Posted by jdeyburg on July 20, 2008 at 4:59pm
Hi,
As a newbie to drupal and tasked with a project to create a social networking site I would like suggestions on documentation resources. The OG module seems very powerful ... but not very well documented. Any suggestion on how to get up to speed ASAP?
Thanks!
Comments
I'm just finishing up what
I'm just finishing up what you're about to get into. It's tough. Steeper learning curve than I thought and I've never really been able to get comfortable with all of the docs on the website.
The Pro Development book helped me a lot with putting some of the pieces together I wasn't getting. I still have to finish configuring the OG thing so can't help you there.
See my post here about galleries: http://drupal.org/node/284603
I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if I can.
Thanks!
I appreciate the reply. I am absolutely frustrated now. I have the basic Organic Groups installed, but have no idea how to modify the design so it looks pretty. For example, when someone clicked on a group, I would like a nice homepage showing information about the group. Instead I receive all of the content of the group in list format (from the RON view). I just can't seem to figure out how to modify it.
Of course I am a total newbie with Drupal. I have been leaving posts on the forums, getting on the IRC chat room, etc. But to no eval. I even went on the IRC chat and asked if I can hire a consultant.
Use Contemplate
Jdeyburg,
If you install the contemplate module, then you can alter the default layout and display of both the teaser and full view of any node type - including groups! You can leave the contemplate module to handle the display, or you can port the code over to a tpl file in the template to make it load faster.
You will need to write the html/css to display the node, and then insert the php code to display the node information... luckily, the module gives you a long list of the variables, and will insert them for you. Its really not too bad, and can allow you to quickly edit and tweak your design.
If you need to hire a freelance developer to help you, let me know... we specialize in custom drupal websites.
good luck!
Ron
Peace, Compassion, Prosperity
....
Ron, Can you send me a few links of custom websites you designed using Organic Groups module? I am now to the point of hiring a freelancer.
JDeyburg, Visit
JDeyburg,
Visit realtidings.com for a partial list of some recent projects with Drupal. For a specific example of a site I have been working on with OG, see http://myvirtualshower.com
Each baby shower is a group (http://myvirtualshower.com/welcome-bruce for a specific example), and both the teaser (like on the homepage for newest showers) and the actual page itself are done with the Contemplate module.
This site is not complete - there is alot of formatting and other issues to address. I created it very quickly for my wife... I haven't touched it in months (my son was born 11 weeks ago!). I just haven't had the time since its not a "paying" gig.
At any rate, its a proof of concept - the group can be done very easily (notice the custom tabs for navigating the owner blog, gallery, registry, etc.)... the real "trick" is knowing what you want and how you want it to work. Since MVS is just for fun, I never did more than play around with it... and yet other people are signing up :)
The real key is the CCK, Views and Contemplate modules. They are the backbone of the site. I am really just using the group module to allow people to join/subscribe to that section. I also use the Panels module for the front page and will use it for the advanced gallery views.
best regards,
Ron
Peace, Compassion, Prosperity