Directory Website Using Modx

Hi all,

I am looking to build a directory website. The aim is to have users, companies (which can have mulpitle sub-companies), companies can also list there brands. So far I cannot find information to build this using MODX.

I have sat down with the developers and they seem MODX will need considerable hacking to get my concept built. We are looking at software such as phpMyDirectory, eDirectory and phplinkdirectory, though the developers are more interested in more flexible and current php code, I would prefer to use MODX as their is a wide and growing community and the technology is under constant review and always expanding.

Mainly I would like to gain some insights, examples and general feedback. Sorry the site cannot be viewed presently asthe concept is still in the early stages.

Thanks,
Brian

First thing I want to clarify: there's no "hacking" needed to do anything in MODX. And definitely not for a directory listing. There'll be custom development, yes, but you wont be hacking the core.

A "directory" listing is very broad and different situations would mean different recommendations. If it's going to be a directory listing that may not ever go over a couple hundred listings; you might be fine with using plain resources and tools like getResources, tagLister and NewsPublisher. If it fits your requirements, bdListings might be useful as well. You could even use Articles for a basic directory listing.

If you're going in this big time and are aiming to get thousands or even millions of listings over time; you'll definitely need to think custom coding. Wether using MODX or a different existing tool makes more sense depends on your exact requirements.. the basics of a directory listing script aren't hard to build, but it could make sense to use what others have done as a start if you are low on resources or just want to borrow their expertise.

If you could let us in a little more on what you're trying to achieve, I might have some more concrete pointers, but right now there's a lot of question marks on what your definition of a directory listing is

Hi Mark,

Firstly thanks for your prompt reply.

The listings would be eventually into the thousands. The thing is there are many scripts out there but the developer has come across issues such as the php code is older, certain directories are out of the box (much you can be modified, is it limited). Mainly I have 9 key sectors. One sectors has 32 categories with around 300 sub categories, another sector has 22 categories, the majority of the rest have 7 categories.

My main aim is to start in the right direction. I have purchased the The Official Guide, would the guide be viable to the developer is understading if MODX is the right platform.

If you know of any software, how it could be implemented with MODX, I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

I would suggest a close look at MIGXdb. It allows you to attach custom fields to resources that access either existing MODX database tables or can use custom tables. It is also very useful in creating Custom Manager Pages (CMP) to manage your custom data.

I would have 9 container resources for the sectors, with child resources for the categories and a third level of child resources for subcategories where necessary. These child resources would have the custom MIGXdb-based TV for managing the items in their categories. These could either be made up of data in custom tables, or child resources that do not show in the Resource Tree, but are created and managed from the TV.

http://rtfm.modx.com/display/ADDON/MIGXdb

I'm actually in the process of setting up something very similar to this, involving computer hardware products and their supporting files and documents.