How can a willing to learn non-programmer build something like those user-supported gas price sites?
October 11, 2006 1:18 PM Subscribe
I'm looking to build a site that allows its users to submit and/or search pricing and availability information for "widgets" at local brick and mortar retail stores.
The model I have in mind would be similar to the user-supported gas price sites that popped up about a year ago, in which people entered what they paid for what type of gas, and other users then could type in a zip code and see the best prices near them.
So, being a non-programmer (but willing to learn through trial and error), what language/framework/open-source code do I use to build this?
Instead of gas, I'm looking to support a broader set of products. OK, I'm talking about beer.
I want to allow a user to enter their zip and get a list of the stores near them, the types of microbrew beer they sell and at what price. Or they could enter the name of the beer they seek, and up would pop a list of the stores that have it and what they're selling it for.
At the same time, they should be able to enter what they paid for beer and where they bought it. I'll need to allow users to enter new types of beer and new locations.
I'd love to also have a slick google maps interface, but that's really phase 2 type stuff.
I want to use this as an opportunity to teach myself something about programming and databases, but I'd rather start with an existing code base that will let me crack it open and see how it ticks. I tend to learn technical things more easily that way.
I'm doing this as a hobby, and want to do it on the cheap. Y'know, free. As in beer.
So, thoughts? Advice? Warnings?
Instead of gas, I'm looking to support a broader set of products. OK, I'm talking about beer.
I want to allow a user to enter their zip and get a list of the stores near them, the types of microbrew beer they sell and at what price. Or they could enter the name of the beer they seek, and up would pop a list of the stores that have it and what they're selling it for.
At the same time, they should be able to enter what they paid for beer and where they bought it. I'll need to allow users to enter new types of beer and new locations.
I'd love to also have a slick google maps interface, but that's really phase 2 type stuff.
I want to use this as an opportunity to teach myself something about programming and databases, but I'd rather start with an existing code base that will let me crack it open and see how it ticks. I tend to learn technical things more easily that way.
I'm doing this as a hobby, and want to do it on the cheap. Y'know, free. As in beer.
So, thoughts? Advice? Warnings?
Best answer: You may want to have a look at Ning, which hosts special Ning-specific PHP apps. You can clone and customize most apps on the site. That means that if you can find something close to what you want, you can "view source" on the web app and make the changes you need.
Another tool to look at is Dabble, watch their screencast to get an idea of how a non-programmer can build a web app. Note that this costs money and may or may not do the social stuff you want.
Another route to take would be a Drupal site. Drupal is complex, but you would be probably able to combine modules to do what you want. Specifically, I imagine you would use the CCK module to allow people to post beer prices, then the location module and GMap module to display and search for beers.
When you say "non-programmer" do you mean "never built a GUI application in C" or "never managed to figure out any HTML or Excel" or something in between?
And let me know if you get this going, I want cheap beer!
posted by revgeorge at 3:42 PM on October 11, 2006
Another tool to look at is Dabble, watch their screencast to get an idea of how a non-programmer can build a web app. Note that this costs money and may or may not do the social stuff you want.
Another route to take would be a Drupal site. Drupal is complex, but you would be probably able to combine modules to do what you want. Specifically, I imagine you would use the CCK module to allow people to post beer prices, then the location module and GMap module to display and search for beers.
When you say "non-programmer" do you mean "never built a GUI application in C" or "never managed to figure out any HTML or Excel" or something in between?
And let me know if you get this going, I want cheap beer!
posted by revgeorge at 3:42 PM on October 11, 2006
I did something similar for people to organize garage sales. Check it out at garagemaps.com. My partner and I did it in PHP/mySQL and connecting to Google Maps. We started out knowing very little about PHP/mySQL, and we were able to get it working through trial and error.
posted by fcain at 6:23 PM on October 11, 2006
posted by fcain at 6:23 PM on October 11, 2006
Response by poster: @revgeorge
I'll check those out - thanks. And by non-programmer I mean I don't know C, perl or PHP, but I can bust out some passable html with my nose in a book or by cheating and viewing source on stuff I like.
posted by pjhagop at 9:07 PM on October 11, 2006
I'll check those out - thanks. And by non-programmer I mean I don't know C, perl or PHP, but I can bust out some passable html with my nose in a book or by cheating and viewing source on stuff I like.
posted by pjhagop at 9:07 PM on October 11, 2006
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posted by Doctor Barnett at 2:46 PM on October 11, 2006