Newbie, Needs Help.

[TubeHead]

Hi all, 1st post here. Hope you guys can help.

 

I'm extremely gung-ho on putting up my 1st pay services content site. I have a life times worth of computer background. And yet I'm sort of a newb to some of this, but I'm learning rapidly. *** I have been taking tutorials to use Front Page 2003 for the last few months. I now know my way around that fairly well through experimenting. I learn fast once I get in there. Although I don't claim to be an expert yet, though. lol

 

I have many questions and can't seem to find them searching this forum without bugging you guys. So my main concern right now is.

 

How do I set it up so I can have a profile search function of my paying members on my site?

 

I.E. What I want to do is basically much like a Dating service. Where full access Paying [and free *Limited access*] customers sign in with there user name and password to access the member profile database through a search interface and contact each other via an internal email system on the site. Not to be confused with a forum.

 

So I would need a search function with various ways for customers to search the members data base. I.E. By user name, age, distance, location, race, hobbies, pictures only, etc. etc. etc..

 

I'm not sure if this is done within MySQL via the Cpanel once I sign up to TCH. Or if I should do it somehow with MS Access & MS Front Page 2003?

 

I am going nuts here. You guys really seem to help people out on this forum. So I figured I would try it out. Plz make me a believer. I thirst 4 the knowledge to make something great that will yield a nice income for me and my family! Thx a lot in advance. Fingers crossed!

[TCH-BillH]

Hi Tubehead,

 

You've come to the right place because the Help Desk is not in the position to help you design your website.

 

They can tell you what we support, what we don't, and if anything does go wrong we will be right there to fix it. But asking them to solve the software development issues that you have stated is completely unfair to hold them to.

 

Some people actually pay good money for the design help you are asking for. If the people on this forum are willing to help you in this way, it is a credit to them and the family atmosphere we have here. And you will not find that in any other host.

 

One question we can answer for you as a general rule: we do not support MS-Access. We do however have support for MySQL.

 

[TubeHead]

Hi Bill H,

 

No i'm a [new possible customer] presales guy. No account yet.

 

I thought I posted this in the place [presales questions]?

 

I'm trying to see if this is the place for me to Host with. Thx 4 the response though. Hopefully I can find help here, and a Host home here @ TCH.

 

 

[abinidi]

Hi TubeHead,

 

Welcome to the forums. I think why BillH was confused is because at the beginning of your post you talk about trying to get through to the TCH chat and email systems. Like BillH said, the questions you have aren't really questions for the web hosting company to answer, but are questions for site deisgners to answer.

 

Can you install software on a TCH server that will do what you are asking for? Yes. Does TCH provide that software? No. But what TCH does provide are these family forums that let you ask your specific questions, and people (mostly volunteer/happy customer -types) who have time will try to help you debug your system, although naturally we will lend more of a hand to people who are part of the TCH family of happy customers.

 

Is TCH a fantastic host? Yes. I highly recommend that you host here.

 

When you pay for web hosting, you are paying for the space on the computer hardware that hosts your account. The web-hosting providers aren't obligated to help you solve your website-specific design problems. That's not what you are paying for. I mean, TCH is a fantastic deal for web hosting. You can't expect web hosting plus website design for as little as US$4.00 per month!!

 

When you ask a question to the free forums, remember, you may only get what you pay for (but we'll try to make it worth more than that!)!!

 

Best of luck. I hope you choose TCH!

[Guest Serpentine]

By the way, I would look at hotscripts.com and see if I could find a search script or dating script that would fulfill the requirements that you are looking for.

[TCH-BillH]

Hey, I can understand. We all get frustrated when we're trying to get answers and we feel like we are spinning our wheels. So you have that understanding from me.

 

I was a customer of TCH for more than a year and consider it an honor to be among the ranks of their staff now. So naturally I think TCH is a great host.

 

We are also very proud that we are independently reviewed and monitored. So you can check up on us at anytime. We are open to being examined.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

[TubeHead]

Thx Serpentine,

 

That's exactly my next question. From what I have just found a few mns ago on google. I looks like what I'm looking for is a MySQL database tutorial that's really top notch for newbs like me showing me exactly how to get started making a database of this type.

 

I've been looking on eBay, but any links to helpful places for this subject would be fantastic. I have soooo much to learn but I want this so badly. So I'm going for it full tilt.

 

Sry 4 the rant above, when you want to get going so badly like me, it's hard to not get stressed when you get looped around and around the system and end up back @ the drawing board.

 

I wish the chat support people would have told me that this wasn't there dept. of expertise, and that I should have asked you guys. Oh well, I know better now. lol

 

All help will be greatly appreciated!

Edited May 11, 2005 by TubeHead

[Nicholas]

Tubehead,

 

The script you are looking for is probably at www.hotscripts.com, and if you can't find it there you can have one custom made using www.rentacoder.com. However, the script your looking for is called a usermanagement script. One that will enable users to log in, log out, and search based on a criteria you set. You will indeed need to learn mysql as well as use .php. Being most (if not all) tch servers are linux based it will make it much smoother to use those two together.

 

[Edited by TCH-Bill H]

 

I'm not sure if this is done within Cpanel once I sign up to TCH. Or if I should do it somehow with MS Access & MS Front Page 2003?

And to answer a couple of your questions....

Cpanel, as amazing as it is, has no function that would allow you to add a custom management script...and....Just friendly advise -> GET AWAY FROM FRONTPAGE <- it is evil. If I'm not mistaken MS Access Needs a windows based server to run on, and with windows based servers comes windows based problems. If you do decide to go with TCH, good luck and I wish you the best.

 

-Nicholas

[TubeHead]

Hey Nick,

 

Thx 4 the info. I was hoping this could all be done on the Evil Windows XP, and MS front page etc.. Without havign to learn Linux or anything heavy like that. I can handle basic HTML, and scripting looks like something I can grasp.

 

About the EDIT: Yeah Bill just PMed me letting me know the EDIT function is on a timer. So it's not possible for me to edit it. However, he is helping me do that since I PMed him an alternative post text.

 

NM it's done. I thought it was clear that I was a presales poster newb here. lol

Edited May 11, 2005 by TubeHead

[TCH-BillH]

NM ... it's done <<== Good words

 

I don't know if you have ever done any database design at all. If you have used Access to do database stuff on your PC, we have a tool called "PHPMyAdmin". If you do a google on that you will find lots of information on it and it can be used to help you set up a database really quickly.

 

On MySQL, you can go to the tutorials people have mentioned, or you can go to mysql.org. They have on-line documentation that tells you what every SQL command does. They show you from the simple to the complex and I've found it very helpful. It's searchable too. If you like computer manuals, this does a great job.

 

If you don't want to design your own script, try the references above for pre-made scripts. I trust our members and their experiences too.

 

And, now that the other formalities are taken care of ... Welcome to the Forums!

[TubeHead]

lol Thx Bill, I appreciatie it.

 

I dabbled a tad years ago around 1998 with MS Access, but nothing worth mentioning.

 

So I am now on a new knowledge quest to learn all I can about SQL data base creation. And also to possibly use some templates from the above links to modify to my needs.

 

So do you guys think I am asking for trouble using only the EVIL Ms Front Page 2003 in Windows XP home to make a business site from?

 

 

Thx a lot all!!

Edited May 11, 2005 by TubeHead

[Guest Serpentine]

Personally, I think you would benifit more from making as much of the site as you can by hand, or something other than FP. In the end it will give you a greater grasp of what you are doing.

[TubeHead]

Hey Serpentine,

 

Yeah I totally know what you mean, and agree. But, in my complicated crazy busy life, I need to keep the work load down as much as possible. So that's basically why I bought MS FP.

 

Nothing worth while is easy. But I have to cut off the fat as much as possible to get from point A to point Z and get a few great sites up and running a.s.a.p. for income.

 

I have some great ideas and now seek the knowledge of how to make them a reality.

 

[TCH-BillH]

Hey Tubehead,

 

If you have a reasonable computer background, you may find yourself frustrated in getting FP to do what you want.

 

Instead, find yourself a nice HTML authoring too ... v.s. a WYSIWYG tool. Unless they are perfect in their design (every browser I've used has some flaw in it ... so how can a tool render better than a browser?) you always need to address code-specific or browser specific issues.

 

Either by hand, or on my system I use BlueFish, (but mostly I work in the code) are the best options for professional looking websites.

 

So I agree with Serpentine, it just takes me more words to say the same thing.

[stevevan]

First off, welcome to the forums. Next, I come from a MS background myself. While Microsoft has some easy to use products, personally I feel that you would be much better off using something other than Frontpage. However, saying that, Frontpage has that HTML tab...use it to see what is going on "behind the scenes". You'll find you'll learn a lot rather quickly. Regarding databases, if you're going to do that type of site, you would be MUCH better off using MySQL instead of Access. (As already pointed out...MySQL is supported here.) There's always a learning curve when starting out in a new adventure (some more than others). I would also recommend the "...For Dummies" books. I have several and I have learned quite a bit from them.

 

Last but not least, there's always the family that you can bounce questions off of...as you're doing now! Good luck!

 

(The preceding was my own opinion. Others opinions may vary!)

[Berlie]

I picked up a book recently named "Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using Php & MySQL" by Kevin Yank. It is geared toward those without any or much knowledge of php or mysql databases. I have thumbed through it and it looks like it will be a good beginning tutorial. The end tutorial has you creating a simple user authentication system.

 

ISBN is 0-9752402-1-8 if you wanted to look it up at Amazon.

[OldTimer]

First off you won't be sorry if you sign up TCH.

and in regards to a dating script, you take a look at this thread at SitePoint

 

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109913

 

Greg

Edited May 11, 2005 by OldTimer

[TubeHead]

Very cool, thx guys!!!

 

I love getting great info to remedy my headaches.

 

This is great!

 

I appreciate any info that would get me on my way a.s.a.p..

 

Thx all!

Edited May 11, 2005 by TubeHead

[TweezerMan]

Welcome to the forums, TubeHead!

[TCH-Don]

Welcome to the forums, TubeHead

[TubeHead]

Now that I am researching whats out there in dating service script SQL etc. etc..

 

I'm wondering if there is anything out there with templates [but highly customizable] that is similar to MS FrontPage 2003 POINT AND CLICK / Customize etc. where I don't have to know a lot of CSS code.

 

Sure it would be great to know all the CSS & HTML code. But @ my age, with the many things going on with me, and my family, and the need for more income fast.

 

I just don't have the time to go that deep. I have a complicated life. If it gets any more complicated, my head will explode! lol

Edited May 12, 2005 by TubeHead

[TCH-BillH]

Tubehead,

 

If you can find a turn-key business that costs nothing, is easy to install, is not complicated to run, requires little knowledge to run it, and makes lots of money ... PLEASE tell me about it! Because I'll be right on board.

 

I think there is some rule in life that applies here: "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

 

[stevevan]

That's part of the fun of learning all these neat things! Seriously, you'll find that you will get more satisfaction out of doing much of it yourself rather than finding a "cookie-cutter" site. (Plus it'll help drive people to your site if it's unique!)

[TubeHead]

lol,.... sigh,

 

No I know all 2 well about making it on my own, no free lunch, life is hard, yatta yatta.

 

I would just like an exe. for CSS SQL etc.. that gives me something to tweak without having to know the code. Cookie cutter is not what I want by any means. Theres a ton of those out there.

 

I don't know how else to explain what I'm in search of. Ummmmmmmmmmmm,.......... I want to be able to change things [and still be original] like in Microsoft Front Page 2003 [GRAPHICAL INTERFACE] but in CSS SQL.

 

I don't have time for the fun of it. lol Life is 2 busy. I just want to get it all done, with all the creative unique ideas I have, and run it, and make some $$.

 

I can't belive there isn't anything out there like MS FP 2003 yet that does that . That really bites.

 

Edited May 12, 2005 by TubeHead

[Guest Serpentine]

HTML and CSS, yes. I don't think there is such a thing as a GUI SQL software. For the HTML/CSS you can get away with DreamWeaver and I am sure there are others. Trust me, I would love a drag and drop site creator that worked and didn't put in extra code but I have not seen one.

[TCH-Thomas]

Welcome to the forum, TubeHead.

[Patricia]

Tubehead, welcome to the forums just to reiterate though. for a script of what you are after you are most likely going to have to pay for it, as it does give you the oppurtunity to make money.. i would suggest learning css, and html just in order to customize to your needs. honestly it's not as hard as some people think. i started not a few months ago and i'm doing great with the learning process.. also there are mods for CMS's (content management systems) that do that.. you may want to take a peak at phpnuke. i believe they have a dating system but don't hold me too it..

 

 

As well as i would also say if your looking for something more then a simple webpage, get away from frontpage. i would suggest dreamweaver, or homesite, but if you can't afford anything, there are also many free wysiwyg editors which can be found on download.com enjoy! and good luck

[TCH-Bruce]

Welcome to the forums, TubeHead

[TubeHead]

Thx all!

 

Some of these tips put me on the right track to research what I need to know.

 

Now I have a lot of deep digging to do to make a final decision about which way I will go.

Edited May 13, 2005 by TubeHead