Dulee Noted
Create a non-editable note field type for adding general weblog instructions.
Download Dulee Noted 1.1.0 (6kb zip)
This version posted June 18, 2008
Overview
This really is pretty simple. I needed a way to get generic, per-weblog instructions in the control panel. So what this extension does is to create a non-editable note field type for adding general weblog instructions. The only thing required for this to really work is the jQuery JavaScript library. You can set the path for jQuery in the settings (see below).
Changes & Updates
1.1.0
- Added update checking
- Rewrote it to use a different hook when adding info to the CP header
- Removed superfluous “Instructions” text from the boxes
1.0.8 – (31 downloads, posted 5/18/2008)
- Initial release
Settings
Upload the extension and language file. Set the path to your jQuery file and optionally change the styles of the instruction box (color, border, background image…whatever you need). You can add as many styles as you need, but there are a couple in there to get you started, including one to float images to the left. One you’re done with the settings, create a custom field (or fields), and you will see a new field type in the dropdown: “Dulee Noted”.
Make a Custom Field…or two. Or three.
This field is applied to every entry in a weblog just like a regular custom field, but there is no textarea or text input – so it’s a way to get weblog specific instructions on your entries that really appear to be more a part of the Control Panel. Have a super-long entry page? Segment your fields into areas, with some basic instructions for each area. Make a Custom Field, and select the “Dulee Noted” field type from the Field Type dropdown. Then put everything for the field in the Field Instructions. That’s it. All I’ve done is basically kill any sort of input field on this field type, and gave the instructions a nice little call-out box through some styles. I also automatically send links made in the instruction box to a new window (unobtrusively), so you can still open those links in a new tab if you wish.
Once you’ve made your field(s), Use the Field Order link to put them where you need them.
Never Forget
Never again forget that entries in your weblog are sorted by date, or that you have to remember to make an entry ‘sticky’ for it to be featured on your homepage, put in a reminder to select a category…whatever you need to remind your clients about you can put in one of these fields. As anyone who has done some tricky EE work knows, sometimes it can be tough to remember what everything does as a whole! More ideas: Put in a link to another site or to a reference file (like a PSD file for making particular images). Put a picture in there. You can already do this with a regular field, but this way the field can’t be altered, and it looks more like a part of the clients’ installation. It’s more integrated with the Control Panel.
Until EE 2.0 arrives (or even after it arrives, as not everyone will be updating every install immediately) this will serve as a nice replacement for the upcoming “Accessories” – which will serve the same purpose as this type of field, but in a much more robust way.
EE Forum Thread
You’re welcome to leave comments here, but I’ll bet most of the action is on the EE Forums. The related EE Forum thread is here.
This entry was last updated June 18, 2008.
May 18th, 2008
This looks pretty neat Ryan!
It will be great to cut down on some of the questions I get asked by clients regarding what to put where in the admin.
Good work…
May 19th, 2008
Hi Ryan,
Just wanted to say congrats on a great idea of an extension. Will try this out later today. Really great work on that!! :-)
Best wishes,
Mark
May 19th, 2008
Very very clever I can say. I really like it, too bad I’m not using EE for my projects. I will really like to use this option for my clients… Good job by the way.
July 11th, 2008
This is killer. So much better than writing comprehensive text in the standard weblog instructions field.