Forum Moderators: coopster
I am looking to create a web application where a user can log onto a Management area and create their own ads for the yellow pages (we are based in the UK).
The outline is that the user has options to:
1) Select a particular size of ad
2) Select a choice of image from a list
3) Enter their own text in key places, Business Name, Phone number
4) Confirm their selection via a preview (doesnt have to be in the pdf format for this)
5) convert details to pdf, email to user and ads company
The questions I have are:
a) Is it easy to convert data to a pdf file?
b) How would this be done? Would it be better to create say 4 templates (for the 4 different sized ads) and then add details from there
c) Roughly what sort of price would you charge a client for for this amount / type of work?
Any help would be appreciated.
Paul
a) Is it easy to convert data to a pdf file?
Depends on the complexity, especially if there are tables involved.
b) How would this be done? Would it be better to create say 4 templates (for the 4 different sized ads) and then add details from there
Might not be a bad idea, at least for starters. Once you have a better understanding of how the conversion works you might expand on your concept allowing alternative layouts.
c) Roughly what sort of price would you charge a client for for this amount / type of work?
You'll have to estimate that on your own. Don't fool yourself though, with the image upload, layout, conversion, etc. you are certainly looking at a chunk of work here.
The fpdf class [php.net] is free for use and some folks have offered converters (see the web site). It will take a few hours to use and understand the class. The documentation is well-written and comes with the download. There are other options when it comes to generating PDFs as well, it's just that fpdf is one of the more solid and more simple to implement.
Thanks for your reply. I had actually found the recommended website a bit later on.
Will give it a shot.
Thanks.
