I have a domain that I can use as test site...where should I start? Suggestions

[hygron]

I decide to take Ichbin and MrsG6 Suggestion to start a test site.  I own
www.bowlingballking.com I believe I could use the intro on the TPfrontpage as an image link to the text page which in turn would be the product/specification's/checkout
page.  What do you think?

What do you team members think I should start with as far as the latest beta version's?
would anyone be interested in mentoring me on the finer points of putting together a domain correctly?
I'd even like to learn and create a kegler's theme.

any and all suggestion's will be welcomed,  I had this domain under construction and haven't really done anything with it;  Yet.  I want to make a plan from scratch before I install anything. (I learned the hard way last time...(Thanks MrsG6.Ichbin.and the many others that pitched in a post or 2)

I believe I would need a gallery, maybe not.  An arcade might keep members around more. (I could even send fliers to the local bowling association, and see if that would boost membership as well as peak some interest in smf/TP...Leagues might start there own boards, Once they see how cool it is.)
And of course I will need a shopping cart/checkout package...The list goes on.  Please Feel free to post your ideas, thanks ahead for your time.  Hygron

Of course, I would support TP onsite and offer free downloads...However that get's set-up.

Thanks

[PhilH]

What do you team members think I should start with as far as the latest beta version's?
would anyone be interested in mentoring me on the finer points of putting together a domain correctly?

Download the latest beta TP ver here

Mentoring...that is what this forum is all about. Just post your issue in the appropriate board.

I suggest you start with getting TP installed on your site with the default theme and get comfortable with all the features of both TP and SMF.

It is your site so make it how you want. You decide what is correct.

[IchBin]

Hard to give any advice when its you who have to make the choices. It's really up to you what you want to do. As Phil said, get started by just installing TP (if that's what you want). From their maybe take a look around and find ideas and see if you can port them into your site. If not, take a look around here and then ask if you don't find anything.

[Thurnok]

As far as your "domain" config, it depends on whether your host allows you subdomains, how many domains and subdomains, if you have control panel access or shell access, etc.

If your host allows you some number of domains and subdomains (lets say for example  3 domains and 50 subdomains), my suggestion is you set your directory path up similar to this:

/  (root)  no domains - non-web accessable to store things you do not want under your web
/www  (webroot) - save a special "you" only domain for this area
/www/firstdomain - make a domain root here
/www/seconddomain - make another domain root here
   .
   .
   .
/www/subdomains - root folder for all subdomains
/www/subdomains/firstdomain - root folder for subdomains under first domain
/www/subdomains/firstdomain/subdomainone - subdomainone.firstdomain.com goes here
/www/subdomains/firstdomain/subdomaintwo - subdomaintwo.firstdomain.com goes here
   .
   .
   .
/www/subdomains/seconddomain - root folder for subdomains under second domain
/www/subdomains/seconddomain/subdomainone - subdomainone.seconddomain.com goes here
/www/subdomains/seconddomain/subdomaintwo - subdomaintwo.seconddomain.com goes here
   .
   .
   .
and so on and so on.... the directory names being whatever you want of course...

That's generally how I configure mine, though I have a large number of domains and subdomains.. but it never hurts to plan for the future. 

[hygron]

thanks guys.  Taking it all in. Great ideas here, but what I was asking was.

1st...I have smf1.0.7 and TPv086/techhead theme...
OK?  but, I loaded smf...then theme...then TP had to be edited, and that gave me problems...as Ichbin, G6 iwyen, among others know.

so, What I am asking...( I am going to list what I think is the order of things and you guys tell me if I am correct).  OK?

1st> download latest beta version of smf
2nd> wrap smf in lateset beta version of Tiny Portal
3rd> choose theme.
4th> add appropriate MOds

See what  am getting at...I need to know the correct order to apply the different packages, so there is less need for editing!
If you follow me.

By the way Ichbin..I want my frontpage to be set-up pretty much exactly like G6'-familycandy  with the medium size blocks side by side to the right of the shoutbox and forum info and such.

I want to use these boxes for different brand bowling ball images/description's;  that will link to a statistics/checkout page.

I realize all this is available whichever way I choose to go.  I was just asking for some direction, in order to cut down on the simpler mistakes.

Thanks again for the replies..you guy's are great...