This article explains how our Questions and Comments form and the related Posting of Questions and Comments were implimented.

This system was build as a part of the Joomla Content Management System.  We used a Joomla extension called Chrono Forms and its data display counterpart, Chrono Connectivity. 

The system uses its own table in the Joomla database where all information is stored, including a place for our response, and whether or not a given item should be published on the website or not. The form when submitted sents us an email with all the submitted data.

When first submitted, the form content is automatically published on the Questions and Comments page.  We can log into Chrono Connectivity (in Joomla admin) and enter our response if one is appropriate.   We also have the ability to unpubish a comment or question if it is inappropriate.

There is a lot of functionality in this system, but it was accomplished with only some very minor programming since almost everything is already built into Joomla and the Chrono Forms extension.

Content management systems such as Joomla have many powerful extentions that do things like this.  What makes this addition interesting is that it is not a "canned" system performing one function.  The form can be designed to do anything you want it to.  It can send an email, store the data in a database, or both.  The output from the database can be displayed anyway you want to arrange it.   The database can be edited after the fact by the administrator.  This system could be use for many other things besides what we have done with it here.