thyros
asked on
How To Create A Mash Up Site Like iGoogle and Pageflakes With Popular AJAX Functions
Sites like iGoogle and www.pageflakes.com use external content feeds and with clever use of AJAX, the user is able to move and re-arrange content boxes around in the page, add unique content or delete and customize to their heart's contentment.
If I wanted to create a similar website where users could select from external rss feeds and display them on their own 'mashup page', how could I do that?
I looked at the Google web developer tools, thinking they were offering something, but it turns out they only want you to make stuff for their own iGoogle page. I have an idea for my website where I want to create like a information directory page - where a user can add a list of useful telephone numbers or email address on their 'mashup page', but then they can delete or add modules whenever they need to, with complete freedom. Essentially the same core functionality found on the previous example sites, but maybe not as complex or with so much flair.
I'm sure there are many others out there wondering how to do the same thing. I guess it may need the hands of an experienced developer, but how to start such a project?
If I wanted to create a similar website where users could select from external rss feeds and display them on their own 'mashup page', how could I do that?
I looked at the Google web developer tools, thinking they were offering something, but it turns out they only want you to make stuff for their own iGoogle page. I have an idea for my website where I want to create like a information directory page - where a user can add a list of useful telephone numbers or email address on their 'mashup page', but then they can delete or add modules whenever they need to, with complete freedom. Essentially the same core functionality found on the previous example sites, but maybe not as complex or with so much flair.
I'm sure there are many others out there wondering how to do the same thing. I guess it may need the hands of an experienced developer, but how to start such a project?
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
The browser does not know nor care if the content is in RSS, HTML, or whatever format. The security limitations/restrictions are dictated by whether or not the page you are trying to "import" via scripting come from your own site(allowed) or from some one else's site(not allowed). Furthermore, I believe the restriction also applies if your "rss feed reader" is at http://yoursite.com/feedReader.asp and it is trying to get the content from http://subDomain.yoursite.com/news.rss. Even though your feed reader and the rss feed reside on the same network (yoursite.com), strictly speaking, they are on different domains.
Probably not your case, but something to keep in mind.
I know EXACTLYwhat you are trying to do (been there, done that, but cannot share the url). That is why I posted step by step instructions on my previous post. Basically I even told you the "workaround" to retrieve rss feeds that do not come from your site!
The styling/layout (meaning those extra gadgets that you want to incorporate) should not be a problem.
The most challenging part would be to retrieve the feeds. If you had a gmail account maybe we could instant message. This way its is just crazy.
Probably not your case, but something to keep in mind.
I know EXACTLYwhat you are trying to do (been there, done that, but cannot share the url). That is why I posted step by step instructions on my previous post. Basically I even told you the "workaround" to retrieve rss feeds that do not come from your site!
The styling/layout (meaning those extra gadgets that you want to incorporate) should not be a problem.
The most challenging part would be to retrieve the feeds. If you had a gmail account maybe we could instant message. This way its is just crazy.
ASKER
Hi Hielo,
I will need to study this thread in some more detail to see if I can fully understand it. ** removed content with contact info (i.e. email, skype) - b0lsc0tt **
Thanks
I will need to study this thread in some more detail to see if I can fully understand it. ** removed content with contact info (i.e. email, skype) - b0lsc0tt **
Thanks
Were you able to implement this?
ASKER
Sorry for the delay, but thanks for your help.
ASKER
I wasn't aware of the contact info restrictions, but sure it makes sense.
Regarding the topic, another option is to use some existing scripts and adapt them.
Free but basic:
http://www.dhtmlgoodies.com/scripts/dragable-boxes/dragable-boxes.html
Lots of features, but with a price tag:
http://www.alstrasoft.com/ajax-desktop-startpage-enterprise.htm
Hopefully that will help anyone looking for a quick solution.
Regarding the topic, another option is to use some existing scripts and adapt them.
Free but basic:
http://www.dhtmlgoodies.com/scripts/dragable-boxes/dragable-boxes.html
Lots of features, but with a price tag:
http://www.alstrasoft.com/ajax-desktop-startpage-enterprise.htm
Hopefully that will help anyone looking for a quick solution.
ASKER
Thanks for your comments.
Re; external domains - iGoogle and Pageflakes etc seem to be making use of RSS feed content to incorporate into the page, so that should not cause any browser security issues, no?
For my own project, I want to load different 'modules/gadgets' of information from my own site, so I am not too bothered about external content immediately, but it would be a nice bonus to be able to add rss feeds.
I guess what I am essentially trying to replicate is an RSS feed reader, but one that perhaps allows a bit of re-arranging, and incorporating a few web gadgets like a sticky-note txt editor.
I am not a coder so I don't think I'll be programming this stuff myself, but I was hoping there would be a ready platform to take and build upon - like a white label rss feed reader.
I'll take a look through those links and see what I can find..