Need some web design advice.

I have set up a basic forum with MS Frontpage….at least I think I have it set up….thanks to a few bureaucratic hoops, I have to have it in perfect/tested/working condition before they submit it to be uploaded….the problem is that to fully test it, it has to be published, and to publish it I need a server (or virtual server) with Frontpage Server Extensions…. But I can’t even pay for a site and publish it on my own since the darn thing is being considered confidential….meaning I would need massive security unless I can have it only accessible from the office intranet.

 

I am actually pretty confident that what I built with the template works….except for two parts. First, I have a file uploader (well, 3 actually) built into the posting web that was not part of the template, it appears to be in good condition….the problem is I can’t tell if they will actually attach the files to the forum post without testing it, and please see the paragraph above this for the reason this wont’ work.

Second, I have no way of telling what the posts will look like and if the ability to comment on the posts is even there….it almost feels like I’m missing a page, but the template was very specific that I only would have 4 pages (Search page, posting page, Confirmation page (confirming that the page was uploaded), and the index where the posts would be listed in chronological order….)

 

Btw, I know this thing will turn into a monster, but I have been authorized to use (once the whole thing is approved) 500gb of server space, the Web development team from our IT dep., 2 automated backup servers (also 500gb each), and an archive server with as much space as needed.

 

 

 

And after a short meeting this morning, they want it to have a user login screen, an online guide as to how to use the site, an updatable news page to give updates on the status of the section as a whole…..hmm….the monster just became a Titan… and this Titan doesn’t like me very much.

 

So, any advice? (and I know “stop using Frontpage” will be one of them)

 

 

Auto out-