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Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsHow to allow users to upload content to the site I have made for them?
Hey everyone!
So recently I have really been refining my web development skills and I feel I am now finally ready to take a shot at making a website for a client. My sister and dad have both requested websites for their artwork so I agreed to help them.
However, I don't know how to integrate a simple system for uploading content for both of them to use. My Dad is tech-savvy but does not know anything about Web Development and I feel my sister would struggle without a simple system to upload content.
What would be the best way to allow them to upload images and text to the site? I either hardcode my sites or use bootstrap as a framework.
Thank you to anyone who is able to help me out!
-Luke
7 Answers
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsI started to type out a long answer listing every single programming language used for backend development...then my stupid internet dc and I lost everything.
Anyway....I realized that you know...you're on a website where real software developers have spent hundreds of hours crafting courses to teach just what you're interested in learning. If you click tracks you will see three tracks that are up to you're choosing. PHP development, Ruby development, and if you really want to be a software engineer I would suggest taking Wordpress.
Things to consider:
Do you like Japanese culture? Then you may enjoy Ruby.
Do you like money? You may enjoy PHP. They use a lot of $$$
Do you enjoy Zurb Foundation because it is like BootStrap with roller coaster rides without the hamburgers? Then you may love wordpress. They tend to love big front-end frameworks. Plus plugins. Lots of plugins.
Do you enjoy lots of money, roller coaster rides, and prefer burritos? Then you may just be fit for PHP & Wordpress.
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsAlso you're key is that you don't want to integrate anything. You want to build an application that is so complicated and confusing and at the same time growing to be a mission critical component of their business so that nobody will ever in a million years be able to understand your code base. Job stability 101. I'm just kidding man. But hey you could do something cool and take Ben Jakuben Android course and allow your Dad to upload pictures from his phone via a phone application to a "web server" that you could write in PHP or Java if you end up liking it.
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsJava == corporate, financial boring, LOTS OF COMPETITION. Every computer science student knows Java now
Ruby == lots of jobs, horrible syntax, young community, this website is using Ruby...
PHP == This is what you see a lot of web designers and new web programmers get there feet wet in. It has a lot of information out there. So you can grab code snippets and is a great skill I don't have that I'm sure is good to have. (I'm actually a finger painter)
JavaScript == Need to know this.
Python == fun and great first language. Lots of online courses for.
Also I want to further add something.
Java = degree required. Unless you're talking Android. Ruby = No degree required. PHP = No degree required. JavaScript = No degree required. Python = Most of the time degree required.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsSo which of the languages (Ruby or PHP) would be the easiest to use for what I need it for?
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsJava is different ball game for Android. If you want to do Android go for it.
JavaScript with Node and Meteor. That stuff looks really cool.
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsI don't know man I mean literally you should just do the quick 1-2 hour intro courses on them and see which one you like better. I really liked Hampton Paulk PHP basis course. I also really liked Kenneth Love intro to Python course. I mean if you try to build the backend to a website before learning core concepts of programming the thing isn't even gonna load and you're gonna get frustrated and not finish. If I was to choose for you I would say take the Python courses. Two of them. Then read the Flask book. There is only like one of them written. He walks you through a tutorial of building a blog site. Exactly what you want. Just think pictures. Add a file upload field kabam. But you have fun man. I honest to god suck at programming so I linked you some more experts. Jason Seifer Andrew Chalkley
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsAs far as I'm aware Python can't really be used very efficiently for what I need in comparison to PHP and Ruby.
I already would say I have a firm knowledge on most core programming concepts as I have written various programs in languages like Java before. I also have a fair understanding of OOP.
Thanks for the help Christopher! I appreciate it. Hey, if you think you suck at programming get learning again and improve. Have fun too man.
Best of luck programming!
Tom Bedford
15,645 PointsHi Luke, if most of what you know is HTML & CSS then I would look for an existing CMS (content management system) to get started with. Once integrated, a CMS allows you to add/edit content in specific areas of a site (e.g. change text, images and run a blog), usually with an intuitive interface designed for people who have no idea how to code.
A popular free CMS is WordPress which Treehouse has several courses on. One of my favourite CMSs is Perch as you can easily add it to an existing site, it is a paid for product though. Both WordPress and Perch run on PHP so a little knowledge of that would come in handy though it's not required as both have great documentation for getting started. You do not need to learn a complete programming language unless you are planning on writing your own CMS.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsHi Tom!
Yeah that is mostly what I know as far as web development goes. Ah, I did take a look at some CMS' but I didn't know which was the most reliable. That sounds exactly like what I need!
I have found myself on the WordPress site a few times whilst I have been picking up Web Dev but I haven't ever really looked into it or it's advantages. Similarly I haven't looked into whether it will limit my site in any way.
Do you know of any free CMS' that I can use just to begin with so that I can try it all out? Are there any advantages of taking the time and learning to write my own CMS instead of using one available online?
Thank you for the help!
Tom Bedford
15,645 PointsWordPress is free and one of the most widely used so you'll easily find help, tutorials and people to help you (plus the Treehouse courses on it).
Advantages of an existing CMS would be time saved, widely tested security, loads of features (perhaps more than you need) and a community of other people familiar with the system who can help if you are stuck.
Writing your own would mean it's specific for the features you need, but it would be a big investment of your time. What if the next project needed different features and you hadn't made them yet? You'd have to develop your CMS more before you could take the next project.
What is your goal at the moment? Developing a CMS is veering into back end development, software design really. Are you wanting to code pages in HTML, style them in CSS and then give it to a client who can edit the site, or are you wanting to develop software that allows people to add/edit content on sites? Both are valid options, but I'd stress that you don't need to make your on CMS if you are focussing on front end skills right now.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsWould using the free version be adequate for what I need it for or would it be best if I spent some money on it? Yeah the Treehouses courses on it would certainly help out a lot.
Alright, thank you ever so much for the information. I think certainly for now it would be better if I used a CMS available already on the internet.
My goal at the moment on the whole is to get a few sites out to clients who are in need and have them easily able to add content and etc to their site. During my time learning program I have veered all over the place and looked into dozens of different languages to learn. However, at the moment I am really focusing on perfecting my HTML and CSS skills so I don't think developing my own CMS would be wise for me to do at this moment in time.
Thank you for the help once again Tom!
Tom Bedford
15,645 PointsThe full self hosted version of WordPress, from wordpress.org, is free. You want to be using the .org version if you are writing your on HTML, CSS and hosting your own site. You don't need to pay for anything, though you can optionally buy themes or plugins for extra features. You could in the future write and sell your own plugin or theme!
If you are looking on wordpress.com that is the hosted version where you can't really customise much at all and need to buy the ability to do most of that. It is primarily aimed at people who don't know HTML/CSS. They set it all up for you, host it and allow you to buy themes.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsAwesome, thanks for the link! I had previously only been looking on wordpress.com which explains my confusion about whether the free version would be adequate. I never clicked on the .org link thinking it would just re-direct you to the .com link.
So, as far as setting up the system I would like do you think WordPress is the best solution for me?
Tom Bedford
15,645 PointsIt's certainly possible to do everything you've described in WordPress, if you're going with free I'd say it's the best option. It's used on millions of sites and there are loads of resources around for it.
Personally I'd use Perch as it's very easy to write the site however you like and just add it in where you need editable content at the end. They have great documentation, video tutorials and support forums if you have any problems. You may be able to get a half price license for your first time using it.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsAlright that is really relieving to know! After seeing the starter prices on Perch I will certainly start out using WordPress and see how I get along with it.
However, if I do end up writing a few websites for clients I may eventually move onto a CMS just like Perch!
Thank you for all your help Tom, it is much appreciated!
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsBut doesn't Facebook & Google+ already offer these services for free? HTML5,CSS3,blogging, photo galleries, contact management, messaging...form plugins to post to a database....candy crush. All your missing is a slick domain name with a redirect to your facebook site. Not really sure what sets you apart from the pack of 14 year old girls & boys who can purchase a template and upload content to it.
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsThis thread now digusts me.
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest TeacherThis isn't anywhere near the right attitude for Treehouse.
cbcbcb
16,560 PointsI assumed there was no experience in any development. All I've seen is two glorified designers.
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest TeacherNeither is this.
Luke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsLuke Glazebrook
13,564 PointsThat's unfortunate! Not to worry though, it seems you have still supplied me with a lot of useful information.
I was more interested in learning which would be most useful in the long run though as far as usability and the amount of jobs that require the said language. Also, for my purpose would Ruby, PHP and Wordpress all do what I needed?
Thank you for the response.