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PHP and Home Page Creation

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 2:04 pm
by Lizard
First, let me say that I am a complete newbie to PHP. However, I am perfectly willing to crack open some books and learn PHP if necessary.

I am in the process of creating Web space for faculty at my institution. We want a very uniform look to all faculty home pages. I figure that I have two options:

1. Generate a downloadable HTML page, then let them insert their own text and upload it to the server.

2. Have them fill in a form, which then generates an HTML page for them that is automatically uploaded to the server.

I like the latter, since some faculty would balk at modifying anything resembling computer code. I think the latter also maintains stricter control over the look of the page, and we want that control. Finally, I wouldn't have to pass out a bunch of passwords, easing my administration burden.

Have I missed an option? Would XML do anything for me?

If the latter option is best, what would be the general plan? (I am not asking for a detailed how-to, just the general approach. I can figure out the rest.)

I am administering a server running FreeBSD 4.9 on a Pentium II. MySQL is installed and running. I should have PHP4 running soon. If there are any other ports/packages I need, please let me know.

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2004 11:09 pm
by jaxn
I have actually done this very task before (I was working as an intstructional technology specialist for a university).

PHP can do this, but I know how faculty are and I think there is a better way (depending on your budget).

Macromedia makes a product called Contribute. It allows you to create a template and let them use a program as easy as a word processor to edit their content.

Let me know if you want more information.

-Jackson

Great idea

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:58 am
by Lizard
I think our institution even has a site license for Contribute. I will look into it. Thanks.

HTML Templating... CMS?

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:30 pm
by randomblink
Have you considered a CMS?

I mean from what I understood you to be asking... a CMS like Postnuke would prolly be perfect for ya... Not sure tho...