Creating a searchable document database

October 4, 2005 3:29 PM

I want to create an online document database containing text, video, audio, and image files searchable by category (Such as War > Vietnam > Napalm Footage), keywords (Such as grainy, color, etc.) and, for text, a full-text search. And I'd like to be able to define a number of other custom fields (such as Source, Date, etc.), with the ability to search as many or as few fields as I'd like. And I would also like the ability to browse by category. Anything out there that meets these standards, preferably using PHP and MySQL?
posted by punishinglemur to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh, and free, if that's also possible. If not, I'll pay.
posted by punishinglemur at 3:32 PM on October 4, 2005

It may not have all of the bells and whistles you seek, but Owl is not half bad, and runs on PHP/MySQL.
posted by killdevil at 4:42 PM on October 4, 2005

Have a look at Owl - it's a document management system which does a lot of what you require. You should be able to adapt/configure it pretty easily. PHP MySQL. Open Source.
posted by blag at 4:42 PM on October 4, 2005

You should check out the taxonomy extensions to Drupal. I'm not sure this will meet your needs, but may be a place to start.
posted by sohcahtoa at 4:43 PM on October 4, 2005

Heh. An hour and ten minutes and then two come along at once.
posted by blag at 4:43 PM on October 4, 2005

jinx.
posted by killdevil at 4:52 PM on October 4, 2005

See also... Sourceforge.net and Freshmeat.net are invaluable for this kind of thing.
posted by killdevil at 4:58 PM on October 4, 2005

MPEG7 is what you are after. Have fun.
posted by mmdei at 7:13 PM on October 4, 2005

I know just the thing for you - TNG - The Next Generation. It's main use is for personal genealogy websites but it is extremely user friendly, easy to customize and does everything you want. Darrin, the creator, is very friendly, you should email him and explain your needs.
posted by LadyBonita at 8:18 PM on October 4, 2005

Does Gallery allow for custom fields?
posted by Wild_Eep at 8:44 PM on October 4, 2005

Also look at Greenstone digital library software.
posted by arco at 6:42 AM on October 5, 2005