Help Improve My Website

[embra55]

Hi there, I was wondering if there is anybody out there in Linux world who would be interested in helping me to better a simple website that I created.
I don't have that much programming experience, in fact on a scale of 1-10, I'd say 2. I was converted to Linux about nine months ago.
I created the site while still using Windows, using a progam called Music Collector (from which I was able to create the HTML stuff), and then create a couple of pages using Kompozer. Having done this, I then created the site using LimeWebs. Now I'm stuck.
I'd like the site to be something along the lines of MusicBrainz, or DisCogs.
If there's any knowledgable person out there willing to help, then I'd love to hear from them.
The sites address is http://www.ronsmusicsale.limewebs.com
Any help welcome.
Thanks, embra55

[sydbat]

Hi there, I was wondering if there is anybody out there in Linux world who would be interested in helping me to better a simple website that I created.
I don't have that much programming experience, in fact on a scale of 1-10, I'd say 2. I was converted to Linux about nine months ago.
I created the site while still using Windows, using a progam called Music Collector (from which I was able to create the HTML stuff), and then create a couple of pages using Kompozer. Having done this, I then created the site using LimeWebs. Now I'm stuck.
I'd like the site to be something along the lines of MusicBrainz, or DisCogs.
If there's any knowledgable person out there willing to help, then I'd love to hear from them.
The sites address is http://www.ronsmusicsale.limewebs.com
Any help welcome.
Thanks, embra55Joomla or Wordpress. They require a MYSql database, but are worth it.

[elliotbeken]

i agree install mysql and setup joomla i have used joomla for ages (http://www.elliotbeken.com) as it is simple one you have had a play with the system and got used to how it works.


have fun....

[Lucradia]

I prefer hand-coding sites over using CMS to be honest. But if you must use one, obviously go open-source if possible.

[linuxforartists]

I'm a big fan of WordPress, can't imagine building websites without it. Heard good things about Joomla too. Using a content management system like those is a good idea, makes your website much easier to build and maintain.

If you do go the WordPress route, I highly recommend coughing up the US$20-50 to buy a premium theme. In WordPress lingo, a "theme" is a template that you can slap onto WordPress to change its appearance. There are free themes, but you get what you pay for.

A nice premium theme can make your website look slick and professional, without needing much coding and CSS know-how on your part.

For a music site like yours, I'd also suggest having a robust search engine. That way, users can look up music by album, artist, genre, etc.

Good luck with your site!

[Quadunit404]

Personally I prefer Drupal or WordPress over Joomla. Sure, Drupal has a learning curve, but when you learn how to use it and its potential you can create basically any kind of site you wish, ranging from a simple site about yourself to a full-scale blog to a social network. WordPress is perfect for blogging, but it is also good as a CMS. There are entire sites out there with more than just a blog that use WordPress.

[sandyd]

wordpress is heavy, so use something like w3 total cache if your planning on using it

[jennybrew]

I think the answer to your question has to start with another question.
How are you hosted and what does the provider offer in terms of back end databases?

If you are lucky, your provider might offer SqlServer and you could then jump straight in with an asp.net application. Microsoft offer plenty of free tools to help you get your site together.

Alternatively, you might be offered MYSQL and, if thats the case, I would get on down straight away and brush up on your PHP skillls. There are numerous development tools in the Linux world should be able to build an application quite quickly.

Either way there is a bit of a learning curve but the results will make the effort seem worthwhile.

Im not up to date with MONO capabilities but maybe someone can tell me if its capable of building a decent asp.net web application. If so its got to be worth considering.

http://www.mono-project.com/ASP.NET

Good luck

[embra55]

Thanks everybody for taking the trouble to reply. I've decided to tryout Joomla. Not getting on very well with it, but perseverance will prevail. Thanks again.

[jerenept]

Has no-one here heard of Ampache (http://ampache.org/)?
Seriously. The BEST for a music site. I use it myself.