erm... how do I build a proper database?

[Amy K]

Sorry to keep asking dumb questions, but...


You were all so helpful with my request about building a website (which is going suprisingly ok, I must be doing something wrong!) that I thought I pick your brains anout how to include a searchable database on the site.

I am using Dreamweaver MX. I also have microsoft Access and Excell.

Ideally, I want to put a searchable database instead of just including all the data and making people search it via the ctrl + F function.

Any ideas??? 

By the way, the purpose of the database is BMD records for a ONS.

Mant thanks.

Amy

[Fitty]

You could try this

http://web-building.7gen.com/services/google-search.html

I,m sure someone very techy will come up with something else

[PeterSzewc]

Hi Amy... to have a seachable database on a website is a little complicated. First, you have to be hosted by a service that supports database capability, then you have to use the format that the host supplies. Once you meet these criteria, it is best to use an HTML editor that has the appropriate database components available. After all this... you are on your way.

Peter.

[Jane Taubman]

Amy, is your data in GEDCOM format (I realize many one name studies are not)?

If it is you may be able to use phpgedview to put the information out to the web.

You do need support for php on your web space, but do not need to use MySql or other database.

There is a sample of what phpgedview can do at
http://www.taubman.org.uk/family

[RJ_Paton]

As peter has said there are some obstacles in the way of initiating a fully searchable database within your web site but ....

http://javascript.internet.com/generators/search-machine.html

is the listing for a javascript file which provides a searchable index for up to 8 pages on a site ..... there are also other listings which provide similar capabilities which are free to download and use .... full instructions are there with (nearly) every listing

[RJ_Paton]

Thanks for that tip about phpgedview, an interesting looking program.

[Jon75]

Hi all,

I have used phpgedview before and personally think it is abit too cluttered for what it is.
The best thing for you to do is to get a good host with the ablity to use PHP and MySQL. Then do what I did, create a simple php search/results script.

It is also more satisfying when you have done the work yourself. 

I would be gald to help you with the script if needed, 

Kind regards.

[julianb]

Ideally, I want to put a searchable database instead of just including all the data and making people search it via the ctrl + F function.

Any ideas??? 

By the way, the purpose of the database is BMD records for a ONS.

Amy

An alternative to a database is a site search facility.  You might be able to find a search engine that searches only particular pages.  For example if your ONS pages were in a particular folder, the search engine might just be pointed at these and not at the rest of the site.

I use something called FreeFind on my site -  http://www.freefind.com/  - and this can be limited to specific web pages (it can also search PDFs in the search).  You have to ask it to "re-spider" your site each time you update it.  It's free by the way!

I suggest this because this is probably less code than a database.  If you are going to put up your ONS on to the same site (alongside your existing material) you might start having difficulties with your 50MB limit with a database as well.  I'm already up to 30% capacity, and have been thinking about a similar ONS BMD section to you - my worry is whether I'll break my capacity or bandwith limits.

Great site by the way!

JULIAN

[downside]

You DO NOT necessarily have to use an external search machine to search your database.  If you check out my website (click on the globe icon on my profile) you will see Card Index on the top right hand corner.

Click on that and a popup window appears and it sorts the equivalent of a comma separated file.  That comma separated file currently contains about 735 names.  When a list of names appears you can scroll down and select a name an when you click on a name it loads that persons family page.  It's not particularly fast but it does mean it takes up very little space.  The internal file containing those 735 names uses up a mere 98KB.  Pretty handy if space is at a premium.

downside