Articles

by Jon Maxim | Last edited: 9/4/2008

Watch video tutorial!

Manage Articles

  • Add a New Article: a simple 3 step process (see below)
  • Series: Manage and sort Articles by Series
  • Category: Manage and sort Articles by Category and Sub-Category

List View

  • Find: Begin typing the name of the content you would like to find and the system will perform a search. NOTE: Do not click the enter key as you type. This will remove the Search terms.
  • Sort Function: When scrolling over the top of the list, the Heading turns dark and an Arrow appears next to the Heading. Once you see the Arrow, simply click the Heading to Sort the List in alpha-numeric order. Click again for a reverse order of the list.
  • Edit Selected: To change the Publish Status or to Delete selected items, click the check boxes to the left of each item. When the boxes are checked, the "Edit Selected" button will turn on next to the Add button. Click "Edit Selected" to change Status or Delete.
  • Edit Content: To edit your content, click the underlined words that are in a different color. When scrolling over the words, a pencil icon will appear and the row will change to a light orange.

Step 1 of 3: Add Detail

NOTE: These are the items that will be at the beginning of your Articles page.

  • Title: This appears as the Title of the Article on the Article list and Articles pages, as well as within the RSS feed.
  • Category: Categories differentiate kinds of topics. Examples might be news, teaching, community, reviews, etc. Click the Plus icon (+) to add the Article to an additional Category.
  • Series: The system will create a sortable grouping for the Series. Click the Plus icon (+) to add the Article to an additional Series.
  • Date: Defaults to today. Click the Calendar icon to go through the Calendar to find the correct date of the Article.
  • Author: Select from a drop down list of Authors or add a person by clicking on the Plus icon (+). NOTE: When adding an Author, the system will add the Author as a new Member (under People). Use the Email field to upgrade a pre-existing Member to Author status. If you use a different Email address, the system will create a new Member that may be a duplicate.
  • Save/Change Content: To Save the Article in the system and move to the next step.

Step 2 of 3: Add Content

NOTE: This content is displayed within the RSS feed and on the individual Article page.

  • Summary: This is the RSS feed description visible within an RSS Reader.
  • Keywords: Required for search engine optimization. Separate Keywords by commas and include no more than 10 words and/or phrases that someone might use to search for your content.
  • Content: The Content will be displayed on your individual Article page. NOTE: See WYSIWYG Editor for detailed instruction on using the WYSIWYG.
  • Save/Change Content: To Save the Content and move to the next step.

Step 3 of 3: Add Media

NOTE: Default output for Articles does not usually include Media. However, this is available if that option is needed. Use this step to connect the media with the Article Content, to publish it into your RSS feed and make it available within the Articles pages.

  • Drop Down Lists: If you have previously loaded your media into the Media Manager, you may select your type of media (notes, audio, image, video) from the corresponding drop down list.
  • Submit Selections: Each time you upload a new files within the Articles Manager, it will appear within the Drop Down List. Select the appropriate file and click Submit Selections to add files one-by-one to your RSS Feed.
  • Done: Clicking "Done" will complete Step 3 or 3.

You may also upload new files within the Articles Manager:

  • Name: This is the name of the file within the system only and is now viewable to the public.
  • Description: This is information that is viewable within the system only, to help you identify what the media is for future reference.
  • Keywords: These are recommended for Search Engine Optimization. No more than 10 words and/or phrases separated by commas. This will provide a way for Google and other Search Engines to actually see the media as searchable data.
  • File: Click "Browse..." to search your computer for the media file. You may also enter the URL of a media files that you have permission to use.
  • Optimize Audio: Keep this checked if you want the system to optimize your MP3 file. Leaving this checked converts the file from Stereo to Mono and reduces the file size for optimal streaming and podcast downloads.
  • Video Convert: Keep this checked if you want your video file to be converted to Flash for streaming on your website. Click here to read: All About Video (an Article explaining the video formats that work with our system).

Publishing your Article

NOTE: This step will make the Article appear on your site and within your RSS Feed.

  • Keep as Draft: Saves the Article but does not publish it into your RSS Feed.
  • Publish: Saves the Article into the RSS Feed and within the various Articles pages.
  • Publish as Featured: Depending on your implementation, this may make the Article appear on your home page or other designated area, depending on your template design.
  • More Options: You may choose to add your Article to a Group. You may add additional Public or Private Group under: People > Groups.