This week, we reveal a unique tool for building Web sites that is especially useful for Amateur Radio clubs, groups and organizations.

PHP-Nuke is a news-automated Web site hosting system that gives the Web site administrator total control of his/her Web site and provides a powerful assembly of tools to maintain an active and 100% interactive Web site using databases.

Jeff Wigal, WY7Q, the Webmaster for the Monroe County (NY) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Web site, wrote to me to let me know about PHP-Nuke has to offer for the community-based organizations like ham radio groups.

The Monroe County (NY) Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Web site is the result of using the PHP-Nuke open source Web hosting system.

PHP-Nuke is free software (licensed under the GPL Public License) that allows a group to set up their Web site as an interactive "community." It allows groups to focus on the content, rather than get hung up over the layout. Programs like FrontPage do the same thing, however, this system allows multiple people to manage the Web site without the Webmaster revealing his/her ftp password. All the editing of content and settings can be done via a Web browser.

There are a number of people have developed modules that can be added into the system. For example, Jeff's Web site has a calendar, downloads, and a weather section that are "non-standard." Jeff has also developed other modules for his group (a mailing list and contact module) and there are many modules that can be downloaded free.

The requirements for hosting one of these kinds of sites are minimal: Unix Web host with PHP scripting (an Apache Web server will do) and an SQL database server. Many Web site hosting accounts already come with these components, so many organizations may not need to upgrade their existing accounts.

Jeff claims that installation was pretty easy. He simply uploaded all the files to the Web server, edited a configuration file, ran a set of instructions through the SQL server, set some file permissions, and he was off and running with his new Web site.

According to the folks at PHP-Nuke, it runs well on the following Operating Systems: Linux, any Unix flavor, OS/2, any Windows flavor, MacOS, and FreeBSD. It is definitely a tool to consider if you are building or rebuilding a Web site for your ham radio organization.

Until next week, keep on surfin'

Editor's note: Someday real soon now, Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, plans to update his Web site "as soon as he gets some free time." To discuss his Web site, other Web sites and other important or neat stuff with Stan, send him e-mail at wa1lou@arrl.net.

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