Comments on: Can SharePoint be used for websites?

By: Trudy Hutzler

Trudy Hutzler — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:33:47 +0000

Does either one host SharePoit 2010 or SHarePoint Foundation? If I remeber right I don’t think Rackspace is offering 2010 yet. How about fpWeb.net

By: Christophe

Christophe — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:29:08 +0000

Dave, it would definitely be useful to blog about the contact form. I am curious to lean how you did it, and I am not the only one to be interested, this is a topic we discussed in our “SharePoint User Managed Solutions” group.

I insist that my comment was about a clean way to do it. I have no doubt it can be done, and I have done it myself (for example with workflows), but it leaves security holes.

By: Dave Coleman

Dave Coleman — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:30:04 +0000

Hi Christophe

I can show you various examples of a contact us feature on our websites and other SharePoint webnsites that we have made example one:-

http://www.twynham6thform.com/admin/Lists/Applications/NewForm.aspx

This is for students that wish to apply to our Sixth form college

Example two:-

http://www.twynham6thform.com/Pages/OpenMorning.aspx

This is for open morning that we run for parents

Example Three:-

http://www.twynham6thform.com/Pages/RequestProspectus.aspx

This is a simple Prospectus request

We use this a lot all over our site we also have others from our website but some are closed at the moment ie Our options process where parents can contact a head of subject with questions.

Would it be a good idea to blog about how we did this? if it will help others i will arrange this.

Dave

By: Christophe

Christophe — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 00:16:13 +0000

Dave, here is an example. A standard practice on websites is to offer a contact form, where visitors can leave feedback or questions (I am talking about the real stuff, not a mailto link!). I have spent days testing various methods, and I haven’t found a clean way to do it.

By: Bjørn

Bjørn — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:54:01 +0000

Dave,

The question is hardly wheter a piece of software can be used, but whether it should. Sure, you can use a screwdriver as your only tool for building a house. It’s incredibly stupid and using more suitable tools, you can get the job done a lot faster and cheaper, but in theory, you _can_ use a scredriver as a chissel to cut planks, as a hammer to secure nails, as a mixing tool for concrete…

By: Christian Buckley

Christian Buckley — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:05:11 +0000

If you look at the long-term cost / benefit of allowing for distributed management of your internet site by using SharePoint, it may reduce your overall impressions of the licensing costs. You need to look at the weighted cost over 2 to 3 years, and what you will save through many of SharePoint’s out of the box features and overall extensibility.

Having said that, I think there’s still room for licensing changes for the SMB.

By: Dave Coleman

Dave Coleman — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:19:31 +0000

Hi Christophe

I do agree with yourself and Bjorn that is can be dangerous but i think the key is if you set up correctly then all should be good. I think this is the same for any application that you expose to the outside world.

Dave

By: EndUserSharePoint

EndUserSharePoint — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:39:19 +0000

Daniel,

There are two companies that support the SharePoint Community in everything we are doing. Take a look at each to see which is appropriate:

RackSpace.com
fpWeb.net

Regards, Mark

By: Dave Coleman

Dave Coleman — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:17:36 +0000

Hi Daniel

Love to be able to answer with one of those “And the best hosting company is…….” We have spoken with Rackspace who are good guys and worth talking to.

Sorry i cannot give an answer but maybe a head to head? who knows

Dave

By: Dave Coleman

Dave Coleman — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:48:08 +0000

Very good point John i wrote a post earlier this year http://www.sharepointedutech.com/2010/05/19/licencing-sharepoint-2010-for-education-in-the-uk/

Which i hoped would help and i did run this past Microsoft UK prior to publication but shortly after publishing they contacted me saying it may be wrong!! (Surprise) and i am still waiting for the definate answer.

Dave