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.

-

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

[cheat-master30]

1. Not sure, but I think there is an event modification. You may wish to check this first.

2. Link and Download Manager and I think Downloads II or something are available:

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=166094

That mod will probably do most of what you asked for.

3. There's a calendar feature built into vBulletin, but the quality of it is debatable. I am not sure if an event mod integrates with it.

4. You can use any gallery script for this. Either bridge Coppermine or Gallery with vBulletin, or use Photoplog or Photo Post. They come with the usual full permissions system.

5. Need more information on what modules. Others can probably help more with this.

6. Everything can be edited through the Admin CP, including permissions and modification set up as well as styles.

As for blogs, you could use vBulletin Blog, or you could just use a sticky or announcement topic. Live chat can be added, as certain mods are for the integration of scripts like Flash Chat with vBulletin. The permissions you want can all be done with usergroups and the paid subscription feature. Hope that helped.

[SD40T-2]

Originally Posted by cheat-master30

.......

5. Need more information on what modules. Others can probably help more with this.

6. Everything can be edited through the Admin CP, including permissions and modification set up as well as styles.

As for blogs, you could use vBulletin Blog, or you could just use a sticky or announcement topic. Live chat can be added, as certain mods are for the integration of scripts like Flash Chat with vBulletin. The permissions you want can all be done with usergroups and the paid subscription feature. Hope that helped.

'Cheat',

I'll clarify for the quoted parts. The rest of what you mentioned I understand.

There are a few websites that I frequent out there and one in particular that fits a "loose" style to what I'm looking at - www.sportbikes.net

Content exempted, The features and general layout of this website and what appears to be fairly integrated, easily changed content is what I'm looking to accomplish. My primary goal above all is to have a website that:

A - Enables simple group/community communication.

B - Allows for simple announcement posting by various select members (who don't have any web page design). Using a simple text box similar to one used in forum posting would be the goal.

C - Simple and comprehensive (yes I know that may sound a little off) forum/page control through a single username/password sign-in portal.

I apologize if my ideas and concepts are a little foreign. I'm trying to keep this as simple for those I'm in the process of persuading as well as learn the details myself.

If I can clarify anything else, please let me know.

Thanks,

SD

[iRO Wiki]

vb 3.7 will feature photo albums too!