[selwar]

Hi guys,

I've just started to create a site in dreamweaver mx with the intention of promoting bands/solo artists through various musical genres. Although i hear it is easier in the longrun, I do not code html as coming from a design background, i've always prefered the more hands-on approach by using the 'design' view. Naturally, for a beginner, i have discovered a number of stumbling blocks that i need a bit of guidance on.....
• Firstly, i would like to include a search engine. (when a user wishes to search for a specific band - as ebay has for searching for items). How do i create one of these?
• Secondly, I will be looking to setup a subscription menu to allow users to register to my site after making a payment by inputing their payment details. They are such common-place throughout the web and look so simple but i have no idea how to create one! How do i create one of these?
• Next, i would like to set-up a forum to allow users to post topics - like the one we're on now i suppose. How do i create one of these?
• Lastly, being that this will be a site where people can advertise their musical ability, it would be handy if they could upload pictures, demo samples, etc. How to i go about doing this?

As i said before, i am not very well clued up with my html coding but if you are able specify to me which particular codes i would need to input then please go ahead. Alternatively, i would prefer to create my site in the 'design' view.

If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to ask me.

regards,

Greg

[pgo]

Originally Posted by selwar

• Firstly, i would like to include a search engine. (when a user wishes to search for a specific band - as ebay has for searching for items). How do i create one of these?
• Secondly, I will be looking to setup a subscription menu to allow users to register to my site after making a payment by inputing their payment details. They are such common-place throughout the web and look so simple but i have no idea how to create one! How do i create one of these?
• Next, i would like to set-up a forum to allow users to post topics - like the one we're on now i suppose. How do i create one of these?
• Lastly, being that this will be a site where people can advertise their musical ability, it would be handy if they could upload pictures, demo samples, etc. How to i go about doing this?

As i said before, i am not very well clued up with my html coding but if you are able specify to me which particular codes i would need to input then please go ahead. Alternatively, i would prefer to create my site in the 'design' view.

For those things, you'll need to know a lot more than just HTML. And, since you don't know HTML, your best bet is to download a content management system of some sort (or a variety of systems). Drupal might be a solution (google it). Have a browse around www.opensourcecms.com

If you want to create those, you'll either need to learn a server-side programming language (PHP for instance) and a database language like MySQL. If you download a pre-built solution, you'll still need to know at least the client-side coding.

Can't make a website without knowing a little code and how dynamic websites work.

Can't make a good website without knowing HTML and CSS at the very least.

PS. Coming from a "design background" is no reason to not do things properly. Saying you don't want to learn coding, but you want to make websites is like saying, "I want to be a mechanic, but I don't want to learn how cars work."

If you really don't want to learn to code, then you'll have to open your wallet and hire someone who does. But those sorts of dynamic applications (if custom built or commercially sold) don't come cheap.

[selwar]

Pgo,

Thanks for your reply. When i think about it, you're right. I would love to learn HTML. CSS, PHP & MySQL sound like good ideas too. Trouble is, it all sounds so daunting! Do you have any advice on where the hell i start? It really is like learning a foreign language in my opinion. I'm determined to get my head round it, but what is the best way to do so?

[digitalphase]

I agree with what pgo typed - but you can get a PHP forum for free.

As long as your webhosting has a spare MySQL database you will be able to set one up fairly simply. You can download the scripts in .zip format from www.phpbb.com. It is free and you can add things like extra themes and avatars. Check out my forum here http://www.simplyequine.co.uk/board/index.php

You will need to speak to someone in the know about how to set your MySQL database up - your webhosting should offer some support. After that it is very simple to upload the scripts and start customising it.

Maybe you should go on some kind of crash course on learning HTML?

I decided when I was 15 or so that I wanted to design websites so I spent ages practising with HTML. I taught myself everything I know. I am now doing a degree in Internet Technology as I love designing! You are going to need at least a basic knowledge of HTML to get by as a designer

Good luck.

[pgo]

HTML isn't enough as any website that wants to call itself modern uses CSS for design/layout/typography/etc.

He's right, you could get by with pre-built scripts, but he wants more than just a forum. Integrating those is going to take either several scripts/modules working together or a custom built solution.

Learning HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL is a hell of an undertaking. I'm trying to learn PHP/MySQL in my spare moments, but I'm still a beginner in that respect.

For a pre-built forum, rather than phpBB, I recommend PunBB - it's more lightweight, faster, and features much better code (though version 3 of phpBB is looking pretty slick...if they ever release it!). It doesn't come with the features of phpBB like polls and private messaging, but those can be added via modules.

If you seriously want to start learning languages, though, get some books or check out the web standards forum on this very site. XHTML and CSS are where you should start. CSS can be tricky at first, but you'll get the hang of it.