RFA

In response to Siva's question of whether the Virtual Catalog can be searched from the main search module I am researching this in the Joomla! developer's network.

I am reading Joomla! developer Wiki's for tutorials on developing modules and components and searching forums for information specific to developing a search module.

SEACeM Training Event

Date : 9 February 2006
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Location : SEACeM Training Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Trainer: Sam Hui

Author: Aaron Surty

Some Useful Terms:

Static, Dynamic, Front-end, Back-end, WYSIWYG

Agenda:

1. Logging in.

2. Creating Users.

Trouble shooting. More than one computer can not be logged in at the same time using the same user.

To fix this create a new user for each computer and have each computer log in.

3. Organization of a typical website.

-hierarchical

-section, category, article

4. Creating static content.

Content -> Static Content Manager -> New

In order to get out of a page, you must click cancel or save. If you click the back button the content will be locked. (You won't be able to edit it)

To unlock all items go to : System -> Global Check-in

You can make further changes to a page by altering variables in the control bar (right)

Drawing 1: Static Content Editor Publishing Tab (Control Bar on Right)

Drawing 2: Link To Menu Tab (Control Bar on Right)

5. Global configuration:

-make sure global configuration file is unwriteable (security issue)

-it is best to leave this file untouched as it effects all back-end users

-it is also important to know that this file exists since it gives you more control over how you want to administer the site

6. Creating sections and categories:

content -> section manager -> new

just include section name, section title (same as what I did with our website)

content -> category manager -> new

make sure you pick the right section

create article

content -> content by section -> new

include title, title alias (same)

choose right section, category

Intro text:

what will show up everywhere (including front-page)

Body:

what shows up if you clicks on read more (in the front-end)

7. What happens when you accidentally created something and you want to delete it.

• In order to delete a section, one must delete all articles and categories under it.

• In order to delete a category, one must delete all articles under it.

• Trash manager concept is similar to trash bin on any computer.

12. Archive:

• The archive enables you to move content from the website, but allows a user to still search for the content!

Drawing 3: Joomla Administrator Section Manager

8. Menu manager

• click new to make new menu item.

• Section list, section blog are two common options. They control how pages will show up when first clicked from the menu (eg/ will both intro. & body text show up or just into. )

• Another way to control the way pages appear (ie/ will section title show? Page title show? ) is by click on the parameters tab in the control bar (on the right side of an editing page)

9. Creating menu items with children.

• Create two more static content items.

• click new menu item.

• Choose add static content. There is a parent choice.

• You can control the order that the child items show in the menu. menu -> main menu page (Reorder column)

10. Uploading pictures

step 1: obtain pictures

step 2: resize using irfanview

Step 3: upload picture in joomla

site -> media manager

• create directory in stories firectory

• browse and find folder on computer then click upload

Step 4: Go to page where you would like to insert picture

• click on image tab, find picture, then click insert mosimage (between intro. & body text)

• You can also use wysiwig to upload picture. (much easier!)

11. Front page control

menu -> main menu

Parameters control what show on front page (leading, links)

To remove content from front page:

content -> front page manager

click remove

13. Uploading a PDF:

• Use the media manager to find the link code (URL)

• Link to that through WYSIWYG

14. Contact component

component -> contact

• create a category first

• add information

You can add a contact to the website

add menu item - > add component or add item

15. Other components:

Newsfeeds, polls, weblinks

• Adding these components are similar

16. Modules:

Every block on the website is a module

i.e/ polls, menus, newsfeeds

You can rearrange stuff:

To move a module, first find position you would like on web page:

site -> preview -> inline with position

Next go to specific module:

modules -> site modules -> main menu

choose position

To choose the pages you want a module to show up on you can highlight specific pages (on the right)

17. Want more information???

• google 'joomla'

• you can download many manuals in PDF format, search the user forums for people that may have asked a similar question to the one you are dieing to know, post a question in the forum (after signing up on the website) and download extra modules/components to add extra functionality to your site!

Types of Users

Frequent Administrator Updates:
1. Add/edit/position text to existing/new pages.
2. Add tables to existing/new pages.
3. Upload files (ie/ pictures, DOCs).
4. Integrate images into content
5. Create links to uploaded DOCs
6. Create links from page a to page b on website.
7. Change the location of menus or blocks

Non-Frequent Administrator Updates:
1. Reorganize sitemap making the website easier to navigate.
2. Add new administrative users with priviledges
3. Change footer information
4. Add header information
5. Add new menus or blocks



Developer Tasks:
1. Make changes to layout of site.
ie/ logo, menus images, background, exact location of menus or blocks

2. Install new modules and upgrades.
3. Change existing modules.
4. Change administrator functionality to better suit the ARROW administration.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

INFOCOM + RESEARCH TARGETS

1. A Fully functional IDC

New Information and Outreach Systems:

-----------------------------------------------------

Target 1:

- proactive information

-info by request

Target 2:

-collections development

-scanning

------------------------------------------------------

Target 3:

-bib/accessions/selected titles

-cataloguing/indexing

Target 4:

-focal point system (capacity building)

-IDC promotions

Target 5:

-update website

2. Good systems Processes + Procedures in place of ICPD + 15

-documentation manual (with capacity building)

-filing procedures

3. Marketing + Contact Outreach to be Current and Relevant

Target 1: Database

-find procedure for cleaning database

-thorough update, evaluate, relevance + currency; expand

-make accessible to everyone in the office

Target 2: Promotional Materials

-exhibition booth +setting up (2 max. / year)

Target 3: Publication Promotions/Dissemination:

-target groups

Target 4: Exchange Visits Training:

-visit other organizations for learning how other organizations

4. AFC on Track

Target 1: 2005

-2 bumper issues

-GBV (Vizlah)

-HSRs(Lu + Sai)

Target 2: 2006

-1 pending

-fundamental issues(SIS)

Target 3: 2007

-3 issues (Malon)

-topics to be discussed with staff; read for PAC + B/ storm with staff

5. Explore New Areas

Journalist Network -> Campaign

Behavior Change Communications

Perception Index

Suggested Future Topics:

Study Tours

ARROW Visits

-information package

-samples of pamphlets (media briefs, information activities)

Reporting on targets (quarterly?)

Website:

-user authority and procedures for updating administration

Editing/Input into Publications

Media Breifs/Input into Pamphlets

6. TLC (Tender Loving Care)

Activity Workplan

Activity Workplan:

Long-term Goal

To give ARROW control over updating their website internally and externally.

Constraints

• previous administrative functionality is not lost

• front-end remains the same

Activities

1. Choose a Content Management System (Deadline: Monday January 22^nd 2007)

• provide information to ARROW management to aid them in evaluating the best CMS's and make their choice

• filter information on the web pertaining to making CMS choices

• install the best CMS's on local computer and set-up a sample website to show the CMS's features

• viability study from a development viewpoint

2. Develop New Website Locally (Deadline: Monday February 12^th 2007)

• use Sitemap to produce organizational framework for the location of pages in the website

• recreate navigation, menus, headers, footers

• write .CSS and PHP files in order to recreate the look of the old website

• upload textual, .pdf, image and other media content

• upload HTML content (eg/ tables)

• solve IDC/Virtual Cataloguing Issue

  • obtain access to both front-end and back-end of IDC online database

  • develop an administration type environment either using PHP forms/MySQL database or using existing Micro CDC/ISIS software

3. Upload and Implement New system on a web server (Deadline: Monday February 19^th 2007)

• find a web server with the following constraints:

  • based in Malaysia

  • reasonable bandwidth and memory

  • support for MySQL and PHP

  • 
    

Note: Web host should be chosen well in advance (i./e Deadline: February 5^th 2007)

4. Provide Support for Administration of Website (Deadline: March 26^th 2007)

• Train staff to upload content and make administrative changes to website

• Write Documentation for future administrators

• Fix design errors if they occur

• Give suggestions on how to improve existing website for end-user

5. Finalize Work on Website (Deadline: April 30^th 2007)

• Make changes to domain name server and direct traffic to new website

• Develop documentation for future developers/interns (eg/ provide website access information)

• Try to develop connections with local web developers so that they are properly set-up

Output

CMS Criteria:

Developer's Perspective:

• GPL Opensource

• development viability for ARROW's website

• helpdocs and online forums

• popularity and examples

CMS Administration Usability:

• administrative tasks on the website will be categorized by frequency

• more frequent administrative tasks will be intuitive and will not require instructions

• modules may be downloaded or written to increase usability

• all administrative tasks will have clear instructions based on user questions that are either written by ARROW developers or point to a place where they can receive the required help

• administration user authority and procedures enabled to ensure content updated is

CMS Developer Viability:

• potential future development will be realized in consultation with ARROW staff

• potential developers must be able to read and understand all previous work done

• training documentation will be written for future developers with less experience as a result of desirable future development communicated by ARROW staff

IDC/Virtual Catalogue Solution:

• the new virtual catalogue will contain all information from old virtual catalogue

• new virtual catalogue will enable administration to update records

• administration page will be linked from CMS administration page to provide continuity and clarity from administration perspective

• new virtual catalogue will enable front-end user to search for any field (not just subject and title)

Choosing a Content Management System (CMS)

So far Mambo seems to be the best option. The most people use it and therefore it has the most support and the least amount of bugs. I'm not completely sure what the difference is between Joomla! and Mambo, although, I know Joomla! is more recent.


Here are some Mambo examples:

Hyundai Venezuela
Harmonious Living
Mitsubishi Motors
More Examples (Caution: slow download rate)



OpenSourceCMS allows you to demo many different CMS' without downloading or installing anything.

Sitemap (in progress)

Arrow(Home)

About Us

• Introduction and Mission

• Long-Term Objectives

• People

The Programme

• Work Program Budget and Objectives

• Work Program Budget Strategies

• Core Programs

• Projects and Events

• Rights and Reforms

• Women of the World: Laws and Policies Affecting Their Reproductive Lives - East and Southeast Asia

• Indonesia Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights Monitoring and Policy (IRRMA)

• Monitoring and Advocacy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): ICPD Ten Years On

• International Reproductive Rights Research Action Group (IRRRAG II) - Women's Reproductive and Sexual Health: Investigating Men's Involvement

Information and Documentation Centre(IDC)

• Introduction

• Information Services

• General Information

Publications

• Women's Health Bulletin(ARROWs For Change)

• Information Packages

• Annotated Bibliography

• Resource Kit

• Research Publications

• Frameworks

• Reports

• Arrow Report

Partnerships

• Introduction

• IDC Focal Points

• Current Project Partners

• Rights and Reforms Initiatives

• Development Organizations

• Government

• Academic/Research Organizations

• NGOs/Network Contacts

Useful Links

Virtual Catalogue

• Monographs

• Serials

• Articles

Women's Health and Rights Advocacy Partnership (WHRAP)

• Issues

• Activities (Regional Policy Dialogue: Follow-up 2006)

• Partners

• Regional Policy Dialogue (27-28 July 2005 ~ Bangkok)

• Home

• RPD Agenda

• Speaker's Papers/presentations

• Recommended Actions

• Resolution

• Participants List

• Photos(?)

• Video(?)

Job Postings