content types: the building blocks of your content model
Post on 13-Dec-2014
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Content TypesThe Building Blocks of Your
Content Model
Content management integration and consulting
Sioux Falls, South Dakotahttp://blendinteractive.com/
@gadgetopia
4 Evaluation Questions
For those of you implementing or managing a CMS-based Web site.
For those of you shopping for a CMS and comparing options.
3 Implementation Tips
7 Reasons…
…why content typing is important
Content Modeling
Definition
Content modeling is the process of converting logical content
concepts into content types, attributes, and datatypes.
Logical Content
This is the desired end result of a content management requirement.
It’s often represented as a design comp.
Content Object
An XML document
A database record
Content on most Web sites can be roughly categorized by type.
A type shares a common set of attributes and is meant to represent a single, logical boundary around content.
Content Item A is a page of text.Content Item B is an Executive Profile.Content Item C is a Press Release
Structuring your content requires you to identify
your content types.
Why care about content types?
Reason #1
Because different content types need to be STRUCTURED
differently.
Content Structure Between Types
Content Structure Between Types
Content types are made up of content attributes.
An attribute is a single, logical piece of information that, when combined
with other attributes, describes a type of content.
Content attributes have datatypes.
A datatype restricts the type of data the attribute may
hold. This enables validation and processing
Content ModelContent Types
Content Attributes (bound by Datatype)
My Web SiteStandard Text PagePress ReleaseExecutive Profile
My Web SiteExecutive Profile
First Name (simple string)Last Name (simple string)Hire Date (date)Image (file reference)Bio (formatted string)
Reason #2
Because different content types have to be EDITED and VALIDATED
differently.
Automatic Form Rendering
Content edit form in eZ publish
Input Form Validation
Canned and custom validation in Ektron.
Reason #3
Because different content types have to be DISPLAYED differently.
Display Template Assignment
Template assignment by Page Type in EPiServer
Reason #4
Because different content types have to be MANAGED differently.
Content types often act as functional boundaries for:
PermissionsWorkflowNavigationSearch
URL Pattern Assignments
URL pattern assignment based on Content Type in Drupal
Workflow Assignment
Automatic workflow initiation in EPiServer.
Reason #5
Because different content types need to be SEARCHED and
ORGANIZED differently.
Organization by Content Value
Content Type-specific Search
Parametric search based a content type in eZ publish
Reason #6
Because different content types are markers for integration
complexity.
The Ubiquitous “Standard Page”
A new content type often means…
A new editing interfaceNew validation rulesNew permissions rulesNew workflow requirementsNew display requirementsetc…
Reason #7
Problems due to inefficient and inaccurate content modeling will
often not surface until the project is complete.
By that point, it’s often too late….
Futureproofing
Designing your content model so it can be
adapted to new situations with a minimum of pain.
Evaluation Question #1
Does your CMS allow content modeling or structuring at all?
Evaluation Question #2
How flexible are its content modeling capabilities?
(Bring your own content, and ask for a demonstration of how it
would be modeled.)
Evaluation Question #3
What datatypes are available to structure your content?
Evaluation Question #4
Can you write your own datatypes or customize existing datatypes?
Implementation Tip #1
Think in terms of content types. Consider the ways different
content will need to be edited, validated, managed, searched and
organized.
Implementation Tip #2
Be careful in re-using content types for logically different
content.
Implementation Tip #3
To futureproof your content, speculate on and list scenarios in which the content might be used
now and in the future.
Blend Interactivehttp://blendinteractive.com
Gadgetopiahttp://gadgetopia.com
Twitter@gadgetopia
Emaildeane@blendinteractive.com
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