Form2Content Definitions
Before going into the details of the configuration and getting started with the first content there is some ‘lingo’ we would like to clarify.
Static & Dynamic Content
Every type of content is made up of static information and dynamic (or variable) information. The static information doesn’t change between the different content articles. (think of a link to Terms & Conditions or the description of tabs or maybe even some sentence like: This product (x) is made in country (y) by manufacturer (z) etc.). Naturally the XYZ content, item titles, descriptions, pictures etc. are dynamic content and will change for each article.
In general the idea of Form2Content is to transfer as much of the static content, along with the layout to the template. What is left is a list of variables which we call Artycile FIELDS. Not every FIELD is of the same type. It can be a description of a product (TEXT AREA) or simply the name of a city or company (TEXT BOX), a website address (URL) or photo (IMAGE).
Content Type
Generally websites have different types of content, think of FAQs, product descriptions, services etc. In Form2Content you can create different types of content using forms for input and templates for layout.Article Layout
The layout of your article (for each type of content) is created through HTML and CSS. This information is usually generated by a WYSIWYG editor. In F2C you can place all the code in the template thereby eliminating the use of a WYSIWYG editor (if you want).
Form2Content Template
The Form2Content template is made using patTemplate code, your Article Variables as template parameters ( etc.) HTML and CSS and Joomla Plugins. It generates the layout of your article and also allows for dynamic statements such as hide or display code depending on an Article Variable. The layout of your template can be very simple or as complex as you like.
F2C Article Manager
The Form2Content article manager replaces the Joomla Article manager but ONLY for articles generated using Form2Content. The F2C article manager can be accessed through the Joomla front-end with the option to only display the users articles. It is here where you generate your new F2C articles for your different types of content.
All articles generated in the Form2Content Article Manager will ALSO be inserted into the Joomla Article Manager as normal content.
Content Type Manager
In the Content Type Manager you can create the Input Forms for the different types of content you want on your website. After generating the name you can add different Input Fields. In the configuration you can specify default Templates, front-end access parameters and the section/category destination.
