Before you start

hi all

I would like to build a guide website as same as

http://drupal.org/getting-started/6/install/multi-site

or

I am just starting out and have been looking at some of the themes and they look great. Now what I normally do is setup a site using a default theme (This would be true when using other software). As this would be my firs project using Drupal I was planning on doing the same. So once I have completed my site using Drupal default theme and then add one of the other themes would this mean I would have to do most of the work over on my site. I know when I use SMF and you add themes it just changes what you already have to that themes css.

Hello!

I wasn't sure where to put this, so I thought I'd post it here as it seemed appropriate enough. I'm looking for some good advice on how to approach this assignment I've gotten my hands on.

So, here's the deal!

My case is that I need to create a new website for a small company that I'm working for. I'm skilled enough with (X)HTML, CSS, graphics design and all that, but the website needs a Newsletter as well as a discussion Forum and an associated Blog.

Also, some other functionality will be added to mostly improve commercialization/marketing of the website as well as Accessibility, Usability and some Social Bookmarking and stuff.

Now, adding a PHP forum and a WordPress blog is sorta straightforward enough since I plan on just linking to both of them from the main website unto their own separate sub-domains (ie., forum.mywebsite.com and blog.mywebsite.com) and simply installing WordPress and phpBB, respectively.

My problem will likely be how to add the Newsletter feature?

Right now, they have a website done with TYPO3 (an OpenSource CMS) and a newsletter module associated with their template (a default template that doesn't show off their company brand, whatsoever, which is what we also want to change, of course) and it seems to work fine.

This will be the year of Drupal for me. I've already bought the following books:

• Using Drupal
• Drupal 6 Themes
• Drupal 6 Javascript & jQuery
• Front-end Drupal

I'm ready to begin my first project, converting a small site I made years ago back in San Francisco - I have intimate knowledge of the functionality & needs met by the existing site.

I am a Drupal newbie whose prospective client wants a new website for his health club. Currently that client maintains his membership database on his own server - without a website - and uses it to track member info.

His existing mySQL database contains each club member's name and billing info (and note that all family members can use a single club membership so all family members' names and credentials are listed as well under the one family account), and other info such as what heath club classes and facilities that he/she or the family members are signed up and authorized for.

I am guessing that I could create a Drupal website that would contain family profiles for login authorization as well as the other membership info that my client currently maintains "offline" on his mySQL database (feel free to send me suggestions as to what Drupal modules to use). However, my client is hesitant to "let go" of his membership database and wants me instead to build a Drupal site on a separate ISP that will remotely read his membership database for validating login credentials and family and health club class schedules.

In addition to login authorization, this "remote" process would also include having Drupal read the remote database when displaying various web pages - such as those that list who has signed up this week for the aerobics class or the yoga class.

Well before I start using Drupal I would like to find out if it will work for what I have in mind, hope this is in the correct area. Anyway I need a web site that is going to be a bit multifunctional. It will need to be able to do the following.
1. Firstly I need members to be able to post articles in the different area I will have. They would also need to be able to attach files to said articles. Also images may need to be inserted into the articles. Comments also need to be posted to these articles.
2. I would also need a photo gallery that would be able to support members making sub categories to the main categories. they would also need to be able to mass upload images.
3. I would also need some type of a file vault that software and documents could be uploaded to for future downloading. This would need an easy search function as it would contain a huge volume of documentation. The same idea as the gallery where members could create sub categories if needed. Also if possible to have private areas in the file vault that would only be accessible by flagged members.

That would be my main features that I would need. Just a few other questions I need to ask.

Is Drupal compatible with IE and how is the support structure here if I need help if any bugs or problems occur.