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Lots of small pieces of information. How to handle it?

December 15, 2011 6:34am

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  • #1 / Dec 15, 2011 6:34am

    EB

    12 posts

    I have a non-profit client who has a need to list a few hundred different “Funds” that people can donate to.

    Really, the only information stored for each fund is it’s name and maybe a type/category.

    What is the best way to handle information like this?

    I would like to be able to list this info by category and have an auto-filling form for PayPal donations based on the master list of these. Any ideas?

    I thought of using Pixel&Tonic;‘s matrix, but it’s really not designed for this. Would that be a good solution? That would be a very long list.

    Additionally, the danger of that is that it put’s all of the information in a single entry, which my client could delete or corrupt.

    Thanks all!

  • #2 / Dec 16, 2011 6:40pm

    e-man

    1816 posts

    I think you’ve already answered your own question, going the channel route gives you a hundred entries which you can manipulate any which way. Matrix ties it neatly in a single entry. Both have their drawbacks and pros.
    If you’re worried about your client accidentally deleting a crucial entry have a look at this:
    http://dmlogic.com/blog/protecting-expression-engine-entries-from-accidental-deletion/

  • #3 / Dec 16, 2011 6:58pm

    Rob Allen

    3105 posts

    I pretty much agree with e-man, one channel to hold data for each Fund, the use Categories to split them up by type/theme.

  • #4 / Dec 19, 2011 11:20am

    EB

    12 posts

    I guess I was hoping for “use this miracle module designed specifically for creating easy-to-access databases within the frame work of EE.”

    So, if I’m going to be using individual channels, do you have a recommendation for a importer. Right now I’m looking at http://devot-ee.com/add-ons/datagrab. Thanks again, gents.

  • #5 / Dec 19, 2011 11:23am

    e-man

    1816 posts

    If you’re importing Datagrab is pretty much the only option worth checking out, it’s a solid module, I myself have used it on several occasions.

  • #6 / Dec 19, 2011 11:25am

    EB

    12 posts

    Awesome, that’s what I’ll use then.

    Thanks, mate.

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