Contents display

Once contributed, there is only one way to display a content: using content blocks in nodes. Open Orchestra comes with 3 block types able to render a content, but a developer can create his own block to match his needs. The three standard Open Orchestra content blocks are:

• Content list block
• Content block
• Configurable content block

Content list block

This block renders in Front Office a list of contents matching criteria given by the setting of the block. A typical use case may be the display of short previews for an article list, or a listing of customers.

Contribution

Besides the common settings for all blocks, the content list block requires two specific types of settings:

• Criteria: These are a combination of two basic criteria. The contributor must choose a content type and/or keyword(s) to trigger the contents.
• Rendering: The contributor has two ways to render this block. He can use the standard template of the content list block or create one in the Back Office to be used in that specific context, i.e. only for that block instance in that node.

Using the standard template

To use the standard template, put the template usage on Off.

Using a “one shot” template

To use a new specific and unique template, put the template usage on On, then use the rich text area below to create the template. You can use the twig syntax. This template will be used only for that block in that node. Other content list blocks in that node or in others are not been concerned by that template.

Content block

The content block renders the content whose id is given in the page address. A typical use is to create a generic node rendering specific content detailed information. By varying the content id in the url, the same node can be used to display various articles or customer details.

For instance a node with the pattern /customer/{contentId} would be accessed in Front Office via url /customer/paul-smith and then the content block would display some information about Paul Smith. It could also be accessed via url /customer/john-anderson, and then displaying information about John Anderson.

Contribution

On this block, like on the content list block, the contributor can use the standard template of the block or create a specific one for that block/node using the rich text.

To get this block working, the node url pattern has to be set in a specific way. As the content id comes from the url, the node pattern must include the string {contentId} or the content id will not be available. For more information about this, see node configuration.

Configurable content block

The configurable content block renders a single content, chosen by the contributor.

This block type could be used to create a focus on a specific content somewhere in the page, that could not be the principal information of the page, such has a mini-block on the last product developped by the company, or the employee of the month.

Contribution

To get the block working, the contributor must first choose a content type then choose the content to display.