cEdit Software - ECT Content/Blog Management System - Support

This document is provided as a brief outline of the features of the ECT Content/Blog Management System developed by cEdit Software. The information contained in this outline should give you a good idea of how to make use of the system and the features which are included. If you have questions you can post them on the cEdit Forums.

System Requirements

The cEdit ECT Content/Blog Management System is designed to work most effectively on a Apache server however it is possible for it to be used on a Windows server providing the ECT version is PHP and ISAPI Rewrite is available. When using the system on an Apache server mod_rewrite must be available because it relies heavily on this functionality to achieve the URL structure.

The following is a list of required features:

  1. PHP Version 5+
  2. Apache Version 2+ with ModRewrite or Windows with ISAPI Rewrite
  3. MySQL 5+

If your server does not meet these requirements then this system may not work properly or at all. If your server is not utilizing PHP5+ and MySQL 5+ then it is recommended that you consult with your hosting company and request an update as these updates add important security fixes.

ECT Content/Blog Management System - Support

The ECT Content Blog Management System was designed to provide more advanced support for database stored content. The general theory behind this system is that content is best stored in a database because it allows the site owner to readily manage their content without requiring them to edit the HTML or work with one or more static files.

Using Includes

One of the features of the ECT Content/Blog Management system is that it allows you to include native PHP in the content. While this feature is available it should be used with care since any errors which show up in your source code will lead to the same potential problems as normal PHP errors.

Another important thing to note, in regards to using include files, if you utilize ECT includes, such as the recommended products include or the minicart include, then you must include the languagefile and includes file as well. This is to ensure that the information needed is available to those includes.

What is in this File

This file aims to outline each section of the admin panel of the ECT Content/Blog Management System. If you still find have questions then please feel free to post a question on the cEdit Forums

Main

The main tab gives you a brief outline of your content. This includes the number of blogs, and content pieces you have produced along with how many views each has received. A count on how many categories you currently have in your blog system and an outline of how many comments have been posted and how many have been approved.

Settings

The settings tab allows you to define the settings associated with the Content/Blog Management System.

Blog Items Per Page

This defines how many blog links will be displayed on a blog category page. The default is 10.

Date Format:

The date format defines the format which will be used for any date listings. The default format is D F d, Y g:i A. This format utilizes the PHP date string format. With the default setting the dates will be printed in this format:

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 10:30 AM

Extension

The extension field allows you to define the extension that will be attached to articles by default. The default value is .html but you can change this to any extension you want, such as a / or .php.

Root Directory

The root directory is the root directory of your website. This will automatically be inserted before URL's generated by the system. The default value is / but if you have your website stored in a sub directory of the root you will want to adjust this accordingly.

Blog Template:

The blog template is used to define how the blog will be laid out.

Blog Category Template:

The blog category template defines how each mini blog listing will be displayed in the blog category page. Please note, this value will be used multiple times, depending on how many blogs are being displayed in the category.

Content Template

The content template is used for non blog content. These are generally files which would typically be static files.

404 Error Template

The 404 Error Template defines what will be displayed to the end user if the content in question was not found. When using this system, all non existing files will be handled by the script.

Allow Ratings on Content

Check this box if you want to allow your users to rate traditionally static content. This does not apply to blogs. Blogs receive ratings by default but content is optional.

 

Categories


The categories tab allows you to define blog categories. You must have blog categories setup prior to creating blogs. You can, however, create content without first defining blog categories.

Create New Category

Clicking this button will bring up the new category form. This form is as follows:

Title:

The title defines the title of the category. This will be used in the link and show up in the title bar of the browser.

Meta Keywords:

The meta keywords will be placed in the meta keywords of the document.

Meta Description

The meta description will be placed in the meta description of the document.

Category Type

There are two options. The default option is:


Blogs are Placed in this Category - When this is selected you will be able to use this category to store blogs.

Categories are Placed in this Category - When this is selected you can place categories within this category.

Top Category

Allows you to select the top level category. If you select root category then it is listed as a primary category.

Category URL

Defines the URL which will be used to access this category.

Category Description

Allows you to write a description about the category. This field is not required.

Edit

Allows you to edit an existing category.

Delete

Allows you to delete an existing category. This action can not be unddone.

View

Allows you to view the category live.

Manage Content

The manage content tab allows you to edit the content. Content, is unique from blogs in that it does not get placed in a category. It is designed to function as a method for you to product static content pages such as a privacy policy or frequently asked questions.

Create New Content

Allows you to create a new piece of content.

Title

Allows you to define the title of the document. The title is used for display purposes and in the title of the page.

Meta Keywords

Allows you to define the meta keywords which will show up in the document.

Meta Description

Allows you to define the meta description which will show up in the document.

URL

Defines the URL which will be used to access the document.

Content

Allows you to input the content of the document. You can write in normal code or if you wish you can also input in PHP code. This will be evaluated at runtime.

Edit

Allows you to edit an existing piece of content.

Delete

Allows you to delete an existing piece of content.

View

Allows you to view the page live.

Manage Blogs

The manage blogs tab allows you to manage your blogs. Blogs work in virtually the same fashion as content with one exception. In the new or edit view there is a categories field. This field allows you to select a category. Any blog categories which are available will be displayed in this drop-down. It is important to note, that if you do not have any blog categories defined then you will be unable to create a new blog.

Pending Comments

The pending comments tab is designed to allow you to access comments which are currently pending in the system. Once you have approved these comments they will show up on the blog they were posted too. Prior to this they will be visible only to you.