database design
If you want to see one of the database driven sites designed by 121 Technology, have a look at Wales Cottages.
why use a database?
The advantage of a database driven site is that the same information can be displayed on several pages, without the need to rewrite each page whenever a detail changes - for example, the price. Also, when you have many similar products -each with the same type of infrormation, then only one page design is needed - displaying the products individually is all done through the database.
In a site selling wine, the following pages might be wanted;
Reds, Whites, Country specific e.g. French, Italian, cost specific e.g. 'under £5', under £10, Special Offers
So, a French red normally selling at £6.99 is dropped in price to £4.99 and with a small change in the database, it automatically moves onto the 'Special Offers' page and appears on the 'Under a Fiver' page. When many changes are needed, the time savings are significant.
I design using both Microsoft (ASP/MSSQL) and Linux (PHP/MySQL), according to the needs of the client. Many clients use a content management system - often designed specifically for them - to maintain their own pages, without the risk of 'breaking' anything!
