Category Archives: SilverStripe

SilverStripe editor need more Tags? Fix it!

HTML5, PHP, SilverStripe

SilverStripe

If you are having the problem that SilverStripe editor is striping out tags that you would like to use, fix it.

This article explains. SilverStripe uses the TinyMCE editor. SilverStripe has set up to permit you to add content to the /mysite/_config.php file and extend the tags that are accepted by the SilverStripe editor.

In the /mysite/_config.php file, add the following statement:


  HtmlEditorConfig::get('cms')->setOption(
    'extended_valid_elements',
    'img[id|class|src|alt|title|hspace|vspace|width|height|' .
    'align|onmouseover|onmouseout|name|usemap],' .
    'iframe[id|class|src|name|width|height|title|align|allowfullscreen|' .
    'frameborder|marginwidth|marginheight|scrolling],' .
    'object[classid|codebase|width|height|data|type],' . 
    'embed[id|class|src|type|pluginspage|width|height|autoplay],' .
    'param[name|value],' .
    'map[class|name|id],' .
    'area[shape|coords|href|target|alt],' . 
    'article[id|class|name|width|style],' .
    'section[id|class|name|width|style],' .
    'aside[id|class|name|width|style],' .
    'article[id|class|name|width|style],' .
    'ol[id|class|start|type]') ;

Use the format above to extend the editor to use any tags and tag attributes that you would like available to the editor. Above you see various tags and attributes being included, including HTML5 tags and attributes. You can include just the tags and attributes you believe you’ll need to support your use of the SilverStripe editor.

 

 

Having a Problem With SilverStripe FlexSlider? Fix It!

HTML5, jQuery, SilverStripe

SilverStripe

Note: You may have problems with your first installation of SilverStripe FlexSlider, there is a trick.

Have faith, the SilverStripe FlexSlider does work. The installation appears straight forward. Loading of images can be a bit clumsy, but is functional. The use of shortcode is easy, and insertion into the template files is simple. The details on loading and use of SilverStripe’s implementation of FlexSlider is at http://www.netefx.de/Silverstripe-flexslider.php.

However, there are two problem with the installation.

  1. There is a problem with one step in the instructions

    Install flexslider as explained on the page referenced above, but:

    • When the instructions tell you to add
      Object::add_extension(‘Page’, ‘FlexSliderExtension’) ;
      to mysite/_config.php, stop,
    • Run dev/build?flush=1 first,
    • Then go to mysite/_config.php and insert the line, and
    • Follow that with another dev/build?flush=1.

    If you install the add_extension() before building the database,
    you will get an installation error.

  2. Line 219 of flexslider/code/FlexSlider.php must be commented out

    The line “Requirements::javascript(THIRDPARTY_DIR . ‘/jquery/jquery.js’);” at line 219 of flexslider/code/FlexSlider.php must be commented out. This line loads jQuery.js, but, the default install of SilverStripe loads jquery.js. If jquery.js is loaded twice, jquery code becomes confused and jquery calls, such as calls to $FlexSlider() become confused and fail.

If you use the above adjustments to the documented install procedures on http://www.netefx.de/Silverstripe-flexslider.php, you should be running smoothly in no time.

 

 

Using SilverStripe – Part 2

CSS, Javascript, SilverStripe

How to Find the Administration Panel

SilverStripeFirst things first. Eventually, you will want to get to the SilverStripe administration panel. You might expect to see an admin directory in the root directory, as done on Joomla, Drupal and WordPress, but you will be surprised to see no corresponding directory in SilverStripe. The SilverStripe administration is virtual, no obvious login or index file for it in particular. To get to administration, enter

  • /admin

Voila, you have the login access to the administration area. If you are looking for the actual admin files, they are available in the /framework/admin directory.

Where to Load Add-ons

Curiously, unlike Drupal, Joomla or WordPress, SilverStripe likes to clutter the Document Root directory with all add-ons folders. Retrieve your add-on from Git and the add-on folder will be stored in the site’s root directory.

If you use a ZIP file retrieved from the GIT directory for the add-on:

  • Unpack the zip file, leaving content in their add-on directory
  • Rename the add-on directory. If the add-on directory name has “silverstripe” prepended, or “-master” incorporated in the directory name, remove the “silverstripe” and “-master,” leaving only the application name as the directory name.
  • Replace “-” with “_” if a dash has been used in the naming of the directory.
  • Copy the add-on to the site’s root directory.

If you fail to remove the prepended or appended labels, the loading of the files will fail.

If you fail to replace “-” with “_”, the content will load, but, will load incorrectly and fail to function.

How to Rebuild the CMS Control Database

If you load an add-on or make changes to the database, you must rebuild the SilverStipe site. To rebuild, enter:

  • /dev/build

How to Clear Cache

To speed site display, SilverStripe caches page content. Anytime you make changes to template files and data base, clear the cache. Clear the cache every time you add a new add-on, anytime you create a new page type (explained later), or make any change affecting database or available php or ss files. Clear cache by entering:

  • /index.php?flush=1

Where to Load Images

SilverStripe design suggests that specific content belongs in specific directories. Templates will be placed in /themes subdirectory, you images belong in the /assets. As you load content via SilverStripe, images will be loaded to /assets/upload and subdirectories you request. You may want to arrange to use /assets as the area to store all files you ftp onto your site for consistency. Expect your images stored in subdirectories of:

  • /assets/upload

Summary

  • /admin – access to the administration panel
  • / – location to store add-on directories
  • /dev/build – command to rebuild the site database
  • /index.php?flush=1 – command to flush the cache
  • /assets/upload – appropriate directory for storage of images

The next article will discuss creation of a template

 

 

Using SilverStripe – Part 1

SilverStripe

SilverStripe

SilverStripe is a CMS that is by no means the equivalent to WordPress, Drupal or Joomla, but, is worth considering for CMS projects. Drupal, Joomla and WordPress have modules/plugins and templates galore available to the developer. In contrast, SilverStripe has few plugins and fewer templates available. However, SilverStripe has all the fundamental CMS features needed to build a great CMS site, has less overhead, is a well designed object oriented engine, is very extensible and has reasonable documentation.

Out-of-the-box, SilverStripe is bare bones. While it is not difficult to load SilverStripe, to use it you need to know some “secrets.” The reason you need to know the secrets, most of the development tools are not attached to a cute interface that allows you to click your way through the development process. The backend administration area is an area that your clients would see, not a wondrous back-end that holds client interface and developer interface.

You need to know:

  • How to find the administration panel
  • Where to load add-ons
  • How to do rebuild the CMS control database
  • How to clear cache
  • Where to load images
  • How to create templates

While this all sounds like a lot of hassle, a little information can get you started and the actual processes are not all that bad. The secrets are documented at http://doc.silverstripe.com/framework/en/, but finding them takes time. This sequence of articles will summarizes the secrets while taking you through the process of creating a useful template.

Along with the above items, this sequence of articles will identify many of the other little odds and ends you need to complete the development … such as:

  • How to include css files
  • How to include javascript files
  • How to define page types
  • How to use include “.ss” files
  • What development tools are available
  • What add-ons I like to use

Use this article to create a template that adds data fields to the database, creates new administration tabs and a 3 column template.