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How to add "Add a Comment" section?

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Original poster
Jan 30, 2006
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I want to add at the end of my page an "Add a comment" section. I know how to make the form and everything concerning the design. But I have no idea in how to make what a user writes there be inserted at the bottom of the page. Like in all the reviews in the internet where you can leave your comments and it would automatically appear.

Any ideas?
 
I'm sure that someone can walk you through creating a mysql database and a php script to do something like that, but honestly, the most used/easiest way is to implement some kind of CMS (content management system) like drupal or wordpress. These have already been tested and widely used to allow article writing and comment/user tracking, etc...

I would go with one of those options as to not be overwhelmed, since you are still trying to learn the ropes of html and css.
 
I'd go for a pre-made one for starters as you could end up with code that makes it very easy for spambots to clog your comments section with spam. It takes a while to learn how to block those types of attacks so using a pre-made solution will help protect you while you learn how to do things. The common solutions will involve using a database and likely PHP. There's a number of tutorials out there if you search them out.
 
Thanks guys, I have visited Wordpress and they seem to be a good solution to my needs. Tho it do seems to be quite confusing to make everything work.

As I understand it, I have to make the whole installation process for each page I want to have comments? This will be a real pain, since I would like to add this to a lot of pages.
 
You will only do one "installation" - where you get the wordpress cms running on your server and connected to a mysql database you've set up. Then you have to work on skinning or theming it to match your site layout. Next, you actually create the specific pages you want, using the wp admin interface.

I'm not really an authority in wordpress, though, so others might have more specific advice.
 
Roco said:
Thanks guys, I have visited Wordpress and they seem to be a good solution to my needs. Tho it do seems to be quite confusing to make everything work.

As I understand it, I have to make the whole installation process for each page I want to have comments? This will be a real pain, since I would like to add this to a lot of pages.
Click to expand...

As for allowing a comment for a number of pages, I would just add a line that includes the code from another page that allows for adding a comment. In other words, create the section on a different document example "add_comment.php" and in each page you want to add a comment just use the "include "add_comment.php". Then in the section you want to actually add the comment stuff just call the function you created on the "add_comment.php" page. At least this way you only have to change to code once instead of in multiple places. Sorry if that's a little confusing. This is again if you're using php.
 
You don't have to do multiple installations of Wordpress for each page you want comments on. Nor do you need to install third party software (such as suggested above - no disrespect, it looks like a nice little engine) to make commenting in Wordpress easier. In truth, it's about as easy as it can get. I think you've just misinterpreted something.

You install Wordpress one time. For each post or page that you write within the Wordpress editor, you decide whether or not you want to allow comments and just click a checkbox to indicate your choice for that particular post or page. It can't be any easier. Well, yes it can. By default, everything you write will allow commenting. You just have to remember to uncheck the box, if you don't want them.

I found this image that shows you how simple it is. Note the "Discussion" box on the right of the editor. I'm not sure what version of Wordpress that is but I gather it's relatively recent.
 
Thanks a bunch guys. I'll be looking at all the options you gave me and see how far I can go.


Right now I am currently trying to make the site work correctly. If you want to pay a visit the URL is: www.photography-tech.com

It isn't ready yet, but my idea is to put the comments section below each review or article. Now, with WordPress, once installed, I just need to add a simple code to the pages I want to have comments? And it won't alter the look of the page?

I appreciate the help.:)
 
Roco said:
Right now I am currently trying to make the site work correctly. If you want to pay a visit the URL is: www.photography-tech.com

It isn't ready yet, but my idea is to put the comments section below each review or article. Now, with WordPress, once installed, I just need to add a simple code to the pages I want to have comments? And it won't alter the look of the page?
Click to expand...

Roco, for a site like that, it seems like you'll want to do the whole thing as a wordpress site. You need to install wp (version 2.5.1) on your developoment server and start learning how to theme it to look like the site you just linked to.

A content management system manages all your content, not just comments, and this will help you in the long run. It will keep a history of older articles, make it searchable, and automatically move older articles from the front pages of your different sections to archived areas.

Take a look at a site like this: http://gomediazine.com . It shows a site for tutorials and portfolio highlighting for graphic design. It is running wordpress and will give you an idea of the things that it is capable of.

There are many other great sites that showcase wp's abilities.
 
InLikeALion said:
Roco, for a site like that, it seems like you'll want to do the whole thing as a wordpress site. You need to install wp (version 2.5.1) on your developoment server and start learning how to theme it to look like the site you just linked to.
Click to expand...

Does WP limits you in how to design your page? I'll certainly check it out, because this was one thing that really had me preoccupied, I didn't knew how to keep all my pages organized in my site root folder.
 
Just reading your mock-up and its intended pages/use, you'd really be shooting yourself in the foot if you don't implement some sort of cms. If you intend on having more community based features than just comments, Drupal might be something to look into.

Edit: I see you've already got WordPress installed. I hope your theming efforts go smoothly.
 
OK, I'm not yet convinced of WordPress. It seems nice, but having just learned how to hand-code, I think I'll go nuts not being able to build it how I want.

For now, I think I'll go with WordPress, but if in a future I am capable of doing what WP does by myself, would I be able to migrate everything? Or would I loose all my site?
 
Roco said:
OK, I'm not yet convinced of WordPress. It seems nice, but having just learned how to hand-code, I think I'll go nuts not being able to build it how I want.

For now, I think I'll go with WordPress, but if in a future I am capable of doing what WP does by myself, would I be able to migrate everything? Or would I loose all my site?
Click to expand...

Database migration is possible, and done all the time when sites switch from one cms to another. However, it isn't the simplest task in the world. However, if you're at the point where you're writing your own cms by hand, I don't think that doing a migration will be too hard either.
 
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