Build a Directory
Currently contracting at boxChilli Media, I have been asked to create an international yacht directory. The first step was to test out various sollutions available on the market, to ensure the finished product meets boxChilli’s needs and those of their clients.
The first product that I tried was DirectoryPress which I have talked in a previous post. The second was Sobi2. Sobi is an extension for Joomla and decribes itself as being ‘one of the first components for Joomla! with content construction support.’ After tinkering with Sobi for a day, it became apparent that to really get the best from the system it would take the addition a number of a few reasonably priced extensions which I quickly purchased.
Just as I was about to jump into designing the final directory, I was introduced to Zoo 2.0 from Yoo Themes. I instantly was unsure of my inital decision. Zoo 2.0 ‘is a flexible and powerful content application builder to manage your content’, a similar claim to that of Sobi2. We immediately purchased the App Bundle which included the business directory as well as other useful apps. Again, I have tinkered with Zoo for a day and have managed to make a good looking, effective directory in just a couple of hours. The support seems good so far and the documentation appears to meet the needs of beginners and developers alike.
A few of the things that I really like about Zoo are that the CSS is already set up to look good. The modules are included with the installation, so that there is very little to research into or buy. Just turn everything on, work out what you need and style it…… Easy. I will report back in a couple of weeks when the directory is finished.
