Best Method of Populating Image Database?

I'm new to mysql but have average Dreamweaver knowledge. I use a Mac and DW CS 4.

I need to import about 100 products into my site. I used SiteAssist to setup the categories and pages. My first hurdle is to build an administrative page so my assistants can add pricing, descriptions, etc. to each record. The next is to build a page where records can be maintained.

I have 3 related questions:
My first is: How do you suggest I initially populate my database with all of my images? I have thumbnails and actual size of each. Secondly, once the images are in the database, can I use FormsAssist to build my maintenance pages? Finally, should I build my maintenance and import pages before importing my images?

TIA
-tom

1. don't populate your database with images, just use varchar fields to store the image names (and paths if you want).

2. you can use dataassist to build your maintenance pages, there is a wizard to create the pages you need

3. if you have a lot of images, you can populate your image and thumbnail fields with the image name (and path ?) and ftp the image files to the appropriate folder. This will be quicker than using the maintenance pages

Graig,

Thanks for your help.
You said:
"1. don't populate your database with images, just use varchar fields to store the image names (and paths if you want)."

Could you please elaborate on how to do this step by step or point me towards a solution in the documentation?

Thanks again,
tom

what you need to do is upload your image(s) to a folder(s) in your server, and what goes into the database is a text description of the image name and (if you wish) where the image is located

if you have digital file pro, it makes things easier. take a look at the documentation for dfp2 digital-file-pro/

you could take a look at the blue sky music database (items table) as an example