Working With Mambo
Providing Downloads
While there are some download or library managers for Mambo, most may not
work on Active Web Hosting servers due to the fact we keep 'safe mode' activated.
However, you can create a simple, yet useful download system using Mambo itself,
without any extra components, modules, etc. This method may also be preferred as
it also lets you control what files are available on your site. Remember, you
are responsible for any and all content provided on your domain.
Setting Up A Download Area
Log into your web server and create a directory called files. Create a
subdirectory for each category (or download area) you wish to add to your site.
Finally upload files that you want to put in each category. The reason we put these
files on your web server and not on your CGI server is because there are some
file types that are not allowed on the CGI server.
In the Mambo Administration area, go to
Content -> Section Manager.
Click on the New icon at the top of the page.
Type in Downloads for both the Section Title and the
Section Name.
Click the Save icon at the top of the page.
Go to Content -> Category Manager.
Click on the New icon at the top of the page.
Type in a name for your category for both the Category Title and
Category Name. The name should be one of your subdirectories you created
in the above step in your files directory on your web server.
Choose Downloads from the Section drop town box.
Click the Save icon at the top of the page.
Adding A Category (Download Area) Page
Go to
Content -> All Content Items.
Click the New icon at the top of the page.
Type in a title (and title alias) for the page. This is what will show up on
the page and in the list of content items. Note that this is the name of the
program or downloadable item (not the filename but the name of the Program or
downloadable item).
Choose Downloads for the section, then choose a category.
While it might seem like it would be easiest to create you pages with Mambo's
built-in WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, it's probably best to
enter the code using plain HTML. To do this, click on the HTML icon which
is located in the toolbar above the text box, the last icon in the second row.
This gives you a plain text editor to work in. Type in the following code to
start. Note that highlighted areas you should replace to fit your specific page.
<p align="justify">
Put your discriptive text here. You can explain what the download is for, how
to use it, whether is freeware or shareware, or a demo. And where to register or
order.
</p>
<!-- Add A Screenshot Here -->
<a href="http://www.yourdomain.com/files/your_category/your_screenshot.jpg" target="_new">
<img src="http://www.yourdomain.com/files/your_category/your_screenshot-thm.jpg" border="0" alt="Screenshot Description">
</a><br>
<b>Downloads:</b><br><br>
<a href="http://www.yourdomain.com/files/your_category/your_download.zip">
Type in the filename or Program Name and version</a>
[(filesize) K]<br>
Note the areas in red need to be changed to match your path to your downloads
and filename of your downloadable file and any screenshots. You can add more
download links for other versions if you wish. This is just a basic example of
a download page. You can design your download page any way you wish.
Click the Update button at the lower right of the editor window when you
are done. Don't worry if your screenshot images do not show up in the WYSIWYG
editor. They most likely will not. Finally, click the Save icon at the
top of the page.
Tip: When you edit your content page for any one program, you can also set up other
parameters and features which will be on the right hand side of the page you're
editing. This includes setting up meta data for search engines and whether or
not to place the information on the front (main) page. If you place this on the
front page, you may want to put the description in the top text box and the rest
of the page in the bottom text box.
Create A Menu Item To Your Downloads Area
Go to Menu -> mainmenu. Click on the New
icon at the top of the page.
In the Content area on the top left, find Table - Content Section
and click in the circle to the left of it. Click the Next icon at the
top of the page.
Type in Downloads for the Name.
Click on Downloads from the list of Sections.
Parent Item should remain top.
Select your access level.
On the right in the Parameters, find Category Description and
change that to hide.
Change the following to hide: Date Column, Author Column, Hits Column,
Table Headings, Navigation Bar, Order Select, Display Select, and Filter.
Click the Save icon at the top of the page.
Refresh your new page and click on your Downloads link in your menu.
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