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#25 2008-09-27 12:47:18

JanDW
Plugin Author
From: Providence, RI, USA
Registered: 2008-07-18
Posts: 327
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

Hello Jonathan – The RSS/Atom link both point to http://txptips.com/RSS
I think legibility has improved a lot, thank you. I’m curious what other people think.


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#26 2008-09-27 13:10:31

jstubbs
Moderator
From: Hong Kong
Registered: 2004-12-13
Posts: 2,395
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

Hi Jan, just made a few more changes. Working as I go. For the RSS feed, that is determined by the feed link tag attribute. In my form, I have this:

<li class="feed"><txp:feed_link label="RSS" flavor="rss" section="" category=""  /> - <txp:feed_link label="Atom" flavor="atom" flavor="rss" section="" category="" /></li>

I set section and category to “” because the default is the current section/category. I could set it to the “articles” section instead. Thoughts? Is it even worth having an Atom feed? Should I use Feedburner instead? I don’t know much about feeds.

Next task: Get rid of the code overflow.

Edit: Code overflow fixed, RSS feed changed to Feedburner.

Last edited by jstubbs (2008-09-27 13:32:21)

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#27 2008-09-27 13:44:42

JanDW
Plugin Author
From: Providence, RI, USA
Registered: 2008-07-18
Posts: 327
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

why does the second feed_link tag have both flavor="atom" and flavor="rss" ? I think the latter flavor overrides the atom flavor.

Far from being an expert on feeds myself – I guess Atom out of discontent with shortcomings in the RSS standard. Or so says
the invaluable guide to seeming smart at dinner parties aka wikipedia.

Often enough I see both being offered, leaving the preference with the user?
Feedburner also offers the option of having people subscribe by email, and you get to see stats on your feeds (and a boiled down version of visitor stats)

Last edited by JanDW (2008-09-27 14:04:59)


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#28 2008-09-27 13:46:04

ruud
Developer Emeritus
From: a galaxy far far away
Registered: 2006-06-04
Posts: 5,068
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

What’s the difference between TXP Tips and the HOWTOs in Textbook? Fragmentation of information does not benefit the user.

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#29 2008-09-27 14:21:01

jstubbs
Moderator
From: Hong Kong
Registered: 2004-12-13
Posts: 2,395
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

@ Jan – I just created a Feedburner account for the RSS feeds.

@ Ruud – I don’t think Textbook is the right place for code tips. As one who has advocated that the various TXP sites become one – TXP resources as plugins.textpattern.com, Textbook to docs.textpattern.com etc, this might strike you as odd, but I believe that TXP Tips and Textbook How-to’s should be separate.

In my view Textbook serves as the main reference point for TXP – how-to’s on using forms, templates and tags is all perfectly correct, and there will likely be an overlap between TXP Tips and Textbook How-to’s. However, I don’t think Textbook is the right place to post all and every type of TXP code snippets and how-to’s (in my opinion). Where TXP Tips should start is where Textbook stops – further site building tips and code examples for TXP users.

Should Textbook feature example sites using TXP? No, that’s why WeLoveTXP exists – a specialist site that does not conflict with Textbook – in effect, a complimentary site. TXP Tips should be the same – a complimentary site for TXP users to get inspiration, ideas and practical code tips.

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#30 2008-09-27 14:44:12

JanDW
Plugin Author
From: Providence, RI, USA
Registered: 2008-07-18
Posts: 327
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

Hmmm? What/Where are the HOWTO’s in Textbook? Are they the same as the tutorials?
Maybe the aim and specificity of txptips.com could be mentioned on its homepage as to distinguish it from the aim of textbook?

jstubbs wrote:

@ Jan – I just created a Feedburner account for the RSS feeds.

It’s great – if you get enough e-mail subscribers you can sell your mailing lists to malafide companies and make a fast buck. ;-)

Last edited by JanDW (2008-09-27 14:44:35)


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#31 2008-09-27 15:00:56

jstubbs
Moderator
From: Hong Kong
Registered: 2004-12-13
Posts: 2,395
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

Hi Jan, there is a small text about TXP Tips on the top right of the home page. Textbook is currently being re-organised and in its current state very useful for the listing of TXP tags, but little else.

The Textbook tutorials is here.

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#32 2008-09-27 15:09:51

Gocom
Developer Emeritus
From: Helsinki, Finland
Registered: 2006-07-14
Posts: 4,533
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

jstubbs wrote:

I don’t think Textbook is the right place for code tips. As one who has advocated that the various TXP sites become one – TXP resources as plugins.textpattern.com, Textbook to docs.textpattern.com etc, this might strike you as odd, but I believe that TXP Tips and Textbook How-to’s should be separate…

I think opposite but anyway. In example some examples can be really bad, but ppl use them as they find them from TXP tips. But what about Wiki? Yes, in wiki we all can improve tips, when TXP tips is on owners shoulders.

And why shouldn’t Tips be added to the Textbook. Information in one place is better, than it is scrattered all over the web. Searching and finding is more easier, plus now you post old tips to new place. What it does? Cause double content. What it does? Might drop (or makes the position worst) the content from SE. What it does? No one finds it.

But anyway, good site (or atleast might become) if it gets it own content with out copying other’s content with out providing links.

Btw, Tips that are taken from somewhere else, should in my opinion just be quoted and linked with information that states who did it, where and when. Remember in future ;) That is even more helpful; SE position, external linking, copyright laws etc.

Last edited by Gocom (2008-09-27 15:29:02)

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#33 2008-09-27 16:03:12

ruud
Developer Emeritus
From: a galaxy far far away
Registered: 2006-06-04
Posts: 5,068
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

jstubbs wrote:

In my view Textbook serves as the main reference point for TXP – how-to’s on using forms, templates and tags is all perfectly correct, and there will likely be an overlap between TXP Tips and Textbook How-to’s. However, I don’t think Textbook is the right place to post all and every type of TXP code snippets and how-to’s (in my opinion). Where TXP Tips should start is where Textbook stops – further site building tips and code examples for TXP users.

I was asking for two reasons:
  • the third posted tip (using forms for headers/footers) is something that I think fits very well in Textbook. Duplicating stuff makes little sense. The other two tips involve 3rd party software, so those don’t fit in Textbook (IMHO). Perhaps some of the tutorials in Textbook would fit better on your Tips website.
  • does it still make sense to leave the Howto forum open for tips that don’t belong in Textbook if such tips are all gathered on your Tips website. And are all posted tips in the Howto forum moved/copied to either Textbook or TXP-Tips or are some left behind in the Howto forum. In the latter case, users have to look in three locations (four, if we’re counting TXP.org, which also has a tips section, btw).

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#34 2008-09-27 17:49:49

jstubbs
Moderator
From: Hong Kong
Registered: 2004-12-13
Posts: 2,395
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

ruud wrote:

the third posted tip (using forms for headers/footers) is something that I think fits very well in Textbook. Duplicating stuff makes little sense. The other two tips involve 3rd party software, so those don’t fit in Textbook (IMHO). Perhaps some of the tutorials in Textbook would fit better on your Tips website.

I agree with the first part – the headers/footers could very well fit into Textbook. But should it? I am not sure Textbook is the right place for code snippets. What is in there now relating to installation and server setup is perfect. Tutorials and code tips I don’t think need to be in TXB, and yes, would be better placed in a dedicated site.

does it still make sense to leave the Howto forum open for tips that don’t belong in Textbook if such tips are all gathered on your Tips website. And are all posted tips in the Howto forum moved/copied to either Textbook or TXP-Tips or are some left behind in the Howto forum. In the latter case, users have to look in three locations (four, if we’re counting TXP.org, which also has a tips section, btw).

I think this opens up the discussion as to what the main TXP sites (resources, txp.com, textbook) should feature in terms of content. In my view, resources should become plugins.textpattern.com and feature only plugins. Any tips/tutorials that are there now should be moved to wherever makes most sense. I think you hit the nail on the head – what sh

txp.com has a very good FAQ section. Should this content not be moved to Textbook instead? Or – faq.textpattern.com. That is an actual example of duplicated content – what I have now on TXP Tips is new content.

With the new txp.com site coming, this is an opportunity to get things right for 2009 onwards. Most of the current resources tips/tutorials are quite old and from external websites. Textbook has been around for a long time and it does not have a lot of contributors – probably for a good reason.

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#35 2008-09-27 18:41:10

masa
Member
From: Asturias, Spain
Registered: 2005-11-25
Posts: 1,091

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

First of all I want to say, that I greatly appreciate Jonathan’s efforts to put together a Textpattern advanced tips resource. I do however see the point raised by others not to scatter content.

jstubbs wrote:

txp.com has a very good FAQ section. Should this content not be moved to Textbook instead? Or – faq.textpattern.com. That is an actual example of duplicated content – what I have now on TXP Tips is new content.

As a beginner the FAQ was the resource I referred to more than anything and it certainly offers loads more than Textbook’s tutorials
IMHO it would be great if these two could be merged.

As far as I can tell, the FAQ and Textbook’s tutorials focus on what’s possible to do with the core while perhaps Txp Tips should focus on how to extend Textpattern with plugins, js-libraries etc.

The How Do I…? forum should just stay the way it is, as a place for people to ask questions, dish out ideas and (hopefully) come to a conclusion. Any interesting discoveries made there could then be added to either the FAQ or Txp Tips, depending on whether they can be achieved with the core or involve plugins etc.

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#36 2008-09-27 19:17:15

jstubbs
Moderator
From: Hong Kong
Registered: 2004-12-13
Posts: 2,395
Website

Re: TXP Tips site goes live!

Hi Martin,

I think you put it very well. I am all for merging the current sites, but I think rather than talking about how my new site could theoretically duplicate content, the focus should be on consolidating the various official TXP sites.

For me, the most important site while getting to know TXP was the FAQ pages, much like Martin. TextBook hardly existed for me. Now, I only use it to check the Tag list

Personally, I think this is what should happen (I do not wish to be presumptuous towards the developers, but since the topic has been raised I think its ok to say):

  • FAQ and Textbook tutorials and how-to’s should be merged in docs.textpattern.com, or split into docs.textpattern.com and faq.textpattern.com
  • Resources site should become plugins.textpattern.com and focus solely on plugins
  • “How do I?” forum needs to stay put – its the best way to ask questions and get answers (and that is what is special about the TXP community)

Talk has concentrated on the duplication of content etc. Perhaps we should be talking instead about solutions that people like – this forum for example. We Love TXP is a great example of a site that works because it is easy and fulfills a niche task, besides being the best promotional event that has happened to TXP in the last couple of years. Hopefully TXP Tips will perform a similarly useful task – if it does not it will die a natural death and the tips gathered can be used somewhere else.

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