Intro to Drupal Slides - DrupalCampSC 2014
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This document provides an overview of a presentation being given on Drupal. It includes introductions of the presenter and intended audience. Key terms related to Drupal like "node", "content type", and popular modules like Views, Panels, and Pathauto are defined at a high level. Sources for getting help and training resources both free and paid are also listed. The presentation aims to provide basics for those new to Drupal.
Intro to Drupal Slides - DrupalCampSC 2014
- 1. + Disclaimer: This is my first speaking/presenting gig. I’m pretty sure I’m going to do fine, but if I talk really fast and there’s a lot of time left then we’ll talk amongst ourselves. Luckily, if I talk too slowly & run out of time, the slides are set up to be totally self-explanatory. So you can peruse them later.
- 2. + So let’s talk about Drupal. It’s a thing, and it does stuff.
- 3. + But first, let’s talk about me for a second My name is Sarah Shealy I’m the Front End Web Developer at Richland Library here in Columbia, SC www.richlandlibrary.com I have a background in Art History and Library Science These are my cats. All Drupal presentations should have at least one cat picture – I learned this at my first DrupalCamp and now I pass it on to you.
- 4. + My Drupal Story & the seed of this presentation 0 web development skills (ZERO- I barely knew what HTML and CSS were) Only volunteered with the team because I wanted a librarian job at Richland Library & it would look good Really frustrated that as I got into Drupal, people would talk way over my head when I just wanted the basics. I remember wishing that this presentation existed when I went to my first DrupalCamp. So if it’s too simplistic or doesn’t cover enough higher level stuff, I’m sorry.
- 5. + You can find me in random places online I really only use Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest @Sarah_Shealy (Twit) SarahHShealy (Insta) Shealysh (Pint) Sarahsassandsurcees.com This is my real-life, personal blog. Not tech, and updated about once a week. Don’t go here for advice, go here to waste some time. But somehow I have 3 email addresses: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Shealysh.me Literally nothing there at the moment except working social media links, but will be up and running in the next few weeks. It will be fabulous.
- 6. + Now, let’s talk about you for a second For a lot of you, this is going to be a “duh” sort of presentation, but I’m really speaking to the person who sort of stumbled onto Drupal and knows what it does but doesn’t know things like “node” or “content type”. Those are my people. If this is not you, feel free to doodle, answer email, take a nap (but please not if you snore), and generally keep yourself entertained.
- 7. + So Drupal is a thing, right? Open Source Basically, you can use Drupal for free. There isn’t an enterprise behind Drupal – even though people are paid to develop for Drupal, there isn’t a conglomerate dictating that development. Community Based Drupal is all about community. Even if Bob develops a module that his site uses, he’ll probably contribute that module back to the community. I’ve never had a problem reaching out to a Drupal person for help – if they can’t help me, they’ll refer me to someone who can.
- 8. + Function vs. Beauty Function More important than beauty Honestly. As long as it works for you, keep it simple. Remember that you can always add beauty based skills as you master functional ones You can also change how things function as you learn – you don’t have to be perfect right away Beauty Totally important But not the end all be all If someone says “Your site is gorgeous, but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do/what you’re selling/what you do” you should rethink your strategy. Shiny things are fun, but concrete will keep your house standing.
- 9. + A few terms you should have a handle on Node - A single piece of content on your site. Every node also belongs to a particular content type. Content Type – A content type basically tells Drupal how to render your content. It defines the fields used, the layout created, and the input form the creator uses. Page - One of the two basic content types that are packaged with Drupal core. Generally, pages are used for static content that is to be linked into the main navigation bar. Not all nodes are pages, but all pages are nodes. Article – The other content type that comes with Core. Usually used for content that changes or isn’t permanent. Like blog posts or marketing releases.
- 10. + Yay terms! Theme – Basically the files that define how your site looks. A theme can override all the looks of modules, etc. They can be as simple as defining colors or can be drastically customized to control every element of the design. Themes regulate what goes where. Region - Areas of a node where content can be placed. Sidebars, headers, footers, etc are all placed in regions. Term – This is basically the Drupal term for keyword. You attach keywords to content in order to link content with other content. Vocabulary – A collection of terms.
- 11. + Last slide o’ terms Core - The files and modules included with the basic Drupal install. Clean URL - A URL that does not contain code. Drupal puts snippets of code in URLs, and clean ones remove that code. Makes them much easier to remember. Ninja/guru/rock star/super hero/etc – ridiculous ways to say you’re good at your job. Druplicon - The Drupal mascot. It’s basically a raindrop with a face on it.
- 12. + Modules: a disclaimer Please, for the love of all things, do not go back to work and insist everyone on the team uses all of the modules that I’m about to go over. Unless you are the whole team, in which case go for it. If you see something that may solve a problem better than you’re currently solving it, suggest the team looks into it. Don’t be that guy (or girl).
- 13. + Views! *everyone’s 1st recommendation* You need Views if You like the default front page view, but you find you want to sort it differently. You like the default taxonomy/term view, but you find you want to sort it differently; for example, alphabetically. You want a way to display a block with the 5 most recent posts of some particular type. Views basically gives you an alternative way to display content, and restrict that display to specific content types or taxonomy terms. It’s even possible to restrict to a certain user’s content. Steep learning curve, though. **This is from the Views module page with some modification**
- 14. + Panels! Lets you create customized layouts for your site. It’s a drag and drop content manager that lets you design your layout and place content in it. It’s a way to control the layout without using theme files. Learning curve is pretty steep. Much like views. While Panels integrates with Views, people are generally in either the Views camp or the Panels camp. But there are plenty of sites that use both. **Basic ideas came from the Panels module page – much modified**
- 15. + Pathauto! The Pathauto module automatically creates URLs and path aliases for content without the user having to make one up themselves. This keeps the sites’ URLs consistent. You can specify how each content type is given an alias. For example all events on your site can be given a pattern with “events” so each event is mysite.com/events/event-title ** Pathauto is a pretty excellent module, and you should check it out.**
- 16. + Git Git is a version control system Github keeps your code on the interwebs, you copy that code base onto your computer, and then you can muck about in the copy while not injuring your current production-level code. There are TONS of tutorials out there, and the best place to start is GitHub But there are a lot of Git users out there and they have really excellent advice about how to use Git in the best way. Try not to wing it when using Git, you can break some stuff. Like your corner of the internet.
- 17. + Drush An awesome program for managing Drupal from the command line. It allows a site admin to do things by typing in a few commands instead of clicking through multiple steps to accomplish the same goal. My favorite commands: Drush en | Drush dis Enables and disables modules Drush cc all This clears the cache of all the styles and applies new ones that I’ve created.
- 18. + Where to get help Google. It’s legit, you guys. Got a weird error message? Google. Drupal.org is always a good place to go – the search is unwieldy, though. Stack Exchange Stack Overflow But really, Google will get you blog posts from people who have had your exact problem as well as every other site’s answers.
- 19. + Awesome Places for Training (free) YouTube Just search for whatever you need help with. There are videos of presentations, tutorials, etc. Google. There are several million tutorials out there that really want to help you out. DrupalCamp 24x7
- 20. + Awesome Places for Training ($) Udemy has a course for an Intro to Drupal. Drupal.org has a listing of a bunch of places that provide training. I can vouch for Acquia Build a Module Isovera Lullabot (drupalize.me) Lynda