Table of Contents

Using the RocketBlog Module

This guide explains how to set up and manage the RocketBlog module, a complete system for creating and managing a blog on your DNN site. As a specialized version of the RocketDirectory system, it provides a familiar interface tailored specifically for blog posts.

Step 1: Initial Configuration

After adding a new RocketBlog module to a page, it will prompt you to configure it. The module needs an AppTheme to define its data structure (e.g., title, summary, post body), layout, and administrative interface. Click the Configure button to begin.

Step 2: Select an AppTheme

You will be taken to the AppTheme selection screen. For a blog, you will use a theme designed for that purpose.

  1. Select the Project: AppThemes-W3-CSS (the default open-source theme project).
  2. Select the AppTheme: rocketblogapi.Blog. This theme provides all the necessary templates for a standard blog, including a post list, detail view, and data entry forms.
  3. Click Save.

Step 3: Module Settings

The settings page allows you to control the behavior of your blog. It includes standard RocketDirectory settings plus options specific to the Blog AppTheme.

Standard Settings

  • Disable Cache, ECO Mode, Template, Default Sort, List/Detail Page, API Module Reference: These function exactly as they do in the standard RocketDirectory module, allowing you to control performance, select view templates, and reuse data from other modules.

Blog AppTheme Settings

The rocketblogapi.Blog theme will add its own settings, which may include:

  • Posts Per Page: The number of blog post summaries to show on the main listing page.
  • Enable Comments: An option to integrate with a commenting system like Disqus.
  • Show Author/Date: Toggles for displaying the author's name and the publication date on posts.
  • Social Sharing Buttons: Options to enable sharing links for platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Step 4: Editing Data (Creating a Blog Post)

In the module's "Edit" mode, you can create and manage your blog posts. The fields are specifically designed for blogging:

  • Title: The headline of your blog post.
  • Summary: A short teaser or summary that appears on the main blog listing page.
  • Post Body: The main content of your article, usually edited with a rich text editor.
  • Author: The name of the person who wrote the post.
  • Publication Date: The date the post should be published. You can often set this to a future date to schedule posts.
  • Tags & Categories: Taxonomies to organize your posts and help readers find related content.
  • Featured Image: An image that represents the post, often shown at the top of the article and on the listing page.

Step 5: The Administration Settings

The underlying RocketDirectory administration panel governs all directory-based systems, including RocketBlog. These settings for General, Config, Order By, Providers, and Tools apply globally and function as described in the RocketDirectory tutorial. For example, you can use the "Order By" tab to create a sort option for PublicationDate DESC and set it as the default for your blog.

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