New to PHP would like some advice

[FGG]

Hello PHP freaks,
I'm new to PHP, I used to do some programming in Javascript and C++ but am afraid its been several years and have forgotten most of it, however, I remember most of the basic principles (dropped my CS major, haha). Anyways, I am starting an 'incentive site', you've probably seen them around. They offer things like free ipods or free xbox 360s for doing offers and getting referrals. Anywas, there are several things I'm going to need do on my site with php and I'd like to know, which tutorials or books would be good for me to start reading to help me get on my way.

#1. Accounts - usernames and passwords. Users will create accounts and login to their accounts to check their status on offer completions and their status to receiving their product.

#2. "url tracking" - I don't know exactly the right term for this but basically, if I would give you my link to signup with and you used it, then your email would show up under my account and when you did an offer my account would show that as well as yours.

#3. "more url tracking" - well i'm sure that my affiliate networks will help me with this but this requires the "offers" on the site track when people complete them so that I can update their accounts or in some cases if the offer is 'instant' it automatically updates their account, other offers will require me to manually update their completion status.

#4. Help/Support forms - well I'm sure that I can figure this out b/c I used to use forms and such just using plain old javascript and html but I am wondering if php can improve this process.. I know the old way it used to be pretty messy..

#5. Sub-domains - the site will use subdomains.. hence if I am offering pcs, xbox 360s, and ipods then there will be a pcs.freegiftgalaxy , 360.freegiftgalaxy, and ipods.freegiftgalaxy... so people will have seperate accounts on all of them, but also lets say they do Offer A on ipods and Offer B on 360s.. I would like that to all show up on some "admin" page and let me approve them all from the same page and let it update each account accordingly.


So my main question is How much knowlege of PHP are we talking about, I can pick it up pretty fast.. but would being able to do all these things be considered "beginner" "intermediate" or "guru" php-scripter status?

My next question is what "sections" or "tutorials" in PHP should I focus on? I know there are lots of things it can do I'm not going to have to worry about to do these things, and I'm sure there are other things that are much more essential.

If you would like some examples of what I am talking about freepay.com and giftfiesta.com are prime examples of what I am looking to emulate.... but it is time for me to go to class now.. so I am looking forward to hearing your responses.

Thanks,
FreeGiftGalaxy



oh yes, and logging ips when people create accounts to make sure that people don't create multiple accounts underneath their initial account is important as well.

[keithschm]

sounds like you need a CMS. There are several out there that will do what you want. PHPBB, PHPNUKE, E107, there are hundreds of open source CMS projects. Just search

[FGG]

okay I went and checked out a bunch of different CMS programs, how do I transform them into a freebie site? I kinda understand why you suggest them, but am a little lost.

[keithschm]

content management system
I use phpbb, and e107 easy but powerfull

[FGG]

Joomla looks like it is very appealing, I am still a little confused as to what this CMS will do and not do though.. I feel like I need an instruction manual to it..haha.