Hi Katie,

There's no built-in general database that you can use right now - but that doesn't stop us thinking about it!

I see that you're currently using CMS pages for this, though currently with one page per category, within each category it's a bit of a mess, and there's no way for entries to be in multiple categories. This can easily be improved just using the CMS.

By using content categorisation, and one page per entry, each entry could have:

• Title/subtitle
• A picture (optionally)
• Description
• One or more Categories

You could then put together a directory a bit like the Resource Hub on here, or the Showcase here, where you see a general listing of all the items, with a filter for categories.

This would make the whole thing much prettier and easier to use/manage, and it'd be easily searchable (though there's the initial faff of adding all the existing items as individual pages!).

However this doesn't support having users submit entries directly into the directory - it would require an admin to do this.

To make submission easier, you could create a form using the Surveys app with all the relevant fields (including an image) and embed it onto a page, and have the public submit things via this, which would then be easy for you to add into the directory.

If you want to have a go with this, then I can give you a hand getting it initially set up - let me know!

The idea of a general "directory of things" app is something we've mulled over but not created. It could take the better bits from the Classifieds/Jobs/Useful Links apps and let you create generalised listings, in categories, that can be searched/filtered, and also allow members to add new entries (as they can with the photo album and events calendar etc). It would require interest from a few groups to make this worthwhile creating "free" for the community. Though if you are in a position to commission it then I'd of course be happy to discuss it further!

Cheers

Joe

Hi Joe

Thank you for your comprehensive response to my query around databases. I particularly like the Refugee Advocacy Forum example where you can have contact information and a map. 

If we were to commission a database with search facility + form that our members could fill out how much would this cost? 

We don't have very much budget but it would be useful to know how much something like this might cost. 

Otherwise, I might need to take you up on your offer of help to get initially started using some of the examples you provided. 

Best Katie 

Dear Joe 

So sorry for not replying sooner its been a busy month of delivering events. It would be wonderful to get your help with the database. Happy to try the CMS based approach like the Resource Hub and Members directory. If you can give me some help that would be great. 

Best for now Katie