What package/platform have LG and Samsung used to build their websites as both
websites look very similar? I am interested in building my site using
this package/platform. (www.samsung.com.au www.lge.com.au)
Please provide the vendor's details also so I can purchase the package/platform.

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Request for Question Clarification by webadept-ga on 18 Jul 2004 23:33 PDT

Hi, 

Although they look very similar in display, I can tell that both use a
different package/template engine, to produce the page. Looking at the
underling code, in main template areas, it is really no question that
the styles of layout and the template usage itself, is different.
While it could be said that such changes and differences could be
possible with the same package/template engine, and a very good
argument at that, ... since as you say, the layouts are so very
similar, it would make no since to make so many changes to the
underling code if this was a basic template of the same package.

Also, one is clearly created by server side javascript (the jsp pages
you see) and the other is created with ASP, similar, again, but very
different.

With the company size, I would suggest that both have produced this in
house. Perhaps a similar template engine was used for both, but
certainly not what you are looking for, as all a template engine is,
is a foundation for the code to be built. Not a ecomm package per-se.
Though it could be, but it could also be a High School events page, or
a tutorial page on basket weaving. It's just a place to start.

If you are looking for a ecomm package which could be used to create
such a layout using a strong and stable back-end code, and  template
engine, I would be happy to recommend one, but I'm afraid that your
current question is not answerable to your satisfaction at this time.

webadept-ga

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Clarification of Question by jameslong-ga on 19 Jul 2004 00:33 PDT

Hi,
  Thank you for your response this far.

If you could suggest a similar package as you mentioned in your
previous correspondance it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Regards,
    James long

Hello James, 

I must say that I wasn't ready to hear from you this soon, but I'm
awake, and ready to answer this question per your request.

XCart is probably the best ecom package I've come across in many
years. I would love to say that mine is, but I know better, as I've
seen XCart's code, and with the sheer number of functions, and
settings available; stacked with the stability of their code, it
simply outweighs my own several fold.

What is different, and very useful for you, about XCart, is that they
have choosen to build their user interface with a template sysetm
called Smarty.
http://smarty.php.net. 

XCart is PHP, using a MySQL database, so it will run on 99% of the
webservers available, both Unix and MicroSoft types. The Smarty
Template can easily be adapted to look and act as any design your web
designers can come up with, without the worry or requirement of your
designers having to understand PHP, MySQL or anything beyond basic
HTML and CSS.

XCart can be found here:
http://www.x-cart.com/

It is very reasonably priced (another advantage), and comes with full
source code, so even the system itself can be added to and modified
if, for some reason, their multitude of features doesn't cover your
needs.

In fact, because it is so adaptable, many coders have made add-ons and
'skins' (the look changes Smarty gives you) for XCart. For example
(and not to be mistaken for a complete list, or one I have personaly
worked with, as I code my own)

http://www.cart-lab.com/lab/catalog/XCart_Templates-p-1-c-2.html

http://www.xcartpros.com/site/index.php

http://www.firetanksoftware.com/fts/customer/home.php?cat=11

You have probably looked at these links and thought "but webadept..
they don't look anything like the design I want" .. that's really the
only trouble with a template system that can look like anything, it is
really difficult to create enought templates to get that point across,
but here are some sites that all use the XCart/Smarty system, and all
that has changed (to my knowledge) is the template skins.

http://www.bigcitycigar.com/store/customer/home.php

http://www.wahmboutique.com/boutique/customer/home.php

http://www.raiseyourpulse.com/customer/home.php

http://store.voxilla.com/customer/

http://pokershop.ca/store/customer/

http://www.aquadirect.com/store/customer/

http://www.seaworthy.com/

http://www.mchmultimedia.com/home.php

And on and on and on and on.. :=)

It is easy find other examples because most sites using the system
don't bother going in and changing the basic directory structure. So
searching for

"Your Cart" inurl:store/customer

on Google will fine many more examples. 

And there are mods, add-ons. Many Many add-ons. So, if you feel you
need something in your cart, that it doesn't have, search for those
before tasking programmers to create them for you, ... you might save
quite a bit of money.

XCart allows the try-before-you-buy download from their site, so you
can get in there and see what it really does. The install is very
simple, takes on the average about 45 minutes to get the system up and
installed on your webserver.

The cart system, because of Smarty, allows for very easy adaption into
existing pages as well. The modules, such as cart display or menu or
Featured products, can be added, singluarly, to existing pages on your
site. It is quite the system, and for the money, an amazing buy.

I'm really starting to sound like a commercial here, and it's getting
to me, so I'm going to close this up.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the web soon. 

thanks, 

webadept-ga