Category:Editors

From ExponentCMS Docs

Editors

This category contains guides for Editors who manage content on Exponent websites.

This category does not yet contain much content. Help us to help others by joining the Exponent Development Community and sharing your Exponent expertise. To join, use the Contact Form on the main website.

Contents 1 Intro 1.1 What is a CMS 1.2 What is Open Source 1.3 Why Exponent CMS 2 Editor Tools Required 2.1 Supported Browsers 2.2 Username & Password 2.3 Additional Text Editing Tools 2.4 Additional Image Editing Tools 3 Editing Content 3.1 Add / Edit / Delete Module Content 3.2 Preview Content 3.3 Move Content Up & Down 3.4 Managing Revisions 4 Using the Text Editor 4.1 About the Text Editor 4.2 Inserting an Image 4.3 Inserting a Link 5 Editing Modules 6 Advanced Features 7 Module User Guides 7.1 Core Module User Guides 7.2 Add-on Module User Guides 8 Editors Resources

Intro

What is a CMS

What is Exponent CMS and how does an Exponent CMS website differ from a "normal," or static, website?

Exponent CMS is a web-based content management system

A static website is one that is built (designed, and with content) and saved on a web server. The website will never change unless the web-master manually changes the 'code' or 'content' that makes up the website.

A dynamic website, such as an Exponent CMS based site or one using a similar content management system, is a web application (program) that allows the structure and content of the site to be changed without changing the underlying building blocks of the website. Most structure and content is contained in a database. If you point the exact same website to a different database, the entire site will change without changing any of the building blocks. This allows for very easy maintenance of a website. Content editors can securely login to their site and use a set of point-and-click user interface tools to add, edit, delete, archive, upload, and email content without knowing HTML or any programming language.

What is Open Source

This means the source code that makes up the application is open and available for anyone to install and use. This also means anyone can add to the code base of Exponent CMS, although the development team does maintain some level of discretion regarding contributed code, to ensure source integrity. Anyone with programming skills can write a module or plug-in to inter-operate with Exponent CMS sites. This opens up the realm of possible functionality to a limitless variety.

Why Exponent CMS

Exponent CMS gives non-technical people the ability to quickly add, edit, and delete content on their websites by using a highly-intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI). While many CMS applications use a GUI to make web publishing user-friendly, most of them separate content and controls, forcing site administrators and users to edit content from the “back end.” Exponent CMS is unique because the controls are integrated directly into the website, almost exactly as it would look to a public visitor to the site; so what you see is truly what you get. Because these controls are embedded directly in the site, the pages can be updated from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Editor Tools Required

In order to use the Exponent CMS, you will need a complete copy of the application installed on a web server. Normally the best environment will be on a production server managed by a hosting provider.

Supported Browsers

Exponent CMS is a web based content management system. All editing and management is easily controlled by a standard web browser with a reliable Internet connection. Below is a list of acceptable browsers that have met or exceed the requirements for using and editing the Exponent CMS application.

Linux: Mozilla 1.6, Netscape 7.0 +, Firefox .98 +

Win 2000 / Win NT: Explorer 5.5, Explorer 6.0, Mozilla 1.4.1 +, Netscape 7.0 +, Firefox .98 +

Win XP: Explorer 6.0, Mozilla 1.6, Netscape 7.1, Firefox .98 +

Macintosh: Firefox 1.0 +

We have tested front-end functionality, scripting, and appearance in the following browsers and operating systems, at both 800x600 and 1024x768 resolutions **:

Possible Issues

Possible issues encountered when using the above mentioned browsers are too strict of settings on your web browser. Having “cookies” turned off, or having “Javascript” disabled. Exponent CMS requires these be turned on in your preference panel in your browser in order to function as designed.

Username & Password

The first item you will need is a Username and Password. This will normally be provided by the Site Administrator. If you don't have a Username and Password at this time, please contact the Administrator of the web site you are going to be editing or managing content before going further.

Additional Text Editing Tools

There's a vast array of good text editing tools available, both freeware and shareware, not to mention the basic notepad, which are suitable for dealing with text editing and as tools for editing your website template. A good software will also have color coding for HTML elements etc. making it easier for you to adapt or create your Exponent template.

Additional Image Editing Tools

Image editing is an important aspect of the management and ascetics of your web site. Preplanning and preparation of you images will help when adding content and information to your site. The web site design team that installed and integrated your web site design should provide you with specifications as to the the maximum image widths that will keep your site looking consistent and keep from breaking the design goal.

Recommending what image editing tool to use is beyond the scope of this manual. Choosing the image editing program that you feel comfortable using is probably the best answer. We also recommend saving all images in either .jpg or .gif. A good rule of thumb is if the image is a photo to save as a .jpg file, if the image is solid colors or line-art, save as a .gif.

Editing Content

Access to module functionality and editing is made through standardised icons and text links. The level of access available to you is dependent on user permissions set by your website administrator.

Add / Edit / Delete Module Content

The Edit Content Icon allows you to add, edit and delete content or text within that particular module.

Preview Content

To view your changes as if you were a visitor or logged out, click the Preview link. Depending on how your Site Administrator has prepared the site, your preview link may be located on the home page, or possibly on every page of the site. Consult the Site Administrator on the possible locations of the Preview link.

To return to the Edit Mode, return to the same page that you used to switch to the preview mode.

Move Content Up & Down

The Move Up icon allows the Editor to move particular content within their edit mode up to a place on the section/page, an example would be moving a News Story, Calendar Event etc.

The Move Down icon allows the Editor to move particular content within their edit mode down to a place on the section/page, an example would be moving a News Story, Calendar Event etc.

Managing Revisions

Content Revisions allow the Editor to select older versions of content without having to retype the complete content again. Usage might include changes that had mistakes, and require re-instating the older content/revision to meet site standards.

Using the Text Editor

About the Text Editor

WYSIWYG Editing

The Text Editor is an application that is similar to a Microsoft Word-pad or Microsoft Word application, only this editor is actually built into the Exponent CMS application. Because most text editors use the “Javascript” functionality of a web browser, you will want to make sure that the browser is set for allowing “Javascript” applications. Check with your system administrator or IT department if in doubt.

• Icon Descriptions
• Preview Content

Best Practice

For your web site to continue to look professional and consistent, please try to follow a consistent method of adding or editing text on your web site. Refrain from adding your own font styles, and font sizes as this will or can break the look and feel of your web site. Always use the Copy Text or Copy Word feature to place content from your word documents or other word processing or desktop publishing software.

HTML Editing

To add HTML source code to your page, this could be required to load Pay Pal code for a buy now button or to use special table formating to the page. Normally you would copy the required code by clicking Control-A then Control-C of the code you are copying, and the in the Text Editor window locate in the page the area you wish to add the code. (Tip: Type “########” in the preview mode of the Text Editor in the place you wish to add the code. Once added, select the source but to enter the source code mode. Now find and replace the “########” with your new code. Once entered click the Source Button again and you should now see your newly added HTML Source Code.)

Inserting an Image

The Editor built into the Exponent CMS application allows simple image uploads and placement into your text or content of your web pages.

Importance of Image Size

The size of your images is very important to an easy to navigate web site. Images that are too large can actually break the design of your web site, as well as increase the time it takes for your page to load. We recommend you always optimize the images being placed into your web pages. Consult your web site developer for the specifications you should follow for a consistent and quick loading web site.

Using the Image Manager (see also Image Manager Module)

Placing an image on your web site is made simple using the built-in Text Editor included in every release of Exponent CMS. The Image Manager integrated into the Text Editor allows simple uploads from your desktop computer, storage of those images for quick review and placement on your web site. You can resize, add a border, link from the image, place alternate text for the image, justify left or right, set text to wrap around the image and a host of other manipulations. (More information on how to actually upload and manage your images under the Text Editor tutorials)

Inserting a Link

Creating internal and external hyperlinks in Exponent CMS is simple using the built in Text Editor. On opening the Text Editor tool you will see your current content, or you can add new or edited content into the text area window. Adding a link can be made by selecting the desired text and clicking the hyperlink icon. This action opens the "Link" popup window from where you can choose to:

• Link to an Internal Page:

• In the field "Protocol", select "<other>" from the drop-down menu
• Click "Browse Server" to open the "Insert/Modify Link" window
• Click "Link to a Page" to open the "Site Hierarchy" window
• Select the internal page you wish to link to
• Click "OK" in the "Insert/Modify Link" window to save
• Click "OK" in the "Link" window to save and return to the Text Editor

• Link to Internal Content:

• In the field "Protocol", select "<other>"" from the drop-down menu
• Click "Browse Server" to open the "Insert/Modify Link" window
• Click "Link to a Content"
• Select the internal content you wish to link to
• Click "OK" in the "Insert/Modify Link" window to save
• Click "OK" in the "Link" window to save and return to the Text Editor

• Link to External Address:

• In the field "Protocol", select "http://" from the drop-down menu
• In the field "URL", enter the external url - e.g. "www.exponentcms.org"
• Click "OK" to save and return to the Text Editor

• Link to Email Address:

• In the field "Protocol", select "E-mail" from the drop-down menu
• In the field "URL", enter the E-mail address - e.g. "me@mywebsite.com"
• Click "OK" to save and return to the Text Editor

Reviewing Your Link

If you switch to "Source Mode" in the Text Editor, you will see that the Exponent CMS Text Editor has created your new link together with all the HTML coding required for use.

Editing Modules

• Add a Module to the Page
• Edit the Module Settings
• Move Modules Up & Down the Page
• Delete Module
• Set User Permissions
• Set Group Permissions
• Configure Module
• Revisions
• Re-using a Module

Advanced Features

• Categories
• Workflow

Module User Guides

Core Module User Guides

Specific guide for each core Module type, to include:

• About the Module
• Using the Module

• Adding Content
• Editing Content
• Preview Content
• Delete Content
• Additional Options

• Module Views
• Module Configuration
• Content Configuration (where applicable)

Note: Exact details will vary depending on the Module.

Add-on Module User Guides

Specific guide for each add-on Module type, details as above.

Editors Resources

tbd