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Modular Merchant version 4 (MMv4) is currently scheduled to be released in 2010. It's an extensive redesign of the shopping cart software, in which every page, tool and interface in the system has been rethought. It's been a very interesting exercise in software development.
Developing version 4 of Modular Merchant isn't a long process, it's actually ten zillion carefully orchestrated little processes.
Over the past year we've been using Twitter (http://twitter.com/modularmerchant) to post regular updates on the status of MMv4's development. Since we're get closer to completing MMv4, and I love taking every opportunity possible to talk about myself, I'll posting development updates here as well. Let's see if it sparks any discussion that could lead to even more improvements!
Your questions or comments on these development notes is encouraged. Let us know what you think!
- - - - - - - - - -
To get us started, here's a chunk of the most recent updates that have been posted by Modular Merchant's development team:
April 29th, 2010
The uber-search tool in the admin area is nearly done. Search customers, orders, etc., all at once from ANY admin page.
April 30th, 2010
Users can now drag and drop each of the items on the Admin Home page to rearrange them.
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MMv4 Development Journal A programmer's tale of technical triumph
#1
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- Group: General Members
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- Joined: 18-April 06
Posted 06 May 2010 - 11:00 PM
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#2
- General Member
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- Group: General Members
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 18-April 06
Posted 07 May 2010 - 06:51 PM
May Updates
May 4th, 2010
Finishing up the new Product Performance report, which can compare up to 10 products side-by-side at once.
May 5th, 2010
Made an improvement to the new file download system used by MMv4. Files were timing out after 30 seconds.
The solution was to write a loop in the script that continually adds thirty more seconds to PHP's timer while the file downloads. This is a different solution that the one recommended by PHP, which was to assign zero seconds to PHP's timer, which would actually set the timer to "unlimited". Unfortunately, this approach didn't work. Instead, it just set the script to use the default 30 seconds.
I don't know what's more frustrating, the fact that the solution was counter-intuitive to PHP's own documentation, or that nobody that reads this will understand what I'm talking about.
May 6th, 2010
Part of v4's overhaul of the shipping services includes a redesign of the "Items to Ship" page. Easier search & updating.
The previous version's clunky interface has been revamped. The page also uses the new search tools, which have been standardized across every page of the administration area.
The items to ship are now listed by transaction, instead of by dropshipper. This makes it much easier to fulfill an entire order at once, even if each product in it is managed by a different dropshipper.
May 7th, 2010
Started work on the Vendor Statistics report, which provides info on your vendor's royalties in pretty graphs and detailed spreadsheets.
Also starting work on the new import/export tools which centralize im/exporting items from one location. Previously, these were scattered throughout the administration area. More items will be importable/exportable too, such as taxe rules and customer subscriptions.
May 10th, 2010
Continuing work on the new Vendor Stats report and Import/Export tools. They're doozies!
Also started work on the template for the new ModularMerchant.com website. Kudos to our web designer on the fresh new design ideas!
May 11th, 2010
The Vendor Stats report has nearly been beaten into submission.
Also, I imported a series of taxes using the new im/export engine! This new system will allow a lot more store content to be imported and exported.
May 12th, 2010
The import engine is revving! Categories, Taxes, Zone Fees and Subscriptions can now be imported. More to be added.
May 14th, 2010
Import madness! More things can be imported & exported: affiliates, ban list, products, product groups, vendors and... ORDERS!
Yes, that's right, orders. clients have been clamoring for the ability to import order records. Well, the new import/export engine will make that possible.
What could this mean? The next logical step would be to provide an API in which orders from other sources (Ebay, call centers, etc.) could be imported into the Modular Merchant store records on the fly. Hmmm, dare I contemplate such a feature?
May 19th, 2010
The new import/export tools are now in place, functional, and ready for testing. The only thing left is to make them pretty.
*whew!* We're looking forward to moving out of import-export-land and on to the next item on the to-do list!
May 24th, 2010
Placed live transactions for the Authorize.net, Google Checkout and PayPal Website Payment Standard payment gateways.
There's many more payment gateways to add support for, but it's nice to see the shopping cart is starting to act like a shopping cart by processing orders! Transact, baby, transact!
May 27th, 2010
Dabbled in Java code today to get the Label Editor application ready to communicate with MMv4.
We also started putting together the pieces of the new Wish List module. What's on my Wish List? Pizza and the Hot Sauce Committee.
May 28th, 2010
I ended may with a bit of a change of pace. While the others toiled on the Wish List module, I wrote an article listing what's new in MMv4. At last count, there's over 100 improvements in this new version.Some of these improvements are just cosmetic (such as changing all references of Manufacturer to Vendor) and some are quite substantial (such as the new Event Engine that powers promotions, discounts and coupons). The article will be published next week!
May 4th, 2010
Finishing up the new Product Performance report, which can compare up to 10 products side-by-side at once.
May 5th, 2010
Made an improvement to the new file download system used by MMv4. Files were timing out after 30 seconds.
The solution was to write a loop in the script that continually adds thirty more seconds to PHP's timer while the file downloads. This is a different solution that the one recommended by PHP, which was to assign zero seconds to PHP's timer, which would actually set the timer to "unlimited". Unfortunately, this approach didn't work. Instead, it just set the script to use the default 30 seconds.
I don't know what's more frustrating, the fact that the solution was counter-intuitive to PHP's own documentation, or that nobody that reads this will understand what I'm talking about.
May 6th, 2010
Part of v4's overhaul of the shipping services includes a redesign of the "Items to Ship" page. Easier search & updating.
The previous version's clunky interface has been revamped. The page also uses the new search tools, which have been standardized across every page of the administration area.
The items to ship are now listed by transaction, instead of by dropshipper. This makes it much easier to fulfill an entire order at once, even if each product in it is managed by a different dropshipper.
May 7th, 2010
Started work on the Vendor Statistics report, which provides info on your vendor's royalties in pretty graphs and detailed spreadsheets.
Also starting work on the new import/export tools which centralize im/exporting items from one location. Previously, these were scattered throughout the administration area. More items will be importable/exportable too, such as taxe rules and customer subscriptions.
May 10th, 2010
Continuing work on the new Vendor Stats report and Import/Export tools. They're doozies!
Also started work on the template for the new ModularMerchant.com website. Kudos to our web designer on the fresh new design ideas!
May 11th, 2010
The Vendor Stats report has nearly been beaten into submission.
Also, I imported a series of taxes using the new im/export engine! This new system will allow a lot more store content to be imported and exported.
May 12th, 2010
The import engine is revving! Categories, Taxes, Zone Fees and Subscriptions can now be imported. More to be added.
May 14th, 2010
Import madness! More things can be imported & exported: affiliates, ban list, products, product groups, vendors and... ORDERS!
Yes, that's right, orders. clients have been clamoring for the ability to import order records. Well, the new import/export engine will make that possible.
What could this mean? The next logical step would be to provide an API in which orders from other sources (Ebay, call centers, etc.) could be imported into the Modular Merchant store records on the fly. Hmmm, dare I contemplate such a feature?
May 19th, 2010
The new import/export tools are now in place, functional, and ready for testing. The only thing left is to make them pretty.
*whew!* We're looking forward to moving out of import-export-land and on to the next item on the to-do list!
May 24th, 2010
Placed live transactions for the Authorize.net, Google Checkout and PayPal Website Payment Standard payment gateways.
There's many more payment gateways to add support for, but it's nice to see the shopping cart is starting to act like a shopping cart by processing orders! Transact, baby, transact!
May 27th, 2010
Dabbled in Java code today to get the Label Editor application ready to communicate with MMv4.
We also started putting together the pieces of the new Wish List module. What's on my Wish List? Pizza and the Hot Sauce Committee.
May 28th, 2010
I ended may with a bit of a change of pace. While the others toiled on the Wish List module, I wrote an article listing what's new in MMv4. At last count, there's over 100 improvements in this new version.Some of these improvements are just cosmetic (such as changing all references of Manufacturer to Vendor) and some are quite substantial (such as the new Event Engine that powers promotions, discounts and coupons). The article will be published next week!
#3
- General Member
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- Group: General Members
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 18-April 06
Posted 10 May 2010 - 06:49 PM
June Updates
June 2nd, 2010
The Wish List module is ready for QA. Next, the Product Reviews module will be finished up so it can be "reviewed" by QA. Har-de-har-har! Quality Assurance humor!
Also started crunching my way through the new Place an Order tool. It's new, it's streamlined, it's AJAXy!
June 4th, 2010
Today we placed we completed the admin area's new Place an Order tool enough to start processing test transactions with it. Hooray for me and everyone I know!
June 16th, 2010
Whoo, it's been a few days since my last development update. Fortunately, it has been because I've been very busy, and not because I've been stuck under a bus, locomotive, or other unruly transportation device.
Anyway, I happy to report that the administration area's Place an Order tool, which is essentially a mini-shopping cart in itself, it nearly finished! MM: Two carts in one.
June 17th, 2010
Submitted the new Place an Order tool to our alpha testers. Moved on to the automated processing of subscriptions
June 18th, 2010
Finished several improvements to the "SEO-friendly" URLs that v4 of the shopping cart will be using. Even friendlier!
Now that orders can be placed in the storefront and Place an Order tool, it's time to build the new Order Editor page!
June 21th, 2010
My quest to construct the new Order Editor continues. Today's mobs vanquished: adding new products and recalculating the order subtotals. Loot dropped: Level 50 keyboard of PHP coding.
June 29th, 2010
There's just three scripts (out of an original 150) left to write for the system that will convert accounts from v3 to MMv4. These conversion scripts are incredibly tedious, brain-numbing work, but they're almost done!
Next, to finish them up and test start testing the account conversion process!
June 30th, 2010
146 of the 150 conversion scripts are done. Started testing today, and only accidentally obliterated the test server once!
June 2nd, 2010
The Wish List module is ready for QA. Next, the Product Reviews module will be finished up so it can be "reviewed" by QA. Har-de-har-har! Quality Assurance humor!
Also started crunching my way through the new Place an Order tool. It's new, it's streamlined, it's AJAXy!
June 4th, 2010
Today we placed we completed the admin area's new Place an Order tool enough to start processing test transactions with it. Hooray for me and everyone I know!
June 16th, 2010
Whoo, it's been a few days since my last development update. Fortunately, it has been because I've been very busy, and not because I've been stuck under a bus, locomotive, or other unruly transportation device.
Anyway, I happy to report that the administration area's Place an Order tool, which is essentially a mini-shopping cart in itself, it nearly finished! MM: Two carts in one.
June 17th, 2010
Submitted the new Place an Order tool to our alpha testers. Moved on to the automated processing of subscriptions
June 18th, 2010
Finished several improvements to the "SEO-friendly" URLs that v4 of the shopping cart will be using. Even friendlier!
Now that orders can be placed in the storefront and Place an Order tool, it's time to build the new Order Editor page!
June 21th, 2010
My quest to construct the new Order Editor continues. Today's mobs vanquished: adding new products and recalculating the order subtotals. Loot dropped: Level 50 keyboard of PHP coding.
June 29th, 2010
There's just three scripts (out of an original 150) left to write for the system that will convert accounts from v3 to MMv4. These conversion scripts are incredibly tedious, brain-numbing work, but they're almost done!
Next, to finish them up and test start testing the account conversion process!
June 30th, 2010
146 of the 150 conversion scripts are done. Started testing today, and only accidentally obliterated the test server once!
#4
- General Member
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- Group: General Members
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 18-April 06
Posted 06 July 2010 - 06:49 PM
July Updates
July 6th, 2010
Sent the scripts to convert v3 accounts to MMv4 off to our alpha testers. One more to-do item crossed off the list!
Completed 12 more of items on our alpha-testing to-do list. Just 73 more alpha bugs left to squash...
July 14th, 2010
The new Product Editor has passed alpha inspection. That's one more major component of the cart crossed off the to-do list!
July 15th, 2010
The shopping cart is now automatically processing scheduled orders / subscriptions. One more task done.
July 20th, 2010
Eleven more development items crossed off the MMv4 to-do list. 62 left to go...
July 26th, 2010
Fixing numerous small issues, such as a glitch that affected uploading files from several admin pages. Squash those bugs!
July 28th, 2010
We're down to 38 items left on the shopping cart's v4 alpha-testing to-do list. As the list gets shorter its name seems to be getting longer. By the time we're done, I suspect the lists name will be longer than the total combined literary works of Louisa May Alcott.
July 29th, 2010
The automated rebilling of subscriptions is now running. Several new options for subscription scheduling are available too.
Also received a visit from a nomadic Xerox toner salesman who gave me a free business card and then left the premises without incident. Yeah, you're darn right that I'm including this tale when I write my autobiography.
July 6th, 2010
Sent the scripts to convert v3 accounts to MMv4 off to our alpha testers. One more to-do item crossed off the list!
Completed 12 more of items on our alpha-testing to-do list. Just 73 more alpha bugs left to squash...
July 14th, 2010
The new Product Editor has passed alpha inspection. That's one more major component of the cart crossed off the to-do list!
July 15th, 2010
The shopping cart is now automatically processing scheduled orders / subscriptions. One more task done.
July 20th, 2010
Eleven more development items crossed off the MMv4 to-do list. 62 left to go...
July 26th, 2010
Fixing numerous small issues, such as a glitch that affected uploading files from several admin pages. Squash those bugs!
July 28th, 2010
We're down to 38 items left on the shopping cart's v4 alpha-testing to-do list. As the list gets shorter its name seems to be getting longer. By the time we're done, I suspect the lists name will be longer than the total combined literary works of Louisa May Alcott.
July 29th, 2010
The automated rebilling of subscriptions is now running. Several new options for subscription scheduling are available too.
Also received a visit from a nomadic Xerox toner salesman who gave me a free business card and then left the premises without incident. Yeah, you're darn right that I'm including this tale when I write my autobiography.
#5
- General Member
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- Group: General Members
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 18-April 06
Posted 10 August 2010 - 06:49 PM
August Updates
August 10th, 2010
Just 26 items left on v4's alpha-testing to-do list. I can see a glimmer of light at the end of this alpha-testing tunnel.
August 11th, 2010
Fixed numerous email formatting issues. Why does a certain popular email application do everything completely backwards?
August 16th, 2010
The Event Engine has entered testing! It combines & replaces the individual coupon, promotion, and bulk discount systems.
And happy birthday, Greg!
August 20th, 2010
There's a LOT of things to test for the new Event Engine, which controls all promos and discounts. Looking good so far!
August 24th, 2010
Testing, fixing and retesting the new shopping cart Event Engine. Seven bugs squashed today. The CEO requested that tomorrow we try to fix the bugs before the code is written. I'll admit, it would probably save time.
August 26th, 2010
Working on the APIs that Modular Merchant itself will use when its own store is upgraded to MMv4. 75 APIs total, 40 done.
August 10th, 2010
Just 26 items left on v4's alpha-testing to-do list. I can see a glimmer of light at the end of this alpha-testing tunnel.
August 11th, 2010
Fixed numerous email formatting issues. Why does a certain popular email application do everything completely backwards?
August 16th, 2010
The Event Engine has entered testing! It combines & replaces the individual coupon, promotion, and bulk discount systems.
And happy birthday, Greg!
August 20th, 2010
There's a LOT of things to test for the new Event Engine, which controls all promos and discounts. Looking good so far!
August 24th, 2010
Testing, fixing and retesting the new shopping cart Event Engine. Seven bugs squashed today. The CEO requested that tomorrow we try to fix the bugs before the code is written. I'll admit, it would probably save time.
August 26th, 2010
Working on the APIs that Modular Merchant itself will use when its own store is upgraded to MMv4. 75 APIs total, 40 done.
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