BlockGuide

The following guide will explain the function of the Block module and how to use it.

What is Block?

The Block module is a quick and easy way to add special information, news or announcements to your website. The Blocks you add appear on the left side of your web page under the menu bar. Blocks can appear on just the Home page or every page of your site. Blocks can individually be set to show for all visitors, only registered users, or only specific groups of registered users. The Block module also makes use of the FCKEditor which allows you to format and add just about anything you want to your Block. (Note: Follow this link to learn more about the FCKEditor.)

How do you use Block?

The first step towards using Block is to go to your Control Panel and then the Content tab. From there select the Block Icon.

http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/images/wiki/Block1.png

Now that you are in the Block module, there are two tabs; New and List. The 'List' tab allows you to browse and modify previously created Blocks and the 'New' tab is for creating new Blocks. Go to the New tab first.

http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/images/wiki/Block2.png

The New tab allows you to create new blocks by simply entering a title and then adding whatever content you want to appear in the block by typing in the text field and you can change the formating with the FCKEditor. (Select this link for more information on the FCKEditor). When you are done, select 'Save New Block'.

http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/images/wiki/Block3.png

Saving a new Block or selecting the List tab will bring you to a page displaying your new Block and all of the Blocks you have made before. From here you have many options for your Blocks.

http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/images/wiki/Block4.png

  • Edit - Allows you to edit your block with the same options as when you created it.
  • Pin - Selecting Pin will make your Block visible on the Home page of your website.
  • Pin All - Selecting Pin All will make your Block visible on every web page of your website.
  • Permission - Permission allows you to choose who can see the Block once it is pinned. (More information below.)
  • Copy - Copies your Block to the Clipboard of your website.
  • Delete - Allows you to delete unwanted Blocks.

The Permission option allows you to decide which users can see the Block once it is pinned. There are three options for which visitors will be allowed to see your block.

  1. All visitors
  2. Registered users
  3. Specific Group(s)

'All visitors' means that the Block, once pinned, will be visible to everyone who visits your site. 'Registered users' will make the Block visible to users only if they are registered and signed in with your website. 'Specific Group(s)' allows you to have the Block only viewed by specific user groups of your website. To learn more, visit the User Administration Guide and the Permissions Guide.

http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu/images/wiki/Block5.png

Permissions

All modules have a set of permissions that can be set to allow a user/user group or users/user groups to have different access to each module. These options are available through the User Administration module and you can learn more about permissions in the Permissions Guide. The Block module allows you to give users none, restricted or unrestricted permission. If users are given unrestricted permission, they will be able to have full access to the module the same as you do as the site administrator. If they are given no permission, they will not be able to modify the module. Restricted access will give them limited access to the module depending on which options to the right you select for them. You can also choose if a user can delete and/or edit blocks if they are restricted.

Return to the Content Guide.

Return to the User Documentation main page.


Last modified 05/06/2008 01:05:11 PM by Matt McNaney

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