1.
By Bryce Roberts, MS, MSPH
StoneRidge Corporation
Bryce@stoneridge.net
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

2.
• Block Based Content – 3/5
• Configurable Layouts – 3/12
• In-context Editing – 3/19
These are technical presentations on advanced
development for Cascade Server. Let‟s dive in …
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

3.
Direct Content Editing Link,
Presented on Layout
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

4.
 Define in-context editing and current
implementation in Cascade
 Issues related to block-based content with
configurable layouts and in-context editing
 Benefits of in-context editing and separating
content from layout
 General method to implement in-context editing
 Limitations of in-context editing
implementations
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

5.
<cascading>
<blocks>
</blocks>
</cascading>
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

6.
In-context Editing
In-context editing is a cycle in which content for a page is edited by linking to
the asset from the rendered display:
Select block  Click Edit Icon  Edit & Submit Changes
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

7.
 Cascade Server adds a block icon for every
system region with an assigned block.
 These block icons provide in-context editing
for all system regions
 The block can appear in unusual locations
depending on the template structure
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

8.
 Block-based content with template regions
◦ Content blocks appear with page structure block
 Confusing to some end users
 Content blocks appear identical to structure blocks
◦ Can greatly increase the number of icons on the layout
 User-configurable Layout
◦ All block content in a layout appears as a single region
◦ Must navigate to layout before going to block
BUT, Cascade Server has an elegant solution …
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

9.
Block Based Content
Content Blocks/Regions
Page Structure Regions
Unusual Block Placement
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10.
User-Configurable Layout
All Content is now a single region. Missing block icons for all content blocks in
the user-configurable layout.
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

11.
In-context Content editing
</hassle>
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

12.
 Go back to page content as a single, giant WYSIWYG
block
◦ Step backwards! – Not ideal!
◦ Why?
◦ Not easier for editing isolated content pieces
 Go back to template level layout
◦ Step backwards! – Even worse!
◦ Why?
◦ Lose all the benefits of user-configurable layouts
…
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

13.
 In-context content editing
◦ Flexible implementation
◦ Intuitive for most end-users
◦ Supports separation of layout and content
◦ Allows Cascade‟s agile nature to shine
◦ Extends Cascade‟s user interface
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

14.
 Dynamically inserted
◦ Editing link based on content blocks in layout
 Supports user-configurable layouts
 Distinctive from page structure blocks
 Improves end-user experience by associating
display with content editing. (Less guessing.)
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

15.
 Solution
◦ In-context Content Editing
 Supports page level flexible layouts
 Supports block base content
◦ Distinctive appearance – the “GREEN” pencil
 Example – Emory Interior Page
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

16.
Flexible Layout - Data Definition
No changes necessary in the data definition to enable in-context editing
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

17.
In-context Content Editing – Velocity Format
Format inserts editing link in a 0x0 div at the top of every content container.
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

18.
In-context Content Editing – Layout View
Each green pencil links directly to the edit mode of the content block.
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

19.
In-context Content Editing
Click green pencil takes user directly to content editing screen.
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

20.
How do we get here?
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

21.
Before you start …
 Utilize block-based content (1st presentation)
 Utilize user-configurable layout (2nd presentation)
 Get organized. Keep all content blocks together.
 Well developed, modular code
◦ Velocity – Macros
◦ XSLT– Imported Stylesheets
 Map tool very helpful to create
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

22.
 Decide on a „key‟ for identifying blocks
◦ Path
◦ Link
◦ Name
◦ Custom-ID
 Create content index
 Create a map tool if using XSLT
 Create easy to identify icon
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

23.
 Create Content Key-ID map
◦ Use key to associate with ID
◦ Handle duplicate keys with error
 Add in-context content editing logic to
processing code module
 Verify success with each block type
◦ Important to check position of in-context edit icon
◦ May need to adjust icons based on content block
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

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37.
 It is all about organization!
 XSLT
◦ Use import to keep the parts of your code separate
 Modularity
◦ Tools are your friend – write components!
 Map Tool
 Node Key Tool
◦ More verbose that Velocity
 Velocity
◦ Use macros
◦ Terse procedural syntax – embrace the style
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

38.
Having your cake and having
to eat it too
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

39.
 Content editing is in-context!
 More intuitive for editors!
 Overcome limitations of user-configurable
layouts!
 The best context for content editing is in-context
;)
 Requires minimal training!
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

40.
 No downside for end users, really!
 Requires minimal training
 Requires significant development to
implement
 Easier to develop in Velocity than XSLT
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

41.
Putting It All Together
Block based content
User-configurable layouts
In-context content editing
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

42.
 Block Based Content
◦ Easier to reuse
◦ Validation
More
 User-configurable Layout Productive
◦ Empower users
◦ Unlimited options
Less
 In-context Content Editing Frustrated
◦ Fixes block based content
◦ Fixes user-configurable layout
◦ Improves the user‟s experience
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

43.
I wouldn‟t be here without you
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

44.
 Emory University
◦ For being a great client whose challenging needs
and great ideas drive great solutions
 Hannon Hill
◦ For continuing to develop and add wonderful
features to Cascade Server
◦ For nurturing a wonderfully vibrant user community
 John, Kat and Holly
◦ For making this presentation possible and for all
your support of the series
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation

45.
Bryce Roberts, MS, MSPH
StoneRidge Corporation
1050 E Piedmont Rd.
Suite E-222
Marietta GA, 30062
678-391-6173
Bryce@stoneridge.net
www.stoneridge.net
© 2013 – StoneRidge Corporation