Pre-Sale odds and ends

[SD40T-2]

Greetings everyone,

I'm taking on the task of investigating what would be involved in a rebuild of the website for the model train club that I'm a member of. I've been familiar with vBulletin on various other websites for a number of years and as a result I've been looking into using it as a focal point of our train club's website.

I have a somewhat limited knowledge of web site design and with that I'm not fluent in the little 'details' that sometimes crop up, none the less, I feel, given the requirements of vbulletin, I don't think there will be many if any issues and I should be able to pick my way through should the need arise.

However, a number of issues are confronting me into what I can do from what a forum engine (vbulletin in this case) can do to the financial costs and monetary limitations and interfacing requirements. Let me explain this in detail

I envision different sections to the website and I'll elaborate on each one.

1. - Events -

I'd like to have a events section. Under this section would be club activities and dated reminders. I'd like to be able to have multiple access levels so that say general visitors don't see the events specifically intended for those that are paid club members. Club members wouldn't see events for board members and so on. A tiered permission access system in other words. I'm looking to have this stand alone and not be imbedded within the forum structure proper.

2. - File Section -

We have a number of club documents that we currently have available for download on our current site. I'd like to have a section that would allow for easy downloads by members and visitors. Again, with tiered permission access.

3. - Calendar -

As far as a calendar is concerned, I desire that it would operate much like or in conjunction with the events section, perhaps one in the same. Access would be tiered and only those with sufficient permission could access a given level of events.

4. - Photos section -

If possible, I'd like to have an area where member may host their photos and a community area where photos of club interest would be available. Access levels in this case aren't as much of a concern but again, would be nice if feasible.

5. - Forum -

Pretty self explanatory and I'm not sweating this one. My only question is how well it integrates with other modules from say the vBadvanced website should we decide to purchase and/or download them.

6. - Overall web-page layout and content -

I'm concerned how much the software and possible add-ons will maintain an easy and quick update for those other than myself who don't have much in the way of website administrating. I'd like it to be in such a way that almost every aspect of design and change is facilitated through the vbulletin access process. I would more than likely handle initial design but would take a much decreased role in day-to-day administrating and control.

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Some content that are nice-to-have's but not required:

- Blog -

Some where to allow say our club president to drop a blurb here and a blurb there. Not for general membership use and would be highly restricted. A unofficial announcements area of sorts.

- Live chat -

Let me caveat this by saying I don't think it's in the cards right now but I'd like to at least propose it as being an "easy to add" option should a decision be made to that effect.

(Internal administration)

I'd like to be able to somehow integrate some method by which I could take our membership roster and have the bulletin board software add and remove members or change permission levels automatically based on their standing in the club. Members who aren't paid up would be dropped to a basic forum member level and not have access to "club member" areas.

I understand that this may not be possible directly and a third party application may need to be considered. It's not a big concern and manual control may be just as easy. Just a "nice to have" type of feature.

Please let me know if I can clarify anything.

Thanks,

SD