Helpful book suggestions

Photoshop_Geek · 08-21-2007

Hi All! I just started a new website for parenting in my local area, I got business cards that I designed myself (with the help of my husband) and now I'm wanting to do a guestbook AND a chatroom. Anyone know of scripts for these or books that could possibly help me on my way? I bought a vbulletin message board too, but I can't figure out how to customize it. It's kind of boring right now because it's just the basic one you get when you join. Anyone that is savvy to this type stuff if you could please help me out I would be much obliged!

**Man1c M0g** · 08-21-2007

Vbulletin skins are quite difficult. What i'd suggest is that you buy a commercial skin for it that resembles what you'd like and then alter the graphics to suit your site design. The actual header and footer can just be copied verbatim from your site design - the only bit you'd need to alter would be the graphics for the forum rows/columns themselves.

Gjbphp · 08-21-2007

Yes, or you could have one made to fit your requirements. I sometimes use ScriptLance.com for when I need a skin for vbulletin or other applications, you can get some good deals there, and actually get what you want.

Gjbphp · 08-21-2007

Hmm I just realised I totally forgot about your request for a book

Now depending on what you are interested in, I can think of several ways to do a guestbook and chatroom script. You can either download a free one like this and install it. Or you can write one from scratch. But then you have to learn at least one programming language and maybe also SQL (database stuff where you store the comments for the guestbook).

Ok, so let's assume you want to do it yourself

You will probably choose php or CGI / Perl. If your server is windows based, then ASP is an option. Now, assuming you want PHP, which is the most popular web programming language, I would suggest one of the following books: Sams Teach Yourself PHP in 24 Hours, Third Edition (Paperback) or Sams Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and Apache All in One (3rd Edition) (Sams Teach Yourself) (Paperback) which covers php, and the database and some stuff about the very popular apache webserver. Now, one of these books actually has a guestbook example in it.. But don't hold me on that, as mine are old first editions... Hope this helps some

Photoshop_Geek · 08-24-2007

Ahhhh you are all speaking GREEK to me hehehe. Sorry. I'm kind of a BRAND new baby in the world of web design and savviness!