Suggestions to have both classifieds and biz directory

[Mike-N-Tosh]

Greetings,

I'm currently developing my site for a local community and would like to have both classified ads AND a business directory. I've seen some of the sites using 68 classifieds for either, but not both.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best method to implement this?

My pre thoughts for possible issues in developing this are the following:

1. The existing categories/subcategories wouldn't be the same for both "ads" and "directories"
2. How would an end user search just classifieds OR just directory listings.
3. How could I "Feature" a directory listing and still have my "Featured" ads?

Thank you in advance for any input and help.
(These forums have been great and have answered all of my questions so far without having to post anything... until now)

http://IndianaPC.org/index.php

-Mike
Faith that the thing can be done is essential to any great achievement.
- Thomas N. Carruther

[Maffo]

This depends on your skill Level Mack.

If click on the links in my signature you will see a 68 site with both a directory and classifieds.

[juven14]

There is no easy solution available for that. It would require quite a bit of coding.

I am about to get started working on bStore again, which should do exactly this when it is finished. It will only work of course with v4+ and it will be a little while before I can get it ready. Trying to clear up other projects so I can devote some real time to it.

If only I could make duplicate installs of myself, .

[Mike-N-Tosh]

OK, since I've not gotten any replies with possible solutions, let me throw this one out and see if any of you more experienced users of this program have any thoughts regarding it.

Have a category called Business Directory. That Category would then have the appropriate sub categories in it (Plumbing, Construction, etc...)

Now (This is where I don't know if it's possible), modify the search.php so that when a standard search is done (regular classified ads) that we eliminate the category, "Business Directory" either within the PHP directly or a call to a new smarty? On the flip side, when a Directory listings search is done we limit the search to the category, "Business Directory" and have only the sub categories within "Business Directory" as the option?

Any input, thoughts, ideas? Anyone? Please!?!

[Maffo]

Mack, I have replied above to your post. I have this system in operation at the moment. Please click the links.

This is not an easy modification and as I mentioned above it depends on your skill level.

If your are totally proficient with php or with this 68 system yes it is possible.

Please have a look at the links in my signature.

[calaf6]

Mack, I can say that having used the site(s) that Maffo has done, his mod does work, and to the user it is seamless, sounds like quite a bit of coding but I am going to be trying it and although I now know the 68 package reasonably well, I'm no code expert

[Kateedyd]

Hey Mike,
I found myself with the same problem, so I used MODS.auscity.com to customize my template to accept both. My biz directory is small, and they are listed in the categories, but not on my homepage. I also created my listing packages accordingly. You can go to speedpony.com and see if you can get any ideas. I still have the banner mod to add, but I am very satisfied with the site. Feel free to look around.

Kateedyd

[SkGold]

Another solution is to install script in 2 different folders.
Disadvantages are that you need to maintenance them as 2 different sites with 2 database and the users need to register twice.
Advantages are that not need much changes to the code and you may customize them separately as you want (different modes, rules and so on), so it is more flexibility.

With my programming skills, I choose the second. Yes, it is more work but fewer headaches.