Dynamic Website Help

fyrehawg · 03-10-2007, 12:45 AM

Ok....I want to build a website to store specific information to help a "niche" group of people find the information they are looking for. I want to design this site to pretty much run itself. I would like it to be a member's site....where people could list their own information to be found....or people could come and search for the information they are looking for by using drop down boxes or possible image maps for navigation to query a database and produce results.

So...I know i need to have a database....forms to insert information into the database.....apparently it will need to be a mysql/php setup. I really don't want to spend my time inputting info into this database so it would be really nice for people to be able to add and remove their own info into the database as needed....and others be able to browse this info.

Ive built many "static" html websites....am good graphically.....Im just ready to take it to the next step.

Does anyone know of an "easy" way to do this....i.e. any software, builders, etc.. that will do something along these lines. I know alot of these web buildrs are starting to get pretty advanced and can save lots of time from doing something like this from scratch. If not maybe someone could point out a good tutorial or atleast point me in the right direction to learn.

Thanks alot...
S.D.

fyrehawg · 03-10-2007, 12:51 AM

Could Joomla possible be my answer? I havent really spent alot of time reading about it yet.

stewart · 03-10-2007, 03:38 AM

What you described sounds like just about any open-source freeware CMS out there will be able to help you.

Bagi Zoltán · 03-10-2007, 03:49 AM

As understood your demands I suggest to use this, digg clone cms. I hope it wil fulfill your needs.

Taltos · 03-13-2007, 11:42 AM

You might also consider wikipedia or one of its many clones. Depending on how intense the info searching and building will be this may be a better alternative. I think the wikipedia script is more difficult to "dress up" but it may be more functional for your purpose. If it is not so "info gatherer" intensive then many of the CMS's would work for you. Joomla is a popular one. Drupal is another popular one. There are some threads on all of this in this forum. Use "Search" at the top and you will find lots of opinions on CMS's.

fyrehawg · 03-13-2007, 11:50 AM

Joomla seems like its working good and gonna do exactly what i need it to. Ive got it all up...but am trying to figure out the form program ive installed along with it. I'll keep ya'll updated. Probably it will take me a good couple of days off to put my full attention to it....wish me luck.

Thanks for the advice

anandsoft · 03-23-2007, 07:50 PM

Frankly, many library scripts don't give that uniqueness to the website. Since the static pages have already been built, it would be difficult to "convert" the website to a dynamic one by using readymade scripts. I recommend using a php/mysql programmar to develop the back-end, keeping the front-end intact to the largest extent possible. One can keep even the existing html pages AS-IS by using .htaccess for php to html conversion.
On the other hand, if it is okay to re-design, and change the look and feel of the existing website, a library script would be advantageous.