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Forums > Modules > News Articles
Subject: ENH: Documentation and/or help file for News Articles
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eurogateUser is Offline
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Posts:10
3/08/2009 8:47 AM  

I am new to this DNN module and have just downloaded and installed the latest version of News Article. A DNN module that is getting very good reviews at this forum.

But to my VERY BIG SURPRISE I can not find any documentation on the module!
Even if I can see entries in forum about documentation and template guides going back years.
I am a site administrator not a developer. Of special interest is to understand how the templates work and how the module can be customized using admin settings and templates.

An acive forum is of course very good but is way to time consuming and almost impossible searching through the forum for solutions/help when you are new to a product.

Pls need URGENT help to be able to use the module with setup, look and feel that matches our site, etc.

Professional documentation is a very essential part for a module I think.
It also reduces a lot of time needed for support which the developer can use to further enhance the product instead.

Thank You!

Christer
Scott McCullochUser is Offline
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Posts:21233
3/08/2009 2:05 PM  
I've already replied to your email.

There is some documentation here (that I'm converting from the old PDF file).

If you have any specific enqiries, please post them here.
Scott McCulloch
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eurogateUser is Offline
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Posts:10
3/08/2009 3:17 PM  

Thank you Scott,

 

At this link I can only find small doc for module installation. (4 pages) Looks like it is supposed to be longer but…

 

What I am asking for is detailed explanation of modules various settings and example on their impact.

 

Another useful help would be more detailed explanations on the tokens listed in the forum.
I assume that the list dated 10/13/2005 is updated with current tokens?

And a list of which template that has the layout for which module element would be handy when you being a newbie.

 

Example of questions for a newbie:

Where do I move, change or remove Links (Current Articles….) in header for viewers?

Where do I remove “Actions” in footer like bookmarks?

How can I have different size on IMAGE in listing articles and viewing separate article?

How can I change size of font in articles listing?

 

Can I have articles from several News modules installed on the same site in a common Archive? How do I achieve that?

Or can you place articles belonging to different categories on different pages on the same site?

 

I am implementing a website for golf clubs where different member sections of the club should have their own pages with their own articles but if possible also a common archive. This archive could also be a sum of separate archives for each member section.

 

The module looks promising but a little unnecessary difficult to start off with due to lack off docs.

 

Kind Regards,

Christer
Scott McCullochUser is Offline
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Posts:21233
3/08/2009 3:54 PM  
Yes, the tokens in that thread are the updated and most current.

You can change the links at the top via the menu.item.html template.

You can change the actions in listing.item.html

You can use [IMAGETHUMB:XXX] to constrain an image in listing view.

The listing template controls the listing of articles and the view controls the view article. You can adjust these to adjust the font. You must be logged in as a host to modify templates.

You can add multiple instances of the same news articles to your site using "add existing" in the top control panel. You can then filter each via category, author, etc. Or you can use latest articles spread throughout your site.

I understand it's a little difficult but to maintain the documentation you require is very time consuming, something I do have for other modules such as property agent. This is why I have gone the article approach, but I still need to write more articles for it.
Scott McCulloch
Site Administrator
eurogateUser is Offline
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Posts:10
3/09/2009 8:41 AM  
I have added multiple instances of the same news articles to my site. I have filtered each via category. BUT I have not been able to figure out how to get them into a common Archieve. I tried to do it by using Parent/Child categories but....

Do I have to add one Archive module per instance?
Pls advice?

Thx
Christer
Scott McCullochUser is Offline
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3/10/2009 6:20 AM  
You can use the archives module and link it to any of the modules. Or you can have an instance unfiltered.
Scott McCulloch
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eurogateUser is Offline
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Posts:10
3/10/2009 6:54 AM  

Yes but how can I have one instance of the Archieve module that at the same time links to and displays three instances of the News module? What do you mean with an instance unfiltered. From what I understand you can link Archieve module just to ONE NA module at the time. Screendumps attached.

KR, Christer
Scott McCullochUser is Offline
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Ventrian Master
Posts:21233
3/12/2009 5:55 AM  
Archives only links to 1 module at a time.

What I'm trying to say is:-

1.) You can have the same instance of news articles on multiple pages filtered by category. (using add existing)

2.) You can also have 1 instance of news articles that is unfiltered and you can link the archives to that page. (using add existing)
Scott McCulloch
Site Administrator
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Forums > Modules > News Articles > ENH: Documentation and/or help file for News Articles


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