Which Framework or CMS for Google-Video like site? - frameworks

I am working on a Web Project similar to Google-Video.
As for now, I want to start coding the site.
I know some PHP, HTML and MySQL.
I already have:
Database built and ready (in MySQL)
Links and Tags in the Database
The thing is, I don't want to code everything from hand.
As I've seen so far, with CMS it's not possible to use my own database. Or am I wrong?
And what Framework would you suggest me?
Looking forward for your advice!
Thanks

You should probably start over, but use your existing DB design as your logical schema to be implemented in the CMS you eventually choose.
Go to http://cmsmatrix.org/ and compare Drupal, Joomla!, eZ Publish and TYPO3 for the best fit for your requirements.
Also, pay attention to the search engine features available with each one. e.g. eZ Publish eZ Find is based on Lucene.
In terms of functionality ( but excluding add management and your specific layout or graphic-design) you should be able to create a reasonable clone within a few hours using eZ. Here is one example http://untoldstories.eu/ezinfo/about

Related

How can I autogenerate pages using information from the database?

I'd like to build a semi-automated site where pages would be created based on information on the database.
The site would be a vocabulary-like site where there will be thousands of words with their associated meaning, phonetics, and sentence examples along with other useful information.
Since a CMS like WordPress wouldn't work in that sense, what is the best solution for a system like this?
thanks,

Should I use laravel collective or another component?

I'm starting with Laravel and I've some doubts about the external components.
I've already used the laravel collective and the adamwathan/bootforms and the both show me advantage and disadvantage. I've searched for information or discussion about this and a I didn't find anything
For example, I can build forms extremely fast with these components, but I got limited sometimes.
According with the about session of the laravel Collective they say:
The Laravel Collective is a community organization designed to maintain components that have been removed from the Laravel Framework core
So, if the form is removed from the core, should I continue using this component?
And in the readme from the Bootform, they say
Probably not perfect for your super custom branded ready-for-release apps, but a huge time saver when you are still in the prototyping stage!
What do you think about using external components? Do you think it's a good ideia to use or do you prefer the original core from the Laravel?
After 3 weeks working with Laravel. I've learned somethings:
If you want to build easy forms without html, I recommend you to use the AdamWathan bootform or Laravel collective. The only problem is: These tools doesn't has a good option with you want a very customizable field.
Bootform
Pros
Bootform has more components and functions
Reduced Boilerplate
Automatic Validation State
Some custom forms, like the horizontal forms
Cons
Some difficulties with documentation
Laravel Collective
Pros
All necessary things to build a laravel form, like the CSRF Protection and hidden fields.
What I do
Actually, I'm working with Collective and html. I use a mix of the both, when I need a simple field or specific fields (csrf protection, for example) I use collective and if I need a more customizable field, like a button with an icon or a special element in bootstrap, I use just HTML.
Recently I've had the same dilemma, so I decided to examine Laravel Collective Html package.
I wanted to share my thoughts, therefore I created the following post: Is it beneficial to add Laravel Collective Html into your Laravel Project
Hope you will find it useful.
It comes down to personal preference, Laravel Collectives gives you ease of pre selecting select inputs, csrf out of the box, etc... I found myself using it less and less and then eventually just stopped pulling it in altogether.

How can I deploy form / subform (i.e. display only) changes on Notes databases?

I have been asked by a client to assist in making the web frontends of number of Lotus / IBM Notes databases, used for critical LOB functions, compatible with modern browsers.
As it stands, the web frontends of these databases only work in IE7, and even then they're temperamental at best. The JS uses IE-specific extensions, everything is in tables, and they render poorly on pretty much every browser available today. With IE7 no longer in support, they want to modernise these interfaces.
I have very little experience with Notes, but as an exploratory exercise I've managed to open up the databases in Domino Designer, add a few Stylesheet / Script resources, include them in the $$HTMLHead variable and reworked one Form to use a frontend framework, which looks good.
Obviously working on live applications is out of the question, so my thinking is to take a copy of the NSF files, and make the changes on the copies. My question is: how can I then deploy only the form / subform / resource changes to the 'live' NSF files?
Deployment:
In your new modified database :
You define in the Database properties that is a Database file is a master template (give a name)
In the production database :
first do a backup ! copy (only design) to a new copy of the prod
You define in the Database properties that it inherits from master template (same name)
on the prod make refresh design
more details : https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSVRGU_9.0.1/com.ibm.designer.domino.main.doc/H_ABOUT_REFRESHING_A_DESIGN.html
Sorry to state the obvious, but since you have a Notes client and a Domino server, you have a quite extensive documentation at your disposal in the form of databases located in the /help/ directory. Make sure they are full-text-indexed.
And since we are on the subject of templates, Domino comes with a host of ready-made, ready-to-use apps that you can customize and canibalize. Look for discussion9.ntf for starters.
You may want to start here, then go there, and finally that will give you the keys to build word-class web apps on Domino.
Last thing, if you are on V9, the Designer help is crap. Grap a copy of the 8.5 version. Seriously.
If you want to build a modern web based front-end to existing Domino data, take a look at the following presentations:
http://www.slideshare.net/TexasSwede/ad102-break-out-of-the-box
and
http://www.slideshare.net/TexasSwede/break-out-of-the-box-part-2
As others already said, you should create a template and then just refresh/replace the design of the production database using that template.
You may want to consider working with an experienced Notes/Domino developer for that project, there are quite a few caveats and workarounds you need to know know about...

Form creation interface and simple back-end, should I go for CMS or is there a better option?

I often need to create similar, but very long HTML forms for a client. The forms contain some inter-dependent fields and lot of validations. Some images also need to be uploaded.
Then the client needs to check the database in the CPanel and export it from there.
I want to create something with easy interface which can create complicated forms. Also, client is asking for easy-to-operate back end. The CMS option looks like an overkill. I want to keep the site as lightweight as possible because of performance requirement.
Please suggest me the best path I should take. Should I try to develop everything from scratch? Should I use a CMS? Is there any particular CMS more suitable for the task?
We use ChronoForms along with Joomla 3.1 to create such forms. It has two modes, an easier one that limits the functionality but creation of forms is much easier. The other one offers the full capabilities of the engine but requires manual steps to do even simple things.
Having said that, ChronoForms is the most powerful web based forms designer I have come across. It seems they also support Wordpress now.
They have a drag-drop mechanism to design the forms. Validations are easy to do via check boxes for the standard ones. You can save the results into database tables, send emails, redirect users to specific pages, add captchas.
The backend allows you to view the records and create new tables based on the fields of the form. You can also export the result as CSV.

Wordpress custom pages CMS

I'm considering Wordpress as my CMS platform for a client site I'm doing at the moment.
However, I need to create a couple of custom 'modules'. One of these modules is a form that people will be able to complete and have a quote, and once submitted, in a special place in the Wordpress panel (like a menu or something), there will be a listing of all the submitted quotes (just fetching it from a table in my database).
Another one is to manage a cafeteria menu, so the client can add a different meal to each day of the week.
I know perfectly how to do this kind of things using some kind of MVC framework and doing it 'by-hand', but I'm just wondering if this would be possible to do with WP and if yes, what kind of tools I'll have to use.
Thanks
Quite simply, yes, WordPress would be a more-than-capable asset to your criteria. But it's whether the learning curve in getting to know WP outweighs using a framework you're clearly already familiar with?
Personally, it sounds you like you're pretty solid with PHP, and considering the fact that, in my opinion, what you're planning on doing is relatively easy, I'd say WordPress is an excellent solution.
I'd recommend reading about WordPress 3.0's new custom post type API, and skimming the basics of hooks and filters in the Plugin API.
Submitted quotes would merely be a custom post type. You'd be better off writing the front-end code (like handling the form, UI etc.) yourself, either within a theme or plugin, then using wp_insert_post and let WordPress handle all the database administration. In fact, WP will go one step further and set up the entire admin for viewing, editing and deleting quotes.
Post meta (also known as custom fields) is also there for you if you need to store additional information about a quote that doesn't quite fit the post's table structure.
For the menu, this is even easier. I'd say just create a post category called 'Menu', and the client can publish 'dishes' to it as you would with a blog or any similar rolling format.
I've only licked the surface here. Get stuck in with the above, then check out some other goodies like meta boxes and custom taxonomies!
If you want to try a plugin instead of writing something yourself, Flutter might work. It's a little unpolished sometimes but it makes this sort of thing an absolute breeze.