Hi.
Well, first off I’d like to apologize if I’m adding to a multitude of posts on this subject. I realize that you may see questions like this quite often, and you may be sick of seeing them.
But I’d like to mention that I did indeed perform a search in this forum in an attempt at finding a solution, and I could not find anything wholly relevant and solved. Although I must admit, its possible I used different sets of search terms that failed me and you may know of search terms that would get more relevant results. But I can’t help that, so I’ve created this thread.
My Problem.
I’m creating a website for a friendly client. Its for the business my Dad works for, they throw jobs to me when they can. There is no fixed deadline, there is no emergency or rush at this point, which helps, because I’m going to need more time then usual. Although, there is also no hope at pay. All I’ll get out of this is experience, and an extra website for my portfolio.
So far I’ve built websites entirely in Flash. I’m more comfortable in building them in Flash, and I’ve only accepted freelance jobs that were within my capabilities.
I’ve built several Full Flash websites for them before, but this time they want a HTML/Flash Hybrid website. Pretty much entirely HTML with FLash animations, and small Flash applications to add interactivity, look and feel.
This will require me to learn and research things I haven’t been forced to do before.
So far the requirements is this: “Build a website for us that looks and feels similar to www.adobe.com”
Thats fine, but that request includes (I double checked) the implementation of a search engine. Something that will allow a visitor to the website and potential customer to search the website for products and or information that they’re looking for. This is the immediate problem, barrier to be solved.
This is a small company. Also a semi-small website. They sell printing.
I haven’t built the website yet. Or even started, I’m waiting to see if the search engine requires certain layout or design changes that need to be in mind from the start.
The products won’t be added, removed or changed that often.
They won’t get to be so many as to be unmanageable either. So at the moment, I don’t see a reason why a Mysql database needs to be used in order to store the products, and other information to be displayed on the website. Basically because I’m not comfortable using Mysql yet, I’d like to avoid that route if at all possible. BUT if you and or others truly insist on it, I’ll bite the bullet and increase my research into PHP and MYSQL via tutorials. But still, I was hoping to leave those subjects until later after I’ve completed more training on Flash Actionscript. (My Macromedia University subscription expires this spring)
I’ve looked at Adobe.com and they’ve got little gif images placed around it saying “search powered by Google”
First question: Is this also available to me?
Is Adobes search (http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/search/index.cfm?loc=en_us&term=flash)
Powered by this?: http://code.google.com/apis/ajaxsearch/
If so, does anyone have suggestions, tips, alternatives and or advice in getting that Google Ajax search to look and operate in the way that Adobe has it setup?
Also can you or others offer information from your personal store of knowledge on the following:
[LIST]
[]What would you recommend using for a search engine?
[]What’s involved in making one from scratch?
[]What other free, and semi-easy to implement solutions are available for this kind of project?
[]Can you point out any specific tutorials (I:E not just providing a link to http://www.mysql.com/) that is relevant to this, and would assist in my understanding and use of what’s required?
[/LIST]
I truly appreciate your reading this far, I bet that most hits registered under ‘thread views’ only looked at this post briefly before closing the window in panic. So I’d like to say thank you.
Even if you don’t post a reply, or you can’t help me. I thank you for making the attempt, and showing interest in the first place.
I think thats all I can post on this for now.
Right now I’m going to preview this post, and check for blatant grammatical and spelling errors. Then I’ll continue my search on the internet for hope.
I promise to reply to this thread if I’ve found a solution.
So if there is no such post from me, then you know I still need help.
Thanks again.
-Lem
