Hello All,
I have currently presented myself with the project of creating a online "newspaper" website. I have seen some of the examples (such as the NYC Observer), and am quite encouraged. While I don't expect to reach that size, or that level of development, it's nice to know that I have a platform that will grow with me. I would enjoy any advice you all may be able to provide, as ask for some suggestions on the biggest hurdle I've seen.
In essence, the site will function as a paid content source. Every Saturday, a "E-Zine" will be released, during the week, a small podcast is published daily, and various tidbits on the site are updated. So in essence the site would like like this...
General Pages
-About
-Contact
-Contribute
-Contributor Showcase
-Subscribe
Paid Content
-Column Archives
-Daily Updates
-Breaking News
-RSS Feed Center (People can grab our RSS feed(s)
-E-Zine archives
-Podcast-Includes "today's cast" and archives (Would enjoy suggestions on how to present the podcasts)
-Forum
-Chat Room (Only open at certain times, i.e.-big topic we want people to have a real time conversation on). The Tribune Module perhaps?
For the most part, CCK, Panels, and Views (which I'm still working on figuring out) are looking like the main modules. I also plan on using some of the modules suggested on the list here (i.e.-flags for comments). However, I am still looking for modules that will help in the presentation of podcasts, archives (I suppose views or panels will do that), and a good social bookmarking/share module. I am also looking for a good way to present the e-zine downloads.
Are there any modules you have discovered as of late that are proving to be a good tool for your newspaper website?
My biggest hurdle-Registration/Subscription. I have yet to find a solution that will provide the following workflow without either a lot of hacking, or paying for a custom module. (I did find uc_subscriptions, but it doesn't seem well maintained and it's not even listed in the directory here.)
Workflow
--Visitor visits site
-Visitor enters login information, hit's Log In
--System checks user's sign up date and expiration date
-If User's subscription is current, the user is allowed to sign in
--If User's subscription is expired, they are directed to a renewal screen.
Suggestions?
Thanks for taking the time to read the wall-o-text.
Devon