Menu Help
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Hia All,
Am v v new to Concrete, so Hi to everyone! I have been building websites and using CMS's for a long time now. Pretty much since the first came out [way too old lol]. So am used to blocks, weights, permissions etc. Was v v frustrated by other CMS systems, also some still have major security issues or are simply way OTT to do the simplest task.
I did some research and came upon Concrete which have to say, is love at first sight. I have set a site up, its one that's just personal interest. I love how intuitive and user friendly everything is, also editing from the dashboard/site is amazing.
I am however having some issues. Mainly with getting blocks to appear or menu items to show up. I have done a search, read the sitemap/ drag drop and other things. BUT, I cannot figure out how to get items to appear, or blocks to show by default. I know I must be missing something really bloody obvious, but would dearly love some help/advice at this point. Yes, I have read the docs and done a forum search. Just left scratching my head at this point. I only realy started using C5 a couple of days ago, but am kind of stumped. Anyone who can give some advice, it would be much appreciated!
Site:
http://www.depersonalisation.org/...
Regards - Shaun
Am v v new to Concrete, so Hi to everyone! I have been building websites and using CMS's for a long time now. Pretty much since the first came out [way too old lol]. So am used to blocks, weights, permissions etc. Was v v frustrated by other CMS systems, also some still have major security issues or are simply way OTT to do the simplest task.
I did some research and came upon Concrete which have to say, is love at first sight. I have set a site up, its one that's just personal interest. I love how intuitive and user friendly everything is, also editing from the dashboard/site is amazing.
I am however having some issues. Mainly with getting blocks to appear or menu items to show up. I have done a search, read the sitemap/ drag drop and other things. BUT, I cannot figure out how to get items to appear, or blocks to show by default. I know I must be missing something really bloody obvious, but would dearly love some help/advice at this point. Yes, I have read the docs and done a forum search. Just left scratching my head at this point. I only realy started using C5 a couple of days ago, but am kind of stumped. Anyone who can give some advice, it would be much appreciated!
Site:
http://www.depersonalisation.org/...
Regards - Shaun
Hi Shaun,
I've observed the most common issue with changes not showing are due to caching. Develop with it turned off and clear browser cache as well.
Having blocks on the page by default can be achieved by adding them to the page default (Dashboard > Pages & Themes > Page type > defaults) or by using Stacks from the dashboard, or by adding blocks to a Global Area ( stacks and global areas are theme dependent).
Hope this helps
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
I've observed the most common issue with changes not showing are due to caching. Develop with it turned off and clear browser cache as well.
Having blocks on the page by default can be achieved by adding them to the page default (Dashboard > Pages & Themes > Page type > defaults) or by using Stacks from the dashboard, or by adding blocks to a Global Area ( stacks and global areas are theme dependent).
Hope this helps
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
Ok,
I know where I am having problems, the basic issue. How do I add content under each section? As in forums? I want to add a new forum section. How do I add it?
Blog, Articles, FAQs, how do I add logical content? I can see how to write articles, which are assigned to blog. But not regular content.
Essentially, this will be a large information hub, many pages on Self Help, FAQ's, Reviews of various sites, books, techniques etc. However, I cannot figure how to do that logically. The Dashboard does not seem to have a section to add content, then assign it or pre assign it to a specific section, block. I know this has to me missing the bleeding obvious.
Is it al down to the templates? Or Blocks?
Any help - Shaun
I know where I am having problems, the basic issue. How do I add content under each section? As in forums? I want to add a new forum section. How do I add it?
Blog, Articles, FAQs, how do I add logical content? I can see how to write articles, which are assigned to blog. But not regular content.
Essentially, this will be a large information hub, many pages on Self Help, FAQ's, Reviews of various sites, books, techniques etc. However, I cannot figure how to do that logically. The Dashboard does not seem to have a section to add content, then assign it or pre assign it to a specific section, block. I know this has to me missing the bleeding obvious.
Is it al down to the templates? Or Blocks?
Any help - Shaun
Hi Adrian,
Ok, I have figured the pages, articles etc out. Its the nesting, the way that Concrete is structured, after that it all makes sense! Man, do I feel dumb now lol!
Ok, next issue, probably just as dumb, BUT, how do I get every page to look like the front page, without having to create every single page to look like that. I want all the surround content to look like the front page apart from any central content. As it is, every page will be missing all the menus etc that are on the front page, I only want the central content/article to change. Is there some way of getting site wide to inherit the front page style exactly?
Cheers - Shaun
Ok, I have figured the pages, articles etc out. Its the nesting, the way that Concrete is structured, after that it all makes sense! Man, do I feel dumb now lol!
Ok, next issue, probably just as dumb, BUT, how do I get every page to look like the front page, without having to create every single page to look like that. I want all the surround content to look like the front page apart from any central content. As it is, every page will be missing all the menus etc that are on the front page, I only want the central content/article to change. Is there some way of getting site wide to inherit the front page style exactly?
Cheers - Shaun
Glad its coming together Shaun!
To "template" your page with common features, see my previous comment on editing the Page defaults from the dashboard. Every page type (left sidebar, right sidebar, main, etc) can be edited independently to display common features. For instance; if you choose to place your Navigation menu in a spot not commonly supported by the theme you are using, by inserting it into the page default first, it will appear in every new page created with that new page default automatically. Each time you create a new page, you have the option of selecting what page type is used... this can also be manually changed per page when you hover the "Edit" button and select "Design" from the drop-down.
I'm confident you'll be up to speed quickly :)
In addition to the Documentation here at C5.org, several members (myself included) are publishing "How-to's online. Take a peek athttp://blog.arvixe.com/author/adrian-rick/... to view mine and I encourage you to continue posting here. Its a great community!
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
To "template" your page with common features, see my previous comment on editing the Page defaults from the dashboard. Every page type (left sidebar, right sidebar, main, etc) can be edited independently to display common features. For instance; if you choose to place your Navigation menu in a spot not commonly supported by the theme you are using, by inserting it into the page default first, it will appear in every new page created with that new page default automatically. Each time you create a new page, you have the option of selecting what page type is used... this can also be manually changed per page when you hover the "Edit" button and select "Design" from the drop-down.
I'm confident you'll be up to speed quickly :)
In addition to the Documentation here at C5.org, several members (myself included) are publishing "How-to's online. Take a peek athttp://blog.arvixe.com/author/adrian-rick/... to view mine and I encourage you to continue posting here. Its a great community!
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
Hia Adrian,
Ok, I understand what you are saying ;) Its like the way everything works downwards from each section.
This is where I am having problems QUOTE: "page default first" Where do I set this? If it will inherit all the customisations of home, where do I set this, so that every page below home follows this?
I have found the design from hovering over edit earlier, but cannot find where to make every page inherit customisations from the home/main page? I have tried in site map, blocks, themes etc and cannot find where to make the pages below inherit this?
Any help, SO much appreciated. You are right, amazing community. V V rare to find nowadays lol. Reminds me of the good old days when the net was new ;)
Cheers - S
Ok, I understand what you are saying ;) Its like the way everything works downwards from each section.
This is where I am having problems QUOTE: "page default first" Where do I set this? If it will inherit all the customisations of home, where do I set this, so that every page below home follows this?
I have found the design from hovering over edit earlier, but cannot find where to make every page inherit customisations from the home/main page? I have tried in site map, blocks, themes etc and cannot find where to make the pages below inherit this?
Any help, SO much appreciated. You are right, amazing community. V V rare to find nowadays lol. Reminds me of the good old days when the net was new ;)
Cheers - S
Hi Shaun,
Instead of your default page type "inheriting" the home page features, AFAIK you'll need to recreate or copy them to achieve this.Use either the clipboard or Stacks to help with this. I believe the clipboard option may be the best for this case.
For example: In edit mode of home page, select the block(s) you want replicated for every page and choose "copy to clipboard" for each one. You now have a pool of blocks saved.
Now select Dashboard from the toolbar, look for Pages & Themes and select "Page Types". With the list of pages types now displayed, select "Defaults" after Right Sidebar. Now that your default Right Sidebar page template is open, select "Edit" and click "add to sidebar" followed by "paste from clipboard". Save, publish. Now every time you create a new page that is a "right sidebar type" the homepage sidebar content will be displayed.
Repeat as necessary :)
The advantage to this is you can paste the sidebar content into other areas of other Page types for the best layout/appearance.
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
Instead of your default page type "inheriting" the home page features, AFAIK you'll need to recreate or copy them to achieve this.Use either the clipboard or Stacks to help with this. I believe the clipboard option may be the best for this case.
For example: In edit mode of home page, select the block(s) you want replicated for every page and choose "copy to clipboard" for each one. You now have a pool of blocks saved.
Now select Dashboard from the toolbar, look for Pages & Themes and select "Page Types". With the list of pages types now displayed, select "Defaults" after Right Sidebar. Now that your default Right Sidebar page template is open, select "Edit" and click "add to sidebar" followed by "paste from clipboard". Save, publish. Now every time you create a new page that is a "right sidebar type" the homepage sidebar content will be displayed.
Repeat as necessary :)
The advantage to this is you can paste the sidebar content into other areas of other Page types for the best layout/appearance.
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
Hia Adrian,
So you are saying effectively, every page would need to be created by copying menu and other parts, to construct it on every page? Va the "pool" of blocks. That would be so much work every single time you add an article or page.
"Instead of your default page type "inheriting" the home page features, AFAIK you'll need to recreate or copy them to achieve this.Use either the clipboard or Stacks to help with this. I believe the clipboard option may be the best for this case. For example: In edit mode of home page, select the block(s) you want replicated for every page and choose "copy to clipboard" for each one. You now have a pool of blocks saved."
That would be insane, it would make the point of templates, essentially of v little value apart from the very general look/feel of the site, via header and footer. There HAS to be an easier way than this. For any site with hundreds of pages this would outweigh all the other benefits of Concrete. I must be missing something mate?
The point of a CMS or portal is to make the look, feel and generation of content easier. The point of C5 was I thought to make site/CMS/design easier?
Any help? Feeling v v v lost now!
Cheers - Shaun
So you are saying effectively, every page would need to be created by copying menu and other parts, to construct it on every page? Va the "pool" of blocks. That would be so much work every single time you add an article or page.
"Instead of your default page type "inheriting" the home page features, AFAIK you'll need to recreate or copy them to achieve this.Use either the clipboard or Stacks to help with this. I believe the clipboard option may be the best for this case. For example: In edit mode of home page, select the block(s) you want replicated for every page and choose "copy to clipboard" for each one. You now have a pool of blocks saved."
That would be insane, it would make the point of templates, essentially of v little value apart from the very general look/feel of the site, via header and footer. There HAS to be an easier way than this. For any site with hundreds of pages this would outweigh all the other benefits of Concrete. I must be missing something mate?
The point of a CMS or portal is to make the look, feel and generation of content easier. The point of C5 was I thought to make site/CMS/design easier?
Any help? Feeling v v v lost now!
Cheers - Shaun
Nah..
A mis-communication Shaun.
I'm saying you create the default page once from the dashboard so you never have to do it again.
Watch my blog screen-cast at http://blog.arvixe.com/using-page-types-editing-to-speed-your-c5-we...
and maybe the one dealing with Composer as well http://blog.arvixe.com/using-the-concrete5-composer-option-to-creat...
Somehow, My trying to communicate something very easy is appearing difficult.
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
A mis-communication Shaun.
I'm saying you create the default page once from the dashboard so you never have to do it again.
Watch my blog screen-cast at http://blog.arvixe.com/using-page-types-editing-to-speed-your-c5-we...
and maybe the one dealing with Composer as well http://blog.arvixe.com/using-the-concrete5-composer-option-to-creat...
Somehow, My trying to communicate something very easy is appearing difficult.
Adrian
Arvixe Web Hosting / Concrete5 Community Liaison |
http://www.arvixe.com/concrete5_hosting.....................
Hi Adrian,
I do that all the time, I am tryinf to explain something I KNOW, is really simple, but my explanations become or make the thing I am trying to explain so complicated.
I think when something is so common and easy for us, sometimes it makes us explaining it really awful lol ;)
Mind you, I still think quite a lot is [Shaun] error here! ;)
Ok, gonna watch the vids, would be great to know how to do, and I KNOW its gonna be bloody simple lol!
Cheers for all the help! The ONLY other recent community I have come across that's even close to this helpful is phpbb!
Do you know anything about bridges between C5 and phpbb? I know there was a project here for it, but last post was a while ago as far as I could find! Combining the 2 would be such a powerful combination!
Will probably have more stupid questions, but big thanks for the patience mate!
Cheers - Shaun
I do that all the time, I am tryinf to explain something I KNOW, is really simple, but my explanations become or make the thing I am trying to explain so complicated.
I think when something is so common and easy for us, sometimes it makes us explaining it really awful lol ;)
Mind you, I still think quite a lot is [Shaun] error here! ;)
Ok, gonna watch the vids, would be great to know how to do, and I KNOW its gonna be bloody simple lol!
Cheers for all the help! The ONLY other recent community I have come across that's even close to this helpful is phpbb!
Do you know anything about bridges between C5 and phpbb? I know there was a project here for it, but last post was a while ago as far as I could find! Combining the 2 would be such a powerful combination!
Will probably have more stupid questions, but big thanks for the patience mate!
Cheers - Shaun
Hia Adrian,
Man, that was so simple lol! Always the way! The video made it so clear and the way it works is another feather in C5's cap. Amazing! I love this software!
Ok, I have another question, this maybe way out of scope, but, will ask anyway. I am looking to put an integrated form/questionnaire on the site.
This is a rough example:
http://www.strangerinthemirror.com/questionnaire.html...
I would be looking for a more complex form as this is too simplistic for DPD. The test sores and gives results in terms of none/mild/severe etc. (several results possible, dependant on scoring) I know I could do it with an outside script, there are a ton of scripts etc add-ons that I could load as a separate page or set of pages. Even maybe loading within an iframe. BUT, I would really like to aim for something built within the C5 framework.
What would be the simplest way of doing this? (To achieve what I am looking for)
Also, does anyone know of any integration of php-bb and C5?
Again, a HUGE thanks Adrian, the videos make it so easy, well done.
Cheers - Shaun
Man, that was so simple lol! Always the way! The video made it so clear and the way it works is another feather in C5's cap. Amazing! I love this software!
Ok, I have another question, this maybe way out of scope, but, will ask anyway. I am looking to put an integrated form/questionnaire on the site.
This is a rough example:
http://www.strangerinthemirror.com/questionnaire.html...
I would be looking for a more complex form as this is too simplistic for DPD. The test sores and gives results in terms of none/mild/severe etc. (several results possible, dependant on scoring) I know I could do it with an outside script, there are a ton of scripts etc add-ons that I could load as a separate page or set of pages. Even maybe loading within an iframe. BUT, I would really like to aim for something built within the C5 framework.
What would be the simplest way of doing this? (To achieve what I am looking for)
Also, does anyone know of any integration of php-bb and C5?
Again, a HUGE thanks Adrian, the videos make it so easy, well done.
Cheers - Shaun
Hia Adrian,
I am having major issues with the defaults. I have hit a problem, which I am so sure is easy to fix! I have my homepage template applied across the site and all sub pages. BUT its appearing screwed up and menus in the wrong place. I also have a double of the same menu on the Home page.
Menu should be top right, its appearing under a slide show etc, which should be at bottom of column. It was working fine, I have reassigned the template to sub pages, but its still not applying. I go via Dashboard-> Page Types -> Homepage -.> default page but its not applying.
How can I reset this so the right template/page is and working on ALL sub-Pages again.
I am thinking on the question/test/survey, I may have to look for something I can integrate from outside C5.
Any help on the defaults not appearing would be so welcome. Its broken somewhere, how do I fix it? Man .......
Cheers - Shaun
I am having major issues with the defaults. I have hit a problem, which I am so sure is easy to fix! I have my homepage template applied across the site and all sub pages. BUT its appearing screwed up and menus in the wrong place. I also have a double of the same menu on the Home page.
Menu should be top right, its appearing under a slide show etc, which should be at bottom of column. It was working fine, I have reassigned the template to sub pages, but its still not applying. I go via Dashboard-> Page Types -> Homepage -.> default page but its not applying.
How can I reset this so the right template/page is and working on ALL sub-Pages again.
I am thinking on the question/test/survey, I may have to look for something I can integrate from outside C5.
Any help on the defaults not appearing would be so welcome. Its broken somewhere, how do I fix it? Man .......
Cheers - Shaun
Actually Adrian,
I think the problem is that my actual top level page, has become separate from the rest of the pages.
Many links etc from the default are appearing double on the home top page.
I have looked at stacks blocks. Pages, defaults, there has to be a way of getting everything stitched back together and also, getting the page default to actually show in the menu bar in the order its set in default.
As is the wrong blocks are appearing top and bottom.
Shaun
I think the problem is that my actual top level page, has become separate from the rest of the pages.
Many links etc from the default are appearing double on the home top page.
I have looked at stacks blocks. Pages, defaults, there has to be a way of getting everything stitched back together and also, getting the page default to actually show in the menu bar in the order its set in default.
As is the wrong blocks are appearing top and bottom.
Shaun
Hi Guys,
Wow, what a GREAT community! OK, I must be slow on uptake with C5. I want the basic site structure to appear on every page, but when I click on say FAQ or blog, it the right hand column vanishes. I am left with a tiny menu on the left.
It is v v new t e as I said. But I am learning. I think if I could figure out how to keep the site looking the same on every page and also work out how to add a std menu. I cheated as the menu I have at top is using a C5 addon and the other links are just hand coded. Is this all theme dependent?
I have a feeling I have screwed up on the menus somewhere, but ..... I am trying to build the site to be a self help/info/community hub, but the menus and navigation is totally throwing e and I know it should be really simple. I have used nuke, post/php, Joomla [Ughhh....] several other CMS systems as well. So am not unfamiliar with them. Usually hand coded the templates. I just seem to be missing something on C5, its the way the look of the site changes - right column disappearing that is throwing me and the menus. Must be me... !
I also wanted to integrate the phpbb forums via a bridge, but am not sure if this is an ongoing project. It should BE. Its the best, most popular forum and has great and active dev community. Any ideas or thoughts on where I am going wrong! Gotta be something utterly dopey, I am misunderstanding.
Cheers - Shaun
Wow, what a GREAT community! OK, I must be slow on uptake with C5. I want the basic site structure to appear on every page, but when I click on say FAQ or blog, it the right hand column vanishes. I am left with a tiny menu on the left.
It is v v new t e as I said. But I am learning. I think if I could figure out how to keep the site looking the same on every page and also work out how to add a std menu. I cheated as the menu I have at top is using a C5 addon and the other links are just hand coded. Is this all theme dependent?
I have a feeling I have screwed up on the menus somewhere, but ..... I am trying to build the site to be a self help/info/community hub, but the menus and navigation is totally throwing e and I know it should be really simple. I have used nuke, post/php, Joomla [Ughhh....] several other CMS systems as well. So am not unfamiliar with them. Usually hand coded the templates. I just seem to be missing something on C5, its the way the look of the site changes - right column disappearing that is throwing me and the menus. Must be me... !
I also wanted to integrate the phpbb forums via a bridge, but am not sure if this is an ongoing project. It should BE. Its the best, most popular forum and has great and active dev community. Any ideas or thoughts on where I am going wrong! Gotta be something utterly dopey, I am misunderstanding.
Cheers - Shaun
Can you give a little more information about what exactly is going on? From looking at your site it is hard to tell what is not working.
Thanks