Drupal
Strategy for Developing Online Communities and Social Networks in Drupal
Drupal offers many options and possibilities for developing online communities, but strategy should involve more than simply implementing every available module.
Those "in the know" about Drupal realize that Drupal is far more than a content management system (CMS) even though it often gets categorized that way. Drupal as a CMS is more like one specific feature or type of use, of many. It's more of a platform, and on Drupal.org it's labeled as "Community plumbing" and an "open source content management platform".
Those "in the know" about Drupal realize that Drupal is far more than a content management system (CMS) even though it often gets categorized that way. Drupal as a CMS is more like one specific feature or type of use, of many. It's more of a platform, and on Drupal.org it's labeled as "Community plumbing" and an "open source content management platform".
Understanding What a Drupal Theme Does and Doesn't Do
A short explanation (not for developers) about the general difference between a Drupal theme and Drupal site development
A while back I found myself trying to explain to someone how a Drupal theme that was purchased was not going to result in an entire website being created simply by installing the theme. And I don't think the confusion was simply about content being added. The confusion seemed to be more centered on some very specific and robust features that were desired for the site. And simply put, the Drupal theme was not going to provide those features.
But that's not the fault of the Drupal theme. The particular Drupal theme was going to do it's specific job. And a very robust and/or highly customized Drupal theme may take some very specific features and modules into consideration.
A while back I found myself trying to explain to someone how a Drupal theme that was purchased was not going to result in an entire website being created simply by installing the theme. And I don't think the confusion was simply about content being added. The confusion seemed to be more centered on some very specific and robust features that were desired for the site. And simply put, the Drupal theme was not going to provide those features.
But that's not the fault of the Drupal theme. The particular Drupal theme was going to do it's specific job. And a very robust and/or highly customized Drupal theme may take some very specific features and modules into consideration.
Use Path Redirect with PathAuto to Prevent Page Not Found Errors
If you using the Path Redirect module for Drupal with PathAuto, your can have 301 Redirects created automatically when you change a URL.
If you've built your Drupal site, there's a good change you're already using the incredibly useful PathAuto module. If you aren't, then a simple summary is that PathAuto helps you better manage URL creation by assigning rules. This is an efficient alternative to manually choosing a URL for every piece of content, even if you use the simple default rule of having the URL created based on the Title of the content item.
If you've built your Drupal site, there's a good change you're already using the incredibly useful PathAuto module. If you aren't, then a simple summary is that PathAuto helps you better manage URL creation by assigning rules. This is an efficient alternative to manually choosing a URL for every piece of content, even if you use the simple default rule of having the URL created based on the Title of the content item.
Stuck Cron in Drupal - Clear the Cache Too
After deleting necessary variables in Drupal database to deal with a stuck Cron, clear the cache as well.
If you've ever had Cron get stuck in Drupal and wondered what to do, you've probably run across instructions to clear some variables in your Drupal database - specifically the cron semaphore. That generally solves the issue. But, if you've tried that and have not found it fixes the issue, there's another seemingly simple but useful step. Before you do anything else after deleting the the necessary variables, go to the Performance tab in Drupal and clear your cache. This will help ensure that the variables you just cleared don't go right back in!
If you've ever had Cron get stuck in Drupal and wondered what to do, you've probably run across instructions to clear some variables in your Drupal database - specifically the cron semaphore. That generally solves the issue. But, if you've tried that and have not found it fixes the issue, there's another seemingly simple but useful step. Before you do anything else after deleting the the necessary variables, go to the Performance tab in Drupal and clear your cache. This will help ensure that the variables you just cleared don't go right back in!
Clarification for Netimperative Article: "Choosing a community platform"
http://www.netimperative.com/news/2010/january/guest-comment-choosing-a-...
I wanted to comment on and help clarify something in the Netimperative article "Choosing a community platform" (pub. Jan 28, 2010), but unfortunately there was no such feature. As an alternative and in advanced of some upcoming posts on Web New Castle regarding open source online community development, I'll post a few thoughts here.
http://www.netimperative.com/news/2010/january/guest-comment-choosing-a-...
I wanted to comment on and help clarify something in the Netimperative article "Choosing a community platform" (pub. Jan 28, 2010), but unfortunately there was no such feature. As an alternative and in advanced of some upcoming posts on Web New Castle regarding open source online community development, I'll post a few thoughts here.
We Can Get Your Design Turned Into a Drupal Theme
Have a design in PSD or other format? Or even an idea for a design? We can get your design concept turned into a custom Drupal theme quickly.
We love doing custom theme development. The sky is the limit with a Drupal theme.
Do you have an existing website, a design in PSD (or other format), or even a concept of a design? Do you want it implemented pixel perfect in Drupal? We can take your existing site or design and turn it into a custom Drupal theme.
We excel at finding efficient and robust ways to code a Drupal theme. Let us know what you have and need and we'll let you know what we can do. If budget for custom theme development is a concern, just let us know your needs - we'll do whatever we can to work with your budget.
We love doing custom theme development. The sky is the limit with a Drupal theme.
Do you have an existing website, a design in PSD (or other format), or even a concept of a design? Do you want it implemented pixel perfect in Drupal? We can take your existing site or design and turn it into a custom Drupal theme.
We excel at finding efficient and robust ways to code a Drupal theme. Let us know what you have and need and we'll let you know what we can do. If budget for custom theme development is a concern, just let us know your needs - we'll do whatever we can to work with your budget.
Private Beta of DrupalGardens.com: Moving Towards Drupal as Software as a Service (SaaS)
The launch of DrupalGardens.com is getting closer with the announcement of a private beta invitation. Opportunities for more individuals, businesses, and organizations to leverage the power of Drupal has been expanding through Acquia. And now, a new product and service from Acquia in the form of DrupalGardens.com, will push Drupal in the direction of being more of a Software as a Service (Saas).
Drupal is already used by many large and high profile entities, but this is not the case to the extent that it could be. There is still considerable usage of less powerful products or expensive proprietary systems. Certainly, the switch by Obama's White House to Drupal helps with the evangelization of Drupal, but this new Acquia service should also help.
The launch of DrupalGardens.com is getting closer with the announcement of a private beta invitation. Opportunities for more individuals, businesses, and organizations to leverage the power of Drupal has been expanding through Acquia. And now, a new product and service from Acquia in the form of DrupalGardens.com, will push Drupal in the direction of being more of a Software as a Service (Saas).
Drupal is already used by many large and high profile entities, but this is not the case to the extent that it could be. There is still considerable usage of less powerful products or expensive proprietary systems. Certainly, the switch by Obama's White House to Drupal helps with the evangelization of Drupal, but this new Acquia service should also help.
Save Money by Using a Content Management System (CMS)
You have a lot of different options when you're having a website created. Your choice of options depends in part on what you are trying to achieve. It can also depend on other factors such as budget. If in doubt, choose a content management system.
You have a lot of different options when you're having a website created. Your choice of options depends in part on what you are trying to achieve. It can also depend on other factors such as budget. If in doubt, choose a content management system.
Custom Node Template Module for Drupal Released
Web New Castle has released it's first module on Drupal.org. Custom Node Template display provides simple options for customizing use of node templates on a node-by-node basis.
It is our immense pleasure and honor to announce that Web New Castle has contributed our first module to the Drupal community. The Custom Node Template module is available for download on Drupal.org. Many outstanding modules are available on Drupal.org - visit http://drupal.org and click on the Module link in the upper right of Drupal's homepage or use this direct link: Drupal.org's Community Contributed Modules page to browse through modules for your Drupal installation.
It is our immense pleasure and honor to announce that Web New Castle has contributed our first module to the Drupal community. The Custom Node Template module is available for download on Drupal.org. Many outstanding modules are available on Drupal.org - visit http://drupal.org and click on the Module link in the upper right of Drupal's homepage or use this direct link: Drupal.org's Community Contributed Modules page to browse through modules for your Drupal installation.
Clarification on CCK and Custom Content Types in Drupal
The Content Construction Kit (CCK) contributed module is not necessary to create custom content types in Drupal 6.
Based on things that I see and read quite frequently, there seems to be some confusion about the CCK and custom content types in Drupal 6. So this post is a quick clarification regarding custom content types in Drupal 6 and the role of the CCK contributed module for Drupal.
Based on things that I see and read quite frequently, there seems to be some confusion about the CCK and custom content types in Drupal 6. So this post is a quick clarification regarding custom content types in Drupal 6 and the role of the CCK contributed module for Drupal.
Thanks for the reply, Matt. I'd like to add to your explanation that one key to how the pet...