Comments on: Elgg, Your Own Open Source Social Network

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:35:13 +0000

Hi Elbert, sorry but I do mostly print design but I’m sure someone who reads may be interested in quoting the job for you.

By: Elbert

Elbert — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:27:09 +0000

I’m building a social network based on ELGG. I’m looking for a custom theme. Can you help me?

By: Want to start your own Craigslist? Facebook? MySpace? at level-playing-field.com

Want to start your own Craigslist? Facebook? MySpace? at level-playing-field.com — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 20:05:16 +0000

[...] Graphic Design Blog » Elgg, Your Own Open Source Social Network OK can I just say, this could be HUGE! There I said it. Occasionally I see posts in ELance and Craigslist for someone who wants a “MySpace” type application.Well, here it is and it’s FREE! Elgg is an Open Source (free) program to do just that, I have been reading a little about it in .Net Magazine and hope to have a dabble with it when I can. Elgg can be downloaded and run from your own server and then looks like it has a lot of the features of community sites such as MySpace, Facebook etc. I was looking into scripts like this a few months ago but then they were costing a few hundred dollars (and I didn’t know if they worked), but Elgg is free. [...]

By: J. Jeffryes

J. Jeffryes — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:17:16 +0000

Nothing is live yet, we’re building a local design community site with Drupal. Once it’s done, it’ll come in close to MySpace or Facebook in features, with profiles, galleries, discussion boards, RSVPable events, etc. The great thing about Drupal is that the modules to do all that already exist, they just have to be tied together.

It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, however. Skinning it is complicated. And you definitely have to have a PHP coder helping or be one yourself. I do some PHP, but without the help of the coders working with me we wouldn’t have gotten far.

On the other hand, you can set up basic forums, blogs, news, etc. without any coding at all, and applying an existing skin is pretty easy. If you have trouble with it, find a coding buddy, something I suggest for all designers.

You might also look at Nucleus, typo3, phpfox, Joomla or Mambo, all are pretty widely used.

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:41:23 +0000

Hi J. Jeffryes I dabbled with Drupal but found it too complicated as I have no PHP knowledge. What have you created with Drupal, it would be interesting to take a look and see what can be done?

By: J. Jeffryes

J. Jeffryes — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:05:16 +0000

If you're not afraid of some PHP coding, I heavily recommend Drupal. It can be turned into a full social networking site, and you have total control over the installation, design and features. I've been working with it and love it, though it does have a learning curve. If you're not so interested in the guts of the site, Ning can be good, it's very easy to set up.

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:21:26 +0000

Sounds like we have the perfect team

By: David Airey :: Graphic Designer

David Airey :: Graphic Designer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:59:44 +0000

Maybe we should collaborate and Get Rich Even Slower.

If snail pace takes your fancy, give me a shout and I’ll jump on board.

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:58:04 +0000

Hi Jennifer, please let me know how you get on.

Strange coincidence – I seem to have lots of those Get Rich Slowly schemes on the go too. Maybe we should collaborate and Get Rich Even Slower

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:40:04 +0000

Hi Tara

That is a great find. I’m going to set up an experimental site and see how it goes. I was thinking about something to do with weddings but it sounds like it has HUGE potential. I LOVE open source.

God, I see a full day ahead of getting nothing done but playing with Elgg and devising more of my “Get Rich Slowly” schemes.