General Overiew

Plone has two key features that make it extremely easy for anyone to start adding content to Plone site:

1. "In-place" Editing
   What is meant by this is that users navigate to the folder they want to add content to and (assuming they're logged in), use the "add item" menu to add content. Similarly, if a user wants to modify existing content, they simply navigate to that "page" and click the "edit" tab.
   
2. A "Visual Editor"
   If you can use any of the most popular "office" programs, you can use Plone's editor to create and format web pages, it's that simple!
   
   

Adding Content to your personal folder:

1. You will need to join the site to become a Member.
   
2. Once you have logged in, you can access your folder by scrolling down to the bottom of any page on this site. From there, you will see your "personal toolbar". Click on the "my folder" link.
   
3. From "my folder" you can add different kinds of content:
• Folders (to organize content)
• Pages (regular web pages)
• Images (jpg, gif, png which can be used in pages)
  
4. By default, content is created in a state ("public draft") that allows other logged-in Members to view it.
   
5. Content can be made  "private"  by using the "state" dropdown menu and selecting "make private". Note: Site Managers can always view all content on the site.
6. To make content available to anonymous viewers (anyone who isn't logged in), it must be "submitted" (see the "state" dropdown menu) for review.
7. A reviewer will take a look and (most likely) publish the item.

For more information on adding content to a Plone site, view these pages and/or screencasts:

Using the Visual Editor (screencast)

Quick Start (tutorial)

Creating An Event (short document)

Adding a News Item (short document)

And if you want more, feel free to peruse learnplone.org.

Adding to "Plone Library Sites"

1. Plone Library Sites uses a special content type called "Location".
2. Log in (if you're not already).
3. Navigate to the Plone Library Sites / Locations Folder area of the site.
4. Click on the "add location" link.
5. Title should be the name of the library.
6. Description should be left blank.
   
7. Location minimally should be "City, State", "City, Province" or "City, Country" of the library. If you want, you may enter the full address for a more precise location on the map.
   
8. Marker Color should be as follows:
• Green for academic library
• Green for public library
• Blue for special library
• Yellow for school library
• Magenta for all others (including state/government libraries, museums, archival sites, etc).
9. Body should contain minimal information; it will show up in a "balloon" pop-up when the marker is clicked.
10. Scroll to the bottom and click the "save" button.
11. There's an extra step for Locations! Click on the "properties" tab and select a keyword for your country from the list on the left. If your country isn't listed, you can add it to the right just by typing it in. It will automatically be selected for you.
12. Scroll to the bottom and click the "save" button.
13. Last but not least, when your "location" is ready to be published, be sure to select "submit" from the "state" dropdown menu! This will let a Reviewer know that you're ready to have your Location published.
    

Adding to "Case Studies"

1. Log in (if you're not already).
2. Navigate to the Case Studies area of the site.
3. Click on the "add case study" link.
4. Note that an image (typically a screenshot of the Plone site you're writing about) is required.
5. Things to cover when writing up a "Case Study":
• What was the problem you were trying to solve?
• How did Plone help you solve it?
• What, if any, obstacles did you overcome (technical, organizational, financial, etc)?
6. You may save your Case Study at any time. Scroll to the very bottom of the page for the "save" button.
   
7. When you're ready to submit it for review, use the "state" dropdown menu and select "submit".
8. Note that other logged in Members of the site will be able to view your work in progress unless you make your Case Study "private" (using the "state" dropdown menu).

Once a Reviewer has published your Case Study, it will show up in the Cast Study listings page.

 Adding an Event or News Item to the site:

1. Log in (if you're not already).
2. Navigate to the Events or News folder.
3. Click on the "add event" or "add news item" link.
4. Fill in the information as needed.
5. Click "save" a the very bottom of the page.
6. When you're ready to have your item reviewed for publication, choose "submit" from the "state" dropdown menu.

Published items automatically show up in their respective announcement pages and portlets (those boxes on the left and right of most pages) .

Questions?

If you need assistance or run into problems using this site, head on over to the forums and let us know about it!