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pre-sales questions

Thread began 10/15/2009 9:15 am by jc1cell390254 | Last modified 10/24/2009 7:35 am by roxcastaneda251760 | 5053 views | 18 replies |

jc1cell390254

pre-sales questions

Hello All,

While PowerCMS seems to be an excellent solution for a simple CMS application in comparison the use of joomla and drupal,I still feel a bit apprehensive on purchasing this product. I will more than likely purchase the supersuite of extensions but am not completely sold on this solution. Keep in mind that I'm a total newbie to web design and coding having built two sites with another one in progress right now.

What I'm understanding about PCMS is that I would build a template in dreamweaver with just the base design for the site. I would complete the template with the specific code from PCMS that denotes where the editable content will be. By saving the file as a .php I should have a working editable page.

The only coding I need to do in php is specific to the details expressed in the start guide relating to denoting the editable content and the only mysql activity is uploading the .sql file to the server (be it the live server or my virtual testing server). I can then populate my website with the content that is required through the admin area which will be the same way the client will do it when they want to change the content.

This is how I understand it and it seems pretty straight forward. I just feel I'm missing something since I see several users on this forum with issues. I haven't read except for one. Anyone have positive reviews on this? Am I understanding the functionality correctly?

Thanks for any replies.

jc

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gruant2000381341

I think everyone will have a different opinion on this. I think Webassist is pretty liberal with their statement "no hand coding". If you are comfortable with-- some-- coding, it's not a bad product. I must admit that they do have a better support system than most of their competitors. That is why I buy from them, no matter who you buy from...there are always going to be issues. I am fairly happy with their products... I say fairly only because they are definately more expensive...but they make up for it in the support aspect.

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roxcastaneda251760Beta Tester

how to integrate to an existing web site

I am almost convinced to buy, but...

if I already have a web site, only html pages and I want to use Power CMS with it, how do I do that?

It has to be really easy because I don't know php at all

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Laura Savelli

PowerCMS

PowerCMS must be used with PHP pages due to the fact that the content in PowerCMS is displayed dynamically (from a database) on the various pages of the website you tie into PowerCMS. However, in most cases you can simply rename the pages from .html to .php and then add the code that PowerCMS provides (when you insert new content) to the page you want your client to be able to update and everything will work properly. Please take a look at the PowerCMS Getting Started Guide on the Support page of our website for complete instructions.

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gruant2000381341

power cms is for php pages only...you can either switch them all over to php pages ...or go to website-editor ...just pop it into static html sites...There is a php and asp version...php for linux servers,asp for windows servers. I own both Web assist's and the version put out by top dreamweaver. The other is much easier to use on static site (cheaper too). Very very easy...the only thing you have to do is set write permissions for 1 folder...done..no mysql needed

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Office Guy-172461

One thing to keep in mind - databases are used for a reason.

Flat files are very limited and can get corrupted. Databases are easy to backup and are very scalable. Most hosts include PHP and mySQL for free. DW makes it very easy to connect to a database. Once you learn a few simple procedures, you have a whole new world at your disposal.

Maybe a few tutorials will make it easier to see how it's done:

How to create a connection to a MySQL database
157/

WA solutions come with the file to create the database so all you need to do is follow the import step of this article:
Exporting and Importing a database using phpMyAdmin
150/

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gruant2000381341

I whole-heartedly agree that databases and mysql are the best option for large/complicated sites. But I would also say that (and I am in this group) most people looking for an extension aren't developing a site like amazon..because if we were..an extension just wouldn't cut the mustard. And they surely wouldn't be using Dreamweaver for that matter either. I build quick sites that only need maybe quarterly updating. If you need that robust, update your content every fifteen minutes..by all means go with the mysql option. And you do have a point with the file corruption, that is why after I build a site...then populate the editable fields...always always always have that file backed up somewhere so you can just re-publish it if your server fails you

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Office Guy-172461

I'm not saying it's not right for your situation. I just pointed out the other side because you are quick to point to competitor's products. I think it's only fair to put things in perspective and let everyone choose what works best for them.

The only time I use a company's support forum to point to another company's product is when they don't directly compete. That's just me. There are plenty of mailing list out there to get recommendations.

Also I disagree with your premise that PHP/mySQL is only for large sites like Amazon. Just because it's capable of doing large sites doesn't mean you shouldn't take advantage of it for small sites.

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neilo

Hiya jc and roxcastaneda251760 - if you're still around,

I agree with gruant2000381341 that the 'no hand coding' phrase is a tad optimistic, and if either of you is looking for a guaranteed hassle-free solution that requires near-zero input from the developer, then you may want to look elsewhere.

HOWEVER, if you don't mind asking for help occasionally, and/or want to be able at some future time to expand on your deployments and are also looking to learn a fair bit in the process, then you could do a lot worse that using the WebAssist extensions and solutions to build the technical side of any SME.

There is no way (I believe) that you can make the transition from static to dynamic development without there being at least some learning curve involved, and therefore the quality of the support you get for whichever products you buy is should be one of (if not the) major factors in your choice, and you'll get that here.

If you just want to satisfy a client's request for a basic CMS and aren't too bothered about getting involved, then you could go with CushyCMS or somesuch. But when you start to get involved with dynamic data, doors open all over the place. You can approach new clients with a whole new confidence.

This from a PHP moron who's got the bug and is having a go.

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Office Guy-172461

Very well put neilo.

The biggest obstacle is the fear of the unknown. Once you get over that, it starts to come together rather quickly.

Some things look like they will never make sense and then it finally clicks and you can't believe how easy everything becomes. Taking one concept at a time gets you there in no time.

You never stop learning so there is little reason to worry about what you don't know yet. :)

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