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How To Start a Blog Section
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
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All right! That went pretty well. My arms are tired, my eyes ache, and I have a major flare up of carpal tunnel syndrome...but other than that, I got the whole Men site transferred to the Green section. Looks pretty good.
I have an anomoly(sp?) though. It seems that once I drill down to the final categories, I switch from green to blue. Not much of a problem since the blue section is the main site and the logo isn't confusing or anything. But it still bothers me why the lowest categories switch to home base.
I have a couple other bugs to work out dealing with the Rotator...but that's pretty easy stuff. Just too tired to mess with it right now.
Thanks guys....It looks like I'm on my way.
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
- Thanks: 0
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Sheesh...It took me a few days, but now I understand what Wingman is talking about. You're saying that with the assignment of different menus, I can make independent copies of my template within the same site!
So...can I do that now, even though I have the site filled with content? Is it just a matter of reassigning what I have?
Back to the blog issue though...it is important to me to be able tell a user that he/she gets their own blog. I don't want to create a community blog where everyone and their brother can post articles, then others have to sort and search to find one particular author. I would like the site filled with editorial columns by dedicated individuals who consider that blog to be their home. I hope I said that right.
So while I'm really thinking about what Futureguy is saying, when I set up the blog like you say, I don't really see a way that I can dedicate that to an individual. Plus, I'm a little concerned about appearance. It would be nice if the user could customize their page, and not rely on me to do it for them.
Can this be done with the tools I have? It stinks being a newbie. :-[
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- The Wingman
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1208
- Thanks: 0
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John Hart wrote:
Sheesh...It took me a few days, but now I understand what Wingman is talking about. You're saying that with the assignment of different menus, I can make independent copies of my template within the same site!Glad you got that down...again, little nuances you will have to take in account. But here is good way to look at it...
I have 6 themes that need individual template - each them features anywhere from 3-6 sections with lots of categories in those sections -
so I assign theme 1 with a menu1 and in menu 1 I put links to all the sections and categories...I then repeat that on each theme, but ----
I have to connect all the themes together - so I a)create a different menu say like "Top" that connects them all (people can jump from theme to theme or I put it in each themes menu (links to the other themes)
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Boy probably sounded confusing, but the option are almost limitless.
So...can I do that now, even though I have the site filled with content? Is it just a matter of reassigning what I have?
You might create new sections and categories and menu items in the background while leaving your site up as it is - then when the time is ready you switch over. So, don't be afraid to think it over...
Back to the blog issue though...it is important to me to be able tell a user that he/she gets their own blog. I don't want to create a community blog where everyone and their brother can post articles, then others have to sort and search to find one particular author. I would like the site filled with editorial columns by dedicated individuals who consider that blog to be their home. I hope I said that right.
That is a good move...sounds rock solid if you give them above and beyond the call of duty of supplying the tools and support they should give you rock solid articles - increasing the value of your site.
So while I'm really thinking about what Futureguy is saying, when I set up the blog like you say, I don't really see a way that I can dedicate that to an individual. Plus, I'm a little concerned about appearance. It would be nice if the user could customize their page, and not rely on me to do it for them.
I think having a small blog community that YOU CAN do for them, makes it a plus, not a minus. Because you will be able to go in there and enhance each members blog with new tools you find and surprise them.
Think of it this way - put a forum together exclusively for the bloggers and offer up - request, new features etc... One this gives you realtime feedback and let's them know you care.
On a personal note - one of my site is set up to reward them. Here is an example:
Level one - they get an account
Level two-four - they can submit articles, become an editor, become a publisher
Level five - they earn points of submitted work to be able to place ads on the site (so, they earn money too. Plus, I control the ads)
Anyway, - mine doesn't work exactly like that, but as you can see, their level of commitment is matched by my level of commitment.
I use AlphaUserPoints to track everything. (that program rocks!) I hope I didn't throw to much at you
Can this be done with the tools I have? It stinks being a newbie. :-[
Individual styling without software = no, because joomla is not set up that way. Although you could try and go all out and put in CB for the users to customize their profiles, which would include all their articles they have written within their profile. That is customizable. But unless you get a blog program, which I have yet to see one that can match Joomla for final results. In other words - a blog component is for the masses and looks generic, but your setting up for the best of the best and well - you can make it look like MAXIUM Magazine Made the Blog.
Yes, it does suck being a newbie...if you need some help - let me know - I can look at what your are doing an draw up a rough sketch for the menu situations that will help you get over that hurdle. - "You can learn a lot from a dummy. So, pay attention to yourself." Quote by me.
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
- Thanks: 0
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Ok..you sold me. I will go ahead with the power of fundamentals and bust my butt to make this a great site. (It is important for the safety and security of the free world, so I better make sure people go there)
But now that I'm sold, I now know that I have a bunch of work to do.
I thought that maybe I ought to get familiar with this whole multiple template ideal first. So I downloaded a template and installed it.... Created a Menu called Governmentmenu, and a section called USGovernment, then assigned that menu to my newly installed template....you know...just to see what it looked like.
Am I missing something? The assignment shows up in the template manager, but the government page is still the default template. There must be a secret key somewhere...Or I just don't know what I'm looking at.
I like your philosophy on the blogger thing. People have a tendency to rise to the level that they are treated. Give them something cheap....cheap is what you'll get in return.
I can probably get the template thing down first...then put in some solid blog features like described above, then start practicing on getting good at modifications.
If you are interested in seeing what I'm trying to accomplish, it is at www.usamericanet.com
I fear that my inabilities are starting to take their toll on the site overall. I Gotta get that under control.
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- The Wingman
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1208
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John Hart wrote:
I fear that my inabilities are starting to take their toll on the site overall. I Gotta get that under control.
Don't worry - it will work out in the end...but let's get first thing first.
breakdown of site and features on the site..
Breakdown - meaning every section you want and how you want it.... (okay at least the major sections)
Features - meaning forum, chat, blah, blah, blah (they get treated different)
I will then do a roughdraft layout (a picturegram) - so you can decided from there - (don't worry - you can always change what I layout, but it will give you an idea of "How To Think - How Joomla works". K?
So, just pm me or we can discuss it here and help others. This is if you would like a little guidance.
If you are wondering why I would do this - cause I wish someone showed me in better detail how things worked. Maybe, Karma will rub off and in the future I will be shown how things work on the stuff that I am a newbie at (we are all newbies, just the line behind us gets longer with newer newbies )
- Last Edit: 16 years 6 months ago by The Wingman.
- "You can learn a lot from a dummy. So, pay attention to yourself." Quote by me.
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
- Thanks: 0
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Wow.....hands on help? I'm in!! Woo Hoo!
I think that a public discussion is best. I have nothing to hide, and education is a forum's best potential. Might as well do things for everyones benefit.
I'll start out by describing the idea:
To create a website that provides news, information, entertainment..etc etc, that hits the major facets of life.
The idea is to attract other websites, of varying disciplines, to join and link their content and to participate. Also, to provide a central access point for the myriad sources of information on the internet...but in a digestable and easily accessible form.
That's the basic idea. In addition to those fundamentals....I want a place where experienced writers can contribute in the form of blogs, plus the standard community blogs where folks can voice their opinions about whatever they want.
Each Section will have the capability of Blogs and also be represented in the Forums.
I see the Forums as a separate section...where a menu allows them to choose the theme of forum they want to enter.
Ok...The Sections:
1. Men
2. Women
3. Animals
4. World
5. Science
6. Kids
7. Government
8. Life And Style
On Blogs, I expect each section to have one community blog, but to contain individualistic professional type blogs in whatever number I can attract.
World is subdivided into continents and a community blog for each continent is not out of the question.
I want the Kids to have community blogs in each of their subsections of School Stuff, Health, Fun Stuff, Computers, etc.
Animals is also broken up with room for blogs throughout.
The forums, I want to group together but allow the users to go to that central point and choose which forum they want to visit. But also have a menu item in a major section, pointing to the forum that is specific to the section they are in at the time.
So...features are really just Forums and Blogs. I really don't want to bog down the site with chat traffic. I've installed Community Builder, but have not realized it's power. I consider the social networking functions of Community Builder to be extra features later on.
I've installed the Agora and set up one Forum called Americas Forum. (Sort of a catch all, down home kinda thing)
Lastly...I think you are a fine human for helping me. Thank you.
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- The Wingman
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1208
- Thanks: 0
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Okay, now that I have a better understanding - let me show you an alternative menu/template setup that is easier. You might not need a full blown mod with multiple menus, plus simple is better - KISS <---that mean "keep it simple stupid" not a kiss from me
Read this --> http://www.rockettheme.com/forum/index.php?t=45765&rb_v=viewtopic#quickreply
Then look at the demo --> http://demo.rockettheme.com/jul08/ Notice that each click gives you a sub menu? That can be your menu breakdown and even better -
The submenu items can have submenu items under them that will show up on the side bar.
You can have one template and assign different colors to the various top levels.
Check that out...That is how I set my NewsPaper up with one template and various colors base on the top level link.
Example:
First Level - Men Women Animals World Science Kids Government LifeStyle (shortend) USA Forum Also, I would put contact us somewhere else.
If I click on Science
Top> Science
Second> Rockets Blah Blah Blah
Science would be a landing page for everything science with everything being featured on that page.
Then if I clicked Rockets - it would be all about Rockets and if you need to go more depth put things under Rocket then they will show up on the side bar (giving you three levels of depth)
Soak that in a bit and you might find that is your answer.
I will still put together a breakdown of the other way...give me a little time.
I've only been human for a while, still getting used to it.
Peace Out. - "You can learn a lot from a dummy. So, pay attention to yourself." Quote by me.
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
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Ok...very educational. Although the second template did not work. I followed James' instructions below to the letter
1. Download your template.
2. Copy the directory locally
3. Rename the folder
4. In the copies template folder, open templateDetails.xml
5. Edit the names to reflect the new folder name
6. Upload the directory to your /templates folder
7. Log into the Joomla! administrator at www.yoursite.com
8. Go to Site > Template Manager > Site Templates
9. Find your copy and select the circular icon to the left
10. Now select Assign
11. Choose your menu item
And when I assigned my new government menu item to the new template. It ignored the assignment and placed it in the main template. ( I can tell because of the logo and the copyright information)
But really, what you really want to suggest is that I abandon the idea of the duplicate templates and stick with the straight TT color layout, go for good depth, and manage my menus the right way.....if I get you correctly.
Makes sense...and because I'm operating from a position of ignorance, I assume that I can not take advantage of certain features unless I load up a new template. You are saying, from a position of knowledge, that I can put the power of the single template to work and have everything I want...but more efficiently. I think I get that.
I looked at the demo and there are some features I don't understand...like how to get my submenu items (2nd tier) on to the bottom level of the split menu. So while your busy thinking of a way to get me to understand a decent flow chart, I think I'll load up a test site with full sample data, like the demo, and look at it from the back end. Maybe I'll get a feel for what they're doing.
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- The Wingman
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 1208
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Real quick...to get the second tier or even the third.
Simply make a top level item...then assign the next menu item to that item first item by clicking on it when setting it up (you can repeat this again and again to fill up the 2nd level items. Then third will be clicking on the second level link.
So, say "Men" is top level, and I create a sub menu - called "Men's Attitudes" as I am making that menu (menu edit screen is open) I look at the menu box (I forgot the name) and I don't select "Top" (Top is default) I look for the one called (below "Top") "Men" and click on it - it now is a sub of "Men". I create another one called "clothing" and again assign it to "Men" now I have two sub menus.
It is not a matter of abandoning - more explore different options to match your needs.
- "You can learn a lot from a dummy. So, pay attention to yourself." Quote by me.
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- John Hart
- Rocketeer
- Posts: 79
- Thanks: 0
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The Wingman wrote:
So, say "Men" is top level, and I create a sub menu - called "Men's Attitudes" as I am making that menu (menu edit screen is open) I look at the menu box (I forgot the name) and I don't select "Top" (Top is default) I look for the one called (below "Top") "Men" and click on it - it now is a sub of "Men". I create another one called "clothing" and again assign it to "Men" now I have two sub menus.
Ok thanks...I understand that. Are there any steadfast rules as to what I assign as a second tier? I see that there are FrontPage Blog Layouts, Section Blog Layouts, Category Blog Layouts...etc. What is supposed to drive me to choose which layout? From my point of view, they all look the same.
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