How to convert CVS file(s) into HTML for Single Player

[Michael V.]

Okay....like many others, I am not a big fan of the UI in Front Office Football (whatever version it is, but currently Edition/Version '8'), but for me, it isn't because I just want a pretty game to look at. There is a non-superficial reason why I desire/rather have a nicer/cleaner/vibrant UI(User Interface)/In Game Graphics.

In my opinion (as is several others), FOF looks flat, stale and overall - bland. However, on the other hand, FOF is the most detailed, accurate and complete football sim of all-time. Again, IMO. But, that's 'Okay', because the in-game operations (basically, everything we do now while playing FOF) is supposed to be like working in an office as a General Manager of a team or league. FOF presents everything we all would ever need to properly run and evaluate a team or league in regards to the information/data that FOF generates for us.

And this is where the HTML pages that FOF can export gives us all a whole new viewing and exciting experience.....

The HTML pages that are generated when we choose to export our league in HTML format provides us all the stats (and there is a TON of that), league news, etc. that we would need to satisfy our viewing experience. Because, let's face it, there is a fairly big immersive factor on how certain things are presented. Real-life companies do it all the time for company meetings; Companies create immersive visuals when presenting data to others during these meetings (think powerpoint, etc.) However, the HTML generated pages in FOF are still quite "flat" and "bland" (imo). Now **IF** I could modify HOW the leagues HTML pages (the Leagues website, essentially) look, then FOF8 would provide everything I'd need in a football sim.

So....that brings me to this question - How difficult is modifying the generated HTML pages that FOF(8) generates to make it look like a professional sports leagues website(s)?? (For example; NFL.com OR like several of the awesome looking FOF multi-player leagues that are up and running). I'd be willing to learn to modify it myself, so any information and/or advice is greatly appreciated. I've even asked others (by posting), but didn't receive any responses, lol. I even offered to pay someone to create one for me, hahaha, but that's how serious I am about this.

So, y'all have any recommendations??

[Ben E Lou]

It's not hard. You just need to learn PHP and MySQL, which aren't that difficult. In 2008, I hadn't written a single line of code since my senior year of high school (1987), but that fall I taught myself how to do league sites using PHP/MySQL For Dummies, Google, and a few posts here to get me through some sticky spots. Within a week or so of starting I was able to make basic pages, after a month I was able to do a full league site, including bars on player pages, and within three months I'd figured out how to automatically post threads on php-based forum software such as vbulletin and phpBB.

[Michael V.]

Originally Posted by Ben E Lou

It's not hard. You just need to learn PHP and MySQL, which aren't that difficult. In 2008, I hadn't written a single line of code since my senior year of high school (1987), but that fall I taught myself how to do league sites using PHP/MySQL For Dummies, Google, and a few posts here to get me through some sticky spots. Within a week or so of starting I was able to make basic pages, after a month I was able to do a full league site, including bars on player pages, and within three months I'd figured out how to automatically post threads on php-based forum software such as vbulletin and phpBB.

Thank you for the reply, Ben.

Yeah, I have done some searching on Google in regards to creating your own website, etc. I did quite a bit of looking into on how to create basic pages about a year ago as well. Had a personal setback in 2015 and then picked up everything again later this year. I would say patience is something I lack, but only for things like this, lol. Having said that, your sharing with me on how well and quick you learned PHP and MySQL gives me some confidence and 'hope', haha. I'll be digging into this all day today. This and my OOTP career. ;-)

Thanks Again!!

[Michael V.]

There is much grip and disappointment over the bland/dull FOF UI/User Interface, but for me, I've 'discovered' a solution.

I've said this at times before that the actual in-game play in FOF is great because all of the tools you need are right at your fingertips. I look at the FOF in-game structure as my office, which I believe is what Jim's vision is. However, FOF has the ability to export CVS files that can be converted to HTML which is used to create a website for your league. I only play Single Player and to me, the html files look a bit too plain, so my plan/goal is to create a better, more alive/vibrant experience outside the 'FOF office'. This can be done by creating a website for your SP league/career. But what is the most efficient and effective way?

Well, I'm learning, lol. However, I do have a question.
What is a good program for beginners like myself where I can convert all of my leagues stats, data, etc. from CVS/EXCEL to HTML? My goal is to make my leagues website (including individual and team websites) to look like ESPNs NFL page or like the NFL.com website.

Are there any programs that anyone here could suggest? Either Free or Pay, it doesn't matter.
Thank you!!

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by Michael V.

There is much grip and disappointment over the bland/dull FOF UI/User Interface, but for me, I've 'discovered' a solution.

I've said this at times before that the actual in-game play in FOF is great because all of the tools you need are right at your fingertips. I look at the FOF in-game structure as my office, which I believe is what Jim's vision is. However, FOF has the ability to export CVS files that can be converted to HTML which is used to create a website for your league. I only play Single Player and to me, the html files look a bit too plain, so my plan/goal is to create a better, more alive/vibrant experience outside the 'FOF office'. This can be done by creating a website for your SP league/career. But what is the most efficient and effective way?

Well, I'm learning, lol. However, I do have a question.
What is a good program for beginners like myself where I can convert all of my leagues stats, data, etc. from CVS/EXCEL to HTML? My goal is to make my leagues website (including individual and team websites) to look like ESPNs NFL page or like the NFL.com website.

Are there any programs that anyone here could suggest? Either Free or Pay, it doesn't matter.
Thank you!!

No need for a new thread. Merged with the other one on the same subject you started a little over a month ago.

[Squirrel]

Hey OP, probably obvious thing to say but isn't the solution for you to play MP in one of Ben's leagues, if you don't already? The bells and whistles he puts together are very cool and may well bridge the gap for you

Failing that learning HTML / CSS isn't rocket science but making something look really pro will take a fair bit of time

[Michael V.]

@ Ben
Thanks for combining the two threads.

I have taken on the task of learning what you have suggested, and I have actually made for myself a simple html page. However, it is nothing compared to what you've been able to do, esp the addition of a players ratings bars, etc. That is very nice.

Having said that, I have found some tools for those who don't know code where you can drag and drop what you want in. I guess it's a lazy man's software for website building, lol. I was even able to edit the html index page for my league, but every time I export new html pages, that gets overwritten.

I think I'm on to something here for SP leagues and the gripe some of us have with the less than lively FOF in-game interface. In some respects I personally feel SP people like myself are being left in the cold when it comes to continuing leagues from version to version and a few other things. Creating an experience 'out side of the office ' (the office being in the actual game, out side being the leagues website) is a big deal to me. The things Ben has done for his MP website is just amazing. Maybe not so amazing to others, but to me it is. I am a SP only guy. I have no desire to play in any MP leagues.

I'm doing everything I can to learn, but I am still a ways off - which is fine, and I am hoping that a can get a greater experience with creating a keague website for SP that has the look and feel of real sports websites.

[TAFIV]

Originally Posted by Michael V.

Having said that, I have found some tools for those who don't know code where you can drag and drop what you want in. I guess it's a lazy man's software for website building, lol.

i don't know if you're planning of hosting them or not, but one thing to realize if you are is that with those programs that let you drag & drop stuff to make a website there is usually a ton of unnecessary code that will both slow down your website and use up your allocated bandwidth, it's a good stopgap till you learn the code yourself but once you do i'd go back over the site and revamp it

[chinaski]

For the love of god, its CSV not CVS