Book review - Building Websites with ExpressionEngine
Posted by Rob on 07th Mar 2009 in ExpressionEngine
If you’re new to ExpressionEngine it can be hard find that “lighbulb moment” when it all clicks together and you realise how powerful it really is. Fortunately, Building Websites with ExpressionEngine 1.6 aims to provide an easy to follow guide to building your first EE powered site.
Who’s this book aimed at?
- Anyone who is new to ExpressionEngine
- Anyone new to Content Management Systems
- Anyone wanting a quick start with EE
- You’ll need a working knowledge of HTML and CSS and the ability to hand code
Overview
Building Websites with ExpressionEngine 1.6 follows an exercise based approach where you build a sample site. Every chapter is described in great detail with step by step instructions and screenshots, and what’s particularly impressive here is the amount of detail the author has added.
The book covers everything from installing the software, templates, posting entries, and working with modules such as Members, Calendar, Photo Gallery, Forum, Simple Commerce and the Wiki. Additionally it also includes details on how to set the site up on your local machine using XAMPP.
Note: the book refers to the full commercial version of EE. You can use the free Core version but some modules may not be available.
Getting stuck in
The first thing you’ll want to do is download the sample code and images that are used in the exercises – you’ll find the web link at the end of Chapter 1!
The sample site you’ll build is about Toast.
(I didn’t see Marmite mentioned but I’ll let them off!)
After you’ve installed EE using the detailed instructions, the next chapter deals with the basics of setting up a template and posting your first entry. These two things are key to understanding ExpressionEngine and once you’re mastered those concepts the rest usually falls into place.
It’s all in the detail
In all chapters you’ll find lots of tips and information, and plenty of screenshots showing you what you should be looking at and what to click.
The author provides all the HTML and CSS code needed for the sample Toast site, and also gives you lots of extended information about the code so you can understand what’s going on. Even better, you’ll find many EE related hints and tips where appropriate – nice touch!
As you work through the chapters you’ll learn how to set your site up for many different content types, not least;
- Creating pages
- Adding search
- Building a product catalogue
- Creating a navigation menu
- Adding an event calendar
- Creating a member based site
- Creating a Photo Gallery
- Running a Discussion Forum
- Selling with SimpleCommerce
- Setting up a Wiki
Unlike some other excellent books that are aimed at the intermediary or advanced EE developer, Building Websites with ExpressionEngine 1.6 doesn’t assume any pre-knowledge apart from a reasonable understanding of HTML and CSS, and that makes it an good read to help you get your “lightbulb moment”.
Chapters
- Introduction to ExpressionEngine
- Getting Installed
- Start Posting
- Creating and Easy to Maintain Website
- Create an Advanced Weblog
- Members
- Creating a Calendar
- Creating a Photo gallery
- Other Modules and Functionality
Summary
This is a wonderfully detailed book and a perfect reference for anyone new to ExpressionEngine. The level of detail the author goes into is simply outstanding, and you won’t be left guessing when following the tutorials.
You can get the book in real feely touchy version or as a PDF
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