Hi Like the look of the way its taking shape.
I am not sure if there is existing faq software (I've checked sourceforge and freshmeat without much luck) we could use, or if someone can do a better job :) but I have a content management system written, together with a lot of the search functionality needed for the faq. It can mix database stored content with static content, so it would probably do the job with a little work. It also does the membership authorisation/management. I'd be happy to build the software, if that helps. Let me know Peter ----------------------------------------------- Excellence in internet and open source software ----------------------------------------------- Sunmaia Birmingham UK www.sunmaia.net tel. 0121-242-1473 International +44-121-242-1473 ----------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: Stefan Hinz, iConnect (Berlin) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 01 January 2003 21:26 To: David T-G; mysql users Subject: Re: FAQ hosting site (was "Re: An Idea") David, > Sure; it's the least I can do. Look for mysql.justpickone.org to be in > the DNS tables by tomorrow. By then the [EMAIL PROTECTED] > mailing list will be ready for subscriptions, too. Fine. http://mysql.justpickone.org/ works :) > Now, what do we need to do to be able to update this FAQ? I can't create > ssh accounts for everyone, but we might arrange ftp Let's set up a PHP thing with MySQL. That's quite fast and easy to do. I could contribute some code. My suggestions (database design): 1. We need an authors table, and everyone who wants to be an author (contributor) can mail you, and you will set up accounts for these persons. The authors table will, of course, be used for database authentification / to update the admin pages. 2. For the actual content, we will need only one table, with question (varchar), answer (text), timestamp and a couple of id's that refer to other tables. 3. For the beginning, I would suggest we only have two more tables: category (installation, privilege system, ..., generally speaking, the main chapters of the manual) and difficulty (beginner, advanced, expert). _Not_ to be edited by the authors, to keep the FAQ smooth and simple. - We can make this more complex when necessity comes, with ratings, automated checks for double entries etc. My suggestions (frontend): 1. For end users, a very simple search. As Jim (JamesD) pointed out, Alkaline could do the job. Then again, Alkaline will search (and before, index) documents, and not databases. For the beginning, I would prefer just a simple input box for the search. 2. Output preferably as html files, i.e. nothing like "index.php?cat=installation&difficulty=beginner&searchterm=windows", but rather something like "/installation/beginner/windows/1.html". IMHO, this is easier to refer to in a mailing list, and easier to click. Maybe we can set up Alkaline on those html files, as an alternative search for the database search. 3. Authors should be instructed to first search via the end user interface before inserting a new entry. If they do want to insert something new, they should simply select category, difficulty, paste the question, type (or paste) the answer. 4. The author login should be extremely convenient, with a persistent cookie, so an author will not actually have to login more than once (from the same browser/machine). 5. An author should be able to insert new content and to update his / her own content, nothing else. - What I said about database design applies to the frontend, too. We can make it more complex later on, when the need arises. We can have user contributed notes, fine grained search criteria, etc. In the beginning, I would suggest to follow the KISS principle (keep it simple & stupid). I send this to the list, because a) maybe someone has written exactly what we want, or can give a URL to where to find it, b) maybe someone has better ideas or comments on this. > By then the [EMAIL PROTECTED] > mailing list will be ready for subscriptions, too. Great. We should discuss everything else via this list, then. Regards, -- Stefan Hinz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Geschäftsführer / CEO iConnect GmbH <http://iConnect.de> Heesestr. 6, 12169 Berlin (Germany) Tel: +49 30 7970948-0 Fax: +49 30 7970948-3 ----- Original Message ----- From: "David T-G" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "mysql users" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "Stefan Hinz, iConnect (Berlin)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 4:12 PM Subject: Re: FAQ hosting site (was "Re: An Idea") > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > Hash: SHA1 > > Stefan, et al -- > > ...and then Stefan Hinz, iConnect (Berlin) said... > % > % David, > % > % > see it dropped if they don't jump on it at the start. > % > % I agree. Will you set it up at http://justpickone.org/? (BTW, I like > > Sure; it's the least I can do. Look for mysql.justpickone.org to be in > the DNS tables by tomorrow. By then the [EMAIL PROTECTED] > mailing list will be ready for subscriptions, too. > > Now, what do we need to do to be able to update this FAQ? I can't create > ssh accounts for everyone, but we might arrange ftp (I wish we could sftp > without then also having ssh; darn) and, meanwhile, it seems like this > should be the sort of thing where we could either use CVS or a web update > form or the like... Maybe a wiki will do for now, but I don't like only > being able to get at it from the web :-) Anyone have any thoughts? > > > % your website, especially the PIX :-) > > Thanks! :-) It needs an overhaul, but it gets the job done. > > > % > % Regards, > % -- > % Stefan Hinz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > % Geschäftsführer / CEO iConnect GmbH <http://iConnect.de> > % Heesestr. 6, 12169 Berlin (Germany) > % Tel: +49 30 7970948-0 Fax: +49 30 7970948-3 > > > HTH & HAND & HNY > > :-D > - -- > David T-G * There is too much animal courage in > (play) [EMAIL PROTECTED] * society and not sufficient moral courage. > (work) [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Mary Baker Eddy, "Science and Health" > http://justpickone.org/davidtg/ Shpx gur Pbzzhavpngvbaf Qrprapl Npg! > > -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- > Version: GnuPG v1.0.7 (FreeBSD) > > iD8DBQE+EwVbGb7uCXufRwARAmHWAJ9j2Zd/syBro07AQ5hj0n7lAeeFMACfYch+ > QFYwxXNLMvUSbTYxxp2JQOE= > =g9Q2 > -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Before posting, please check: http://www.mysql.com/manual.php (the manual) http://lists.mysql.com/ (the list archive) To request this thread, e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, e-mail <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Trouble unsubscribing? 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