Creating and accessing content objects out of structure

Monday 31 January 2005 12:03:59 pm

Hi all,

In my view, the new EzP admin interface still has quite serious usability issues with regards to <i>how</i> to create and access basic content objects, like articles, products etc. To most users, it just isn't clear enough that content objects cannot be created without <i>first selecting a placement</i> for the object in the content structure and that later on, the only way to reaccess/edit the object, is by remembering its placement in the content structure!

A user who just wants to create an article, should be able to do so right away without regards to where the article is going to be published later on. After all, the person writing the article might very well be another than the one responsible for publishing it somewhere deep in the content structure.

To draw a clearer line between creating structure and creating content, I propose to create a new global menu item called "Content Objects" or "Content Elements" under which all content objects are accessible (and creatable) by content class. That way, the user can choose to create and access content either through the content structure or directly by class (i.e. the user can choose between a Structure first or Content first paradigm). Here is how I envision this new menu item (in Norwegian, sorry):
http://www.ajour.no/ezp/content_objects.jpg

In addition, all Product objects should be made available the same way also under the Web Shop menu item, like this:
http://www.ajour.no/ezp/product_objects.jpg

...like Eirik just proposed here:
http://www.ez.no/community/forum/developer/product_nodes_objects_under_the_web_shop_menu_item

All the best,
Vidar

Ajour Data AS
http://www.ajour.no

Tuesday 01 February 2005 4:34:33 am

"What about sites with 100k+ objects? 
Your list will become somewhat difficult to manage and use."

Smart filter and sort options would take care of that and if not, one could always opt for the good old "find it by navigating to it" way of access.

"And what about creating objects? 
Your users still have to place the new objects somewhere where it makes sense."

Why? Content objects are self contained and doesn't need a placement in the structure to exist in the system. A placement can be attatched later on (by you or someone else).

All the best,
Vidar

Ajour Data AS
http://www.ajour.no