Choosing the right script for a new venture on the World Wide Web is never easy and when it came to setting up my social networking site the choice was no easier. There are hundreds of scripts out there and I, like many other web designers, log any interesting scripts which I think may come in useful over time.
Profile Manager Basic was one of those scripts which I logged for future use.
Back in January 2005, at the age of just 13 I decided that I wanted to set myself a web challenge to improve my skills. I wanted the challenge to be something which I could add to over time and develop to become bigger and better. Therefore, PenBuddy was born.
I first started with a javascript login form which just took the user to another page in the same directory (obviously a bad security mistake). Then I realised that this would not make a dynamic site for the user. Therefore I changed my host from a free one to a slightly better one and in April 2006 installed Profile Manager Basic on my account. Straight away I had a working dynamic social networking site with loads of features which had before been impossible to me.
I quickly started to implement my templates and settings from my old site using the very simple but powerful admin script and with a little work had a really good social networking website.
Being at school full time (I’m only 16) I obviously have school work to do as well as my online project but I manage to fit everything in because it is just so easy. My schools language department are even backing me now to provide language features for them to use in their classes!
Each user now has a dynamic 4 page profile and they can customize it to their own design or choose from a library of skins uploaded by other members. Each user has a photo album, buddies list, video box, blog and a widgets box. Other users can also rate each other and comment on people’s profiles. In the members panel they can update all of their information, upload photos, choose a profile photo, add buddies, send email, write to their blog, delete unwanted comments, choose their favourite youtube video and more! My visitors just don’t get bored!!! They can even categorize their videos onto PenBuddy TV for everyone to view!!
Using this script has really boosted my confidence on the web and I have gained many new web-design clients and friends through it. I have also now been employed to work for an internet service company doing design because they saw my work on PenBuddy!
If a youngster like me can develop a social networking website like PenBuddy.co.uk from Profile Manager then all I can say about it is that it is Simple, Brilliant and Powerful!!!
Check out my site at www.penbuddy.co.uk and see the script in action for yourself! There is just so much to do!
Go Profile Manager! |
