I am planning to start a local business directory which would list details of the local business and I also want to enable different fields in different categories and I would also like businesses to be able to upload photographs. Is there a script which would be able to do this or would I need to invest in a custom solution?
yeah, there is a mod available for phpld to upload image. http://blog.rakcha.com/2007/04/25/phpld-image-uploader-mod/
You shouldn't need to mod a script, phpLynx was specifically designed as a business directory but can do both this and act as a general directory just by turning on or off features via the control panel. I'm not certain of the photo uploads although I know we have the feature we disabled it as a rule because of the danger of someone uploading an infected graphic to your server. Perhaps asking Gary over at the phpLynx forum might help you more on this one.
Thanks Jamie, went through Phplynx site. However there is no online demo, the screenshot on it just remind me of a normal web directory rather than a business directory and there is no mention of custom fields for different categories i.e. I want phone numbers in one category but not in another.
I can confirm that I am just setting up phpLynx, and such features to add company details like a business directory can easily be encorporated at the click of a button. It's a great script and highly recommended in my opinion.
both uploading images and having different custom fields for different categories are available out of the box in esyndicat.com they also offer different payment plans for different categories and a large number of easy to install plugins (google maps, videos, ...)
The entire phpLynx site is a demo Yogesh, its so versatile that we decided to make the whole phplynx.com run on it. There is a demo of the full version on http://www.cantufind.com/demofulldirectory/ I am told that Gary is at the moment skinning both the full and free versions that should be up and running very soon.
Just browsed the phplynx.com website as I am sure there is a demo online of the full and free version. Free and Full Version Demo, also with admin access, http://phplynx.com/demos.html I must say the phplynx script is very good and you should not read into all the hype thats taken place on DP over the last year about the script, I have used it for quite a while and will be showcasing my new website hopefully very soon which is running the full version of the phplynx script. Thanks aubenrey
I am not sure it will fulfill all of your needs without some customization, but of the directory scripts I have looked at, I am most impressed by In-Portal so far. It is flexible, has good search capabilities, all source is made available to owners, and the support so far has been excellent. Rich
In-Portal's a different ball game. All the usual directory scripts are around $25-45 at most. In-Portal is about ten-twenty times that Although it does look good, the price tag, unfortunately, doesn't. Price doesn't always reflect quality, though!
I agree. I am doing a very in-depth technical view. So far, the architecture and code appears to be excellent. I will know more in a few days. I also did a cost review. I felt that there were too many risks in using a potpourri of mods or hiring someone to do write customized code. There are all kinds of issues relating to mods and customized code such as unit and system testing, on-going maintenance, upgrading, etc. I felt that a single, cohesive codeset would be far more cost-effective and incur less risk than other solutions. However, I definitely agree, each directory owner has to make their own evaluation. Rich
It actually looks prettier than it really is, although there definately are some great features in there that many scripts don't have, but perhaps they don't need. Complicating the uncomplicated comes to mind. If its worth the money then we're underselling phpLynx but as said it really is up to who wants what and how much they want to pay. We are quite happy to offer as much as possible for as little as possible. @richrf; Look forward to your analysis, especially on technical requirements.
Just signed up at phplynx support forum and will be posting a few questions i have, lets see how it goes.
Yes, I agree. If a directory owner is not going to use the extra features, there is no reason to spend the extra money. For me, they are essential for a variety of reasons, and it would cost me much more to build the product from scratch. Rich
I couldn't agree more, this is one of the reasons we made phpLynx more in line with being able to offer a vertical portal as we see that's the way to go in the future with the saturation of directories in general. We're opening the code soon Rich, perhaps you can cast an eye over it and see if you can work some magic with it. Cost you nothing gain you everything.
Looks like phplynx won’t be able to offer features I am looking for, though I did like the interface.