I & Drupal

What we need for the successful study of Drupal

sherskova — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:55:51 +0000

The reason for writing a post about the approach to the study of Drupal and the importance of specific knowledge served as a commentary by one of my readers, Andrew. He ask me:

The first question that I want to ask, is the approach to the study of Drupal. I often skim read manuals and articles, focusing mainly on the key words, and try to catch the essence. Then it turns out that I missed something important. And how come you to read manuals? Are there any features in the study? It would be interesting to learn about it.

Second question: How important is a good knowledge of the English language? Will the gradual learning of words that make up the interface of Drupal from the main menu and continue branches?

The third question is: What are the related subjects would be useful to learn in addition to programming (PHP, MySQL, etc.), layout (HTML, CSS, etc.) and design (photoshop + ability to paint.) That is, I want to find something fundamental, which will help all at once. Maybe talent helps you and it is enough. But is there anything else important? (For example, yoga helps someone to concentrate and in domestic affairs and programming, and other cases.)

How to learn Drupal?

Did you know how to learn to swim? Thrown into the water - and swim, as you like. I have the same story with Drupal. My husbend set the task for me: pull design on Drupal 6. Like it or not, you should do it. I was horrified by Drupal. This seemed to me very uncomfortable and confusing. I was angry and swore, but there was no choice. So, I sat down and made theme for Drupal.

What about learning Drupal in general? I like to experiment. If I know what should be in the end I'm trying to get the desired result. If I can not do it I slightly change my requirements or seek a solution to the problem.

When I start learning Drupal, I often made anything by screencasts, video and manuals step by step. Now I watch or read the manual just to understand the logic of actions.

Вот эта картинка - наглядно все демонстрирует. Спасибо сайту whydrupal.ru. Я с этой таблицей абсолютно согласна.

Note 1. Professional in web-development means a person who earns money in websites development, and it does not matter what it is he does - programming, layout, design, promotion or project management.

Note 2. Scheme may not reflect the individual person's situation, since factors influencing the ability to learn Drupal is much more. So, considering all of them in one scheme impossible.

The main source of information about Drupal for me are sites and blogs of other Drupal developers. Every time I use Google search for serch solutions of my problems with Drupal.

Most of the tasks in Drupal-development can be solved in many methods. And all these his methodse will be correct. So, you can try different methods and make your own choise. When you're ready enough to do the following tasks will be easier. Do not be afraid of experimenting. But make it on localhost or dev-server. For example, i have 2-3 domains on drupal hosting to test my solutions in real environment.

What knowledge and experience needed to work with Drupal?

For professional web development you should know PHP, MySQL or another databases, HTML, CSS. It's very good if you know and can use Javascript, jQuery and other web technologies. That's all. I have not magic knowledge for drupal-development. Of course, you should have logic!

Everything else is your character and personal characteristics. If you do not have the patience, perseverance or motivation - it is necessary to solve these problems. To lift the mood, I recommend fitness. After a workout, the mood lifted and head works better.

To be honest, I still have a little secret :) Drupal for me like as Lego in my childhood. You can collect what is drawn in the diagram, and it is possible to show imagination and make the helicopter or submarine. The process of developing a site for mу is a very creative process, I present a visual part of future website and this functionality. And I really like it!

P.S. I will not write about Andrew's question about knowledge of english languge. Because if you read this post you have not same problem. If you have problem with english and russian languages, you can translate this for your native language by Google Translate.

Рубрика:

Learn Drupal

Sunset on Koh Samui in Thailand

sherskova — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:54:16 +0000

Oh, the air of Asia! This chemical mixture has it all! Blood, sweat and tears and pedicabs of motobikers, crying dervishes in Mecca, the stench makashnits Hare Krishna and aroma of incense, dense moist air Indochina, smells terrible and wonderful Chinese and Indian cuisine, ambre hashish and intelligent, barely perceptible shades of aromatic oils in the Middle East and more. .. God knows what. A Taste of oxygen in European airports. He is lifeless, air conditioned, it killed all the computers. There are no molecules of life. Only correct, repeatedly proven air filtration system. In the words of Sharikov: "Clean as a streetcar."

Have fun

Paradise Park Farm on Samui Island, Thailand

sherskova — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:21:20 +0000

Language English

From Paradise Park Farm is quite possible to start exploring the island of Koh Samui. Stunning panoramic views, the ability to communicate with animals and birds, to feed them, to plunge into the tropical nature, and at the same time take a dip in the swimming pool with panoramic views and enjoy Thai cuisine in a cozy restaurant - the beauty of a tropical island in one. Walking on the neat paths pass through the spacious aviaries and animals know - that he's paradise. Breathtaking variety of colors and beauty opening panoramas.

Фотографии:

Greeted visitors to the park colorful pigeons.

Parrots for me - a special joy. I'm very like them :)

But this - a very shy with him for corn kernels - buried beak feathers shy.

All parrots can be fed. They will not give up any of the seeds or from corn or from bananas. One got angry - nipped my finger.

Middle of the road sat thoughtful monkey - tease little rabbit.

Angry birds

Monitor lizards have been very pleasant to the touch: warm, soft leather. Not that any snake.

While we were talking with parrots and reptiles, monkeys grabbed an armful second bunny. I understand it - cute furry creatures as not to cuddle :)

You can walk in the park all day. The tracks pass through the animal enclosures. Deer, it turns out, a very respected bananas. One bravest blocked our way, and demanded supplements. Peel of banana carefully spat.

In the next cage sad lonely horse. Regaled her banana.

In another enclosure ostriches. Crept past them carefully, without attracting attention. Just in case - a blow at them hoo!

In Paradise Park Farm vast territory. A tropical garden in which you can walk for a long time. We had limited time, and haven't time to see all park. So, it's reason come back to Paradise Park Farm :)

Beautifull Tea rose

Peacocks strolling through freely. Beautiful creation, but how nasty voice!

Parrots staged showdown between them. Chattered loudly and delighted the audience shows.

Lastly fed budgies. This is where a grateful audience! Sit on your hands for 10 pieces at once. The mood lifted :)

In general, I recommend visiting here. Bright emotions guaranteed!

Рубрика:

Have fun

Изображение:

My 8 reasons to keep writing the blog

sherskova — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 07:51:42 +0000

Perhaps every blogger know that feeling when you want to close the blog. It can be attack of creative crisis, there is not enough time or seems that your posts aren't wanted? The reasons are varied. So are you sure that saying goodbye to your blog, you will not start to miss your blog? I close my blogs bacause I was shue that it isn't interesting and I have nothing to say. One of the first my blogs I did sold. But this blog is dear to me. And I have exactly 8 reasons to continue.

1. Make way for new thoughts and ideas

The best way to free up your head from intrusive thoughts - set them on paper. Well, in my case on the blog. Whether it's a search for solutions to the problem when building a website or want to share emotions.

2. Structure the knowledge and experience

Often I have same situations: I was fascinated by the process (for example, creating a new site), looking for solutions, modules, sort out the problem. All of this doesn't fit into a logical chain of actions, and turns into chaos. And next time when you have to solve a similar problem - I can't repeat same action. Describing the process of work or solve a particular problem, I build my knowledge and practical experience in a logical and clear scheme. And next time, I already know what to do, and if forgotten something - I can refer to my notes. It has often helped me in my work.

3. Find the answer to its own question

There is an anecdote: "My cat is well versed in programming. Need only describe problem to her, once it becomes clear"? So, the blog - as this cat. While writing the article, looking for a solution, studying materiel - most incomprehensible falls into place and becomes clear. "Oh my!", how can I just-do not know that? - The most popular result of the written proceedings. Again, describing his search for the truth to others, he looks at his own troubles as if from outside. And see the obvious things that you didn't see in focus before.

4. Be in trend

When I prepare material for new post in blog I growing up and take expiriens in professional sense. Technology changes rapidly, search engines are introducing new algorithms, new tricks and capabilities - I nedd to be watched for all this. And I go to conferences, talk to colleagues, read blogs of similar subjects. In general, there is no time to get bored.

5. Tickle the Ego

Anyone Egoist. And I'm too. I was pleased when my opinions are interested, when my readers ask me for advice. Doubly pleased to know that I helped someone, and people wanted me. It would be possible to allocate a separate item on the blog readers and commentators (and for be fair this reason should have been the first of checklist), but I will not deceive anyone - it's like scratching author's Ego :)

6. Meet interesting people

During the time while I'm blogging I met many interesting people. Sometimes it's fleeting acquaintance, a limited dialogue on Skype, and sometimes more than that. Do not presume to say friendship, but a sincere dialogue.

7. Declare about myself

Professional growth of the blog author (resulting in particular from paragraph 4), communication in professional circles and knowledge of his topic - the best way to identify yourself as a professional in your field. Came from a blog client proof.

8. Make money

Blog it's great opportunity to earn money online. From the sale of links to direct sales.

These 8 reasons are convincing enough for me. I would add two more to get the canonical "10 reasons". But I think 8 compelling reasons better than 10 abstract.

Be Blogger

Обязательно почитайте и эти статьи:

My another post about bloggin and writing the first post in new blog. How to start new blog and write first article? Awesome answer - write from the soul!

Sherskova.ru blog is 2 years old!

sherskova — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:23:00 +0000

Ooops! Only now I discovered that two days ago my favorite blog sherskova.ru (sherskova.com for english language version) is 2 years old.
I had a very busy year... And now i reproaching myself for rarely wrote and didn't even half of the plan. Well, we'll correct!

Relocating the English language is still the beginning. While it is difficult for me, but it is a great experience to learn English.

In the near future I have written articles about Views exsposed filters, Panels module, use and configure the Amazon S3 module, as well as reflections on blogging, SEO and the plight of aspiring entrepreneurs :) A major goal for the next year - make full English version of the blog, return to the regular publication of articles, to raise attendance to 1,000 unique visitors, and, of course, join the ranks of subscribers :)

Thank you, my friends, for reading and commenting. Stay tuned!

Have fun

Drupal development is in your hand

sherskova — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:19:26 +0000

Every job must be paid.

Few people would agree to work for free, only enthusiasm would not be enough. You can get a lot of things for free but what will be the quality of this freebie? How much time you spen waiting for somebody to do work for you for free (eg your friend, who had promised to do for you not very difficult site for free of charge)? Do you respect the time, energy, and ability of a man who does anything for you? Payment for work - perfect motivator able to improve the expected outcome and the rate of its receipt at times.

What's the Drupal?

Drupal it's free product. So why we speak about Drupal in this context? We install Drupal on many sites and we have instant acsess to thousands of modules and themes. Often free drupal projects made by contributors for free to attract audience to rheir pay-ins projects for drupal especially premium themes. But this sis particular cases, confirming the facts. So we take for granted the fact that Drupal with all its additions free for drupal-developers. But we often use Drupal to make money.

When you developing site for youself or your client you find module that solves your problem on current site but your rejois broken: this module unstable, buggy or conflict with over modules used on this site. You write bug-report, ask developer of projec fix or list suggest how to solve problem. But your appeal to the author of the project remain unanswered. Insulting, isn't it?

Man who support project owes nothing. And for you too. There is no donation practice in Russia. Rare cases, but in general voluntarily pay for the free stuff no one wants. Man work hard and he have't time. In most cases, the reason for the slow development of the module - the lack of time and motivation. So if you provide the motivation and the time can be found?

Who is to blame and what we can to do?

As they say, there is always solutions. Someone inject advertising in free product. Others attracts sponsors and puts on donate. To my mind we have more efficient and effective solushhen - сrowd funding. And we have сrowd funding project for Drupal – PatchRanger.com. It's great idea! And it should be (as a culture and donate kraudfandinga in general) to develop and introduce to the masses.

What the PatchRanger can offer to developers?

PatchRanger.com offer crowd funding of kernel and module patches. It allows developers receive money directly from drupal community. And it's good extra motivation to active development and improvement of their modules. Also developers get the actual data that the user needs at the moment. Applications, which are scheduled for greater reward, have a higher priority.

What the PatchRanger can offer to drupal users?

Everyone can pay small amount of money and receive quick response to his request and solution as result. In general we get accelerate Drupal development and its infrastructure (modules and themes) and also increasing product quality. I think everyone agree that it's important for community.

At this time PatchRanger.com can't bosat convincing results. This service need activity be drupal developers and users, people who know the price of their own and others' work. Project activity is not enough: still no application through this service is not closed, and the total amount of rewards - just $ 7. But we understand that everything is in our hands.

Patchranger's administration publish statistics on the core and most popular modules weekly. The picture is more than obvious: the number of outstanding requests is steadily increasing and most of them hanging in the open status. And this picture, in my opinion, it is time to change. That offers PatchRanger.

If we can do our favorite Drupal and the community better - why not try it?

Рубрика:

Learn Drupal

Бриф на создание сайта

sherskova — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:27:13 +0000

Просим Вас указать ответы на приведенные ниже вопросы брифа. Ваши ответы позволят максимально точно сформулировать задание по дизайну, разработке и развитию Вашего проекта.

Вы можете проигнорировать вопросы, которые кажутся непонятными или не имеют точного ответа.

Информация о компании

Полное и сокращенное название организации *

Сфера Деятельности *

Краткое описание сферы деятельности компании. Характеристика основных товаров/услуг, их количество.

Контактная информация *

Укажите возможные способы связи с Вами (e-mail, skype, icq и т.д.), имя и отчество, а также должность контактного лица.

Сайты конкурентов

По возможности, укажите адреса сайтов ваших основных конкурентов.

Ваши преимущества перед конкурентами

Например: цена товаров/услуг, качество, клиентская база, опыт и т.д.

Маркетинговая составляющая

Целевая аудитория

Для более полной характеристики целевой группы вашей компании опишите следующие аспекты: географический - страна, регион, город, район города (для крупных городов); демографический - возраст, пол, национальность, семейное положение, образование, род занятий, уровень доходов, возможные интересы и увлечения; психографический - образ жизни, тип личности, принадлежность к общественным и социальным классам.

Цели и задачи, которые должен выполнять сайт

Например: увеличение потока клиентов, вывод новой продукции на рынок, расширение клиентурного рынка, повышение и/или поддержание имиджа, увеличение продаж с помощью сайта, "просто так", "у всех есть, и я хочу"

Дизайн сайта

Общий стиль сайта

Например: стильно, солидно, просто, минималистично, креатив, техно, граффити и т.д.

Цветовая гамма

Если это необходимо, укажите желательные и/или обязательные цвета, если есть - нежелательные цвета. Можно также указать цвета фирменного стиля, если таковой имеется у организации.

Примеры сайтов

Адреса сайтов, дизайн которых вам нравится и удовлетворяет требованиям вашего проекта. Обязательно укажите для каждого сайта что понравилось/не понравилось. Оценивать можно такие параметры, как цветовое оформление, графические элементы, расположение и структура материала, навигация, конкретные детали в оформлении сайта.

Необходимые графические элементы

Графические элементы, разработка которых необходима: логотип, товарный знак, символ, персонажи для сайта, фирменная атрибутика, уникальные иконки, фотографии (позиций каталога, моделей и др.).

Комментарии и пожелания к дизайну сайта

Каким дизайн сайта не должен быть, по вашему мнению.

Структура и содержимое сайта

Концепция

Требуется ли разработка оригинального сценария для подачи материалов или же сайт носит исключительно информационный характер?

Тип подачи информации

Например: корпоративный стиль, строгий стиль, развлекательный стиль, свободный стиль (блог), комлексное решение. Простые геометрические фигуры, тщательно прорисованные образы, псевдообъемные элементы.

Разделы сайта

Перечислите основные разделы сайта.

Информационный акцент

На каком разделе/странице/товаре/услуге следует сделать акцент.

Имиджевые материалы

Требуется ли разработка оригинальных имиджевых материалов - видеороликов, анимации (флеш), музыкального сопровождения, фотографий?

Заполнение сайта

Кто будет заниматься наполнением сайта? Понадобится ли Вам наша помощь в заполнении каталога товаров, размещении текстовой и графической информации? Потребуется ли для вашего проекта написание статей и/или текстов для целевых страниц либо будут использоваться материалы, предоставленные вами?

Технический аспект

Домен

Укажите домен сайта, если он уже зарегистрирован для вашего проекта. Нужны ли будут поддомены?

What's going here? Birthday blog sherskova.ru - 1 year!

sherskova — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:55:53 +0000

About a year ago I started this blog in Russian. A year has passed, that the water flowed, and there is still unbroken waterfalls. Global upgrade the blog has planned to a New Year, but asoften happens, things didn't go according to plan, and update the blog just took a birthday blog. However, this is a much more successful occasion, right? English version of my blog - the perfect gift for the first birthday, isn't it? But translation all articles will take some time - I'm not very strong in English, don't scold me for mistakes ;)

We are waiting for a whole year ahead, plans a lot of interesting ideas. So... Happy birthday my blog! :) And welcome to comments-party!

Have fun

Write from the soul

sherskova — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:24:42 +0000

It would seem that you need to write complex in the first post in the new blog, with a talent and experience of at least 7 blogs? Especially because the blog is not hard to do - buy a domain, put a wordpress or drupal (there could be as you want, you may prefer a different cms, or even its own engine nappishete), configure the modules Temko place suitable, and write from the heart. But no, it was not there.

With practice, one becomes aware of the importance of blogovodstva first post in the blog. From it really depends a lot, by analogy with the fact that "the ship will call, so it will float." Brightness, creative, unusual approach and format especially appropriate here as never before.

In addition, the experience is a growing sense of perfectionism. The new blog should be perfect. At the very least - to seek ideal. And surely it must be better than the last. And here it turns out that the first post isn't an easy task.

Cheers, chewing problems, goals, and his alleged position, views of the author or authors - is banal and often are not interested. Hot topic - good, but if a week all about funny things with galdeli by Yandex and Megafon, start a blog with this topic is not worth it.

Hot topic - good, but if all the week to discuss curious things with a Yandex and Megafon, start a blog with this topic isn't good idea.

First of all, this is not news, not to attract attention. And secondly, the feeling may arise, if the blog was created simply because they all have. Like, I then worse, though I would have. But what to write on it for sure is not known.

As an option - start with the bat. It is quite a good option, but then this post will still be first and he still has to be a masterpiece:)

Yesterday tried to write this very first post. And to present you today is something new, bright and interesting. But perfectionism won the first post was not born, although it was a very creative mood. At dawn, in a chair with a laptop on the balcony ... Silence, fresh air and my cat jumping around. The best situation that can be found at home in the summer :) So the new blog is waiting for the new morning, when the first post, written in one breath and the heart.

Be Blogger

Media Gallery + Colorbox - flipped photos in colorbox

sherskova — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:43:29 +0000

As we know, in Media Gallery photo in colorbox opens on a separate page when you click on it. Therefore many readers ask: how to make photo opens in same colorbox window when you click?

And here's the solution:

In file sites/all/modules/media_gallery/media_gallery.theme.inc finddunction template_preprocess_media_gallery_media_item_thumbnail (aproximately 108 line) construction

if ($lightbox) { $element['file']['#attached']['js'][] = drupal_get_path('module', 'media_gallery') . '/colorbox-display.js';
$element['file']['#attached']['library'][] = array('media_gallery', 'colorbox'); }

replace by this code:

if ($lightbox) { $element['file']['#attached']['js'][] = drupal_get_path('module', 'media_gallery') . '/colorbox-display.js';
$element['file']['#attached']['js'][] = drupal_get_path('module', 'media_gallery') . '/colorbox-behavior.js'; 

Then create in module's folder file colorbox-behavior.js and place this code:

    (function ($) {
    Drupal.behaviors.initColorboxDefaultStyle = {
      attach: function (context, settings) {
        $(document).bind('cbox_complete', function () {
        $('.lightbox-stack .gallery-thumb-inner a').click(function(e) {
            e.preventDefault();
            $.colorbox.next();
          });
        });
      }
    };
     
    })(jQuery);

Рубрика:

Learn Drupal