Need guidance

[Breaka77]

Hello all,

I am looking for a little bit of guidance with regards to webpage design and I would be extremely grateful if I can be pointed in the right direction.

In the past I have designed several simple static webpages using Dreamweaver. Now I want to go all out and move to the next step and create dynamic websites.

The project I want to start working on has the following specifications:

1) Ability for users to create/modify/delete Member profiles which are password protected and so on.
2) Ability for me to sort members based on member entered data, etc.
3) Ability for users to find other users with similar data (eg geographic location).
4) I will want to have the site secure (https ???)

The website is for members of a gaming club. They can use it to find other members with similar data (eg geographic location, or like a similar version of the game) and set up games or find out who has the most points, etc etc .

Right now I know that the website has to be database driven. I have purchased the book "Build your own database driven website using php & MySQL". This is my first step. To learn php and build a small database driven site.

I want to know if this is the correct approach. I was going to learn PhP and design the Member Profile engine from scratch.
Is this a waste of time, or do free Member Profile engines already exist that are floating around on the web.

When I say member profile engine, I am refering to a system that lets you choose a login name , password then sends you an email with a link that lets you activate your membership. Similar to what any BBS or sites like ebay, would do.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you. 🙂

[Namadoor]

A simple member profile engine as you call it doesn't take a whole lot of time (a few hours at the most) and I don't belive to be a waste of time. Many PHP sites use their own sort of user system that allows guests to register an account, and then log into the site using their own username/password. Therefore creating your own would be good for getting experience in PHP and MySQL. I would read through your book, and try to make programs similar to the examples to make sure you are getting it. I wouldn't recomend you attempt to create your user profile engine until you have made a few simple programs first, and know the very basics of the language.

[Breaka77]

Namadoor,

Thanks for the advice. I have planned to write numerous small programs before getting to my project. I do have a programming background, so hopefully I will grasp the language quickly.

I'm trying to get as much info as I can, so I can learn website design as efficiently as possible. I don't want to be reinventing the wheel and end up doing a bad job at it.

Again thanks for your advice. 🙂