Project Database Brainstorm (updated 10/31/07)

[Neverending Project]

I want to pick back up on the discussions here. We are making good progress on identifying the table structure we will need, but I would like to explore our implementation options a bit more before having the full-blown discussion of what tools we will use for this database.

I have been looking at Joomla, but I am wondering what extension(s) I should look at to get the database implementation. Can anyone who has some Joomla experience point me in the right direction? I would like to take a look at how it is possible to implement the database, and the user-interface to creating and maintaining their projects. Thanks.

[bfauska]

Jumping in late in the game here, but I'd like to volunteer to help move some stuff from the old examples to the new if it needs to be done manually.  If we get the DB up and running we could have some people divide up the existing examples page into sections and work our way through, migrating any available information into the new DB.  There will likely be holes in the data, but if the creator of those cabs have a chance they can update as seen fit.  I suppose there would have to be some moderator level access to the entries and an owner level access as well, this way the DB can be filled out and then when the creator of the cabinet shows up and wants to update they can have access to their project.

This system sounds great.  I haven't ever looked into putting anything of mine into the examples system, because it seems like you need a project blog or the like to link to.  With this system it would be nice if the option was available for all the information to be hosted at the DB.

[Jimbo]

It's been a month, so thought I'd give this thread a bump.  Any progress?

[Neverending Project]

Well I have certainly not given up on this. I am not sure, however, what would be required to set this site up using Joomla to be able to tap into the SMF database here on Arcade Controls. So my plan is to build a stand-alone site and get some beta testers to iron out the wrinkles. It will be slow going though, especially with the holidays breathing down my throat.

Stay tuned, though. More news to follow.

[XyloSesame]

I'm still in for whatever I can do to help...

[baddog5]

If you're going to use Joomla and want to do database queries, look at a component called "Database Query".  There is a free version and a professional version with additional features.  It allows you to create custom queries on MySql tables.  It has a fairly steep learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty simple.  I've used it on a number of sites and might be able to assist if needed.

[Santoro]

Just found this thread, watching with interest. 

What would be cool would be a "cabfinder" feature, similar to what others have suggested.   You could check off certain features and the results would be filtered accordingly.  See the Phonescoop Phone finder for an example of how it could look. 

I recognize this is a major hunk of coding, and I have nothing to offer there.  But hey,  it's an idea.  I wonder if Phonescoop runs on off the shelf software?

[unclet]

Problems I have with the Examples page:

1) A lot of the links are dead.   If the cabinet creator submitted the images to Saint's server instead of just supplying links to their pictures, this would have been a lot better since the images would not get lost over the years as the links die.   Hopefully this new endeavor will make submitting images (instead of links) mandatory.

2) I must click on every link to see the type of cabinet (if the link is not dead as well).  Viewing a quick "main" cabinet picture as a thumbnail would be much better.

3) Having additional pictures of the building of the cabinet is most helpful, especially for first-time builders.    Again, adding all the build pictures to the site would be much better than relying on people's personal webpages to be maintained for many years.  I think this is what you are recommending take place now .... which I agree.... that would be much better.

Good luck with this ....

[emb]

This idea sounds great! I would also like to hop on this bandwagon. While I have no experience with joomla or drupal, I do have an extensive amount of experience in MySQL, PHP, Java, and C/C++ (along with custom framework desing) as I use it everyday at work. This would be the ultimate hobby project for me to participate in.

[kelemvor]

Somehow I lost my notification here so Just checking in.

Not sure on the current status but I'm hopefully getting my cab this week so I'll have a project with pics to submit sometime soon.

[shock_]

Boredom and a need to kick this thread has led me to build a prototype.

It's Drupal, and running on a free host so please expect the worst.

http://cabs.x10hosting.com/

I ended up leaving out the controls table, since it would be a pain to seed and maintain (see first post in this thread), and IMHO of questionable real value.

Have a play.  Register and add to it.

And sorry Danny Galaga, I just stole yours as another example cab.  The details are entirely guessed ! :0

[Neverending Project]

Thanks for picking this back up. Just yesterday in fact, I was thinking about this project. I do really want to see this through to completion, and hopefully this spring after things settle down a bit for me, I will jump right back on it.

This will be a good proving ground for interface concepts and database ideas. I will check it out.

[shock_]

Some of the tags aren't matching the right query, ad I'd restructure the controls part a bit more so they can be "advanced search"-able, but yeah.

A db like this is a good idea.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Just fyi, a couple of us got together and started adding thumbnails to the Wiki.
Since that seems to be the biggest complaint. We're also culling dead links, etc.

Check it out: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Cocktail_cabinets

I like the ambition behind the project mentioned in this thread, but I can't see an additional site being the solution. As I go through literally hundreds of other people's dead sites, one constant has always remained...and that's Arcadecontrols.com.

I think the Wiki is the answer, personally.

Each project page has the capability of having as much detail as any site I've visited. Just sayin'

[CheffoJeffo]

Just wanted to send out a  to Mr. C and crew ...

 

[unclet]

Good work .....

Hey, I added a picture of my Upright Cabinet (UncleTs Dads Arcade), but it does not show up as a thumbnail though .....  any ideas?

Also, I believe I added my jukebox to the Example pages (under "Jukebox" section) but it is not listed yet.  Does my jukebox have to be approved by Saint before it shows up?   

[headkaze]

Just fyi, a couple of us got together and started adding thumbnails to the Wiki.
Since that seems to be the biggest complaint. We're also culling dead links, etc.

Check it out: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Cocktail_cabinets

I like the ambition behind the project mentioned in this thread, but I can't see an additional site being the solution. As I go through literally hundreds of other people's dead sites, one constant has always remained...and that's Arcadecontrols.com.

I think the Wiki is the answer, personally.

Each project page has the capability of having as much detail as any site I've visited. Just sayin'

Great work 

Added my cab I agree now the Wiki is the way to go. Now if only we could make a "friendly" form for entering info in and generating a wiki page automatically. That would be nicer for alot of people I think. Is it easy to add in modules like this for the Wiki?

[mr.Curmudgeon]

unclet,

Good work .....

Hey, I added a picture of my Upright Cabinet (UncleTs Dads Arcade), but it does not show up as a thumbnail though .....  any ideas?

Also, I believe I added my jukebox to the Example pages (under "Jukebox" section) but it is not listed yet.  Does my jukebox have to be approved by Saint before it shows up?   

Any change, at this point, still needs to be added manually to the index page.
For example, to add your thumbnail, I added this line in the 'Upright Listing'. The thumbnail is showing now.

Added code:

Code: [Select]

* [[image:UncleTs_Dads_Arcade.jpg|68px]] [[UncleTs Dads Arcade]]To Page: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Upright_cabinets

For your Jukebox, you'd need to add your title to the index as well:

Need to add code:

Code: [Select]

* [[image:UncleTs_Jukebox.jpg|90px]] [[UncleTs Jukebox]]To Page: http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Jukeboxes

Change 'UncleTs_Jukebox' to whatever your image name and page title is.


headkaze,

Added my cab I agree now the Wiki is the way to go. Now if only we could make a "friendly" form for entering info in and generating a wiki page automatically. That would be nicer for alot of people I think. Is it easy to add in modules like this for the Wiki?

This is definitely something the community should look into adding, going forward.   

[unclet]

Thanks!