http://groups.drupal.org/beginner-documentation A group to discuss what and how to create documentation that has meaning for someone new. This is not about support. en http://groups.drupal.org/node/13432 <p>I'm posting this as a wiki for others to add notes or links - based on Neil's presentation we attended. I would suggest conversation / disagreement / further discussion about the recommendations herein happen <em>elsewhere</em> - i.e. in the comments, etc. :-)</p> <p><b>Notes on Scalability</b><br /> Neil Drumm<br /> SF Drupal User's Group<br /> July 14, 2008</p> <p><b>OVERVIEW</b></p> <ol> <li>Solve the easy problems first.</li> <ul> <li>&nbsp;E.g. setting the right Drupal configurations, CSS, etc</li> <li>&nbsp;More below</li> </ul> <li>Buy more hardware</li> <ul> <li>&nbsp;It's cheaper than programmers</li> </ul> <li>&nbsp;Solve the hard problems</li> <ul> <li>&nbsp;Hard problems = a few hours to a few days to solve</li> </ul> </ol> <p>Scalability is not just fixing Drupal issues<br /> - Whole LAMP stack<br /> - Also CSS, HTML, Javascript problems (what it takes to render a page)</p> <p>A Complex Process<br /> - Find slowest part<br /> - -(Whether it's the database or javascript)<br /> - Fix<br /> - Repeat<br /> <i>(Ba-dum tshhhh....)</i></p> <p>Scaling PHP is always the same</p> <ul> <li> <p>You usually start w/ one server<br /> (or Amazon web services, or VPS "virtual private server")</p> </li> <li> <p>Split DB server and web server<br /> Drupal DB likes to have a lot of RAM<br /> Apache - take off of DB server</p> </li> <li> <p>Add more web servers<br /> Round robin DNS<br /> Load balancer</p> </li> <li> <p>Eventually DB clustering<br /> When?&nbsp; Scale example = Drupal.org has DB clustering<br /> More on clustering below</p> </li> </ul> <p><b>EASY FIXES</b></p> <ul> <li> <p>Turn on Drupal caching<br /> This makes anon page requests = 1 DB query<br /> Otherwise typical Drupal page request is 60+ DB queries</p> </li> <li> <p>"Minimum cache lifetime" setting - make it longer</p> </li> <li> <p>Enable block cache (Drupal 6)</p> </li> <li> <p>Select "Optimize CSS" &amp; "Optimize Javascript" settings (javascript in Drupal 6)<br /> Merges all various modules's css and javscript into one file (CSS or javascript)</p> </li> <li> <p>Watchdog slows down sites; Drupal 6 allows for swapping out with other logging mechanism</p> </li> </ul> <p><b>"Database clustering is not too fun"</b></p> <ul> <li> <p>What you can do instead<br /> Optimizing MySQL is key<br /> MySQL default is configured for a laptop (i.e. not for a server)!</p> </li> <li> <p>MySQL Report (from hackmysql.com)<br /> Extensive report, extensive documentation at hackmysql.com</p> </li> <li> <p>MySQLa<br /> Checks the slow query log file<br /> Run "Explain" in front of your query (on the command line)<br /> Returns query plan from MySQL<br /> Look for:</p> </li> <li>Key column always filled in</li> <li> <p>Rows should be low<br /> Dev.mysql.com - explains the this "explain" table</p> </li> <li> <p>Devel module can show queries<br /> Show how long they take<br /> Can show querys that take longer than a time-set threshold<br /> Shows how many times that query was called<br /> These queries will highlight:</p> </li> <li>What is taking a long time</li> <li>What is getting queried all the time (i.e. not optimized)</li> </ul> <p>Watch out for:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Views</p> </li> <li> <p>Anything executing too many queries</p> </li> <li>E.g. Views calling other views</li> <li>Views usually perform 7-8 queries each</li> </ul> <p><i>Side conversation:<br /> Stored procedures are not used in standard Drupal dev (e.g. not in core) because these are implemented differently in different database systems (e.g. MS SQL vs. MySQL vs PostGRES)).</i></p> <p><b>PHP / APACHE FIXES</b></p> <ul> <li> <p>Install op-code cache<br /> This is a PHP extension<br /> Provides a good Apache speed improvement<br /> E.g. APC or E-excelerator<br /> Note:&nbsp; Can cause site faults<br /> But can be configured to automate fixes (i.e. restart Apache)</p> </li> <li> <p>Optimize calling external web services<br /> Set up proxy to cache these external services<br /> <i>E.g. Squid</i><br /> Installing Squid can add a lot of complexity</p> </li> </ul> <p><b>OPTIMIZING FRONT-END</b></p> <ul> <li>Test w/ Firebug<br /> Net tab: shows all requests used to build page<br /> YSlow (Yahoo add-on):</li> <li>Letter grading of various services</li> <li>Used for large installations</li> </ul> <p>Your aim is to reduce HTTP requests<br /> Javascript profiler (in Firebug) - more JS, slower page load</p> <p><b>MORE COMPLEX FIXES</b></p> <ul> <li> <p>Using MemCache<br /> Caches whole "objects" (user / node object)<br /> I.e. Caches results of one object = multiple qrys in one<br /> Used in addition to op-code cache<br /> Run it as close to web server as possible<br /> Requires code patch<br /> Hard to debug</p> </li> <li> <p>DB Clustering<br /> Structure:<br /> 1st db server - all rights (read and write)<br /> 2nd "slave" db server - only read rights<br /> &nbsp;(DB clustering ability is built-in to Drupal 6)</p> </li> </ul> <p>Example:&nbsp; Drupal.org<br /> 2 load balancers, w/ Squid<br /> 3 web servers:<br /> - DB master - read/write<br /> - Slaves - search / read only</p> <p><b>OTHER NOTES</b></p> <ul> <li> <p>VPS "virtual private server" recommendations<br /> Advomatic uses Voxel.net (all Xen machines)<br /> Groups.drupal.org/highperformance&nbsp; (node/229)<br /> <i>"Anything with Shack in the name is a bad idea"</i></p> </li> <li> <p>Tag1Consulting.com/drupal<br /> Drupal performance checklist</p> </li> </ul> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/curriculum">Curriculum and Training</a></div> Bay Area Beginner Documentation Curriculum and Training Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:46:33 +0000 smokinggoat 13432 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/12533 <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/12533#comments Beginner Documentation Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:12:28 +0000 wolfflow 12533 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/12466 <p>Hi All,</p> <p>Just after being denied for the proposal of a new Group entry entitled "Documentation Task Force" i was referred<br /> that here is the best place for my efforts:</p> <p>For those of the Group who does not know my person and motivations, i will suggest to read some posting I already<br /> have contributed on drupal.org to focus on the big problem to get oriented in the Drupal.org ---- <a href="http://drupal.org/handbooks">DRUPAL HANDBOOKS.</a></p> <ol> <li><a href="http://drupal.org/node/268264"> Is there a task force that is dedicate to correct or complete ...</a> </ol> <p>This Article will take me some time to be complete. I thing it's worth writing it, even if many of you will complain and surely criticize it. Be aware that this article is wroted under the strength of a <strong>no native english</strong> and I'm going to report here as :<strong> NNE</strong>. Lets beginn:</p> <p>An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words, which can make idioms hard for ESL students <em>(Usually refers to developmental-level instruction in English language skills for non-native speakers.)</em> and learners to understand.</p> <p>Well in Italian language exist an old "saying":</p> <p> <li>Italian language:<em> Analizzare con la lente d'ingrandimento"</em></li> <li>German language: Etwas unter der Lupe nehmen </em></li> <li>English language: <em> "Does not exist?"</em></li></p> <p>Wow ! <em>"a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations"</em> like<br /> "Take something under the lens" is not in use in the English language?</p> <p>From the Google Translation tool (english --&gt; german) I got this:</p> <li>Take something under the lens ----&gt; Nehmen Sie etwas UNTER DER LUPE</li></p> <p>From the Google Translation tool (english --&gt; Italian) I got this:</p> <li>Take something under the lens ----&gt; Prendere qualcosa sotto la lente</li> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>That is exactly what I'm going to do with the Drupal.org first <a href="http://drupal.org/handbooks">Documentation Page</a><br /> &nbsp;<br /> The Drupal.org staff, that here I just will report as <strong>"STAFF"</strong> named this page <strong>HANDBOOKS</strong>. Lets go shortly to the english definition of a "Handbook" provided by Google <em>(the define tool)</em>:</p> <ol> <em> I chose 4 of the many definitions you get:</em><br /> &nbsp;</p> <li>A reference manual usually consulted for quick fact-finding or for a concise and authoritative survey of a topic.</li> <li>A collection of informational pieces on one or more subjects, arranged for the quick location of facts.</li> <li>A reference book that provides concise, useful data and other information on a specific subject.</li> <li>A handbook is a small manual, reference work, or other collection of instructions, intended to provide ready reference. A vade mecum (lat. "go with me") or pocket reference is intended to be carried at all times. ...</li> </ol> <p>So let us now resume the basically principle and definition that might be applyed for defining a<br /> possible new Drupal Documentation project. Despite the fact: that a small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are, i will list my short personal opinions about the DRUPAL HANDBOOKS page here.</p> <p>Preface:</p> <p>We all know <em> if not I will go to reply and report for those who does't </em>, internet special arguments related Communities tend to build their own slangs. I would try to theorize that the word "Slang" can be compared easily to the word "Idiom", just to simplify the range of concepts I'm trying to focus on here.</p> <p>The first misstake that the writer of this page did is viewable at the first sentence:</p> <li> <em>The Drupal handbooks offer a reference for those interested in Drupal whether novice or experienced, users or developers. </em></li> <p><strong>Novice ?</strong> &amp; <strong>Experienced ?</strong> together?<br /> What for a gambling. That is one basically reason IMO because it comes to a such chaos of documentation on Drupal.org.<br /> The next sentence shows up where the invitation and suggestion to collaborate to this project<br /> lost control.</p> <li>All content is supplied by volunteers, please contribute where you see a need </li></p> <p>Volonteers can be any kind of visitors with different language, different level of knowledge about theirs language, different level of knowledge about Drupal and finally different level of personal pragmatism <em>(the doctrine that truth is the practical efficacy of an idea.)</em> applyied in writing their documentation contributions.</p> <p>.....to be continued.</p> <p>Every comment and suggestions are very much appreciate!</p> <p>Cheers</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/12466#comments project proposal Beginner Documentation Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:55:18 +0000 wolfflow 12466 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/10596 <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License</a> says that GFDL is the counterpart for documentation to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gpl" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gpl">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gpl</a>, so I'm wondering if they are compatible, and if documentation published under GFDL may be packaged with modules in the Drupal.org repository?</p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Aaron Winborn<br /> <a href="http://aaronwinborn.com/" title="http://aaronwinborn.com/">http://aaronwinborn.com/</a></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/legal">Legal</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/10596#comments Beginner Documentation Drupal for Good Legal Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:57:21 +0000 aaron 10596 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/8403 <p>I really dont know the answer to this, and I notice its not in the Language Documentation.</p> <p><a href="http://drupal.org/node/11130" title="http://drupal.org/node/11130">http://drupal.org/node/11130</a><br /> <a href="http://drupal.org/node/31714" title="http://drupal.org/node/31714">http://drupal.org/node/31714</a></p> <p>Neither one talks about if HTML is allowed or converted. It would be nice if this was mentioned. Even if its a Comment, that would be great. Can the Translations group please answer if you need to put HTML within the translations .po file, and/or the Admin interface... and then can we make changes/Comments to the appropriate documentation. There is a few places in both documents this information should/could go... anyone have suggestions...</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/translations">Translations</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/8403#comments Beginner Documentation Translations Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:01:23 +0000 GreenJelly 8403 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/8289 <p>My name is Matthew Pare and I'm a Co-Chair for the "<a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/community-and-core-track-description">Community and Core</a>" track for <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/">Drupalcon Boston 2008</a>. Over the last couple of weeks we have been planning and brainstorming to make <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/">Drupalcon Boston 2008</a> the best Drupalcon to date! One of our recommended track session topics is "Getting Help From The Community" and since your viewing this post on the <a href="http://groups.drupal.org/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a> group I thought you would be excellent candidates for submitting sessions on the topic.</p> <h3>How To Submit Your Session</h3> <p>We have several <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/community-and-core-track-description">recommended topics for Community and Core</a> sessions but now its your turn to <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/node/add/session"><strong>submit your session</strong></a>.</p> <p>Visit <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/">boston2008.drupalcon.org</a> to learn more about Drupalcon Boston 2008, <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/user/register">register to attend</a>, <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/sessions"><strong>view already submitted sessions</strong></a>, and even <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/node/add/session"><strong>submit your own session</strong></a>.</p> <h3>Save the Date</h3> <p>Drupalcon Boston 2008 takes place from <strong>March 3, 2008 to March 6, 2008</strong> in Boston Convention and Expo Center. In addition, there will also be a Drupal Code Sprint on March 7.</p> <h3>Useful Links</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/node/add/session">Submit a Session</a></li> <li><a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/sessions">View already registered sessions</a></li> <li><a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/logistics-and-accommodations">Logistics and Accommodations</a></li> <li><a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/conference-program-tracks-and-sessions">Conference Program, Tracks, and Sessions</a> <ul> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/business-and-marketing-track-descriptions">Business and marketing track</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/design-and-user-experience-track-descriptions">Design and user experience track</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/site-building-track-descriptions">Site building track</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org/community-and-core-track-description">Community and core</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Please submit your session proposals as soon as possible and I hope to see you all in Boston real soon.</p> <p>Cheers,<br><br /> -mpare<br><br /> <em>DON'T MISS EARTH'S LARGEST GATHERING OF DRUPAL PROFESSIONALS!<br /> Drupalcon Boston 2008 - March 3-6, 2008<br /> Learn more at <a href="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org" title="http://boston2008.drupalcon.org">http://boston2008.drupalcon.org</a><br></em></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/8289#comments drupalcon Beginner Documentation Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:39:03 +0000 mpare 8289 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/4245 <p>Check out this suggestion: <a href="http://drupal.org/node/147183" title="http://drupal.org/node/147183">http://drupal.org/node/147183</a></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/4245#comments Beginners Mentoring Beginner Documentation Sun, 27 May 2007 13:37:53 +0000 NancyDru 4245 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2920 <p>I've put this together for URLs &amp; and Clean URLs. I'd like to see any other add-on modules under it as well following the same WHEWF (What, How, Example, Why, Further reading.) I will be working on PathAuto tomorrow. I have to stop doing this stuff or I'm never going to get my site up LOL.</p> <p>URL = Uniform Resource Locator. The text you see, or type in your browser address bar. i.e., <a href="http://www.example.com" title="http://www.example.com">http://www.example.com</a> http:// is the protocol your browser uses to find <a href="http://www.example.com" title="www.example.com">www.example.com</a> which is where the data lives.</p> <p><em>Administer &gt;&gt; Site Configuration &gt;&gt; Clean URLs</em><br /> If you are able to, enabling this option allows for <strong>Clean URLs</strong>.</p> <p>WHAT<br /> This module (core) allows you to enable <strong>Clean URLs</strong>. A clean URL doesn't have ?q= in the address bar of your browser. With clean URLs you instead get text.</p> <p>EXAMPLE<br /> The URL to the Create Content link <em>without</em> clean URLs would be: <a href="http://www.example.com/?q=node/add" title="http://www.example.com/?q=node/add">http://www.example.com/?q=node/add</a><br /> The link or address <em>with</em> clean URLs it would be: <a href="http://www.example.com/node/add" title="http://www.example.com/node/add">http://www.example.com/node/add</a></p> <p>HOW<br /> Enable this from: <em>Administer &gt;&gt; Site configuration &gt;&gt; Clean URLs</em> your server must be able to allow them. If you fail the test that is offered see <a href="http://drupal.org/node/15365">Clean URLs</a> for further information.</p> <p>WHY<br /> Why would you want to enable this? It's much easier to type an address. Your links will look better, and are easier to read and share, and search engines have an easier time with them.</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2920#comments Documentation URL Modules Beginner Documentation Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:18:39 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2920 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2917 <p>I finished up the Drupal Simply page (what, how, why with suggested additional reading) today over at the dojo site and promoted it to a book. However when I was re-reading it and trying for beginner eyes I began to wonder if people would understand the words <em>display engine</em> and tried to find what Drupalers called it and couldn't find anything other then Theme. Does anyone know what this part of the system is called other then Theme? I am going to replace display engine with theme engine, but wondered if there was something else it was called.</p> <p>Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2917#comments Documentation Beginner Documentation Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:52:00 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2917 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2891 <p>I've spent my hour and now have to move on to paying work ;-) lol what I like to see simplified is:<br /> Node, what is it and what does it do for you?<br /> Taxonomy, what does it do for you? Also need to cover that it's under Category in the Admin area<br /> Breadcrumb, what is it and what does it do for you?<br /> Creating content. How, and what you can do with it after it's created.</p> <p>I personally still need to get much clearer on menus, and Taxonomy vs CCK fields. I'm thinking one is more about structure (Taxonomy) and the other is more about presentation (CCK), but I'd like to get my personal understanding nailed on on that.</p> <p>I also want to make sure were not recreating the wheel, so need cross ref what already exists on the site.</p> <p>Rock on!<br /> Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2891#comments Documentation Beginner Documentation Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:35:24 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2891 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2890 <p>This module allows someone to include on a page of content (node) a search<br /> and display of additional content from a preexisting view.</p> <p>e.g., you have a content type for CD’s, they include a CCK field for artists. You could create a content type for the artist and include on that content type a viewfield allowing Drupal to find and present any of the CD content types that belong to that artist so you would end up with a content page view of:</p> <p>Artist information &lt;~~ This would come from the other fields that were on the created content.<br /> A listing of all CD’s that this artist in on. &lt;~~ This would come from the viewfield module.</p> <p>Needed:<br /> CCK, Views, Viewfield<br /> Create:<br /> CD Content type with a CCK Field for Artists<br /> View of CD by Artist<br /> Artists Content type with a View Field Field</p> <p>If someone has this module installed could you share a bit of the real process</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2890#comments module Beginner Documentation Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:29:04 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2890 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2889 <p>Thanks to Drupal Dojo, we can use the <a href="http://www.drupaldojo.org" title="www.drupaldojo.org">www.drupaldojo.org</a> to hash out the working and how to present the book (pages). Once we have something here, we can move it to the Wiki so that anyone can offer edits. Once something is in solid form we can add it to the Book. Please post here 1st so people know something has been added and also this is also were we can attract newer members so we need to stay within <em>Drupal</em></p> <p>Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2889#comments Documentation Beginner Documentation Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:03:02 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2889 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2878 <p>Hi all add1sun, invited me over to co-habitat with ya all on the drupaldojo.org I'm not sure how this will fit in as I'm aiming for simplification vs technical information. I'd love to play around and hopefully others will fix what I'm missing and will give feedback. I've just started over at <a href="http://groups.drupal.org/beginner-documentation" title="http://groups.drupal.org/beginner-documentation">http://groups.drupal.org/beginner-documentation</a> so I'm not sure who else is going to play with me, but I'll keep plugging along.</p> <p>Not sure if you want to add a book, or if I should just start up in the wiki area.</p> <p>Thanks for the invite!<br /> Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/drupal-dojo">Drupal Dojo</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2878#comments documentation Beginner Documentation Drupal Dojo Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:46:35 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2878 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2876 <p>What is a CCK Widget?</p> <p>The final user form (create content) for inputting data (site content) is created using widgets. The admin creates a content type or node (user form), by adding fields via CCK. The admin chooses what widget (field container) to use to collect that data (content). e.g. you want the user to put a number in the field so you select the integer/text widget. Each data type, and the way it can be entered is a widget.</p> <p><em>I'm not sure if this is a correct explanation, I've asked over at the CCK group but haven't received a response so anyone has a comment, or feels this is still confusing please share</em></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2876#comments CCK widget Beginner Documentation Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:19:49 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2876 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2875 <p>Taxonomy is the parent term for: Categories, Vocabulary, Terms, &amp; Tags. <em>Is there any other word we need to add?</em></p> <p><em>That's all I got right now, can anyone else add something here?</em><br /> <em>Why is it a good thing? What does it allow you to do? Why do you want to use it? In what ways do you want to use it?</em></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2875#comments Taxonomy Beginner Documentation Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:00:11 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2875 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2863 <p>I'd like to see some clarifying information presented at the main site, but think it might be better to hash out some of the terms before asking to make it live. I'd love it if they allowed a Beginner Book as I don't think it really fits anywhere else but we can deal with that later.</p> <p>It appears that we are going to have to use <strong>Story</strong> and comments as the Wiki nor the Story shows revisions made so everything will have to be done in comments which only Story has.</p> <p>If you've crafted something you feel explains a piece of Drupal please share it, then we can talk about it and get it submitted.</p> <p>Thanks!<br /> Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2863#comments Beginner Documentation Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:16:20 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2863 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2862 <p>I need an over simplification to get my head around what I am creating with Drupal. I'd appreciate it if someone lets me know if I'm wrong. Without going into the actual technology and mechanics or what additional modules can do.</p> <p>Drupal provides a engine to show content and a way to hold that content.</p> <p>How the content is held is based on tables, which creates a database.</p> <p>When you create a piece of content it is put into this table.</p> <p>Information can be pulled out of this table based on:<br /> Content Type (Page, story, blog, book), Content Title (Title given when it's created), &amp; Taxonomy (Category&gt;Vocabulary&gt;Term).</p> <p>How the content is seen is based on the display engine (Theme, blocks, and all that php stuff)</p> <p>Having different content types allows for grouping and a way to apply how it looks as well as who has access to it, so in a sense they are like another way to "tag" an item. It gives the "engine" a way to pull the data.</p> <p>Titles &amp; Taxonomy allow for the same.</p> <p>This data is contained in various tables and cross applied creating a complex database in which to query from.</p> <p>Nothing exists anywhere as a page of information, like in a book, or on a static web site, but is created as a page by the display engine.</p> <p>For simplicity this is a basic idea of what is happening.</p> <p>Heading:<br /> Content Type - Content Title - Taxonomy - Content<br /> Items in bold can be pulled from to create the view</p> <p>Data:<br /> Story - Mary had a little Lamb - Child, lamb - Mary had a little lamb who's fleece was white as snow.<br /> Story - Jack and the Bean Stalk - Child, beans - There once was a boy named Jack...<br /> Page - What you need to know about beans - Information, beans - Beans can be a great source of protein, but you need to know the type...</p> <p>The display engine can be told to display all Content Types, or Titles, or Taxonomy Terms as links to the data. These links are something like a search where you search based on one of those data types and the display engine presents you with the data that includes the "type" you clicked on, taking if from the table giving you what exists in that "row" (what data fits the query).<br /> If you were looking at what types of content existed the display engine based on the question (query) would be able to present:<br /> Story<br /> Page<br /> These would be links because they are main data types that can be pulled on or queried.</p> <p>When you click on an individual link presented in that search or query the engine then is directed to show only the data that exists for that specific heading type. Displayed again how it was told to display it.<br /> Stories:<br /> Mary had a little Lamb<br /> Jack and the Bean Stalk</p> <p>And then the display engine could be told how to display a single view of a single story:</p> <p>Mary had a little Lamb (title) Child Lamb (terms)<br /> Mary had a little lamb who's fleece was white as snow (content)</p> <p>Without the display engine the content wouldn't have design or meaning, without the table there wouldn't be a way to pull the information in various ways or forms. Together they give you the ability to effect both.</p> <p>Comments?</p> <p>Shari</p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2862#comments Beginner Documentation Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:05:33 +0000 WebWeaver64@drupal.org 2862 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2859 <p>see this massive new handbook section: <a href="http://drupal.org/node/120612" title="http://drupal.org/node/120612">http://drupal.org/node/120612</a></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2859#comments Beginner Documentation Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:14:35 +0000 pwolanin 2859 at http://groups.drupal.org http://groups.drupal.org/node/2855 <p>I just came across this post which contains a CC-licensed beginner's guide for 4.7 (I'm not sure who the corresponding Drupal user is):</p> <p><a href="http://smokinggoat.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/another-drupal-user-guide/" title="http://smokinggoat.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/another-drupal-user-guide/">http://smokinggoat.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/another-drupal-user-guide/</a></p> <div class="og_rss_groups"><a href="/beginner-documentation">Beginner Documentation</a></div> http://groups.drupal.org/node/2855#comments Beginner Documentation Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:59:30 +0000 pwolanin 2855 at http://groups.drupal.org