Developing a streamlined event entry form

by **Quartermaster** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:03 pm

Hello!
I'm uploading two files from the MS Access database I've been using to organize my event calendars for output and publishing in Adobe InDesign for our monthly newspaper.

I think there's some ideas we're using that could help JEvents move one more step towards global dominance.

If anything at all, I would love to have a custom event entry form editor. Something that would allow me to arrange the existing table fields, while adding the new ones I desperately need, and most importantly, not hacking the core component files.

I'm happy to help achieve this feature development in any way I can.

by **Geraint** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 10:31 am

I have experimented with creating an editable edit page layout like the event detail pages etc. (see http://www.jevents.net/en/jevents-15-to ... ut-editing) but its not trivial and so is still a work in progress.

You can create a 'template override' for the event editing page which involves customising one php file in way that is not lost when you upgrade JEvents (see http://www.jevents.net/en/jevents-15-to ... nt-editing) but its pretty advanced.

Your extra fields can be accomodated via addons like the custom fields addon, locations and managed people (artists etc.) addons.

by **Quartermaster** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:09 am

would it be possible to use a tool like RSforms, or one of the other form editors to create the event entry form, with custom fields and then just connect the correct DB fields on the back end?

When I create a MS Access database, it's visual, and that helps me A LOT. Straight code is very hard for me because it is not intuitive.

I have skimmed through your docs and watched the video, and really need to take a stab at this. I'm just afraid of breaking something.

Are their any people you trust to help me, forum or paid freelancer, that could guide me along the way? I don't want to have someone just do it, because then I learn nothing.

I wish I could find a Joomla freelancer with Skype and a screen sharing app. ;-)

~SCOT

by **Geraint** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:55 am

The problem with using generic form tools is that the validation scripts are quite complex e.g. ensuring that the dates are consistent and repeat patterns are a valid combination etc.

I too wish I could find good Joomla freelancers!

Are you any good with CSS? If so then I could do a layout that matches your 'roughly' which you could then style up and polish. If that is of interest send me a PM and I'll give you a cost estimate.