Best Method/Foundation/Choices for Media Website

[kjv1611]

Those of you who may remember the few threads regarding web design which I have begun would probably remember about my church's website. I recently sort of tagged onto a question somewhat related to what I'm asking at this time.

I realize that there are tons of different ways for doing things with web design. That's good and that's bad. The good is that it's much easier to be unique. That's bad, when you've not much experience, and you want to find "the best way." All my opinion, of course.

This thread is one where I want to ask the question: What would be the best platform/application/methodology or whatever for building a website to meet these qualifications (or at least a page within the site):
[ol]
[li]To allow the site visitor to easily access what they are looking for[/li]
[li]Allow visitor to easily navigate the page/site[/li]
[li]Allow for at least somewhat robust search capabilities of files indexed within a database of some format.[/li]
[li]Not necessarily super easy, but at least something that would be simple enough that it wouldn't take a lifetime or a whole team of programmers to build.[/li]
[/ol]

Now these are the type files that I theoretically want to provide for each selection (each sermon specifically):
[ol]
[li]Audio file - both download and stream[/li]
[li]Video file (a few) - both download and stream[/li]
[li]Text files - outlines/transcribed sermons in various file formats for reading and downloading[/li]
[/ol]

There may not be a set best format/platform/thought process, but I'm looking for any suggestions, votes, experiences, examples, etc. Anything at all. Currently, our site is okay. It accomplishes its purpose, but the Sermon download page is lacking in my opinion - and I designed it. I believe that even if I don't make the entire site dynamic, I need to make that one page dynamic.

My church's current site:

http://www.parkwoodbaptistchurch.us

The sermon/audio page:

http://www.parkwoodbaptistchurch.us/Audio.htm

One example of an audio page with a format that I like. I like the little flash player, and I like how it is neatly organized:

http://cbcspringfield.org/sermonpage

One example of a page using the same technology as the above where I like the layout as well, specifically the search functions:

http://www.calvarybible.org/sermons

Another where I like the basic layout, but they didn't use a search feature:

http://www.hope-lutheran.org/podcast

I really like this setup as well. The search is sort of like what I want to do, and when you click on one of the sermons, you get basically the same layout for that sermon as above:

http://www.ibclouisville.org/audio?filter0=sermon&filter1=**ALL**

Now I don't care if it's Drupal, Joomla, 100% html, which I wouldn't think possible or at least feasible, or if it goes to anything Microsoft or Linux. This change will be a whole site makeover, so I have no trouble changing from a Linux server to a MS server or whatever.

As far as me saying what I want, it's something like this:
[ol]
[li]Drop down searches somewhat like the auto-filters in Excel - not sure whether I'd want them to change the results instantly from someone making a selection, or whether they have to hit a "go" button - they each have pros and cons, I think.[/li]
[li]Once someone clicks on a sermon, I think it would be nice to be able to sort of just expand the sermon automatically below that link, instead of opening a whole new page - I'd like to hear pros/cons of that sort of usage.[/li]
[li]The site will need to be accessible by anyone with practically any connection speed. The reason is that many of the people who access the site still use dial-up internet.[/li]
[/ol]

Well, that's a lot of information and a lot of questions. Any thoughts, advice, reference, links, etc greatly appreciated.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[imeldesign]

I do a church website...cottagehill.org. I am in the process of an overhaul too. More streamlining and design changes mostly.

1. To allow the site visitor to easily access what they are looking for.
Popdown menus that take viewer directly where they need to go.


2. Allow visitor to easily navigate the page/site
Same as above.

3. Allow for at least somewhat robust search capabilities of files indexed within a database of some format.


4. Not necessarily super easy, but at least something that would be simple enough that it wouldn't take a lifetime or a whole team of programmers to build.

Shouldn't be too hard but keep in mind it can be a feature you add later.

As far as me saying what I want, it's something like this:

1. Drop down searches somewhat like the auto-filters in Excel - not sure whether I'd want them to change the results instantly from someone making a selection, or whether they have to hit a "go" button - they each have pros and cons, I think.

Another search feature to consider is keywords: prayer, revelation, fruits of the spirit etc.

2. Once someone clicks on a sermon, I think it would be nice to be able to sort of just expand the sermon automatically below that link, instead of opening a whole new page - I'd like to hear pros/cons of that sort of usage.

There are plugins to dreamweaver that do this.

3. The site will need to be accessible by anyone with practically any connection speed. The reason is that many of the people who access the site still use dial-up internet.

Video will be out of the question for dial up. How are you planning on encoding the streaming?

I'd like to help any way I can. you can email from the church site

 

[kjv1611]

Thanks for the response.

As far as keyword search, I do have something like that in mind. Currently, I have an access database setup so that I or whoever is recording the audio for a particular service at the end has to enter the sermon title, preacher name (date is automatic). Also in that database I have fields for Bible passages (this part is sadly only so-so functional, b/c I never got around to finishing), and also subjects - this part IS functional.

So, I'd include subjects for now, and Bible passages later as well.

On the video streaming, there wouldn't be much if any - right now, there is none, but I would think we might do a little bit here and there - just depends upon what the pastor wants/approves.

Also, within our congregation, I believe most are on broadband, but we do have several outside the church - some scattered across the globe, who use our site as a resource for sermons and Bible studies.

Basically, the video wouldn't be something required, but I would like to add it as an option when available.

Currently, we just started recording HDV video via a Canon HV20 camcorder direct to a laptop using HDVSplit. If I put any of THAT on the website, you better believe it's going to be REALLY compressed!

I'm thinking at first with the video that the most we'll put on-line will just be little clips or something - not necessarily whole sermons, though I'd love to get to that point eventually.

I'll shoot you an email from your website for further discussion. Thanks for the advice and all!

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

By the way, I do like the layout/design of your site so far. It seems to be well organized, easy to read, and quick loading.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[kjv1611]

And I may email later from home... it'll end up being sometime between tomorrow and Sunday, I would imagine. Tonight, I'll be at church hopefully by around 5:30 until about 8:30 probably. And then the rest of the week, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to work on anything anyway, as we may do something as a family (wife and 15 month old).

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me