Categories
Description
Each post in Vanilla is filed under one or more Categories. This aids in navigation and allows posts to be grouped with others of similar content.
Each Category may be assigned to a Category Parent so that you may set up a hierarchy within the Category structure. In creating Categories, recognize that each Category Name must be unique. Thus, even if two Categories have two different Parents, they must still have different names.
Links to your Categories are, by default, shown in two different places on your forum if your are using the default Vanilla theme. First, Vanilla lists these Categories as links in your sidebar, also know as the Panel. Second, Vanilla shows all the Categories to which a given post belongs under that post in what is called post meta. When someone viewing your forum clicks on one of these Category links, an archive page with all the posts belonging to that Category, will be displayed.
This Sub-Menu allows you to Add new Categories, Edit or Delete existing ones, and Organize your Categories hierarchically.
The table of Categories contains the following columns:
- Category - The Category name.
- Description - Brief Description of the content located in this Category..
- Url - The link to where this Category is located.
- Options - Allows you to Edit or Delete a Category.
Add Category
At the top left of the Categories Table click the Add Category button. You will be re-directed to the Add Category page.
There are five pieces of information associated with each new Category: Category name, Url, Category parent, description, and Category permissions (This area consists of several check boxes).
Category setup
- Make this Category a Parent - Category parents have no permissions. You can add other Categories to the parent as a means of grouping similar content.
- Category - The name of the Category.
- Category Url - This is the location of the Category, the link or address. Clicking Edit will allow you have a different Category name in the Url. For example; If you name your Category Montreal you can have a Url that read http://yourdomain/vanilla/category/City-Of-Montreal/.
- Description - A Brief Description of the content found in this Category. Helps users determine which Category to post in.
- Permissions (Several check boxes) - You can determine how each Role can interact with this Category. For example; You can have a Role view the Category but not delete it.
Edit Category
Under the Options column click Edit. You will be re-directed to the Edit User page.
The Edit Category page consists of the same pieces of information found on the Add Category page. Here you can modify the options you chose when first setting up this Category.
Delete Category
Under the Options column click Delete Category, you will be re-directed to the Delete Category page.
When you delete a Category all posts contained within that Category will be deleted as well. If you wish to retain these posts you MUST choose a replacement Category. The Replacement Category drop down menu will allow you to choose which Category to assign the orphaned posts to. All Categories in your forum will appear in this menu.
Click the Proceed button. Your category has been deleted.
Organize Categories
You can easily change the hierarchy of the Categories by simply clicking and dragging. If you move your cursor over the Category row you will notice a "grab hand icon". Click and hold, drag the Category up or down, and let go.
Forum Settings Sub-Menu
| Edited January 2011 by Todd |