I have run a website for over 10 years which runs a different way. That is the website URL links are run by a php script with the ending url.
Example:
http://www.domain.com/main_page.php?[path/path/path/filename.htm
basically I have 1 single template html file that has an empty "center page" table. There would be a $PutInBody text in this center page. The script would then import the page at the end of the "?" into the center page. The reason I had this done (This is like 10 years old); I don't know HTML and rely on MS Expression Web 3 (was frontpage 2003) WYSIWYG editior. Back then websites were run with all duplicated pages with content. Which would mean if you wanted to edit the layout you would have to edit all pages as well to reflect the change.
To prevent this and make it easier for me, that script was built so I can have 1 template page and import the pages (and not needing frames, or iframes). Approx 1 year ago a guy on a forum introduced to me the frightening truth about this script and how adding text (coding) we could (and proved) could obtain my database information, passwords, httacess content, downloading from my own server, uploading virus's, etc) all from that script. HUGE HUGE SECURITY HOLE ! ! ! !
I have been in contact with him for the passed year and he said he would help me with constructing the website (how to handle the pages) with the new website. The time has come for this and thru a bunch of emails, he's been pointing me out to various things to do.. He eventually realized (I did mention it many times to him) that I rely on a WYSIWYG editor; don't know html and just want 1 template to import pages into for ease of administrating..
He said to use a rewriting technique that tell the server that it wants however this would be a problem. Since the actual images would be a php insert for each image, that means if I went to edit the page in the editor, I could not see it and since I don't know html, i couldn't just build my graphical pages.. To solve this he introduced me to something called JOOMLA that he claims would solve all my problems.
I took a look at joomla but it appears this would be even worse! Seems you have to construct a new template over again and use joomla to store the content into a database, create and execute menu's, etc.. I see no way to just use it for template purposes.. I have my own menu image bars that I have links to other pages.
All I want to do is this.
1. use 1 html template file (with REGULAR html and images; no coding where images should import, etc) WYSIWYG friendly html being able to view images in layout with ease.
2. Have 1 part in the template where to import plain html pages into
3. Having Normal URL for the pages on the website.
I THOUGHT Joomla was the answer but seems this isn't so since it appears I need to start over, store content in database, create pages in joomla and adhere to joomla's way of handling pages, menu's, etc.
HELP!
Templating website; if not Joomla... how?? php?
Moderator: General Moderators
-
camarosource
- Forum Commoner
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2002 10:43 pm
Templating website; if not Joomla... how?? php?
- Attachments
-
- layout.jpg (28.14 KiB) Viewed 136 times
- SimpleManWeb
- Forum Commoner
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:15 pm
- Location: New Hampshire, USA
Re: Templating website; if not Joomla... how?? php?
I'll start by saying i'm fairly confused by what you are looking for. I'm very experienced with Joomla however, so I will try and help you figure out if it's right for you.
1. Joomla DOES only use one template file. You (or someone that understands HTML) can customize that template to look however you want it to look and then you shouldn't need to mess with that file again.
2. Joomla DOES use a WYSIWYG editor to manage the content (Joomla calls them Articles) that get displayed in the template.
3. Joomla DOES handle "normal" URL's.
So, based off your list of necessities, it sounds like Joomla could be a solution for you. Here's how you would have to manage your new site if you do end up using Joomla. Once the template is set up, you would have to go in and create a new "Article" for each page that you want people to be able to access through your website. Once they are all created, you can either create a menu which allows people to find the pages, or you can just allow people to access them directly by typing in the correct URL. Joomla can even handle Search Engine Friendly URL's meaning that instead of having a URL like http://www.something.com/index.php?id=2&article=7 you would have something like http://www.something.com/ContactUs. These are highly recommended because they help your site rank higher in search engines. Since you are not savvy with Joomla, I would recommend reading some online tutorials to get a better understanding of the system. That should help you decide whether or not to use it. I would start here http://docs.joomla.org/Beginners
Hope this helps
1. Joomla DOES only use one template file. You (or someone that understands HTML) can customize that template to look however you want it to look and then you shouldn't need to mess with that file again.
2. Joomla DOES use a WYSIWYG editor to manage the content (Joomla calls them Articles) that get displayed in the template.
3. Joomla DOES handle "normal" URL's.
So, based off your list of necessities, it sounds like Joomla could be a solution for you. Here's how you would have to manage your new site if you do end up using Joomla. Once the template is set up, you would have to go in and create a new "Article" for each page that you want people to be able to access through your website. Once they are all created, you can either create a menu which allows people to find the pages, or you can just allow people to access them directly by typing in the correct URL. Joomla can even handle Search Engine Friendly URL's meaning that instead of having a URL like http://www.something.com/index.php?id=2&article=7 you would have something like http://www.something.com/ContactUs. These are highly recommended because they help your site rank higher in search engines. Since you are not savvy with Joomla, I would recommend reading some online tutorials to get a better understanding of the system. That should help you decide whether or not to use it. I would start here http://docs.joomla.org/Beginners
Hope this helps