I have a fishing web site done in basic, static HTML. (http://www.fishingtheusa.com). I am trying to set it up in Drupal 7. I have it hosted at GoDaddy and I'm using PreviewDNS (http://fishingtheusa.com.previewdns.com/) right now to get it going. I've been working with computers most of my life now, and I have been doing it for a living for the passed 20 years. My big problem right now is time.
I have been wanting to redo the site for a very long time, and have been researching CMS's for a while. I heard that Drupal had a steep learning curve, but Joomla was not "big" enough to do everything I really want to do with the site. I'm pretty excited about the possibilities.
I'd like to set the site the way it is now, in Drupal. I would like for someone to walk me through the basics of site structure, and just get the basics going. I am really interested in preserving most of my links. That's the main thing the site has going for it right now, is thousands of links pointing to the site. I want to get everything moved over to Drupal, and then make the DNS switch to the new site. I have most of the modules needed already installed (Views, OG's, Path Auto, Panels, etc.)
I have the site set up so that it is broken down by state. I have links to info for each state on each state's home page. I am mainly concrened about functionality right now. I am not real concerned about cosmetics. I am looking for someone to walk me through setting up one state, and then I can just clone for the rest. I think I know how it should come together, but I want to make sure I get it right the first time. I am hoping someone can show me this in 3-4 hours. I am a quick learner, and I understand how web sites work. I do have pretty much Linux experience, and I've been playing around with Drupal for almost a month now. I think right now I am having some Views bug issues. When I create content for my bass fishing view, it displays some code on the View page, and jumbles things around a little bit. I do have a good concept of how all of this works. I just need someone to teach me the basics to setting up the site the way I want it, and so it is efficient. I created a monster when I did the site in static HTML. I am ready to make the change to Drupal!
Please let me know if you are interested in helping me learn. As I said, I am very teachable, and do know a lot of the basics now. I would like to find someone that likes helping people learn, as I do.
Thanks in advance. Please contact me if you are interested in helping me learn the basics of site structure in Drupal.
Comments
I can't teach you, but this might help.
Try watching the Drupal tutorials on Lynda.com by Tom Gellar. Lynda is used by universities, so the courses are much more complete than stuff you'll find on YouTube etc. Gellar has a few hours of video specifically about Drupal views, and the transcripts of the videos are search-able.
You can get a free week by registering at: www.Lynda.com/deke . After 7 days, it'll cost you $25 a month, but you can cancel after one month. (That's what I did.) It'll really help you get your bearings.
Good luck!
Lynda.com
I have seen the site. I thought about doing that at one point. I guess I will try that at first. It will be a lot cheaper. I was just wanting to be more specific about what I am doing with MY site. I was also trying to take a fast track. I don't have a whole lot of time on my hands :)
Thanks for mentioning it. I'll do that first.
Looks very doable
That all looks very manageable.
But how were you planning on having someone show you? By e-mail exchange? Get them to set up a few of the views right, then explain what they've done? It's the kind of thing that's easiest with someone sat next to you at a computer, but for that you'd need someone local to you, so I'm guessing e-mails may be the way to go.
FWIW: You can probably do without OG or Panels, and do it all with Views.
One other tip, I don't know how you picked GoDaddy as a host, or how long you are tied in with them for. They're a giant company, making them an obvious choice for many, but over on the sites where actual users review web hosts (as opposed to affiliate sites who have a vested interest to write things up positively), I've read so many stories of frustration with them, I'd review your choice of host before the site goes fully live. Don't be tempted by the offer of unlimited space (which is always too good to be true) - work out what you actually need then find a host who can give you that.
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GoDaddy
So far GoDaddy has been really good. I liked the fact that they would install and upgrade Drupal for me. I have another site hosted with them and everything has been good there. I am not completely tied to them at this point. I was going to look around a little bit to make sure.
I was actually hoping for a showmypc session or something similar. I am willing to pay for this also. I just really want to learn what is specific to my site as quickly as possible.
Great - that's clearer
Don
Glad to hear GD have been good for you - it's good to be reminded that the right host for each person is a personal thing and there is no one "best host" or "worst hose" out there.
The ShowMyPC idea is good - I can see that helping you. That's now much clearer as to what you're looking for, so hopefully someone will offer to help in that way.
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SEO friendly URLs and GoDaddy
I have a Drupal site on goDaddy and have no complaints in general. However, there was some kind of Apache error when trying to set up the SEO friendly URLs (which you will want if you want all your current links intact for search engines). I haven't resolved this error yet because with a new site it is a minor issue. But you will want to be sure whoever helps you knows how to get this feature working, preferably with GoDaddy's hosting.
Additional info: That's CleanURL's and lets you create paths similar to what you probably have on your old website. The problem was that drupal was installed in a subdirectory and the .htaccess file needed to be modified. I had assumed that it was a setting GoDaddy would have to change, my mistake.
GoDaddy and Clean URL's
I haven't had any issues with that yet. I have done it a couple of times. I am installed in the "root" folder with my install.