Page 2 Which store for DNN? - General Discussion

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8/24/2007 9:07 AM

John Mitchell

www.snapsis.com
Joined: 4/18/2003

Posts: 3987

Re: Which store for DNN?

I personally started with Portal Store and then Switched to Catalook. I think they are both strong packages, but the support for Catalook is head and shoulders above Portal Store, and the cost is lower with more features.

There are lots of threads that compare Catalook and Portal Store. Try the results from these searches:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_en___US207&q=%2bcatalook+%2b%22portal+store%22+site%3awww%2edotnetnuke%2ecom%2fcommunity%2fforums

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIH_en___US207&q=%2Bcatalook+%2B%22portal+store%22+site%3Aforums.asp.net&btnG=Search

8/24/2007 9:18 AM

Ari

Joined: 4/1/2007

Posts: 71

Re: Which store for DNN?

Thanks, John.

Those searches really helped (guess I need to learn the more advanced google search syntax).

[And, by the way, I'll be getting your pageblaster module soon. Looks like a great product. Am I going to run into issues with this and the store module we settle on? Or with DNN's SSL or the payment gateway?]

One thing I came across a lot in the posts referenced from the searches above is that Catalook has more features for less money, but both Catalook and Portal Store are very complicated. "Catalook is too complicated for mere mortals." is one quote...

Is it possible to just set up a simple store with catalook and reserve the more complex features for when one actually needs them? Seems like if there was a store module that worked, had lots of features, but could be simple to use for simple site requirements - then we'd have a winner.

8/24/2007 9:38 AM

John Mitchell

www.snapsis.com
Joined: 4/18/2003

Posts: 3987

Re: Which store for DNN?

I have Catalook working on my site with PageBlaster & SSL http://www.snapsis.com/DotNetNuke-Modules.aspx.

I haven't had any complaints about it not working with Portal Store, but all you may need is to configure an exclusion.

I think that anytime you have a mature application with lots of features there is going to be a learning curve, but I don't think that Catalook is hard at all. They have a nice long document that you can browse through to get a feel for what is going on, and there is a support site at http://www.dnnsoft.com/Service/Forum/tabid/75/forumid/2/scope/threads/currentpage/7/Default.aspx and and another http://www.catalooksupport.com/home.aspx, or I will be happy to answer Catalook questions at http://www.snapsis.com/DotNetNuke-Support-Forums.aspx

Yes, it is somewhat possible to configure a simple store by not using all the modules of Catalook, but I would recommend spending a little extra time to learn what it can do instead of trying to shortcut the setup.

Speaking of "coming soon" simple e-commerce, I think Active Modules will have a hit with this one: http://www.activemodules.com/Community/tabid/55/forumid/115/postid/41582/view/topic/Default.aspx

I still need to check out the AliCommerce one, but on the surface it looks like it may fit the bill too.

8/24/2007 9:44 AM

Ari

Joined: 4/1/2007

Posts: 71

Re: Which store for DNN?

I did look at the activemodules product as well. It looks so simple, though. Maybe that's its selling-point?

Anyway, glad to hear that Catalook works, and that you don't think its all that difficult (but, then again, you may not be a "mere mortal" when it comes to DNN...). Glad to hear that it works with pageblaster and DNN ssl.

8/24/2007 9:45 AM

Ari

Joined: 4/1/2007

Posts: 71

Re: Which store for DNN?

Does anyone else have any personal opinions or business cases about ecommerce modules for DNN that they'd like to share?

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