Computer Peeps - Question for You

[fidgiegirl]

Hi computer geeks,

I have a dream for a website but know I lack the skills currently to build it. I am wondering if you can at least provide me with the terms I need to search for in order to start to learn what I need to know to make this kind of a site.

I would like to make a directory of language programs in my area, searchable by language, target age, cost, etc. So basically, I need database knowledge, and what else?

If you can help me get a starting point as far as terminology/skills to seek out, I can take it from there.

I basically have no programming skills right now. If you give me a web-based program like WordPress or Weebly, I can handle it, but know no programming languages or anything like that.

Thanks for your help!

[Float On]

I did our website on weebly. I just pay for the domaine name thru them every couple of years. Have had it a long time now and really happy with how easy it is to work with.

[fidgiegirl]

Yes, I have some sites on Weebly and really like it a lot, but for this particular site I need to know more to do the searchable capabilities. That's where I'm not even sure to start . . . not even sure which terms I would need to look for in a training class, etc.

[Alan]

There is no easy answer for your question. The specific things you need to know will depend upon which platform you will base the site on.

Most of the freeware software packages are based upon PHP scripts, and call for data from an open source database such as MYSql. Others are based upon Microsoft's .Net architecture and use ASP scripts to pull data from a MS SQL or SQL Lite database. As an example, this forum is run using PHP scripts, where the old forum used ASP.

It seems to me that if you want to allow your site visitors to sort their queries by a range of criteria, you need to familiarize yourself with the appropriate scripting language for your platform.

In another thread, I believe you mentioned you might want to self host the site. That's another area that would need research. PHP packages are designed to run in a Linux environment using Apache as a webserver, although they can function under Windows as well. ASP packages are designed to run in a Windows environment using IIS as a webserver.

I think the first thing for you to do is to narrow your focus on one of the options and then begin your research from there.

[fidgiegirl]

Hmmm. Very helpful, this at least gives me an idea of where to start looking.

Thanks, any further info from anyone is welcome . . . this is like an alphabet soup, but at some point it will start to make sense . . .

[fidgiegirl]

Well I signed up with a hosting service and installed Wordpress with my own domain. So we shall see. Can't do anything yet as my domain doesn't quite work yet. I guess in a few hours.

Wow, amazed that I was even able to figure out ANY of that. Uffda.