Tips & Tricks for End Users

2008 Cascade Server User's Conference 109/22/2008

Tips & Tricks for End Users

2008 Cascade Server User’s ConferenceJustin Klingman, Manager, Web Design & Content Management

Beacon Technologies, Inc.September 22, 2008


Introduction

Who am I?Beacon Technologies, Inc.– 10th-year anniversary– Automate, Grow, and Showcase Your

Business– Custom Software Development, Search

Engine Marketing, Web Design & Content Management


Introduction

My Cascade Server World– Purchased in April 2005 as “PublishXML”– Used as a Software as a Service (SaaS)– 26 customers, 65 sites, 60 total users– 2-system architecture for performance– 7 separate instances– Partner with Hannon Hill– Participate on the Product Advisory Council– Conduct end-user training


Introduction

Session geared towards both end users and managersFocusing on tips & tricks to effectively implement, manage and use Cascade ServerLet’s make this interactive…feel free to interrupt me!


Introduction

What we’ll cover:– Smart Implementations– Repurposing Content– Using Data Definitions– Integrating Scripting Languages– Managing Search Engine Marketing Efforts– Controlling Flash Applications– Documentation and Training End Users


Smart Implementations

“Plan and Think Ahead”


Smart ImplementationsTemplate Set-up

It’s tempting to create a new template for every different page look & layoutTry to keep a minimal number of templatesAdvantages:– Less to keep up with– Quicker, easier redesign

What are some ideas for consolidating the use of templates?


Smart ImplementationsTemplate Set-up

Use CSS for minor layout alterations– Example:

2 different content layouts for a site:– Page w/ Right Column– Page w/o Right Column

– How do they all run off of one template?Create additional CSS file that overrides main site CSSCreate XSL that calls CSS fileApply appropriate XSL to page using Configuration SetsSet up Asset Factory for each Configuration Set


Smart ImplementationsData Definitions

Key: Think long-term!– “How can we design this so that it can be

easily modified in the future?”Always use, even if just one WYSIWYG editor region– Can expand Data Definition to add

functionality– If not used, may have to edit 100s of pages to

apply a Data Definition in the future


Smart ImplementationsData Definitions

Try not to use one Data Definition for multiple applicationsCan be applied to each page using Content Types in 5.5.2


Smart ImplementationsMetadata Sets

Always use unique Metadata Set per siteCan be applied to each page using Content Types in 5.5.2Just like with Data Definitions, think about expansionConsider using separate Metadata Sets for Pages, Files, Folders, External LinksCreate individual Asset Factories for each type of asset per site


Repurposing Content


Repurposing Content

Gives your site users multiple formatsPublish your site in the following formats:– Print-friendly– Lite HTML / Handheld Devices– PDF, Word Documents– XML / RSS– Multiple Languages

Repurpose content across multiple pages


Using Data Definitions


Using Data Definitions

Use Target CSS to control the following attributes of your WYSIWYG editor:– Font family / size / color– Background color– Width of the content region (Firefox only)


IntegratingScripting Languages


Integrating Scripting Languages

WYSIWYG editor doesn’t play nice with scripting languages without special codeMost scripting languages can’t be run inside Cascade (exception: some JavaScript)How do we get scripting code into Cascade Server?



Use Server-Side Includes (SSI)– Allows developers full control over their code

without using Cascade– Protects code from modification, deletion



Adding SSI below the content region– Create include files outside Cascade– Create a stylesheet for each include file– Add a template region just below DEFAULT

Used to attach SSI stylesheet to pageAllows end user to maintain introductory content

– Attach appropriate stylesheet– When published, application will be displayed



Adding SSI Inline– Insert SSI within the body of content, floating

left or right, in between paragraphs– Allows more flexibility for end user to position

applications within content region– Allows end user ability to add their own

applications


Integrating Scripting Languages– End users insert an HTML module into

WYSIWYG editor that contains SSIUse CSS to create identifiable boxUse inline CSS to allow end user to specify width/height of area, alignment properties[system-view:internal] tags will prevent internal CSS code from being published

– Disadvantages:[system-view] tags show in editorModule can accidently be deleted very easily



Put scripting code in XSLAdd scripting code directly into editor without SSI– Use HTML view– <!--#START-CODE and #END-CODE– Disadvantage: code cannot be seen within

the editor, and can be easily deleted


Managing Search Engine Marketing Efforts



One of Cascade’s great benefits: producing search engine-friendly sitesControlling the <title> tag using Metadata Set– Past: Search engines relied heavily on “keyword” and

“description” metadata fields– Present: Still uses “description”, but now key in on <title> text– SEM team wanted to control <title> per page– Added custom metadata field called “SEO Title”

Added template region within <title> tagXML and XSL display standard <title> (e.g. “Company > Services”)SEM team enters different title (e.g. “Web Design | eCommerce Website Design”) to override standard title



Set up SEM template regions– Include Google Analytics scripts on each page– Allows SEM analysts to add code to a certain page,

such as a conversion tracking script or other metadata

Use Data Definitions– Add SEM-specific fields for key phrase mgmt.

Set up a separate SEM page type– Create key phrase-rich landing pages


Cascade andFlash Applications


Cascade and Flash Applications

Flash becoming more popular, but difficult to maintainBeacon’s challenge: Empower end users to maintain apps’ content, imagery, etc. using CascadeSolution:– Develop Flash app that reads an XML file– Develop Data Definitions for content entry– Publish content as XML file for Flash to read


Cascade and Flash Applications

All-Flash Site:– Site has two versions: Flash, and non-Flash /

non-JavaScript version for search engines– Build normal site in Cascade– Repurpose content:

Full HTML (non-Flash / non-JavaScript version)HTML from the WYSIWYG editor (Flash version)

– HTML is read by Flash player, creating the page– Navigation published as XML, read by Flash

to build menu system


Documentation andTraining for End Users



Create your own user’s manual– Hannon Hill Knowledge Base is great, but too

much information for an end user– Nobody knows more about your

implementation than you– Lay out like a tutorial and use screenshots– Keep it up-to-date with version releases– Takes time & effort, but end users will thank

you!



Training Tips– Walk through the entire manual using pages

they’ll use– No individual workstations (my opinion)– If possible, conduct training in-person– Slow down!


Questions?

My Contact Information:Justin KlingmanBeacon Technologies, Inc.http://www.beacontechnologies.com/336.232.5685 [email protected]