htaccess Files Not Uploading - Problems Installing X-Cart

It is not uncommon for businesses to be contented with an information sharing strategy for attracting traffic to their websites. Thus, their aim is to get prospective customers to call, or email. From then on, it's up to the customer service staff to convert that traffic into sales. This works fine. However, not all customers prefer to call, and not all would prefer to email. Some prefer to have product information and price, without calling or emailing.
Even more important, a shopping cart would drastically reduce the amount of work needed to complete orders. A shopping cart would reduce phone calls, reduce emails, and more importantly, it would , gather customer information, process merchant information and complete the sale all at the same time.
With this in mind, it's easy to understand decisions to install a shopping cart system. In my personal experience, X-Cart was chosen as this was recommended by a business partner. The software was purchased, and the upload and installation was commenced. The way X-Cart is to be installed is to have all files uploaded to the web server, and then, once uploaded, alter separate files on the web server, to complete the installation, as per the instructions in the manual.
Problem. Filezilla was used as the ftp upload program. All files were uploaded, except for forty seven (47) files. On closer examination, all of the forty seven (47) files were named .htaccess. Note the . (dot) in front of the htaccss. No matter what was done, these files refused to be uploaded to the web server. Renaming the file to be without the . (dot) worked. They uploaded, but once uploaded, cannot be renamed to start with the . (dot).
Another upload method was tried. File manager was accessed from the online web host system. Again, the same problem. File uploads were all successful, without the .htaccess files.
What's the hype about .htaccess files? These are files that control access to directories of websites. When admin or customers signs into a website to update or purchase products, the .htaccess files enables the admin staff or purchaser to sign in. it's the .htaccess files that also allows credit cards to be processed. Ignoring the .htaccess files during an upload, will render a normal shopping cart in-operational.
After two days of frustration, a call was finally made to the web host. The answer was surprising in some ways, relieving in most ways. Some web host companies do not allow .htaccess files to be uploaded. Yahoo, for example, is one such company. Yahoo provides their own merchant services to be used, thus, third party shopping carts with .htaccess files will not be fully operational.
Also, windows servers may have problems with .htaccess files. Linux systems seems to be most compatible with .htaccess files. These details should be verified with your host. A simple phone call will save hours of time, and reduce frustrations.
The only alternative present now, is to switch hosting companies which was done almost immediately (after confirmation from a new host that .htaccess files can be uploaded). The hosting was switched immediately by altering the DNS settings. The domain itself will take approximately 3-5 days to be completely transferred. After the DNS settings were accepted, with relief, all the .htaccess files were finally uploaded using Filezilla.
Problem again- after switching hosting companies, none of the X-Cart images were uploading, and the few that did, were distorted. Twice, redoing the installation, could not improve the image problem. This was not entirely funny either, especially after forgetting the X-Cart admin password, X-Cart locked entry after three (3) tries, except with retrying with image verification. This was worked around by simply logging into the admin back end using another computer.
The image problem disappeared after five(5) days. This coincided with the total domain transfer to the new host. The total domain transfer seems to have eliminated the image problem.
Summary. If there are problems with the uploading of .htaccess files, then verify with your web host as to whether these files are accepted. If not, the only solution is to switch your hosting provider.
Marlon is a mechanical engineer, with extensive experience in the heavy duty diesel machinery field. He has assembled grain factories, troubleshoots generators, repair electric motors, overhauled engines, and supervised industrial electrical installations. He is the President and CEO of Ontario Parts Hotline providing aftermarket

http://www.ontariopartshotline.com/>Tractor Parts
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marlon_Khan