https://forums.modx.com/thread/?thread=24266 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123597 Also, I just did a static XHTML site for the nation of Burundi. Some of the content was in French and it was a time consuming process converting all the language punctuation accents/characters into HTML number code so the content would render correctly. Is this an issue when using multi lingual MODx snippets? It’s not a problem at all if you set up your database to use the proper encoding in the first place. Preferably UTF-8.]]> sottwell Jul 02, 2008, 02:31 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123597 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123596
Do you have a good sample of a bilingual site that uses this structure?

Also, I just did a static XHTML site for the nation of Burundi. Some of the content was in French and it was a time consuming process converting all the language punctuation accents/characters into HTML number code so the content would render correctly. Is this an issue when using multi lingual MODx snippets?

Max]]> Photowebmax Jul 02, 2008, 01:17 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123596 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123595
Will study this when I have some time...

Max]]> Photowebmax Jul 02, 2008, 01:07 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=6#dis-post-123595 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123594
There is an excellent Wiki article on how to do it, with a few embellishments.

http://wiki.modxcms.com/index.php/Make_Multi_Lingual_Site
]]> sottwell Jul 02, 2008, 01:41 AM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123594 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123593
I think many folks stumble around at first. Almost like a right of passage if you will...

Part of that comes with searching and testing CMS systems that are new to you. I sheepishly admit that I was guilty of playing with all of them at the same time. They do function differently.

For me one of the tipping points towards MODx was this forum, especially in the early stages of my confusion. A noticeable difference from the feeling that I had while drowning in the Drupal kiddy pool: the lifeguards just did not seem to care...

I am going to start my third MODx project soon. This site will be for a talented guitar maker who is relocating to France. I need to figure out to make the site bilingual. I showed the guy the basics of MODx today. He was impressed with the manager and the ability to add content without getting his hands dirty with real code. My job will to make everything as bullet proof as I can. This project will include some custom photography by me (photographer by trade, web design is a side thing...)

As to the idea of MODx T-shirts: why not have a design contest? We have a lot of talented design guys and gals here...

Cheers,

Max]]> Photowebmax Jul 01, 2008, 08:17 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123593 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123592
- marconi]]> djembe Jun 24, 2008, 08:37 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123592 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123591
No MODx t-shirts ... yet. It’ll be nice when we have an official logo on that front to start making them.

No annual events ... again yet. We’d really like to do this but are really focusing on the 097 work and getting that out there before attacking that challenge.]]> rethrash Jun 24, 2008, 01:22 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123591 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123590
Just stumbled upon the posting you published back in December in which you describe your foray into the MODx world. Your observations and experiences resonate so closely with my own that I could not resist the impulse to comment. Just like yourself, I too looked at Joomla, Drupal, CMS Made Simple, and then MODx. And again, just like yourself, I was enticed by the design latitudes that the MODx framework offers. I thought that CMS Made Simple was also a pretty decent contender in this regard, although, in the final analysis, I think MODx is a more sophisticated product and offers degrees of freedom beyond CMS Made Simple (MODx also has a product name that you would not be reluctant to put in the footer of a site).

As a professional technical writer (who is now also into web design) I could not agree with you more about the MODx documentation. There are undoubtedly some procedural gems in there, and the forums are very helpful, but you really need to hunt around far too long in the official documentation in order to piece it all together; and often, even after countless hours of research, you still can’t ’get it’ without the assistance of someone more experienced. That being said, this problem seems to be an epidemic with many software products, and in particular, those that are open source. So, MODx is really no worse than most CMSs in this regard. But MODx is such a worthwhile product that it really warrants better documentation -- a feature that would not only propel it even further beyond its competitors, but would increase its user base, popularity, and chances for survival in the long run. It is amazing how much the overall virtue of a product is influenced by the quality of its supporting documentation.

I am still pretty new to the CMS world, and to MODx in particular (My first download was maybe a month ago), and I am happy to report that - despite some of the frustrations - I have stuck with the product. I continue to learn new things and techniques all of the time, each one coming to me like a little triumph worthy of celebration. I have a long way to go yet (lots of snippet functionalities still elude me) but, incrementally, I manage to move forward -- in large part due to support in the forums.

Anyway, I really hope that MODx sticks around and that the time comes when it is accompanied by a comprehensive and well-composed documentation resource. As a professional technical writer, I too would be willing to get involved with such an endeavor once my skill level grows a bit more -- I feel that strongly about this product. Let’s keep the MODx wave alive. I would really like to see it win another award this year too.

- Marconi

PS: Have there ever been any MODx t-shirts available?
PSS: I know that some CMS communities sponsor annual events. Does the MODx community ever do this?]]> djembe Jun 24, 2008, 12:23 PM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123590 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123589
I just came across a very useful page on the Wiki which has helped a lot too: http://wiki.modxcms.com/index.php/Beginner%27s_Guide_to_MODx

Maybe three days is a tall order, but I’m going to give it a bash. Feels like a nice challenge now that I’m a couple of steps up the learning curve.

Cheers,

G]]> Gav Jun 24, 2008, 11:36 AM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123589 https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123588
1) create the working html file;
2) copy the html into a MODx template (Resources > Manage Resources Templates tab) - note: make sure you change the file paths to the correct locations;
3) replace html tags with document variable placeholders ([*pagetitle*], [*content*]...);
4) replace menus (and other features) with snippets.
5) that’s basically it.

For additional content options you can use Template Variables.

For the form processing, use the eForm snippet to handle this. It may have been installed as part of the bundle, otherwise it is available in the repository. There are good docs in the /assets/snippets/eform/docs folder.

To learn on-the-fly and build a site in MODx in 3 days is a bit over the top. It can definitely be done in less once you have the basics down. if you have the working site coded that is a great starting point. Use the working HTML as a base for your template and go from there.]]> dev_cw Jun 24, 2008, 07:58 AM https://forums.modx.com/thread/24266/a-newby-my-observations-challenges-so-far?page=5#dis-post-123588