Re: [PLUG] PLUG Website Maintenence

[Paul <paul@dpagin.net>]

> > I didn't notice if the PLUG site is using PHP, but it should.
> >    
>
> Why?
>
> It doesn't happen to be, at the moment.  PHP is a *programming
> language*.  There's no need for it unless you *actually need it*.  What
> problem is the PLUG web site experiencing that it would need to be
> driven by a programming language?  What do you want the site to *do*
> that it can't do with HTML?  What does the site need to say that must be
> said programmatically rather than declaratively?

The first answer that comes to mind is navigation.  In the same way you 
could use a SSI (server side include) directive to maintain a consistant 
navigation menu accross multiple pages, you could use PHP.  For another 
LUG I created a script that would automatically publish the next meeting 
date.  PHP could also be used to remove outdated content, like removing 
an event from a list once it has passed.

There are a bunch of little things and big things that PHP can do. 
Having PHP available gives us the opportunity to solve old problems in 
new ways and to go do things that were not previously thought of.  So, I 
would say that the best answer to "Why?" is an exercise in imagination.

PHP will output valid HTML if it is told to do so, so no worries there. 
(I was just starting to wonder if it would have any problem with XHTML, 
but I doubt it.)  It is incredibly easy to use.  It can be used when you 
need it or not used when you don't need it.  Why not have it available?

I'm surprised by the level of rejection of all but the most basic 
technology among technologists.  I'm starting to think that the 
creative, artistic element of Web design frightens pure technologists. 
(I'm half serious about that.)


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