Adventures w/Dolphin
So what does an unemployed Manufacturing Project Engineer do after getting banned from another Social Network (uhemm, i'll learn to keep my big fouled mouth shut one day!)...attempt to create another social network!
Whewwww! Has this been a challenge!
After several nights of searching Social Network solutions, I came up with Dolphin on a google search. I read the description...looked at the images on the products page and just thought THIS IS IT! after reading the word "unity", and that I can be a "creator" at the download link.
Once I figured out what domain name to use, and per the links suggestions...i registered with Arvixe...and "installed" Dolphin 6.1.6 via one click install. EWWWWW. Talk about a lesson in not having expectations. It didn't look like what the products page looked like at all! But hey, i figured, I'm up for a challenge, and not working so alot of time...so to the forums I went! You know, that unity thing!
Well, I felt like James T sipping coffee night after night...some nights I even felt like crying with frustrations cuz I couldn't figure out how in the hell to change the "out-of-box" look into something that I was somewhat envisioning for this site (it's still not quite there yet).
Fairly quickly I learned to be one cut & pasting fool!!! Didn't really know what I was doing, but cut&paste and firebug became my midnight friends...
I also made several trips to Expertzzz-OMG! What a freaking nightmare...i spent hours and hours trying to read description of mods...figuring out for what version of Dolphin...i did buy one mod from Shane for a Store..but that was it! Though no products are yet loaded in there...it is a very nice mod, and very easy to integrate.
I couldn't really tell you what has been changed to the original 6.1.6 version. Very little, yet it seems like alot, since it took me so long to "figure" a few things out.
I would also like to acknowledge some Unity members. If it wasn't for their support and awesome tutorials/forums, I'd probably would have given up and started something on Ning! though i have never spoken or emailed etc, without these guys my site wouldn't be...and in my perspective, truly are "unity"...
James T @ boonexnerd.com
MrPowerless @ darrenpowerless.com
GameUtopia @ dialme.com
MyDatery
OkWeb
So, I now have close to 20members on the site...checking it out. Posting and adding things, and emailing me with what does seem to work, and what doesn't seem to work. So far, so good. But there are a few things i just can't seem to figure out on my own...and right now I just can't buy a mod *sigh* (can't wait for the economy to pick back up-I hate lving like this)
Biggest challenges on the site right now are 1) no email notifications for comments-so no one knows they have recieved a comment to their blogs or profile pages 2) no email notification for inbox email 3)inability to load pictures stored on their computers into posts-comments, blogs, forum,articles(remember these guys play alot on Ning) 4) no tinymce type of editor for comments 5) and that weird "reply to comment" on their profiles that replies within the profile instead of back to the author of the comment-and with no notifications-who even knows a reply was made?
My own personal challenges to get this exactly how I want it, is the lack of script/coding language and funds...but all in all, I would say with limited funds, and limited knowledge the site is good.
As soon as possible, I am looking at purchasing the Comments Enhanced mod-and i think that will really get that look and feel I'm seeking...hopefully at least. And try to figure out the whole editor/up load file issue.
Well...again, thank you to those that have answered my silly questions on this forum..and a special thank you to those who have made wonderful contributions with their tutorials, tips, etc on their sites...
Love,
Carol
The new Dolphin solution is powered by UNA Community Management System.
2)Project managment people like you and me seem to have 2 defects... a)impatience and b) lot of planning, no people to actually develop.
3)best idea on this, give a nice warm cosy and welcome enviroment and people will come...until the next trend like FB or Twitr ...
Yes ydrargyros,
Patience is not something I've mastered this lifetime as of yet! And there is indeed that trick or "knowing" of when to stop planning and actually execute...and biggest of all, is in this practicular project, not having a "team of experts" i can hire or pay, was fairly new for me-ahhhh so new experience! And definately an appreciation for those that do write scripts/code as a profession and passion!
i have not looked at D7..i'm going to sleep see more
I totally agree. I do believe Dolphin is an excellent starting point, but I believe that for those that have scripting knowledge or who are regularly commissioned to create a social network. Definitely it saves much time from starting from scratch.
I had misconceptions that even those without scripting language knowledge would be able to do this. It is possible, but much learning is required. At least in my case.
And some of the issues i listed in the original post does see more
As far as your Comments section goes, Comment Enhanced will help you out there. There are some othe toys, like upgrading of e-mail and a notifications system that can help you out with your other things. (At least most of them.)
I've found Dolphin to be the most pliable software on the market currently and from what I see there see more
Looks for "Thumbs Up" icon to use in this reply.
I'm getting the same feeling. I really don't want to look at D7 right now. I'd rather get to know and understand the script/source with D6, and maybe later down the line, when I feel much more comfortable with Dolphin as well as the sql database...then maybe I might chose to D7...now just isn't the right time.
Carol
...I just wanted to know what would possess you to buy this for building, well, anything really? I'm hoping to receive some insight on why anyone would actually spend money on a website, service and/or software that is so poorly designed and developed.
Also, I've got 12 years experience in both developing and designing see more
what is your question? If I purchased Dolphin and why?
Well, I did not purchase Dolphin. I am currently using the code available for download, hence with the Boonex logo etc.
And since I do not have developing or website design experience, I would not know the difference between something this is, or is not well developed.
Carol