Page 19 - NyghtVision Magazine Volume 5 #2

include: Seeing an image in sepia or black and white, cropping.
RedCart Desktop was introduced in version 3. It replaced the Photoshop script
that was required to create gallery images. With Version 4, virtually every admin-
istrative function is available without logging in to the web site. Creating a gallery
is as easy now as just clicking on browse and selecting a folder. The Desktop does
the rest. There is an impressive array of options from which to choose (see figure
5). It's important to note that security has been tightened significantly and the
Desktop uses a special key (see the settings tab) to interact with the site without
your having to login each time. Categories have been enhanced - at least it seems
that way - and they provide an easy way not only to group galleries but also to
build packages.
Packages provide a way to group paper types, sizes and finishes into a reusable
product. For example, we defined two different products - both digital packages -
one for our commercial accounts and one for general events including weddings.
Creating a package is as easy as combining paper types and sizes into what we
used to call a "bundle." For example, you could create a package that includes an
8x10, four wallet sized images and a 4x6 printed on matte paper. It is worth noth-
ing that RedCart supports auto-calculation of retail prices based on cost of prints.
RedCart comes with standard prices built in and - of course - you can change them.
You can also add coupons, discounts and other advanced pricing features. Want to
change paper or finish types? Not a problem. That ability has been part of RedCart
since version 3.
I mentioned that RedCart takes security seriously. In version 4 there is total inte-
gration with PayPal and other payment gateways. All you need to do is sign-up
for one of the gateways and insert the proper information in the gateway setting
section. I couldn't be easier. You don't have to worry about securing credit card or
banking information. Let the payment gateway do that for you.
And speaking of easy, you can tell RedCart to notify you when galleries are ac-
cessed and orders are placed. By the way, built into the default configuration is
a minimum order rule that specifies a minimum purchase of $25.00. While this
wasn't an issue for our commercial clients, it is for "generic" events. There we low-
ered the rule to $5.00.
A few years ago, we elected to build an on-line system to allow clients to download
contact sheets and order images. It had none of the flexibility that RedCart has and
we were forever updating the site. There was no cart, no way for a client to place
an order on-line. Though we had included a spreadsheet that automatically filled
in basic information like the client's name, it was never used. In fact the spread-
sheet was designed so that all a client had to do was enter the file name of each
image and press "Send." We were disappointed.
So, when version 4 was installed on our server, we created a small event so we
could get feedback from our clients before we migrated anyone. They loved Red-

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