Making a Clan Website: webSPELL
October 10th, 2007 by Justin CarmonyIntoduction
One aspect that is very vague and not known very well throughout the gaming community is… how to make a clan website. Most players are very unfamiliar with websites and how they work. Many teams don’t have anyone on their roster to "make them a website", let along make it functional and good looking. So we the CEVO developers thought it might be useful to show how to install some common Content Management Systems (CMS) for video game teams or clans.
We rate different solutions off ease of installment, configuration, admin and user use, and clan specific functions. While some people would say use PHP-Nuke, e107, or others which have thousands of reviews, we’re looking at some more gaming specific solutions that have things built in for rosters, matches played, server information, etc. Like always, if you have a tip or solution please let us know at devzone (AT) cevo (DOT) com.
webSPELL
This week we’ll be reviewing webSPELL, a CMS designed for clans/teams and gaming communities. It appears to be from germany, but everything anyone needs to know can be found in english.
Installation
I went to the webSPELL website at http://cms.webspell.org/ and clicked the Download button on the top navigation. I downloaded the latest version webSPELL 4.01.02 which came in a rar file. While I’m not going to dock them for using a rar file, I am going say that its much more convenient to have a .zip file for windows and .tar.gz for linux. Especually linux because you can easily upload the .tar.gz file and unzip it on the server.
I went ahead and uploaded the files to my website root directory. I browse to view the page and I get an error saying ubable to connect to the database. I am going to dock some cool points for not mentioning installation. As for finding the installation method I had to read the readme.en.txt found in the root directory. This document is kinda-well written but you can tell it has been translated. As for the instructions they are not super clear and tell you to chmod 2 files that I don’t have….
But after browsing to the http://www.example.com/install directory the installation seemed pretty straight forward. I had to agree to the license, as well as verify the website URL. I’m really not sure whats up with the dude and the binders in his hands, especially since this CMS is geared towards gamers…
Then it took me to a page to verify the chmod settings (the settings that say who can read, write, and execute files on your server). It tells you which files to change to 777. I preform the changes and hit refresh. I was disappointed when it just tired to run the CHMODs again and told you which files needed it instead of actually checking and saying "These files are good, these one arn’t" like other CMS do.
It then askes if I want to upgrade of install new, which is pretty cool. I select new and enter in my information for my database. It then installs the database and writes the configurations and…. it worked!
It gives me a link to my new front page….
Configuration
Well, now that this thing is installed, its time to turn it into Clanname’s website to DevZone Fraggers!!! Awesome name huh? Here is a picture of the default configuration. I’m going to be honest, I expected much more ugly. This isn’t half bad. However, we’re gonna dock them a few points for no clear direction to the admin panel. I don’t even know my username! (I know my password and email, but no clear direction on how to get to the control panel). The readme doesn’t even say anything on what to do. After a few tries I figure out its whatever you put in as name, which includes spaces! That was kinda weird, but oh well.
The Control Panel is pretty basic and straight forward, you have a link to it off the main page.
Customization / Themes
Alright, I believe this is one of the weakest points in webSPELL. There are no "themes" or "templates" like in Word Press or Joomla. It supports changing colors or files, but there isn’t a packaged "theme" that you can use. You have to either download and manually install a theme off another website or make your own. Now, for some this might be a plus because the lack of a packaging system almost makes it easier to make your own themes. No complicated configuration or advanced know-hows of the system. You just kinda edit the files and css and you’re good.
I downloaded a template from a german website (was the first one I found) and it was pretty decent. However, some of the stuff is in german (whoops), but its the fault of a theme, not the system.
Features
This is where I believe webSPELL is the strongest. It has all the built in functionality any large, multi-gaming, multi-team organization would need. None of the features are super advanced (like the forums are basic forums), but they all work well. Here are a few features listed:
- Downloads
- Demos
- Matches
- Rosters
- Teams/Squads (for multi-team organizations)
- History
- Awards
- Forums
- Calendar
- Polls
- Picture Gallery
- Users (Team members, admins, normal users.)
- FAQ System (good one too)
- Shoutbox
- Guestbook
- Multi-Lingual news
- Etc…
By far this is the strength of webSPELL. It does everything pretty well.
Conclusion
webSPELL is a fully featured clan CMS. While its not the prettiest or robust customization (through the control panel) like other powerful CMS systems, it has all the functions a normal clan would need. Its installation is pretty straight forward, but some website administration knowledge is needed. The weakest part is the templates with no "template" package system like WordPad, e107, Joomla, etc. You also can’t download free templates from their website but have to search the web. This system seems exremely popular outside of the US. However, if you’re a person who knows HTML, CSS, and basic PHP, and would like to design a clan website but not need to code all the extra stuff, webSPELL would be perfect for your needs.
Ratings
| Instalation | 4 / 5 |
| Customization | 2.5 / 5 |
| Control Panel | 4 / 5 |
| Features | 4.5 / 5 |
| Easy to use | 3.5 / 5 |
| Tilt | 4 / 5 |
| Overall | 3.75 / 5 |
Final thoughts
While this isn’t the Joomla or WordPad for Clans & Teams, it does have all the features you need with just a little bit of knowledge with websites. But for the average clan, it’s not-super-powerfulness actually makes it easier and more simple to use with a low learning curve. Just make sure whoever installs it has some experience. Also, if you want to design your own site graphically, but not want to code all the PHP functionality, this would be a great system to use. If you want to see how it looks like just check out http://webspell.justincarmony.com/. It’ll give you the idea.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I have some questions about webSpell do you think you could email me? lgnmahoney2@yahoo.com
June 18th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Hmmm, very nice I must say. I currently lead a clan called the Bloody Red One or -=BRO=- for short. I created a website (above) using Yahoo.solutions or small business web. The only problem was it was for small business which is really ment for advertising/selling. I was limited of course so I added my own free forums and created a link (not to professional but works) The one problem I find is that most clans/guilds like a show off thier home videos. For example when they catch players cheating. Although it might look like I know what am I doing, this was all created by ” learn as you go ” if you will. I was wondering how you could assist me and creating a website that has all the needs of a gaming clan. Most important, the area in which a clan member can upload his vidoe for all to see. Also, shout boxes are a very important part in any gaming clan, I have a forum that actually has a live chat box in which members log-in and chat. Does or can your company provide both. Please let me know because if you can I would most likely think about a new website using yours. Thanks and I hope I was not too winded here.