As I was #2 is asking for this on drupal.org (Jan 2004) I figured I should weigh in on what I have done (and not done). The picture has changed a bit from when I first was looking.
Let me say that I have a business directory running on http://www.NicaPlaza.com. It is using Joomla and sobi2 rather than Drupal. It is clearly not the ultimate solution but there were some reasons for the choice. I feel we can all learn from what I have and don't have.
First, here are some basic requirements
- Bi-lingual -- Joomla and a module called Joomfish offers something reasonable here. Modules themselves can have language files and the Joomla core allows you to have a general way to specify which language the current user wants. Beyond that, Joomfish allows you to have translations that you enter manually. While this is not used for the actual directory entries, it was needed for the categories and articles about how the system works. What I describe here is "the good stuff".
- Free and non-free listings -- Sobi2 does this. I am not using it for a number of reasons including the fact that PayPal is not an option if you want to get paid in Nicaragua. But, it could work.
- I want the business directory to be part of a site with other pieces. That includes classifieds (that exists) and real estate (that doesn't because the native realty modules suck rocks and the code to interface Joomla with Open Realty is not being supported). If Joomla has the right module and it was written right, this stuff should be easy.
Now, the down-side. While there are lots of modules, they vary in quality. Many tend to do stuff "their own way" with the directory module being a good example. For example, I have a problem with accented characters. That is, a search for Estelí should match Esteli and Estelí. When I start looking at the Sobi2 code I see all too much "we did it here" with embedded and complicated SQL queries.
In addition, in order for the directory software to be flexible, the data is kludged together. Basically, all fields are stored in one table with and ID field. So, any query means searching all data--not just a table with the fields you want. In Drupal words, there is nothing like "we use nodes". It is all a new creation.
So, bottom line, Joomla solved some problems but the idea of fixing it to solve the rest is not a pleasant thought. Where I go from here I am not sure but it is clear I need something different.
Comments
Welcome
Thanks for your thoughts, and your list of requirements.
I haven't any experience with language, but I think that you're right that the consistent nature of Drupal would mean that if the language component worked in one section of the site, it should work in the rest.
Blairski has managed the free and not free listings. Drupal has a few different e-commerce integrations, so you're not limited to Paypal.
I love the way drupal modules slot together so well (mostly!)
You might want to look at the new OpenResort module. It doesn't really do what you're after, but it has a business directory, and some real-estate aspect (holiday lettings I think)
In terms of your site, it looks good. I like the tree representation of the directory in the LHS column. Nice!
Not fond of the folder icons on your main directory page - but that's just me and my aesthetic taste.
Also, I think the search that Michelle has is more intuitive. You've got the regions/locations, but the directory can be a bit baffling to first time visitors. I think a drop-down , or list of categories above the regions/locations would help.
I don't envy you re-building your directory, but I will be doing so in 2 months time, so if you can wait until then, we could try building in parallel. I also need to integrate my system with a e-commerce solution, so with the help of people like Blairski, this could be less painful than it sounds (or so I'm hoping!)
Cheers,
--
tys
BLUE MOUNTAINS health & harmony
www.health-harmony.com.au
building an alternative health & spirituality community in the Blue Mountains
tys
Tyswan
BLUE MOUNTAINS health & harmony
www.health-harmony.com.au
building an alternative health & spirituality community in the Blue Mountains
Hi fyl@drupal.org
i do not prefer joomla for a very serious site rather than making a site like online newspaper.
I mean a kind of newspaper that only site managers/editors can post content.
As you know joomla core does not allow to make an enhanced access control to content.
Well, sobi2 component also needs another module for users to add reviews/votes.
i am not sure how does support of sobi2 is made with joomla 1.5 (rc4 current).
i dislike the seo plugins of joomla, cuz it is difficult to (i mean resource costly to make a good seo for directory) make a suitable search engine friendly links. Search engine friendly links also requires one plugin to joomla core and another more plugin to sobi2.
so, with joomla, plugins need plugins and they need other plugins. worsely all these plugins are made by unrelated developers. (seo is made by a group, sobi2 is by another group and reviews/vote for sobi2 is made by another independent developer.) when one of the plugin changes we will need to wait for others.
if you need a forum system for user discussion, then your whole system will again need one more extra software(as well as one more plugin too to bridge it to joomla).
as i said i see joomla suitable only for newspaper style sites (mostly before web 2.0) where content is prepared by site employees.
this is why i prefer a solution with drupal.
i hope, i did not beat joomla too bad, i do not want to support a discussion joomla vs any other system.
This is what i think on a directory system with joomla, and the points i made above does not seem to be
solved with new joomla 1.5.
Kursat Unlukara
Kursat Unlukara