By tbcreek on

I've installed Drupal in various configurations - 4.7, 4.6, CivicSpace - and tooled around with it a bit. (My new user sign-up is only because I lost my old one - and can't even remember which email I used to sign up :)

On the multi-site bit, here's what I'd like to accomplish:

1) User-based content promotion - Global and Community Based.

The problem with myspace, blogger, and crap like that is that peopel create content - but there's too many damn people, so no way for their content to ever get noticed.

To defeat that problem, I'd like to set up both community-based and global listings, where various "creative" is promoted by users rating each other's content.

Basically, on the "main" site, you'd have the global "best of" arts, music, humor, politics, etc. etc.
Then, on the "daughter" sites, you'd have community based "best of" arts, music, humor, politics, etc. etc.

It seems pointless for people to bother creating content and for it to just sit out in the void. I'm hoping there's a way to manage this through drupal.

2) Event Listings - Community Based.

I'd like for each community to have its own events calendar. I'm not sure whether I have to install CivicSpace to accomplish this or not? I'm not really sure what their CRM does at all, to be completely honest.

3) User Templates

When someone signs up under a particular community (subsite), I'd like for a theme to be automatically assigned to them, based on their location - after which, they can choose from any theme they like.

And when someone views that person's blog or whatnot, I'd like to present it within that person's theme. (I plan to create an overall "frame" for the entire site, so that the main navigation doesn't get lost in the individual themes. Basically, a generic holder, with various artsy templates designed around it - quasi CSS Zen Design type stuff.)

4) Dynamic Flash Templates?

To make it even cooler, it'd be nice to create flash templates - but I suppose I'd have to hire someone to code that - just wondering if it's ever been done.

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Hopefully that gives the general idea of where I'm trying to go with this. Any feedback on which version of Drupal would be best suited would be GREATLY appreciated. I know that I'll be getting my hands VERY dirty as I dig into it and explore the possibilities.

I'd just hate to start out on the "bad foot", choosing the wrong base. And the whole CivicSpace bit throws me for a complete loop.

I'm also VERY confused as to what the multisite option offers. Can you pick and choose among the integrations or is it an 'all lumped together' vs. 'individual site' approach?

Also, where's the best place to go hunting for drupal gurus to help implement some of this - the guns for hire?