So how do I? Building from static to dynamic.

texanrt · 2026-02-05 21:57:08

So I had to laugh. Sent in my forum registration this AM and got this return message: “You are identified as undesirable. RC : 1.” Really? Already?

I had a very early version of Textpattern so I’m not starting from scratch, but it’s been awhile. I’m just finishing up an online HTML CSS course as a refresher. I’m going back through the TXP documentation, too. I have the basic installation completed.

I’ve read a few forum posts about implementation beginning with a static page and then building in function as you determine what you actually want the page to do, and figure out how to do it. Does this still make sense? Any tips or forum topics you might suggest? Thanks, John H

Bloke · 2026-02-05 22:23:15

texanrt wrote #342523:

Got this return message: “You are identified as undesirable. RC : 1.” Really? Already?

Haha. Welcome aboard again. If it’s any consolation, I get that from time to time when I log in from behind a VPN.

I’ve read a few forum posts about implementation beginning with a static page and then building in function as you determine what you actually want the page to do, and figure out how to do it. Does this still make sense?

That’s certainly one way to do it, and is as good as any approach. For orientation purposes, Textpattern In Two Minutes gives a very very high level overview, but you probably know all that, so it’d be a refresher at best.

If I’m, ummm, paying homage to a design on the web, I’ll often scrape the entire source code of a typical page on the site and dump it in a Textpattern Page template. Then take and consolidate all its CSS into a single Stylesheet. Change the link CSS tag to use <txp:css /> and then set a Section to use the page and stylesheet I created. Viewing the site front-end should then render, give or take (possibly without images) the page.

The next step is to work out how many sections this applies to. If you want a consistent look and feel, you’ll probably find you only need two pages templates at first: one for the front-page (“default”) and one for all other pages.

I’d then look for commonality between the two page templates and copy those bits into a Form. Replace the stuff you’ve cut from the Pages with a call to <txp:output_form form="your_form_name" /> to drag the content into the page. You can tweak the forms later to replace more dynamic content, like <txp:page_title />.

When it comes to displaying article content, the <txp:article /> tag will become your best friend. Each article will be passed through the nominated form (“default” if you don’t specify one) so you can turn your attention to that and tweak the output to taste.

That should give you a leg up as you refamiliarise yourself with the way of working. Not much has changed.

texanrt · 2026-02-05 22:39:10

Thank you. That’s where I’m going to start…..

texanrt · Today 16:19:42

Getting Started

Here are a couple of early forum posts I located (there are others) and an article ( “wayback” archive) to go along with the Textpattern in two minutes overview. One of the amazing things available now is AI search — it’s definitely helped in my review — makes a great supplement to the documentation. The admin panel illustration in the article “Create a Simple Portfolio….” was the version I had years ago.

Textpattern in Two Minutes

Create a Simple Portfolio Website

Forum Thread: Textpattern for Dummies

Forum Thread: Straight Up Noob

bici · Today 17:38:04

texanrt wrote #342544:

Getting Started

Here are a couple of early forum posts I located (there are others) and an article ( “wayback” archive) to go along with the Textpattern in two minutes overview. One of the amazing things available now is AI search — it’s definitely helped in my review — makes a great supplement to the documentation. The admin panel illustration in the article “Create a Simple Portfolio….” was the version I had years ago.

Create a Simple Portfolio Website

for further updates to that wayback post see this thread and updated code files by Jakob. That updated portfolio will help you get your bearings with Textpattern .

Last edited by bici (Today 21:56:33)

texanrt · Today 20:10:46

for further updates to that wayback post see this thread and updated code files by Jacob. That updated portfolio will help you get your bearings with Textpattern .

I’m making note of all the related posts and other resources for other newbies or in my case,(re)newbies to review. I think the individual forum posts offer some helpful context. Thanks!

Textpattern CMS

Textpattern CMS support forum

#1 2026-02-05 21:57:08