Building RSS - Data Entry & Web Display

Discussion in 'XML & RSS' started by PhenixDesigns, Feb 13, 2008.

  1. #1
    I'm rebuilding the website for a small classified-newspaper. Each week, the paper is published with fresh classifieds each week.

    I'm trying to figure a way to add some new flair, ease of use and interactivity to the way people view these classifieds.

    The first step is entering the data. I'd like to put together an easy way to enter the data for the classifieds. The listings won't need much formatting - just a bold title with the description starting on the next line. Since there are a pretty good number of new ads being placed each week, I'd like to be able to easily enter the data - as well as have it easily entered by someone who doesn't understand web-related stuff if I'm not around. I don't want to have to go into the file each week and manually type in the tags for title & description - I'd really like an easy way to pop new stuff up there. Almost like copy & paste of plain text, but I figure that's probably not possible.

    Short story on part one - an easy, fast way to enter new data without a lot of time devoted to formatting.

    Part two is the display of the ads. I want to have a sidebar on the side of the page that will display 3-5 ads at random, but with the ability to customize those ads to your own preference - Automotive, Real Estate, etc. I'll admit that I know just about nothing about RSS Feeds except for a tutorial I ran through at http://www.make-rss-feeds.com yesterday. I understand the idea of XML files and pulling data from those files and whatnot... but I'm lost as to how to actually display that data on the page in the way that I'd like.

    Short story on part two - randomized ad listings with the option of personalization.

    Does anyone think that they can help? I'd really appreciate it!
    Thanks!
     
    PhenixDesigns, Feb 13, 2008 IP