templating: osCommerce vs. osMax 2.x vs. ZenCart

[gravyface]

I realise that they're all based off of the same code base but which one is better for templating? Are they all similar? I recall briefly playing with osCommerce last year and was quite turned off by the templating system -- or lack there of -- that was available at the time. It seemed to require too much PHP knowledge, which would require alot of designer hand-holding and something that I'd like to avoid.

Thanks

[gravyface]

well I answered my own question but it took a while to figure it all out, so this may be of use to someone out there: BTS -- Basic Templating Structure -- is a templating mod for osCommerce that seems to be bundled (along with several templates) into the osMax 2.x package.
It attempts to separate presentation from code/content by using a "standard" template editing process, much like Mambo/Joomla/Drupal, instead of the unfriendly base osCommerce for look and feel changes.

[Celadore]

I find templating for Joomla much easier than anything else. (since that is what I have experience with)

So I install OSCommerce as a compenent for Joomla (see JoomCommerce in extensions.joomla.org).

This way, the main templating is done for Joomla.

The downside is that OScommerce parts (eg the shopping cart, the product layout) has to be done separately. However it does cut down on a lot of the work for me.

The plus side is that you now have all the benefit of Joomla as part of OSCommerce (helpdesk, forum, CMS, community builder).