This presentation to the ICES Social Media Learning circle is an overview of the basics of Drupal 6 for new users. Aimed at a non-technical audience, grappling with a new CMS in the workplace.

1. Introduction to Drupal
Shawna Reibling
Knowledge mobilization coordinator, CSAHS
sreiblin@uoguelph.ca x53714 @ICESGuelph
May 16, 2012

2. Outline:
•What is it?
•Why use it?
•Drupal elements and menu parts
•Tips and tricks
•Resources
•Questions

3. What is it?
•Content management system: “computer
system that allows publishing, editing, and
modifying content as well as site maintenance
from a central page.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_management_system
•Data is separate from layout
•Open source
•Drupal.org
•Example sites:
•http://www.fastcompany.com/
•http://www.economist.com/
•http://www.whitehouse.gov/

4. Why use it?
•System of choice at UofG
•Data stored in SQL database, so easy to
migrate to the next, new thing later.
•Better choice than wordpress for sites that
do more than blog
•Feeds

5. Drupal elements
•Content and layout
separate
•Different languages
control different
parts. (php for some
things, html for
others)

6. Drupal elements
•content
•Node: new unit of content
•content type: a type of content category
•Fields: what elements does the content have?
Picture? Comments? Date? Text (how long)?
•Regions: pre-defined places to put things
•Menu: site navigation
•Taxonomy: categorizing content
•Blocks: containers to put repeating content in
•Views: way to display information

7. Block Regions
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8. Drupal 6 menu parts (may vary due to permissions)

9. Tips & Tricks
• To login: <websitename>/user
• Refresh your pages
• Draw what you want, then make it
• Access to specific site areas is customizable
• Ask for help, drupal has a steep learning curve
• When asking for help, be sure to state which
version of drupal you are working in.
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10. Resources
• Powerpoint posted on: www.theResearchShop.ca/Training
• Drupal.org
• Drupalgardens.org
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11. Questions?
Shawna Reibling,
Knowledge mobilization coordinator,
College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
sreiblin@uoguelph.ca x53714 @ICESGuelph
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