Easy Way For Writers To Update?

[sirtech]

First, I am not necessarily a guru of computer programming but I know some things, so bear with me.

I'm currently building a website where I plan on having authors (or "volunteer writers") to update columns, articles, or review certain products, items, ect. So for a prime example, if on the main page of my site, I have a column telling viewers when certain video games are to be released -- what is the best way for me to have a writer update this area as easy as possible without having to enter a HTML Editor, type the info in/code it, and upload it FTP. ...if there is an easier way?

Obviously things could get screwy if I have people messing with a lot of code.

Or perhaps there are programs that can help me manage this? I just need someone to maybe point me in the right direction. I hope I made sense. Much thanks.

[Deadeye]

you will have to write a several scripts that will allow the person to edit the text inside the HTML. And the only way I know how to do this is having your text about the game info, the release date for example, in a database table.

have your script query this table for the info, and when a user hits update (after there logged in) they will be able to edit that text directly.

When the page is displayed you will have to query that database for that info on the game and format that into your html with in the script. No person should be able to edit your code for the web page, if you do, you are looking to get hacked.

I don’t think this explanation is detailed enough, but I am very tired. If you would like me to explain in further detail please let me know. I can do so later on in the day.

Wesley

[sirtech]

thanks for the help wesley

I'm gonna have to take you up on your offer, when and if you get a chance I would love to hear more from you about how this works or how to go about it since I'm pretty determined to figure this out.

any other help or explanation is greatly appreciated too.

[Deadeye]

Ok, so here it goes.

To make a simple page like this you will need to have the following:

1) a database you can access and create/edit tables
2) a good understanding with database interactions, connection strings etc
3) a good knowledge of java/PERL/ASP/JSP/PHP <-- any of these will work with what you want to do.

Lets make an example of guns, since I like guns I have a good knowledge of them.

First you need to create a table with the following criteria:
1) a identifier to know what is what
2) a field where there is a explanation

To use the example with this table I would set one up like this:

Table name: guns
make: varchar2
model: varchar2
caliber: integer
imgSmall: varchar2
description: clob

Next you will need to create a script or a page that will read the information from this table and put it into the correct spot on the page.

For example:

Img of the gun imgSmall link

Here we have a Springfieldmake 1911 model. This gun was manufactured in 1910 with…description

Edit description button

When anyone clicks on this edit description button you will have the page grab the information from the database again, but instead of displaying it as static text on the page, it will put the information (for the description) in a text box so the user can edit this description.

When the user clicks the submit button, your page will re-write the description back into the database in replace of the old description. So to use my example, I found something wrong with the description. I click on the edit button and I get to edit the text inside a text box.

“I change the current description to: This gun was manufactured in 1911 with…” I click the Submit or Change button, and your page will write what I changed into the description field of the table. When the page reloads the changes will be reflected and I will see the static page with the correction.

I hope this helps, if you have any further questions please let me know.

This is a lot to explain so if I missed a step or forgot something please ask.

Wesley

[sirtech]

^Luckily, that ended up making a lot of sense and I can go from there.

Just to clarify with what you posted there.. that method is for any websurfer to edit? I thought so considering there is an edit button displayed on the site itself.

Say I wanted to only give this priviledge to members I appoint as a 'staff member', and they would be updating/editing their own areas of the site. Would this generally be done the same way?

[Deadeye]

I would recommend that way of doing it

You need to have that user login. Create a table of users like:

userTab
username: varchar2
password: not sure of the name
position: varchar2

example:

in the table the following info will allow me to edit a field:

username: Deadeye
password: password123
position: Staff

Staff will give me the edit button. Your page will need to query for the position of the user and then either give them that button or not.

The following will not allow me to use the edit button

username: Deadeye
password: password123
position: member

Wesley

[sirtech]

Hey man thanks a lot, I'm going to go work on this right now. Much thanks

[Deadeye]

no problem, would love to see the finished result.

Also, you can have more privileges for people to edit depending on criteria you set.

For example, you can have a member just view, you can have Staff Edit descriptions and you can have an Admin create new or edit everything. how you want to do this is completely open ended on how far in detail you want to go.

Good luck and I want to see what you have. So post your URL here

Take care and good luck

Wesley

[RichardY]

How many users are you planning for?

I know Portello CMS lets users edit designated areas directly in their browser.

Cheers,
Richard

[Allen]

Richard - can you help me understand if you post is a spam?