Database Website

[MikeIII]

Hi...I need to build a website in which I can make User Accounts, in which the user enters information, the information is saved in a database , and then as a user searches for the information he needs, he gets the results of his particular searching key words, or according to specific areas?? I need to build this website as fast as possible. Please tell me in DETAIL what I need to do or learn, to do it. I'm also willing to buy any expensive software, if that will do the job. Thank you

 

[WartookMan]

Slightly off topic, but what is with all of the emoticons? It's actually detracts from the question you are asking - which by looking at your previous posts, has already been asked previously.

When you say "areas" what do you mean exactly? Are you referring to a CMS (Content Management System) for which there are lots to choose from, including some great OpenSource versions.

Can you explain in more detail what you are trying to do? A simple Notes database under Lotus Domino, or a MySQL database, or an MS Access database would probably do what you want it to do.

What resources/skills do you have available?

Hope this helps.

Pete.


Web Developer & Aptrix / IBM Lotus Workplace Web Content Management (LWWCM) Specialist
w:

http://www.lwwcm.com/

e: Pete.Raleigh(at)lclimited.co.uk

 

[MikeIII]

By area I mean field.
Ok...I don't know that much in server side designing. I know little bit of ASP and Javascript, but that's about it.
What is the best way to create a website in which anybody who comes to the website can create his own account log in, and then post in his area of location, such as California, Newyork, etc, and then area of interest, such as soccer, football, running, programming...etc....that is I will put specific areas and the user will have to choose specific areas related to him in which he can post his message and stuff about himself. Then as other users open the website they can search in the specific areas, or just choose from options, and all of the related stuff will be posted. That is all of the peoples postings related to the specif areas(fields) will be posted. And then users will be able to sort the postings by clicking on the field or area at the tob. Thank you.

 

[MikeIII]

tob=top;

 

[ChrisHirst]

so you are looking for a forum or a multi user 'blog' then.



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[MikeIII]

Well not exactly....it's going to be like a forum, but one of the differences is that posting information will be with payments and reading them for free.

 

[ChrisHirst]

and the difference being ?

most forum code can be set to only allow members to post.

The problem I can see is why should anyone pay you for the chance to give something away? Usually it's tends to be the other way around and people pay to get useful information. Or it becomes a valuable resource where people share knowledge freely.

The only other kind of instance than springs to mind are the freelancer type sites and or the various "Buy a bride" sites



Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

http://www.candsdesign.co.uk

A website that proves the cobblers kids adage.

http://www.cram-system.com

Nightclub counting systems

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[BabyJeffy]

I'm also willing to buy any expensive software, if that will do the job.

I usually expect that kind of comment from someone in management... not a "programmer".

There is no reason why you couldn't do this whole task with "off the shelf" forum software. I would also suggest you look at your business model as Chris suggests.

Jeff

 

[Foamcow]

http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk

has a similar business model.

People can view information for free, but if you want to contact anyone (i.e. view their email address) you must pay become a member. I might add that friendsreunited has been, I believe rather successful (mainly due to skilled marketing/PR and being first in the sector).

For this project you will need:
[ul]
[li]A webserver that supports a scripting language, for example PHP[/li]
[li]A database of some kind such as MySQL[/li]
[li]Some arrangement of webpages to allow users to enter information into the database. These pages will consist of forms. When the user submits the form, the data is checked for validity and if OK a new record is created within the database table[/li]
[li]A means of processing payments made, presumably, by credit card. Bear in mind the security liabilities here[/li]
[li]Some other webpages to allow users to view information in the database. These pages will contain a form to enter search criteria. When submitted the form data is used to construct a database and the query used to retrieve a set of records from the database. The returned data is then sorted and displayed on a webpage in the user's browser.[/li]
[li]SOme kind of administration system, the nature of which is dependant on what you need to be able to do with the site and it's data[/li]
[/ul]
As for HOW to do it. That's down to your coding ability. If you know nothing of what I have just spoken about then I would suggest either start studying or get someone to do it for you.
You can build this site (assuming you have access to a webserver) using "free" tools. Apache is free, MySQL is free (though a licence is required for business use I believe). Pages can be coded in Notepad or another text editor.
Alternatively you can buy an application such as Dreamweaver which will present you with a GUI to create the pages and the ability to insert script elements via a click or two.
You will, however, still need to have an understanding of what you are actually doing to get a decent result.
I can use a hammer and a saw, but I would be hard pushed to build a table of any quality.
At the end of the day, it's down to your own understanding of the project, it's objectives and how to implement them.

All the above may well be stating the completely obvious, but the fact you asked this question in the way you did implies to me that you perhaps don't quite "get" it.

As has been stated, you can do something along these lines using off the shelf forum software, such as PHPBB. Perhaps that could be a starting point?

http://www.foamcow.com