How to build a Digg or Reddit clone with CakePHP
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Bump or dump? That’s the theme behind the newly launched Link Bump (http://www.linkbump.com), where users "bump" the most interesting videos and news to the top and "dump" the trash into oblivion. The website was created with CakePHP and MySQL.
This is my first CakePHP application. Where to begin?
1. users
2. links
3. link_descriptions
4. link_ratings
5. comments
6. comment_ratings
7. comment_texts
8. histories
9. page_views
10. search_links
For transaction support, all of the tables use INNODB except search_links. Transactions allow me to keep a log of everything a user does. For example, when a users bumps a link, a new row will be inserted into link_ratings and histories. If either of the queries fail, the transaction will be rolled back. CakePHP makes this easy with saveall().
The problem with INNODB is that FULLTEXT searches are not supported. This makes it difficult to search the Link.link_title and LinkDescription.description fields. To remedy the problem, a MyISAM table has been created called search_links. This contains a MyISAM copy of the link_title and link_description data located in the INNODB tables. Data integrity is maintained through a MySQL trigger. Whenever a record is changed in links or link_descriptions, the corresponding record is updated in search_links.
Each user is only allowed one vote per link. Also, each IP address is only allowed one vote per link.
Email
SwiftMailer was used with the help of this SwiftMailer component.
* Video submissions will be embedded.
* Thumbnails should be added to each link submission.
* A rating system needs to be implemented for link comments.
* OpenInviter will be implemented to grow the community.
* Chinese and Korean versions of the website will soon be launched.
Criticism, comments, and suggestions are welcome. I would like to thank the community for answering all of my questions.
Link Bump Support
linkbump[at]gmail[dot]com
Overall Concept
Users can share videos, news, or useful information (even if it's not new). Unlike other popular social media applications, image submissions are not accepted. The site aims for more useful content and less humor.All of the front page content is determined by users like you, not some out-of-touch corporate fat cats. Once a new link is shared, it's either bumped to the top or dumped into oblivion. You decide.
Database Structure
There are only 10 tables in the database:1. users
2. links
3. link_descriptions
4. link_ratings
5. comments
6. comment_ratings
7. comment_texts
8. histories
9. page_views
10. search_links
For transaction support, all of the tables use INNODB except search_links. Transactions allow me to keep a log of everything a user does. For example, when a users bumps a link, a new row will be inserted into link_ratings and histories. If either of the queries fail, the transaction will be rolled back. CakePHP makes this easy with saveall().
The problem with INNODB is that FULLTEXT searches are not supported. This makes it difficult to search the Link.link_title and LinkDescription.description fields. To remedy the problem, a MyISAM table has been created called search_links. This contains a MyISAM copy of the link_title and link_description data located in the INNODB tables. Data integrity is maintained through a MySQL trigger. Whenever a record is changed in links or link_descriptions, the corresponding record is updated in search_links.
Javascript Libraries
Prototype and script.aculo.us are used for the AJAX effects.Spam Control
Sites like this are sure to be inundated with link spam. To discourage this practice, the external URL of each submission cannot be viewed by anonymous users (or search engines) until it receives 20 votes. If you login, you can view the external URL for all links.Each user is only allowed one vote per link. Also, each IP address is only allowed one vote per link.
Future Plans
* Users will be encouraged to submit a profile photo, which will be used throughout the site.* Video submissions will be embedded.
* Thumbnails should be added to each link submission.
* A rating system needs to be implemented for link comments.
* OpenInviter will be implemented to grow the community.
* Chinese and Korean versions of the website will soon be launched.
Conclusion and Outlook
Of course it's nearly impossible for a small time programmer like myself to compete with heavy hitters like Digg, Reddit, Yahoo! Buzz, and Mixx. Hopefully LinkBump.com can find a niche, grow steadily, and maintain moderate traffic. As of now, there are no advertisements on LinkBump.com.Criticism, comments, and suggestions are welcome. I would like to thank the community for answering all of my questions.
Link Bump Support
linkbump[at]gmail[dot]com
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