How create a Website with the WCM from alfresco??

[sirclueless]

Hi. I have a problem. I don`t know how I can create a website with alfresco. I mean I wanna built our company homepage with the alfresco WCM. But I haven`t no idea how !! The goal is that everybody should edit ,insert ,… content in an easy way without programming knowledge. But the first step is to create a home site with menu and links to content. Are there templates which I can use ?? What is the right way to start for a web presentation??
I hope somebody can help me.

[brentkastner]

Hi Sirclueless,

Creating a website within Alfresco that is content managed can be a difficult task IF you are unsure how to approach it.  I'll walk through some of the methods that I use and have used with this tool and other CMS's.

1.) Try to gather as many examples of HTML that will make up the final content managed site.  Some examples are, news items, press releases, home page, product page, careers, etc.

2.) Analyze each page type to determine if it is a fit for templating.  For me, the litmus is how often the content on the page changes.  Does this page read from a database, or is it largely static content.

3.) Now you should have a list of all the pages that are to be forms based.  Begin breaking down each form into it's list of fields.

4.) Note, we have not yet even begun working with Alfresco.

You now should have your basic CMS design (html's, and form definitions)

5.) Determine the site architecture (HTML, JSP, ASP, database driven, etc)

6.) Build the forms

7.) Integrate each form field with the html template you are to use for that  page.

8.) Install the form and begin using it to create content.

Keep in mind that many sites are not 100% templated.  Some pages, such as dynamically generated lists, do not lend themselves well to content management.  Feel free to vet your CMS designs here if you feel like you want someone to poke holes in your design.

9.) You can always take a training class.  I am currently delivering the Alfresco WCM course through Eye Street Software.  Here is a link: http://www.alfresco.com/services/training/courses/wcmfea/ We are offering some European courses in the very near future.

I hope this helps!

Brent Kastner
Eye Street Software

[sirclueless]

Okay !That sounds good and maybe a first step.
But where is the WCMS ?? I know many WCMS and if I use such WCM I can create menus and link from one content to another content in an easy way with a few klicks. But alfresco WCMS there is nothing. No blockmanagement , no mudulmangement , nothing that I know and is easy to use. And every WCMS I know shows a site if I have install it. And I must only give the side a look and give content to this side.
But here If I wanna create a new website. There is nothing. I hope you understand what I mean and you can help me to create a dynamic website in an easy way.

[brentkastner]

Sirclueless,

I think I see where you are going with this.  Keep in mind that Alfresco provides a framework for the creation of your own website.  This framework currently address forms, versioning, workflow, etc. 

If you are looking for a site navigation component, you would need to architect and build one to suit your needs.  I do happen to know that Alfresco will release their website Alfresco.com which does have a dynamic navigation component.  You could also ask the Alfresco community for examples of what they've built as well. 

As far as link management, there is not currently (at least from what I've seen) any automated way to ensure that your links work.  Each form page will need to be linked to other pages, or the nav in order to appear on the site.

Does this help?

Brent Kastner
Eye Street Software

[sirclueless]

Hi Brentkastner,
thank you for the lot of information. But they said that there will be a how to do guide to create a dynamic website with alfresco WCM. And this guid should  appear one day after the publication of alfresco 2.0 relaease. But I don`t find this guide . Maybe you know about it.
I`m always open for help , examples and ideas.

[davidal]

Is there some free online tutorials on Alfresco WCM Development  :cry:

[websitebiz_88]

Is there some free online tutorials on Alfresco WCM Development  :cry:

I am looking for the same solution.

Thanks