Mambo: Your visual blueprint for building and maintaining Web sites with the Mambo Open Source CMS [Paperback]

Ric Shreves (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470040564 | ISBN-13: 978-0470040560 | Publication Date: July 12, 2006 | Edition: 1

Welcome to the only guidebook series that takes a visual approach to professional-level computer topics. Open the book and you'll discover step-by-step screen shots that demonstrate over 220 key Mambo techniques, including:
* Installing and configuring Mambo
* Changing time and language settings
* Editing the CSS file for a template
* Managing site users
* Creating sections and categories
* Linking a Content Item to a menu
* Adding images and media to Mambo
* Using Modules to embed content and links
* Installing features manually or automatically
* Working with Mambots

"I've read a number of your programming books, and they've really helped me with the basics so that I can understand the course materials in my classes a lot better. I'm a strong visual learner. You really know how to get people addicted to learning!"
-Helen Lee, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
* High-resolution screen shots demonstrate each task
* Succinct explanations walk you through step by step
* Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules
* "Apply It" and "Extra" sidebars highlight useful tips

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Welcome to the only guidebook series that takes a visual approach to professional-level computer topics. Open the book and you'll discover step-by-step screen shots that demonstrate over 220 key Mambo techniques, including:

• Installing and configuring Mambo
• Changing time and language settings
• Editing the CSS file for a template
• Managing site users
• Creating sections and categories
• Linking a Content Item to a menu
• Adding images and media to Mambo
• Using Modules to embed content and links
• Installing features manually or automatically
• Working with Mambots

"I've read a number of your programming books, and they've really helped me with the basics so that I can understand the course materials in my classes a lot better. I'm a strong visual learner. You really know how to get people addicted to learning!"
—Helen Lee, (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

• High-resolution screen shots demonstrate each task
• Succinct explanations walk you through step by step
• Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules
• "Apply It" and "Extra" sidebars highlight useful tips

About the Author

Ric Shreves is a partner in Water & Stone (www.waterandstone.com), a Web development company that specialises in Open Source Content Management Systems. Since 1996, Ric has been building Web sites and has extensive experience with content management systems. Over the years he has worked on CMS-powered Web sites for BASF, Colgate-Palmolive, Tesco, FPDSavills, Sino Group, CBRichard Ellis, Mercy Corps, University of North Carolina, and many, many others. He is an active member of CM Professionals and of the Mambo Foundation.
Ric currently resides in Bali where he is testing his theory that an IT professional should be able to make a living anywhere with a notebook computer and an Internet connection. He says so far all he has been able to prove is that is a beautiful theory...

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Visual; 1 edition (July 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470040564
• ISBN-13: 978-0470040560
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,573,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ric Shreves is a partner at water&stone, an interactive agency specializing in open source technologies. He's worked with content management technologies for more than 10 years and previously served as the Chairmen of the non-profit Mambo Foundation. Ric's written several books on technology and worked as a tech journalist and columnist for a number of publications, including ComputerWorld. He lives in Bali, Indonesia.

You can visit his personal site at http://RicShreves.net and his company site at http://www.waterandstone.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive Users Guide, July 31, 2006

By 

Ray O - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mambo: Your visual blueprint for building and maintaining Web sites with the Mambo Open Source CMS (Paperback)

This is not for programmers but is for administrators and Mambo users. Very complete. Covers a lot of things I did not know (and I have used the system for quite a while). By far the most complete work on the subject. Covers the newest version as well, including the new editor. Well worth it -- and long overdue! Thanks!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the paper it's printed on., December 11, 2006

By 

M. K. Hayes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mambo: Your visual blueprint for building and maintaining Web sites with the Mambo Open Source CMS (Paperback)

If you're moderately comfortable with new software, ie., you can read the screen and explore the options given, then this book is not for you. I was looking for more in depth info than can be had in the online tutorials, but didn't find anything new.

This book is lacking vital information if you want anything other than a bog standard install. For instance, it walks you through the graphical steps to install a new component. This is fine, but I'd figured out that on my own. Component didn't work, even though the install was correct. The absolutely VITAL step of creating a menu link to the new component so that it will function is no where to be found in this book. If this were the only vital thing missing, it could be forgiven. But the problem is endemic throughout.

If you intend to do ANY customizing of your site, don't bother wasting your money. Play around on your own, hit the forums and ask questions. If you consider yourself a poweruser of any software, again, don't waste your money.

If someone has turned over a functional Mambo or Joomla site for you to administer, and you have done no computer administration ever, and find the whole thing intimidating, then this book is for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good How To, August 1, 2006

By 

kib (asia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mambo: Your visual blueprint for building and maintaining Web sites with the Mambo Open Source CMS (Paperback)

This book is focused on how to accomplish tasks -- how to create a new page, how to edit a page, how to manage menus, etc., etc. It provides a lot of other information in the process with tips on how to best use the system. I don't normally care all that much for "visual" style books, but with a system as complex as Mambo this is actually very effective. You can either follow their steps or use it as the basis for doing your own thing. Recommended!