The Official MiaCMS Documents

Getting Started

Using Templates Effectively

Your MiaCMS installation comes bundled with a default template and CSS. Mia supports a number of options which allow you to change the display of the content on your site, enabling you to achieve a personalized look and feel without having to modify the template file.

The default installation with the sample data is designed to demonstrate a variety of different techniques for formatting information and displaying content. It is a virtual sampler of some of the different tools and techniques made possible by the MiaCMS system. We have included at the top of most pages ::Explanatory Text:: which helps you understand how that particular page, section or category was created.

Since our goal is to show you ways to use the system, we have not optimized the settings for the most attractive appearance. Moreover, not every site will need the same options we have selected to show you in this sampler.

As a means of extending the examples we have given, here are some changes you might want to consider to help make your site more attractive:

• * The "Top Menu" can be hidden (it's a bit redundant at present, given the choices included and how close they are to the Main Menu)
• * The "Latest News"and "Popular" modules can be hidden to give the Home Page a cleaner, simpler look.
• * Experiment with the Parameters controlling the Front Page Component to change the number of articles, columns or links that appear on the Home Page.
• * Vary the number and types of modules included in the left and right columns and make the selections relevant to the content of the pages on which they appear.

If you wish to change the colors of the template you will have to be able to use an image editing program to create new background images (which are tiled to give many of the effects on this template). Changing fonts and font colors is easier as they are all controlled by the CSS.

Note that the template files and the CSS include numerous comment tags that are intended to help make modifying the files faster and easier. The best way to learn how to create or edit Mia templates is to open one up and experiment. Make copies of the original before you start and you won't have any serious problems.

Getting the Most Out of Your MiaCMS Site

An introduction to Components, Modules & Mambots

The default installation of Mia includes a variety of features which are available for your use at the click of a mouse. Without installing any additional software, you can manage banners, set up surveys and polls, syndicate your content, and do many other common tasks.

The tools that make these functions possible are called Components, Modules and Mambots.

What is the distinction among Components, Modules & Mambots?

• * You can consider a Component as a full application that runs inside Mia. Components extend Mia and give it extra functionality. The output of a component is displayed inside the main content area.
• * Modules are smaller, generally “helper” applications. Some run autonomously, others work in cooperation with Components. They are generally displayed around the edges of the main content area, in places defined inside the templates (called “module positions”).
• * Mambots are small pieces of code that enable a new feature across the entire site. There are two types of Mambots: Those that have a visual effect (like ), and those that affect the way Mia behaves but without adding any true visual impact (like the search Mambots).

Just to make things a bit more confusing, sometimes a function will require a combination of these tools. For example, the Banners and the Polls functions include both a Component and a Module. While the technical distinction between these items is useful information, the most important points concern what they can do, and how you can use them. To assist with that, we have provided below a quick summary of the Components and Modules bundled in your Mia package.

A Quick Overview of the Bundled Components:

1. Banners: Controls the Banner ads on your site. This component allows you to manage the banners, while the display is handled by the Banners Module.
2. Mass Mail: Allows you to send email to all registered users.
3. News Feeds: A tool for managing News Feeds (RSS) to display on your site.
4. Polls: Allows you to create a Poll (Survey) for the visitors to your site. Works in conjunction with the Polls Module.
5. Syndicate: Use this component to format the RSS syndication of your site’s contents.
6. Web Links: A component for creating and maintaining a “Links” page for your site.

A Quick Overview of the Bundled Modules:

Mia provides for two types of Modules: Site Modules and Administrator Modules. The difference between the two has to do with where the modules are displayed. Site Modules are displayed on the front end of the site, visible to your visitors. Administrator Modules are visible only when logged into the Administrator system and are primarily intended to make the Admin interface friendlier and more useful. We discuss here only the Site Modules. If you wish to learn more about the Administrator Modules, please visit our Help Site.

Site Modules:
1. Banners: The Banners module will display banners from the Banners component.
2. Main Menu: This is the module that controls the menu on your site named “Main”.
3. Latest News: This module shows a list of the most recently published Items.
4. User Menu: This is the module that controls the menu on your site named “User”.
5. Other Menu: This is the module that controls the menu on your site named “Other”.
6. Login Form: This module displays a Username and Password login form.
7. Syndicate: The Syndicate module will display a link whereby people can syndicate your site contents (typically via RSS).
8. Statistics: The Statistics module shows information about your server installation and statistics on the web site.
9. Template Chooser: The Template Chooser module allows a visitor to change the site template on the fly from the front-end via a drop down selection list.
10. Archive: This module shows a list of the calendar months which contain Archived items.
11. Sections: The Section module shows a list of all Sections configured in your database.
12. Related Items: This module displays other Content Items that are related to the Item currently displayed.
13. Wrapper: This module will display an iFrame window in a specified location.
14. Polls: This module compliments the Polls component. It is used to display the Polls.
15. Who’s Online: The Who's Online module displays the number of users that are currently accessing the web site.
16. Random Image: This module displays a random image from a directory.
17. Newsflash: The Newsflash module randomly selects one of the published items from a category upon each page refresh.
18. Popular: This module shows a list of the currently published Items that have been viewed the most.
19. Top Menu: This is the module that controls the menu on your site named “Top”.
20. Search: This module will display a search box.

A Quick Overview of Mambots:

As Mambots are a bit more technical, we ask that you refer to the Help site to learn more about what these are and how you can extend the functionality of your site through the use of Mambots.

How Do I Install Additional Components, Modules or Mambots?:

Mia users enjoy access to a wide variety of extensions for their sites. Many are free, others are commercial. All can be installed easily by anyone, without the need for programming skills.

Where Can I Find More Information?:

• * Team Mia maintains a useful Help site: http://docs.miacms.org
• * A wide selection of free Components, Modules and Mambots can be found all over the Internet.
• * Visit our Forums to get answers to questions and to discuss Mia issues with the community: http://forum.miacms.org

FrequentlyAskedQuestions