Alternatives to php include for menus

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morpheus

New Member
I'm looking for an alternative to php include for updating menus. I have clients who like to update their sites and can handle adding and changing their own content in a HTML program. If I use php include and make them php files to call menus all referring to menu.php, they will then have trouble editing php files.

Can anyone suggest alternative approaches? Thanks
 
ahk2chan

ahk2chan

New Member
OK... it sounds very like that you need some kind of CMS (content management system). Because if it is just menu items, maybe you can simplified the process a bit (like putting the menu items in static JavaScript file, or even put those data in the database). However, if your client need to update content (graphics, layout....) I tink CMS is unavoidable. A hot CMS engine these days is Joomla, but never get my hands on it yet :p
 
M

morpheus

New Member
Thanks for the suggestion. I've been learning Joomla, although I doubt I'll want to use it for all projects. I'd still like to find some other options ...
 
ahk2chan

ahk2chan

New Member
When you say some other options, what do you mean? Like another CMS platform? or actually another approach? <- as in home-grown a simplified CMS-like system?
 
M

morpheus

New Member
Nope, I already know about the CMS solution. I mean another approach to get a similar result. One way is to use flash, but I prefer not to do that for critical site functions. Other options?
 
zkiller

zkiller

Super Moderator
Staff member
Could always build a custom CMS of your own. :)

Basically for ease of client based editing, you will need to use a database and populate your menu from it. A simple admin area would then be needed for user to be able to add, edit or delete menu items. It's quite simple really.
 
M

morpheus

New Member
Quite simple?! lol ... might be something to consider in the future.

I've discovered that there are other ways of using an include function, not just with php. Ideally I'd like to use it in a format that is less threatening for clients who want to do edits later. Now looking into a ssi with shtml format, although I can't get it to work yet. Php include works easy ... mostly.
 
J

JayT

New Member
I think we all started out using ssi includes on shtml pages, but we quickly learned (as you are now) that you can't always accomplish what you want to with ssi's. So, you may as well start right now learning php and mysql databases.

Like zkiller said, this would be a simple project using php and a mysql database.
 
M

morpheus

New Member
Is anyone else having trouble viewing the second page of this thread?

I've found ssi a little easier to work with as it displays locally without uploading, when it comes to only using this feature.

I'd like to hear some comments on the benefits of using php over ssi/html.
 
D

designsatlanta

Banned
Thanks for the suggestion. I've been learning Joomla, although I doubt I'll want to use it for all projects. I'd still like to find some other options ...
 
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