Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

this is my first time on this site and the forum.  Found some quite useful posts while searching the forums but none that answer my specific questions.  So ...

I`m about to start building a website which  will make me millions!!  ...yeah right!!  No the reality is I want to build a membership website, that is database driven.  The members will input data which will will then be available to other members, but will also allow space for future development of the site.  Obviously in an ideal world the end product won`t require me to be inputting the data myself.

I`m  hoping someone can point me in the right direction.  I have downloaded and installed Joomla and MAMP (still working out how to utilise both of these).  I use a MAC BOOK 10.5.  Experience wise I`m a novice, use to WYSIWYG programs and am a keen learner.

I`m not really sure where to start:

Do I need a separate website program as well as a database program? 

how do I get the webpage to interact with the database ?  

Do I develop the Database totally separate to the website and then try and integrate them?

A site I use and like the feel of is couchsurfing.com I`d like to be able in the long term to build a site which works as well as this.

I`m on a limited income so am trying to keep this project to Open source if possible. 

I guess that`s it, any advice, pointers to other posts (which I`ve missed) or links will be gratefully received. Thanks  D

I`m about to start building a website which  will make me millions!!  ...yeah right!!  No the reality is I want to build a membership website, that is database driven.  The members will input data which will will then be available to other members, but will also allow space for future development of the site.  Obviously in an ideal world the end product won`t require me to be inputting the data myself.

no great secret yet for the input data.  Ok, so I`m looking at: name, address etc, then the possibility to upload a photo or 2 (no more than that), comments, vote on a given set of criteria, Google map link, date.

I think that covers all the basics.

Cheers

Donald

 

 

 

Try Interspire.  They`re the world`s leader in website publishing software. I`ve recommended several of my clients to Interspire, and they couldn`t be happier. And their support is second to none! 

 

David Jackson 

I like the way you started this question off: 

 

 "I`m about to start building a website which  will make me millions!! " 

That`s the way to believe in what your doing and to be inspired to complete it.  However, there are so many more questions to ask you.  So to agree with Roland, you need to make contact with someone directly. 

 

"Now go forth and be fruitful..."

 

Hi Donald.

 

I imagine there are already some scripts already available that can accomplish what you want.

 

While Dreamweaver is a good program for web site development, it will not provide specific solutions to meet your needs.  Interspire may be outside of your budget too?

 

I`ll look around to see about an existing script that will work for you.

 

~Roland

 

PS - "theDuck"... and your name is Donald -

yes `interspire` is outside my budget, I really on just finished my studies so like everyone else money is always tight.  `theduck` seem the obvious choice, especially for traveling in non English speaking countrys where I have to introduce my self as "donald ...as in DONALD DUCK".  They normally get it after that!

donald

Knowing a bit about programming and website development, your best bet so far IMHO would be to take Heather`s offer above. Unless you`ve learned database programming, there are a whole list of issues that arise, not only from the initial setup but when those occasional errors occur. A misconfigured database can take down the entire function of the type of site your attempting to build. Unless you have the knowledge and time, personally I`d recommend getting someone that is proficient with Db management. Maybe not so important in a startup phase but as your membership grows, so will the headaches, so it is a good idea to have someone that can pinpoint database problems and correct them quickly. Time is money and a down social site, like your describing, will cause you to lose members.

 

Ok, I don`t want to rain on the parade, there is hope with a help by people like Heather and systems like Joomla or Interspire. So start with the idea and concept, build it up with Joomla and if it looks as if it is going to take off, be prepared to overhaul the Db with a system that can handle the influx of data. When you`re that successful, the cost shouldn`t be an issue so get out and promote! promote! promote! And make it fun and different for your users!

 

Best wishes!