Hello,

Sorry if I'm in the wrong section (newbie). I've been designing for a few years, but I've never been asked to do "this" on a website...and I have no clue how to begin.

They want each user to have their own page, where they can select variables and track their progress. So, for example, they might go to their page and click variable A and B, but not C, and then there would be a notation or graph indicating their progression over time. They can also journal on this page (however, not like a blog).

I have been searching for something similar and found one site that seems to have this type of action for users. But, I don't know if it's right to post it.

Anyhow, could someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

If you look like your avatar, there is no wrong section for you to be. You just go ahead and post wherever you like and I'll be right behind you drooling!

(If you're a guy, though, that's really, really wrong.)

Anyway, my thought is this: you're probably not going to find a lot other than that site, if at all, that will help you. The reason is because most of the functionality, if not all of it, will be done using server-side programming. This is programming that's handled by a web server and generates output for the client (browser) when told to do so only.

For example, for a database-driven site like this one, the code that retrieves the info from the database is generated on the server, but you don't see it. You just see the actual info itself, formatted however the webmaster wants.

The first thing you'll want to do is find out from your web host what language(s) are supported on the server. The two most common are PHP and ASP (PHP moreso now). Once you find that out, then start learning how to interact with databases on a more general plane of focus, then adapt the code to your needs.

Feel free to post the link to the site if you want. It might be something someone here recognizes and knows of an existing script that might come close to what you want.

Adam is right that the functionality will be server side and probably either php or asp. Depending on what it is that's being tracked and where this would be tracked it may require adding some code to many or all of the pages to the site.

Like I said feel free to post the link, but also feel free to describe a little more what it is that needs to be tracked and what the variables will be. I'm not sure we'll be able to do more than point you in the right direction, but you never know.

As far as the journal is concerned is it something that only the user would see or would anyone visiting the site be able to see their page? I'm assuming it's just for the user to make notes, but want to check.

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

If you look like your avatar, there is no wrong section for you to be.

Lol, nope, that's really me, swear to the gods, may they strike me down this moment if it's not It's my Easter Sunday picture

The last time I checked, my host has php 4.4x and mysql 4.0.25-standard. I also have unlimited mysql databases.

The site that I was directed to "for script inspiration" was:
http://www.dreamjournal.net/dj (kind of a weird site too)

Only problem is, you have to have an account (which is free) to "get into" the script area where there are variable options, as well as the page-per-user option. Also notable, is that the user can opt to keep their page private or viewable to the public. Although the latter was not requested of me, I think that's a good option to include.

I know zero about PHP language/scripting, so if I can't figure this out within 90 days, I'm going to have to end up outsourcing and paying someone to do this :|

Deja

Deja, either tomorrow or over the weekend I'll sign up for an account and have a look at the site.

I think depending on the requirements and how comfortable you are learning php/mysql and programming general this is doable in 90 days.

First step is obviously going to be learning the language. I'd recommend grabbing an intro book with both php/mysql together. A lot will include both, usually an intro to the language for each and then some examples combining the two.

You can also check the tutorial from w3schools. You'll likely want more, but the w3schools tutorials are pretty good should be a fairly quick read compared to a book, and by the end you'll probably know whether or not you want to learn more or outsource to someone else.

php tutorial

When I get a chance I'll have a look at the dreamjournal site and see if I can offer some more info.

Thanks for the resource. I've been trying to avoid PHP for such a long time, guess it has finally caught up with me

Id say use VARRS from the url.

If they have cpanel, this is a real simple way this can work.

Use phpformgenerator for there html, just one field if they know html.

Then create so called home.php

Use vars for the members, so the url is like yoursite.com/home.php?user=takita

and when they go there is simply grabs the info from the db using SELECT * FROM table WHERE user='$user'

etc. shouldnt be too hard but thats a real simple way. If i had time i could probably make a webpage host real simple but some features like uploading files, etc.

Ok I signed up and had a look around. I don't think anything they're doing is overly complicated, but it's hard to know how they have things coded since you can't see the php code.

It looks to me like all the content is stored in a database and every page (or most of them) is either reading or writing to the database. Kind of what I expected going in.

It's not necessarily hard, but it might take more than the three months depending on how many pages your site will have and how many of those pages will need to access the database in some way.
An experienced php programmer would most likely be able to get a site like this done in the time frame. I think for you it will depend on how quickly you can learn php and mysql and how large a site you have to create.

I would recommend going through some basic php tutorials and then see if you think it's doable in the three months. If you do end up doing it yourself don't hesitate to ask questions here.

Originally Posted by Deja

Thanks for the resource. I've been trying to avoid PHP for such a long time, guess it has finally caught up with me

Don't avoid it - trust me, you'll be glad you did (probably the easiest scripting language to learn).

I agree. It's a great idea to add some scripting and database skills. php is pretty easy as to learn as is mysql. Even if you end up hiring out for this specific project I think you'll be glad to have taken the time to learn both.

i think your only problem, knowlege wise, is knowing php and myscale. By your description of the job in hand - you need to store info in your Mysql databases and reflect them in a html, website. What you need in php and mysql. because time is money, and money is time - i suggest you talk to a real php specialist that can help you. well thats my 2 cents, wish u well... Roy