I'm new... wanting to build a social platform...

Hello, I'm new here, I don't know about boonex, but I have an idea in mind that would involve building a social platform. Let's say, kind of Wikipedia, to give an example. If Wikipedia did not exist yet, and someone had the idea to build it, as a non-profit platform, supported by people's donations, would boonex be the right tool to do so? Should I better find someone (a good computer programmer) to build the platform from the very beginning? Is boonex free to use? You don't pay anything, then?? Thanks a lot!

Free to use if you leave their logo on the footer. To remove all references to Boonex I believe it is $99 and then further.

Not having thought much about your proposition I would suggest you try the demo and see if it works for you. There are also Mods available in the Market place which may work along side Boonex.

So take a look around.

Other will also respond who know a heck of a lot more then I.

It sounds like you want to build Wikipedia, which already exists.

You're likely to find out everything you want to know by surfing around the site. And if you don't want to surf around the site then you DEFINITELY don't want to work with Dolphin b/c surfing around for answers to your questions is the #1 way of getting "support" for the software.

Here are a few starting points for you to find the answers to your questions:

http://www.boonex.com/paymentprovider/payment

http://www.boonex.com/market

 http://www.boonex.com/help

Also, note that there isn't a wiki module that I've seen anywhere in Dolphin or 3rd party modules, so if you're wanting to do a wiki site like Wikipedia then you'll need to know how to code it yourself.

There's a MediaWiki "integration," but from what I remember, it was more of an <iframe> hack.  It's the only thing available, though.

Yes its possible, a number of ways to make something like wiki with Dolphin if thats what you want to do.

The script is very versatile, just need to be a creative thinker more than a coder.

Lots of helpful people on the forum but you will need lots of time and patience.

It is in my experience though, much better than other CMS scripts if you can get your head round how to use it. 

Give it a go, its free to use, then you can pay to remove logo later. 

Mods cost extra, and hosting also.

Start small and cheap, test drive it through development then pay when you need to.

Thanks a lot for all your answers! I am a veterinarian with an idea of a social platform, so, difficult thing to face, I have no idea at all of computer science of computer/web programming. I know Wikipedia already exists, it was just an example of the complexity/kind of platform that is in my mind, but it's not like I want to do another Wikipedia.

I'll try to surf around Dolphin and see what I get... The truth is that I'm quite lost (or completely lost!). Let's see if I can figure something out... ;-) Nothing is impossible, right? ;-)

There are some very goodf vet sites made with dolphin, so you would not be on your own.

Check out his one. I know it to be very good and the owner is a great guy.

What is this site.. i find it kinda of confusing... Will you host and offer design templetes for my social networking site? is there any one i may speak to on the phone to better discuss my questions and protect my ideas? Other then a forum? Thank you

ooopsss,,,, might help iif I gave the url lol..... http://vetnetwork.co.uk/

That will tteach me to rush things on my tea break....

Thanks a lot DRautenbach! The site is amazing.

But using Dolphing, let's see if I understand: the software is for free, but you have to pay for every Module you want to add. You also pay to get rid of the dolphin logo. And it's your business to find the right hosting (Boonex helps you with that), and the hosting is something you also have to pay. It's for me to have an idea of the total cost of building something like that. Then, about the hosting, you pay more depending on the amount of information you have stored there, right? Do you also have to register a domain (and of course, pay for that)?

And one last thing... do you (or anyone) think that someone can build a social platform using Dolphin, WITHOUT any knowledge of internet or computer programming? Could a veterinarian, or a cook (just to give some absurd examples!) with an idea, build it on his or her own, using Dolphin, without any computer skills?

Thanks a lot to all of you :-)

To build a website with no experience you have to have one of two things:

1. The desire (and capability) to learn LOTS of new things and NOT be affraid to jump in and get your hands dirty.

OR

2. The money to pay someone else to do it all for you

You will need one of those two things to build a site regardless of it's with Dolphin or just a plain HTML site. We see people come here all the time and start posting that Dolphin is impossible and they don't think anyone could possibly use it, then they post a "job" for someone build a complete site for them for $20. This is a lot like someone who has never worked on a car saying they are going to open a repair shop with no employees and they don't want to go to repair school themself either.

It's possible for anyone to build a site with Dolphin but if you aren't familiar with web programming or site hosting  it's going to take a lot of Googling, a few books read,and  lots of searching on the forum here.. 

Yes, that's all correct. So upfront your looking at hosting and a domain name.

Then once you get the hang of everything you would pay for custom modules (I don't use them myself) and buy a license to get rid of the logos if you don't want them.

Thanks a lot again for all your help... Wow, the power of forums!

Mscott, unfortunately I'm unemployed... there is no money at all, so there is no option 2  There is some free time I can use, though. I can either learn and try to do this myself (I think it's a bit crazy, and I'm not sure Dolphin can fit the needs I would have), or find some other crazy soul that wants to get involved in the project him/herself, and try to build the site together, if he/she believed in the project as I do. But that would need to be someone nearby, from Barcelona or around, and it's not being easy to find this person for now...

So, I'll try to learn more... The thing is, if Wikipedia did not exist (Wikipedia is just an example), and you had this idea, and knew the idea could become big, maybe worldwide, would YOU use Dolphin to build something like that, or would you better bet for programming the site with new code from the beginning?

Thanks again!

 About the learning, I'm sure you can do it. 5 years ago I thought "php" was an illegal street drug. Ok, not really, but I really didn't know anything about it or html for that matter. After a few months of banging my head against the wall with Dolphin (and several books from Amazon) I started getting the hang of it.

I have seen people come here that couldn't even figure out how to isntall Dolphin and then 5 months later they are selling modules they have written in the market. Everyone has different learning curves but it IS possible. 

About if you should use Dolphin for a wikipedia type site, my first instinct is to say no. It seems like a LOT of overkill built into Dolphin that you wouldn't need. Here's a list of software that is MADE to create wiki type sites. Lots of them are open source and free:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wiki_software

Ironic the list is on the real wikipedia, no?