and no where does it direct you to a PHP related one.

I'm sorry, but I can't believe a company that is in the business of helping web designers learn and use their products can be so confusing with their support material.

This is not a good omen regarding what I can expect in the future as I sort through and try to learn about WebAssist's products.

Your scaring me here, Neil.

It isn't a tutorial just for ASP....that is probably what is not stated clearly enough in the very long instructions. Like i said, we intend to update these in the near future.

The Getting Started Guide for eCart covers all the server models eCart works with. For eCart 4, it works for ASP-JS, ASP-VB, ColdFusion, and PHP. You will notice at the bottom of pg 13, the instructions for PHP. If you are not already committed to using ASP, these are the instructions i suggest you refer to.

Also, if you are completely new to MySQL databases and PHP, i suggest you download and watch the Database Starter Kit for PHP we have for free on our website right now.
database-for-php/

Don't be scared, but you may need to be patient. eCart is one of our more complex product's because of the need to get your database setup before you can begin.