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nancy
New User

Mar 21, 2009, 7:42 AM

Post #1 of 6 (2447 views)
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New to Article Manager 2 Can't Post
Hi: this kind of program is really new to me, but I am determined. I use Front Page as I do not write code, however, I can look at the code and sometimes figure things out. I have read through the manuals, but I guess I just need someone to say Start Here. Do I do the templates first? Or do I start elsewhere? My website is really huge and really needs to be automated. It has several different parts with a folder for each new subject already on the site. It is called BigBlendMagazine for a reason, we cover all subjects. The task of changing over to a more automated site seems really daunting... I seriously do not know where to begin. Can I keep my folders as already built? Or will I be changing the structure of the entire site? Can I change one part at a time? I have downloaded the artman file, also copied it to a new location as I am not really sure whether it stays within my website or not, as it is already on the server. Help!
Nancy


(This post was edited by nancy on Mar 21, 2009, 8:44 AM)


dan_999
User

Mar 22, 2009, 3:56 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2401 views)
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Re: [nancy] New to Article Manager 2 [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi,
One you get your head round it, you'll soon pick it up.

Best thing to do is design your site using front page as normal and make sure you have at least a design for:

index page

article page

category page

Then, take a look at the article manager templates and copy all the 'article manager' code over to each of your templates. Make sure you call your templates the same name as article manager do and save them in the same place.

This should at least get your basic site set up.

Think of each of your folders you have built as 'categories', think of each index page within your folder as a category page. Set up categories using the same name as you have for the folders to keep all your links the same.

You look like you have a large site and changing all of hat over to article manager will be a massive task! You'll have to keep all your page names the same, set your templates up to so you can input meta-tags, try and keep all your page titles the same etc. I would expect it to take you months if I'm honest, but good luck it will be worth it in the end.

Dan
http://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk


nancy
New User

Mar 22, 2009, 7:05 AM

Post #3 of 6 (2393 views)
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Re: [dan_999] New to Article Manager 2 [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Dan: Thanks for the place to start. I wish I had your kind of software when I first started--but that was years ago and no one had software that let you have meta tags, etc, at least not that I could find. I know it is a huge task, so I will take it section at a time. Do I need to do anything preference-wise or publishing rule-wise? Also, I read something about not losing the original templates (Yours). As long as I name them something different from the original template will I be okay? Do I keep the artman2 folder in my website? Or copy it elsewhere.

Nancy


dan_999
User

Mar 22, 2009, 9:08 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2383 views)
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Re: [nancy] New to Article Manager 2 [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi,
Its not my software, i just use it, been a customer for a good few years now!

You'll need to keep the template names the same as the publishing rules will refer to them. Just keep another copy of your templates so you can always refer back to them when something goes wrong!

Initially you shouldnt need to do anything with the publish rules but if you ever want a certain page different from the others you'll need to look at the publish rules

Dan
http://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk


nancy
New User

Mar 22, 2009, 9:37 AM

Post #5 of 6 (2378 views)
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Re: [dan_999] New to Article Manager 2 [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Dan: I really do appreciate your advice and will follow it. Sorry, didn't realize you were not staff... I'm not used to forums either. We have always been so busy just doing our site, that we do have gaps in our education. I'll just have to jump in and work through until I get it... I know it is the right move to make--but you are right--I expect this to take a very long time.

Nancy


dan_999
User

Mar 23, 2009, 4:02 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2347 views)
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Re: [nancy] New to Article Manager 2 [In reply to] Can't Post
There are some useful tutorials here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/docs/articlemanager2/tutorials/index.html

and info about templates, publishing etc. in the online userguide that's quite useful as well:

http://www.interactivetools.com/docs/articlemanager2/templates/index.html

Cheers
Dan
http://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk