Need ideas/advice

[Lchad]

Looking for ideas/advice ...
Client has made a request and I don't know where to begin.
I'm a designer not programmer but at least I'd like to discuss options.

My client contracts to do construction work and become general contractor for job. As the job progresses he wants to be able to upload to his site or (somewhere) the progress that has been made on the job. His client then can log in to read the latest progress that has taken place.

MY client wants to be able to update this himself.

Where do I begin?

Linda
If this is in the wrong forum, please move it to appropriate forum

[karinne]

Well ... you've posted in the right spot

Now ... first, you'll need a database like MySQL. It usually comes with your hosting package along with PHP.

Next, you'll want a login script. Have a look here Admin Section - This should give a good start. Joe also has a few beginner's tutorials in there that you might want to have a look at.

[Lchad]

Thanks Karinne:
That looks promising..

I hate learning new things!!!

[karinne]

Well ... PHP isn't that bad

[spinal007]

If this is a one-off, I don't thing you should go out of your way to re-invent the wheel.

All your client needs is a blog-like application - there's plenty of them around and with a little luck, one of them will have all the things you need.

However, if this is the kind of project you see yourself tackling in the future, then I agree with Karinne - get stuck in.

[karinne]

Linda, continuing on what Diego is saying about "ready-made" app ... you know what would be great for the type of thing your client wants?

BaseCamp ... I tried it a while back and it's REALLY NEAT! You can get a free account which you can only manage 1 project at a time tho ... so ... not sure if that works but ... anyways ... just thought I'd throw that in there.

[Lchad]

I have NO plans to do this on a regular basis! Thanks for reading between the lines.
I'll check out basecamp. I have experience in blogs and I don't remember a way to password protect those..but I could be wrong.

Any ready-made recommendations are welcome!

[karinne]

Yeah ... try basecamp ... it might take a little while to get used to it 'cause there's so many thing you can do in there but it shouldn't take too long. There's milestones and to-do list ...

Have fun!