6 replies to this topic

[wvcaudill2]

Hey, I wasnt really sure where to post this, so I thought id give it a try here.

I was wondering if you guys are using any sort of framework to run Pixel2Life, for example the Zend framework?

Also, are you using a template engine so that you can switch from one template to another with the click of a button? Or, is your content and design custom-tailored to each other? Lastly, are you using any sort of template engine such as Smarty?

One more thing, is it the JQUERY library thats behind the cool animations and such?

Im just interested in seeing whats out there and what people prefer to use.

Thanks!

[NGPixel]

V5 is built on a custom framework. While it's not pure MVC, it use a similar structure. It does have a global variable containing all the "librairies" and "helpers" you would have in a standard framework. We are not using a template engine. I find them hard to use and you waste more time trying to edit your site than using regular "includes" files. The tutorial listing is using a template for each tutorial box, but that's about it. But if I was to start working on a new version right now, CodeIgniter would be my choice of framework to use.

Now since the website can have many display configurations, there's a variable with various options you can use in the code to set the structure display like you want. For example, you can set it to have no left sidebar, a small header by default, use a custom tile for the headers, use a specific set of components for the right sidebar, etc.

For javascript, we are using MooTools 1.11. I was a big fan of MooTools when we started V5. But quickly moved to jQuery a few months later. So we are stuck with MooTools 1.11 for V5. It does the job just fine, but sometime confusing when you are used to jQuery.

[wvcaudill2]

Hey, thanks for the reply! 


I had never heard of codeigniter until now, but it really looks nice! I use a shared hosting account for my websites though, so im not sure I would have enough resources to run the framework


I recently became interested in Jquery, and when I saw your website effects, I thought for sure thats what it was. I used MooTools at one point in time, but I agree that Jquery is better.


I am surprised that this website is designed as you have described. I thought you would be using much more advanced frameworks and such.


Just out of curiosity, is there an actual admin control panel behind P2L? Or, did you custom-make a a scaffolding feature similar to that in CodeIgniter?

Edited by wvcaudill2, 29 November 2009 - 03:17 PM.

[NGPixel]

You don't need to have any special server access to run CodeIgniter. A standard hosting should works just fine.

There's an admin panel for P2L. In fact, there's even a desktop client for Dan to approve tutorials.

[wvcaudill2]

oh, ok, thanks for your reply!

[mrsmith]

V5 is built on a custom framework. While it's not pure MVC, it use a similar structure. It does have a global variable containing all the "librairies" and "helpers" you would have in a standard framework. We are not using a template engine. I find them hard to use and you waste more time trying to edit your site than using regular "includes" files. The tutorial listing is using a template for each tutorial box, but that's about it. But if I was to start working on a new version right now, CodeIgniter would be my choice of framework to use.

Now since the website can have many display configurations, there's a variable with various options you can use in the code to set the structure display like you want. For example, you can set it to have no left sidebar, a small header by default, use a custom tile for the headers, use a specific set of components for the right sidebar, etc.

For javascript, we are using MooTools 1.11. I was a big fan of MooTools when we started V5. But quickly moved to jQuery a few months later. So we are stuck with MooTools 1.11 for V5. It does the job just fine, but sometime confusing when you are used to jQuery.

Time for my 1st post has come .

Thanks for sharing this, I am always curious about webmasters choices.
I noticed you are using IPB as forum apps, did you guys develop in house bridge or can you share at least how painful it was?
Second vote for CodeIgniter as I am just getting into it.
For those who don't want a full framework you can look into ExpressionEgine - a commercial and VERY inexpensive CMS made by the same crowed who released the CI.
Thank you!

[NGPixel]

We don't rely on any files from IPB. We simply use the cookies generated by IPB and use similar functions to login, register, logout, etc. Considering it's the same database, it's quite easy to develop as long as you know how IPB actually works to login.