Just Put That In The Zip Code Field…: The Ins and Outs of Content Modeling

“Just put that in the zip code field…”

The Ins and Outs of Content Modeling

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Content management integration and consulting

Social networking integrationCustom design

Sioux Falls, South Dakotahttp://blendinteractive.com/


6 Evaluation Questions

For those of you implementing or managing a CMS-based Web site.

For those of you shopping for a CMS and comparing options.

5 Implementation Tips


Content Modeling Definition #1

The process of converting logical content concepts into editable,

storable, manageable, searchable content objects by breaking them

down into smaller pieces and


Logical Content

This is the desired end result of a content management requirement.


Content Object

An XML document

A database record




Content Fidelity

How closely does the content in your CMS resemble the logical content

you planned on?


Different systems have vastly different content modeling


Evaluation Question #1

Does your CMS allow content modeling or structuring at all?


Why model content at all?


Reason #1

Because different content types need to be STRUCTURED differently.


Content Structure Between


Content Structure Between


Reason #2

Because different content types have to be EDITED and VALIDATED

differently.


Automatic Form Rendering

Content edit form in eZ publish


Input Form Validation

Canned and custom validation in Ektron.


Reason #3

Because different content types have to be DISPLAYED differently.


Display Template Assignment

Template assignment by Page Type in EPiServer


Reason #4

Because different content types have to be MANAGED differently.


Content types often act as functional

PermissionsWorkflowNavigationSearch


URL Pattern Assignments

URL pattern assignment based on Content Type in Drupal


Permission Assignment

Permission assignments by content type in eZ publish


Reason #5

Because different content types need to be SEARCHED and ORGANIZED

differently.


Organization by Content


Content Type-specific Search

Parametric search based a content type in eZ publish


Problems due to inefficient and inaccurate content modeling

By that point, it’s often too late….


Types, Attributes, and Datatypes


Content on most Web sites can be roughly categorized

by type.

A type shares a common set of attributes and is meant to represent a

single, logical boundary around content.


NomenclatureContent TypeContent ClassSmartFormPage Type


Content Types

Content types in Drupal


Content types are made up of content attributes.

An attribute is a single, logical piece of information that, when combined with other attributes, describes a type of

content.


Nomenclature Attribute

PropertyFieldElement


Content Attributes

Content attributes in eZ publish.


Content attributes have datatypes.

A datatype restricts the type of data the attribute may hold. This enables validation and


Datatypes provide:ValidationEditing interfacesComputation


Attribute Datatypes

Content class attributes in eZ publish.


Attribute Datatypes

Page Type Properties in EPiServer


Generic Custom Fields

Custom fields in


Datatypes and Sorting

Datatypes tell the system how to treat values while sorting.


Common Validation NeedsString is requiredString is numericString matches a "canned pattern" (email address, SSN, etc.)String matches a regular expressionString falls within a list of valid values drawn from somewhere

elseString is unique to other content

Date is in the past/futureDate is in a specific range

File is of a specific typeFile is within a specific size range

Value X is conditional on Value Y (if one is filled in, the other can’t


Content Modeling Definition #2

Content modeling is the process of converting logical content concepts into content types, attributes, and

datatypes.


Implementation Tip #1

Think in terms of content types. Consider the ways different content

will need to be edited, validated, managed, searched and organized.



Does it allow you to structure content through configuration or

does it require you to write code or modules?


Code vs. Configuration

New Content Type in New Page Type in Wednesday, June 17, 2009


Be careful in re-using content types for logically different content.


Futureproofing is the process of designing your content model in such a

way that it can be adapted to new situations with a

minimum of pain.



To futureproof your content, speculate on and list scenarios in which the content might be used

now and in the future.


A Really Bad Idea

Things that shouldn’t be there:•Date•Author•Categories•Location•(perhaps) Image



To futureproof your content, do not entrap multiple logical attributes

into the same implemented attribute



Find the right balance. Don’t overstructure your content.


Datatypes



What datatypes are available to structure your content?


Datatypes are the building blocks of your content.


Strings

Simple and formatted strings in WordPress


Dates

Date entry interface in Ektron.


Binary Files

Binary file upload in Drupal (top) and eZ publish (bottom)


Repeating Properties

A repeating data table within an Ektron content object.

A one-column Matrix datatype in eZ publish.



Can you write your own datatypes or customize existing datatypes?


Custom Datatypes

Custom datatype in eZ publish



How well does it manage relational content modeling?


DISCRETE content modeling is structuring content within a


RELATIONAL content modeling is structuring a content object


Relational Content Modeling

Page Link attribute in EPIServer


Relational Content Modeling

Multiple content selection in EPiServer and Ektron


ArticlesTitleBodyAuthor[…]


Content Composition

ArticleTitleBodyAuthor[…]

AuthorFirst NameLast Name[…]

BureauName[…]


was written by

works for

is related to



How well does it handle hierarchical content?


Publication

Issue

Section

Article

Article


Content TreesThe content folder structure in Ektron

A pure content tree in eZ publish



Does it allow any inheritance of content types or values?


Content Type Inheritance

Movie Review PageTitleBodyMETA KeywordsMETA DescriptionURLStudioDirectorCastRunning TimeStar Rating

Music Review PageTitleBodyMETA KeywordsMETA DescriptionURLNumber of TracksGenreStar Rating


Content Type Inheritance

Movie Review PageStudioDirectorCastRunning TimeStar Rating

Music Review PageNumber of TracksGenreStar Rating

Web PageTitleBodyMETA KeywordsMETA DescriptionURL


Content Value Inheritance

With a pure content tree, setting a value at a specific point will cause content “below” that point to inherit the value until

These content objects will inherit

the value applied to “News,” unless they specifically override

it.


Evaluation Questions1. Does it allow the structuring of content?2. Is it via code or configuration?3. What datatypes are available?4. Can you write or customize your own

datatypes?5. How well does it handle relational content

modeling?6. How well does it handle hierarchical

content?


Implementation Tips1. Think in terms of content types2. Avoid reusing content types3. Speculate on the future uses of

content4. Do not combine logical attributes into

the same implemented attribute5. Don’t overstructure your content


Blend Interactive http://blendinteractive.com

Gadgetopia http://gadgetopia.com

Content Management and IA Writing http://blendinteractive.com/services/

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Just Put That In The Zip Code Field…: The Ins and Outs of Content Modeling