I want to build a web site as a forum for discussion of issues in my community.
I have to hire someone to build such a site as it is beyond my capabilities and I figure that someone might just as well be an ehMacer. There are many talented people here who could build such a site. While I am willing to pay to have the site built, I do have some budget restrictions.
Here is a quick overview of the site I envision. I don't want anything fancy, but it does have to have some essential elements in say, four main pages. I want to keep it to a minimum number of pages as well for ease of maintenance.
1. It must have a lead page that can carry my column and an editing feature for the daily additions I write. (I write the columns in Pages and then copy and paste to my Blog at the moment and could use the same system for a web site if necessary.) This main page would have to be capable of continuing page after page, similar to my Blog. (Link below in my sig.) It should also have a space for a "Feature Photo" taken from the photo area in point number 2.
2. It must have a page where pictures from readers can be displayed similar to the "Photography Anyone?" thread here on ehMac with an easy form for photograph submissions and descriptions that I can receive via e-mail.
3. It must also have an easy reply form to my e-mail address for readers to respond to issues I raise for discussion. (This may be combined with the form in point number 2.) This method allows me to control and/or edit reader submissions before they go "live" on the site. Think of them as letters to the editor.
4. It must have space down the right side of each page in which I can place advertisements for local business. This will help defray the cost of site upkeep and perhaps even become an income stream for me as time goes along. I envision a standard width with variable controlled depth so I could compose the ads in Pages, convert to a pdf or .jpg for example and then import to the page. It could also have a banner type ad space on each page. (Some of you may have better ideas, but this at least begins the process of design.)
That’s about it. I have a web address in mind and it is currently available.
I would also appreciate any suggestions as to a reasonable host provider for the site.
Thanks in advance for any input any of you may have.
You really should try Rapidweaver. You can very easily create your own main page with your column and link out to a bbs (like ehMac) that is dead simple to get up and running.
You will need...
1. Your own domain name
2. A webserver host (I use Lunarpages)
The Lunar pages hosting includes access to some easy bbs tools but they do have the developers branding on them if you don't pay for use. You would probably need someone to do the rebranding on the bbs tool so that you can make it your own.
I set up a couple of bbs' on my hosted server and they were very easy to do. You can set up user names and passwords or leave guest access open. Pretty easy stuff.
__________________
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Why not buy a license for vBulletin? Most vBulletin sites don't have the posting issues we see here on ehMac. You've already had a ton of experience with it as a user, you would just need domain hosting and some administrators, including yourself.
Why not buy a license for vBulletin? Most vBulletin sites don't have the posting issues we see here on ehMac. You've already had a ton of experience with it as a user, you would just need domain hosting and some administrators, including yourself.
Something to consider, and I did, but as I understand it, it does not give me control over content for libel, etc., and believe me, in this community, I need that type of control.
Open posting is not an option. Besides, I don't want a full time baby sitting job to police a site. I can police my e-mail at my leisure.
SINC, by chance are you going to post on your blog the column that got you axed?
Probably not...
Quote:
I was as surprised as you when the column was suddenly pulled. I felt that with the following the column had, I would have been at least accorded an opportunity to say farewell to readers, but that was not in the cards.
For the record, in an e-mail, I was informed by the editor, and I quote: "Effective immediately, the Saint City News is no longer able to run your weekly column. A combination of factors, including reader feedback and budget issues has led us to conclude that it is no longer a viable investment for the newspaper."
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