? convert from MS to PHP

ana_seyer

Hi there,

We have a site that is running on MsSql with a StoreFront 6.0 shopping cart that I maintain with Frontpage 2003. We are having a series of problems with our site, mostly with the cart, and in looking for a solution I was told that some of the problems are Microsoft based—that Microsoft is not a stable platform and that converting to PHP would be better.

I have a rudimentary understanding of technical web stuff, and just learned HTML last year to have a better understanding of Frontpage.

We are looking for reliability in our site's performance so my questions are these: Is php a better choice for an eCommerce site; should we be on a Linux or UNIX server; how would you rate the learning curve (time wise) for learning php for maintenance purposes; can you recommend a shopping cart that can handle 100’s of customizable products with up to 7 attributes per product and if I hire a developer to rebuild our site (redesign and conversion) what software/hardware would I need to maintain it?

I would appreciate any input, thanks

ana_seyer

Dear Marian,

Thank you for your response. I just want to be clear on the stability issue. In your experience/research have you found Microsoft to be a less stable platform to build a site on versus php? The issuses that we are having with our site are time cunsuming and hinder sales so if using microsft is part of the problem I'd like to convert.

I wish you could see our cart, but it has been down for the last 8 hours 🙁 I don't know how to rate it as far as complexity goes but for each product you have the option to choose: dress color, sash color, overlay color, flower color, neckline, sleeve type, skirt length and size. Our main fabric choice has 72 colors to pick from.

I will checkout your links.
Thanks again,

onion2k

A well maintained Microsoft platform is every bit as reliable as a Linux/Unix one. ASP is just as robust as PHP. MSSQL is equally capable as MySQL.

Its entirely down to the programmers. Bad programmers make bad websites.

ana_seyer

Don't turn this thread into a job posting, please.
Signed: A Moderator

ana_seyer

Dear Marian and "Moderator",

Marian,

The Moderator moderated my reply to you--evidently it was innappropriate for this forum. You are right that I don't know what I'm doing. that is why I am here--to learn a little bit about the subject to see if it is something I can learn to do for myself, or at least be better informed while looking for a professional.

I appreciate your offer to help, my e-mail address is in my profile.

Dear Moderator,

I misunderstood Marian's post to be an offer of professional services. Please pardon my error.

Sincerely,