Before you start

I'm setting up what will be a rather large site. I've never used Drupal, but used Joomla/Mambo a few years ago and recently started using WordPress more regularly. So, I'm capable. I can read and edit CSS, a tiny bit of PHP, and learn very quickly. I'd appreciate advice on where to start, what modules I will need, and anything else that might be helpful. I also need to make this as easy as possible as another person will take this over once complete and she'll do all updates and maintenance.

I should run v7, right?

Here are my specific needs.

1. Hundreds of pages
2. two stores
3. Slideshows (one at store page, one on homepage, and probably a couple more)
4. Good document handling
5. Many of my pages will use the same template. For instance, I'll have instruction pages that are the same template with links to technical data, images, schedules, etc.
6. Retail locator by zip code with map. I need to be able to list all my retailer locations and allow a customer to plug in their zip code and see nearby retailers.
7. Great search and sitemap
8. Simple but powerful menus
9. Fast loading
10. Calendar that looks better than but that syncs with Google calendar)
11. Great mobile version of the site. I'd prefer responsive, but a mobile/desktop site would be acceptable.

Lets say you allow people sign up, and follow instructions to create a node of some kind. Rules/node limit only allow that person to make one node.

Could you use some combination of modules Flag for instance to allow users to approve/kill the new user?

Community oriented spam smashing?

Of course... I do see lots of potential problems with this too... :)

I need to create a relatively quick but functional proof of concept site that is basically a social networking site. I'm looking for suggestions on key modules. It will be tweaked out later on.

(I'm pretty new to Drupal but am not new to programming.) Searching Drupal I've found pages such as this list of "community modules" (http://drupal.org/node/206724), user IceCreamYou's suggested list (http://groups.drupal.org/node/10531), etc.

Hello to everybody!
Just joined this forum and looking forward to learning from the Drupal gurus.
I'm a WP developer but unfortunately WP can not help me with my new project.
I'd like to build a large website with more than 5000 users. Each user to be able to join as a member, create and edit their own ( multimedia) portfolios or profile pages. The end result is something like: Portfolio1
or

Hi

How do I create a slide show like http://www.ibm.com/us/en/ in drupal 7
Thanks

Milind

Hi

I have been looking at the best way for a company to use web based content management system for their main computer system.

Our current system is a dos based basic database. It stores, site information, staff info, product info, order info etc. From it you can quote for jobs, place orders for products, generate time sheets and wages etc and view any of the data stored within it.

Obviosuly looking at drupal as an option over a secure private network within the company.