Need help creating Squadron Website

[Lancer]

The trade-off is that Joomla sites all look the same, you need to have PHP and MySQL available on your web host, and gawd help you if you want to change the layout or style of the site.  I hate diving in to PHP, and I write software for a living!

I've done the CMS thing, and I've done the plain HTML thing, and for a simple web site, it really is best to use simple tools.

Joomla sites only 'all look the same' because you have people who don't really know what they're doing putting them together. Then there are some that are simply outstanding. Joomla is good for squadron's who have someone knowledgeable about systems such as this.

The bottom line with any website is that it presents the information it should impart in a clean, simple and easy to navigate fashion, be of service to it's members and visitors and be updated regularly to reflect the activities surrounding the group. How you go about that, is entirely up to you.

I just came across another CMS system that is template, not database driven and only requires PHP, is nice and small and easy to use. Plus there are a myriad of templates available for it. Check it out.

http://www.cmsimple.dk/

[Eclipse]

I'll leave the technical discussion about the platform for another day, arguing IT tools is like arguing sports teams...

One thing I should have mentioned though is to have a plan.

Put some meetings together with the unit staff and hash out what you want to actually DO withthe site, who will contribute content, etc.

TIme and again, myself included, I have seen people spend gobs of time on site design, only to have the site die because no one will update the calendar, contribute content, etc.

If a tree falls in the woods, and no one clicks the icon....

[SAR-EMT1]

Wow...
More about web design in this thread then Ive ever knew existed.

I've started organizing some things on paper. But Im still waiting on my CC to make the official calls.

[captrncap]

Can someone recommend a web hosting company? It doesn't have to be free.

Is it worth finding a host that supports MS Access since I would like us SIMS (password protected) on the site?

What is MySQL comprared to MS Access?

[SarDragon]

Can someone recommend a web hosting company? It doesn't have to be free.

Is it worth finding a host that supports MS Access since I would like us SIMS (password protected) on the site?

What is MySQL comprared to MS Access?

I'm doing a site on Fat Cow right now, and I like them. It's @ $10/month.

As for the M$ products Q, Fat Cow is a Unix/Linux server using Apache, with PHP and MySQL capabilities. From what I've seen, MySQL is equal to or better than Access, but I'm not an expert. You might go to the Fat Cow home and see if they have capabilities for M$ ASP, etc. I'm not sure you can run both on the same server.

[BillB]

For free web hosting try www.freewebs.com

[mdickinson]

Can someone recommend a web hosting company? It doesn't have to be free.

I have had good experiences with

- readyhosting.com
- pair.com
and also with my current hosting provider, www.dreamhost.com
Dreamhost is every bit as good as the first two - but much cheaper - it's only $8 per month.
They let you host an unlimited number of domains(!) - and up to 3000 email accounts - at no extra charge. That's how I came to host so many sites - cause I'm always offering "I can host it for free..." to any organization I'm involved in.

And if you sign up by going to http://www.dreamhost.com/r.cgi?96763 , they'll give me a free month. Thanks :-)

[RiverAux]

Wow, that is a pretty good deal.  Rest assured when our current contract runs out, I'm going to be doing some shopping.  We're getting hosed!

[stillamarine]

If I may suggest:

http://www.cityscapesolutions.net/

The owner is a friend of mine up in WI, good guy gives good reliable quotes and also I believe said that CAP will qualify for a Not for profit discount.

Tell him I sent ya.

[alamrcn]

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you start fooling around with [Insert Suggested Brand] web authoring program, go figure out the fundamentals of HTML... the most basic language of the Internets, and it is so easy. Google "HTML Basics" or similar and you'll be off and running in no time.

If the first experience of creating a website are using these basics, you will be able to tweak your "drag and drop" websites made by an authoring program later. If you know how HTML works, it's easier to "borrow" code from other websites when you see something you'd like on your site.

I suggest the above VERY strenuously! The following, however, is only a light hearted opinion of mine...

DO use Wing or Region provided server space first, or the Earthlink option through National second. Don't host a unit website with a provider that is dependant on an individual's continuing membership in CAP or their personal home internet provider. This isn't stable.

Using the Wing or Region server gives you a commonsenical URL name too. If you MUST register a domain name, register it for as long as your unit can afford - and leave the information regarding this in your will or a time capsule...   so when the domain has to be re-registered 20 years from now, you're not trying to track down Lt Bob for the GoDaddy.com user name and password!

- Ace

[JC004]

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you start fooling around with [Insert Suggested Brand] web authoring program, go figure out the fundamentals of HTML... the most basic language of the Internets, and it is so easy. Google "HTML Basics" or similar and you'll be off and running in no time.

If the first experience of creating a website are using these basics, you will be able to tweak your "drag and drop" websites made by an authoring program later. If you know how HTML works, it's easier to "borrow" code from other websites when you see something you'd like on your site.
...

Nice interweb code info here: http://www.w3schools.com/

[Murph]

Not that I really want to insert myself into this discussion - but - I just created my units website with the following ideas in mind:

- Keep it REALLY simple

- If you have to update it more than once a year - and you don't have a dedicated unit "webmaster" it will most likely become out of date (we all know we have more important things to do)

- Unit Websites are most often "first touch" forms of recruiting.  As a person who uses the web for business a lot, I know what a good website looks like.  A well designed website conveys professionalism

- Talk about YOUR capabilities - not the CAPabilities of other units

With that in mind - using iWeb from Apple (start cursing me now) - I created this website:

http://www.group22.net/pwk/

The only part of this that requires regular updates is the blog - which has multiple authors within the unit - so it doesn't rely on me, the unit commander, to update.

That's my 2 cents on unit web sites.

[dwb]

Nice job, your web site looks very nice.

If I had one critique, it would be that all the text is actually images.  This may be an iWeb thing, as a way to preserve the pretty fonts, but it makes the page take a long time to load.

Use paragraphs of text instead.  Otherwise, the design is excellent.  Very colorful and vibrant.

[Tubacap]

True a website is great for first touch recruiting, but ours is also a portal to all the NHQ things that I would like our members to have quick access to.

Does anyone have an answer on hosted Microsoft Access for SIMS?  On the flip side, I believe that all cadet progression is to be tracked by eServices soon.

[RogueLeader]

Very professional looking.  Is there a way that you could put a way for the pictures could be viewed larger, like a photo page, where you can get a bigger picture?  But again, very nice job.

[alamrcn]

With that in mind - using iWeb from Apple (start cursing me now) - I created this website:

Ok, I won't bite the Apple bit...

VERY nice website, I like it a lot!  Easy navigation, colorful, photo side bar changes relative to what topic you view - and I agree with RougeLeader, if those photos could be clicked on to enlarge for us snoopy people! The "bullet" graphics for each paragraph were nicely placed and used. I'm jealous of the American Flag topper, it's pretty cool.

In my quick look around, I didn't see a bunch of links over to the National Headquarters website.  So many unit pages are on the fast track to get visitors off their site and over to National's -- WHY?!  Hate that, and it's a dis-service to using the website as a recruiting tool.  Even for a so-called member area, why try to maintain currency on all the links to Nat'l HQ stuff. Even my own squadron and wing do this to some degree, but it's not easier to navigate around... I'd rather hit the seven keys for "CAP.GOV" if I'm looking for something general to CAP - ya know?

-Ace

[Tubacap]

Some things are already explained on the national website.  That's my personal opinion.

www.williamsportcap.org

[alamrcn]

www.williamsportcap.org

National has a lot of great photos at our disposal, but you just can't beat unique and local photos like those used at this website. Non-members might be intrigued to look around because the site looks different than the one they just linked off of. Current members like to see other units and wings in action doing their own thing in their own way. This site was a pleasure to snoop around on.

Hey, can someone help PhotoShop the L-per antennas straight on the front page? It might distract someone from seeing the aircraft doing a handstand in the hanger.   

-Ace

[Tubacap]

I was amused by that picture as well, that's why I put it in 

[Eclipse]

True a website is great for first touch recruiting, but ours is also a portal to all the NHQ things that I would like our members to have quick access to.

NHQ already has a site of their own, members should be bright enough to go direct without the ruminations I see some people go through "ok, click my squadrons site...now...look for the NHQ links...click..hmmm, not what I wanted...back...back....try again."   

Just GOOGLE IT!!!!  LOL

Does anyone have an answer on hosted Microsoft Access for SIMS?  On the flip side, I believe that all cadet progression is to be tracked by eServices soon.

Does not exist today, but would be the Holey Grail for SIMs (IMHO).