Any .php developers here?
 

Need to build a site that allows users to update and add content. Basically tables with technical info that are open to editing. Users must also be able to add new enties in the tables. Pretty much a wiki site.

I know nothing about .php, but I have done some light weight programming in MS land, mostly with VB and C#.

Is it going to take me ages to learn .php and build this with a MySQL back end?Are there templates out there for what I have described?

It might not be as hard as you think. I did a lot a PHP/MYSQL stuff, but am now rusty. I have some of what you are looking for already written, but it is not up to the current version of PHP/MYSQL.

Dave

Yeah, no reason to build it from scratch, tons of OS Wiki's and CMS's out there.

No need to rebuild, but easy enough to do it if you really want to ...

If I were going to buy a server and host this myself, would I be better off using a MS or a Linux platform. I have 2 copies of Server 2003 Enterprise edition at my disposal.

Would I be better off getting a virtual serverr from some big host like godaddy.com?

I'm a packet plumber, not a developer, so use very small words. :)

Linux, no question.

Depends on where your skillset is, IMO. As well as what you're trying to accomplish.

If it's for your personal use, then go with what you know best and are the most comfortable with. If it's for something business related, or something where security is an issue that has to be dealt with, then I'd recommend finding a professional to help you set it up and run it in whatever THEY feel best with.

If it's a personal site, you know MS, and don't know the first thing about Linux, then I'd say stick with MS.

Unless you want to use this whole thing as a learning exercise, then I'd definitely recommend some variant of *nix.


$0.02

Agree with Wayne.
A wiki would be probably what you are looking for ...

However, http://www.modxcms.com/ is killer but more of a site content system than a wiki. Can be done though. I know the main founder and the system so that's why I'm pitching it.

Get a managed server. You won't regret the headaches that you won't have to go through.

I'd say go Linux and get a linode. www.linode.com

Since I got one 3 years ago, i've gone from 64mb ram and 2gb disk space to 10gb disk and 320mb ram, plus 200gb/mo xfer. I run a few domains off of mine, and used to run a rouge archive of 356talk off of it...