how to create this site...

[roclafamilia]

ok so im looking to create a site that has some downloads on it...i want the user to be able to see the description of the download and everything but to download it they need to be logged in, simple username, pass, email...i also want to be able to charge them. per download, day, month, etc. i also want to make it easy to post new downloads by the admin/s...im not looking for someone to code it for me but more of someone to point me in the right direction of where to start...i was thinking of using a forum or joomla or wordpress and then just protect the download links somehow...any ideas would be great.

[gnomeontherun]

I was thinking Joomla would be a good solution if you didn't want to code anything and wanted to set it up. I've used it a lot. I've never offered downloads, but there are extensions available out there which provide this feature. You may have to spend a little bit of money to get an extension that does exactly what you want.

www.joomla.org

[roclafamilia]

im not familiar with joomla, how do you get users to sign up? i see a user thing in the admincp but not sure how to get them to sign up

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

Hmm I actually think it would be better to go with some type of shopping cart. Here are a few.

The following two require members to register before they can browse the store.
CubeCart (http://www.cubecart.com)
ZenCart (http://www.zencart.com)
Downloads need to be uploaded via ftp. There may be a plugin that allows you to upload via the admin panel, don't know.

This one doesn't require that members sign up but it can be integrated with a membership system. I've done so on one of my sites.
Maian Cart (http://www.maianscriptworld.co.uk/free-php-scripts/maian-cart/free-paypal-shopping-cart-system/index.html) This when I like because its simple and straightforward. It uses paypal for its payment gateway.

[roclafamilia]

i think joomla is going to be best for me...

[gnomeontherun]

May I suggest looking into getting a book to help with Joomla if you are just trying to learn the system? It would take a lot of time and writing to get a clear explanation here. Look into a $30 book on Amazon or something. People really like the Barry North's Joomla A Users Guide.

[roclafamilia]

ill figure it out...i got the basics down already...i used to use joomla when it came out just have not used 1.5...thanks though.

[gnomeontherun]

Well you have to publish a link to your registration module. Off the top of my head I can't recall exactly how to do it though.

[roclafamilia]

i figured that out...got the site functioning now...just working on creating something to hide the downloads...

[gnomeontherun]

http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,1771/Itemid,35/