Startup guide for ektron

Question

What is the best way to start with ektron? Any ebook reference and video links for novice developer.

I want to teach anatomy of ektron cms.

Many thanks, Jigar

Answer 1

Here are the webinars I would start off with, in the following order:

1. Getting Started: Developing with Ektron - this webinar is super basic, but it’s well worth going through for Ektron newbies. Covers the different installers, installation, adding content, and getting the content on the website using either Server Controls or the API. http://www.ektron.com/Webinars/Details/Getting-Started--Developing-with-Ektron/

2. The Ektron Framework API and Microsoft LINQ – this covers the new Framework API that was introduced in v8.5. The webinar covers the Framework APIs design goals, sample source, etc. http://ektron.com/Resources/Webinars/Framework-API/

3. Ektron Content Types - ContentTypes are .NET classes that are mapped to Ektron Smart Forms. SmartForms are simply structured content items (e.g. Book, Contact, Employee, etc). http://ektron.com/Resources/Webinars/Ektron-Content-Types/

4. Search Framework API - The Search architecture can be used to deliver content and go beyond simple site search. This webinar provides an introduction to the Search architecture as well as an overview of the Search Framework API. http://www.ektron.com/Webinars/Details/Ektron-8-5-and-the-Search-Framework-API/

5. Building an Extensible and Maintainable Website on Ektron - This webinar discusses what it takes to build an extensible and maintainable web application, covering the benefits of building a properly layered website and walking you through the process of building a functional website. http://www.ektron.com/Webinars/Details/Building-an-Extensible-and-Maintainable-Website-on-Ektron---Part-1/

The documentation and books I recommend

• http://documentation.ektron.com/
• http://reference.ektron.com/
• http://bit.ly/ektron-developers-guide (Ektron Developers Guide, published by WROX Press)

Ektron has a training department that offers the following courses:

• Advanced Developer Training (this is a new training)
• Intro Developer Training (this was revamped for the v8.5 release)
• Admin Training
• Custom Training

Ektron has an active developer forum

• http://developer.ektron.com/

Answer 2

I would suggest the following, in order of usefulness-

• Ektron Webinars
• Starter/demo sites, particularly the developer demo
• Code Exchange site, you can download and look at other's code snippets.
• Ektron forums, particularly the developer forum