Hi everyone,

This is my first post in the EE forums, so I though I would share my journey here…

My name is Andy Wiltshire and I am a graphic/web designer by trade. I run a series of personal sites on a dedicated server, and have been looking for a CMS system for the past 6 months.

Initially I thought it would be relatively easy to find a system that allows enough flexibility and modules to expand site functionality, while still being easy to use and maintain… boy was I wrong…

Like most people, I started my journey in the jungles of OpenSource, a small country south of the equator, inhabited by fascinating flora, fauna, dangers and pitfalls. The routine was relatively straightforward, research on google, download software, upload to server, test, theme, modulise and test some more… the varieties of beasts I encountered were numerous, and the following is a small list…
SilverStripe, MODx, SimpleCMS, e107, Wordpress, Joomla, (god I cant even remember all the ones I have trialled… was actually about 30 of the most common) ... Now they each had their pros and cons, with the major downfall of most being usability. SilverStripe stood out from the rest in this category, but boy, it just doesnt work… too early in its development I assume, as I had nothing but problems with installation and modules, so I had to eventually give it away…

So after stumbling through the opensource jungle for a few months, and wading through various commercial CMS offerings, I finally came to a clearing. Stepping out into the bright sun, I was confronted by an ancient temple, adorned with unusual yet expressive carvings which seemed to represent some sort of solution or ‘grand answer’. Translating the various texts around the entrance, I was able to decipher a loose meaning, “expression engine”. Stepping inside, I discovered what I had been searching for.

1. Easy installation with NO errors
2. Easy control panel usability
3. Easy flexible templating system
4. Easy expandable modules and plugins such as Forums, Ecommerce and Photo Gallery
5. Multiple site management
6. SEO friendly
7. Well established support and service

The bonus is that the new version looks to be even better, so I can’t wait to upgrade!

In summary, EE is well worth the money and it beats all the other opensource and commercial CMS systems I have trialed, hands-down!

I look forward to version 2.0,

Kind regards,

Andy Wiltshire

“opensource jungle”? I love it!

I had a similar journey before finding EE, and I dare say a few other people here did something similar. For me it’s the same with any type of major script, quality always wins out in the end

AndyWiltshireNZ - 13 June 2008 06:55 PM

4. Easy expandable modules and plugins such as Forums, Ecommerce and Photo Gallery

You are absolutely right. But I’m not sure regarding:

4. ... Ecommerce ...

You cannot organize e-commerce with EE 1.x (I don’t know about 2.x).

My alternative CMS system can use PayPal, Moneybookers, NOCHEX, Worldpay, Authorize.Net, 2Checkout, CCBill to sell membership to several usergroups simultaneously and access to various paid downloadable products separately (all are out-of-the-box solutions).

In other relations, no doubt, EE is really the best CMS in the world.

sigork - 14 June 2008 02:57 AM

You cannot organize e-commerce with EE 1.x (I don’t know about 2.x)

Well, let’s be fair here.  EE does have the simple commerce module that works for some applications.  I use it myself, I know it has many limitations, but to say you “cannot” do eCommerce with EE 1.x simply isn’t true.

Andy - welcome to EE.

Michael Boyink - 14 June 2008 06:30 AM

to say you “cannot” do eCommerce with EE 1.x simply isn’t true.

Yes, if smb. advertizes and offers his products, receives orders by email and delivers bought goods (TV, phones, etc.), EE can organize such ecommerce. But that can be organized with HTML.

What I meant was in italic. So, I was fair here.

I don’t completely understand that post Sigork, but the Simple Commerce Module also does PayPal integration for payment and email autoresponses and member level changes once PayPal sends a notification to ExpressionEngine that payment has gone through.

In my case I’m selling digital goods and the Simple Commerce module is working quite nicely.

Michael Boyink - 14 June 2008 06:57 AM

the Simple Commerce Module also does PayPal integration for payment and email autoresponses and member level changes once PayPal sends a notification to ExpressionEngine that payment has gone through.

Where can I/anyone find instructions/EE-code how to sell downloadable products separately?

I’ve looked at EE Wiki:

These articles don’t describe how to sell several downloadable products separately.

Again I’m not sure I’m completely understanding the question.  All I’ve done is create a product-specific email that is sent upon notification of a successful transaction from PayPal.  The email contains the download/view links for the product purchased.  If multiple purchases are made multiple emails are sent.

Michael Boyink - 14 June 2008 07:52 AM

Again I’m not sure I’m completely understanding the question.

As I know:
- any member can belong to one group only now
- technically, buyers pay not for any product, but for their membership in one group

So, if an EE website sells 2 products, it should have 3 groups:
1. Product 1
2. Product 2
3. Product 1 + Product 2

If somebody has 3 products, he should create 6 groups:
1. #1
2. #2
3. #3
4. ##1+2
5. ##1+3
6. ##2+3

But if he develops another product (4th, 5th, etc.), there will be huge problems with reprogramming the system. That is not a solution.

My question was:

Where can anybody find instructions/EE-code with a proper solution to sell X products separately?

This will be my last post on the subject as we’re getting way off track.

You’re making the assumption that everyone has the same requirements you do and ruling out the entire Simple Commerce Module for everyone based on that not functionality not currently being there.

I don’t have a requirement for matching products to member groups and allowing membership in multiple member groups—and others may not have them either.

The Simple Commerce Module allows selling products separately, the constraint you’re bumping into is with the EE membership module and not allowing users to exist in multiple groups.

For anyone else coming across this thread via future searches I’d recommend reviewing both the documentation around the Simple Commerce Module and the wiki links that Sigork mentioned, and deciding for yourself if it meets your requirements.

Michael Boyink - 14 June 2008 08:31 AM

I don’t have a requirement for matching products to member groups

My requirements are similar to EE ‘My Downloads’ + EE ‘Store’.

Hehe, interesting posts guys thanks, I havent looked that deep into the simple commerce module yet, so its very interesting.

I just want to say thanks Michael for the awesome EE tutorials you do, fantastic stuff!

Welcome Andy!

I sure wish my first post here had been that fun to read.