Introduction to Drupal

Shawna Reibling Knowledge mobilization coordinator, CSAHS

sreiblin@uoguelph.ca x53714 @ICESGuelph May 16, 2012

Outline: •What is it? •Why use it? •Drupal elements and menu parts •Tips and tricks •Resources •Questions

What is it? •Content management system: “computer system that allows publishing, editing, and modifying content as well as site maintenance from a central page.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_management_system

•Data is separate from layout •Open source •Drupal.org •Example sites:

•http://www.fastcompany.com/ •http://www.economist.com/ •http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Why use it? •System of choice at UofG •Data stored in SQL database, so easy to migrate to the next, new thing later. •Better choice than wordpress for sites that do more than blog •Feeds

Drupal elements •Content and layout separate •Different languages control different parts. (php for some things, html for others)

Drupal elements •content

•Node: new unit of content •content type: a type of content category •Fields: what elements does the content have? Picture? Comments? Date? Text (how long)?

•Regions: pre-defined places to put things •Menu: site navigation •Taxonomy: categorizing content •Blocks: containers to put repeating content in •Views: way to display information

7 Block Regions

Drupal 6 menu parts (may vary due to permissions)

• To login: <websitename>/user • Refresh your pages • Draw what you want, then make it • Access to specific site areas is customizable • Ask for help, drupal has a steep learning curve • When asking for help, be sure to state which

version of drupal you are working in.

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Tips & Tricks

Resources

• Powerpoint posted on: www.theResearchShop.ca/Training

• Drupal.org • Drupalgardens.org

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Questions?

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Shawna Reibling, Knowledge mobilization coordinator,

College of Social and Applied Human Sciences sreiblin@uoguelph.ca x53714 @ICESGuelph