Course Prerequisites

To gain the most from the course, students should:

• Have a casual familiarity with web browsing using Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Previous experience with Microsoft Office applications is helpful

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, student should be able to:

• Develop a full-featured content-managed web site using CommonSpot for a fictional company

Course Outline

Unit 0 - Introduction

• 
  
• Describe Course Objectives
• Features and Benefits of Using CommonSpot to Manage your Web Site
• Walkthrough several CommonSpot sites currently in production

Unit 1 - Site Architecture and Organization

• How CommonSpot organizes Sites
• Sites
• SubSites
• Page Sets
• Pages
• Templates

Unit 2 - Creating Pages

• "Template" Concepts
• Exploring the pre-defined CommonSpot Templates
• Logging In
• Creating New Pages
• Adding Textual Content to Pages
• Effectively locating your pages
• Deleting a Page
• Registering External Pages

Unit 3 - Adding Content to Pages

• Using the WYSIWYG Editor
• Linking to other documents
• Adding Images
• Uploading MS Word Documents
• Working with PDF Documents
• Converting MS Powerpoint Files
• Approving Changes for Publication
• Using the Version History to "Roll Back" Content
• Finding "Work in Progress"

Unit 4 - Using Standard CommonSpot Functionality

• Login Options
• Viewing the site as an anonymous end user
• Pending User Actions
• Changing Your Password
• Exploring the "Knowledge Sharing and Discovery Tools"
• Customizing the Login Experience

Unit 5 - Understanding the CommonSpot Administrator

• Managing Page Default Options and Categories
• Creating and Managing Subsites
• Exploring Administrative Reports
• Setting default security for a subsite
• Restricting user access to the CommonSpot toolbar
• Restricting access to WYSIWYG editor features
  

Unit 6 - Managing Page Sets

• Creating a Page Set
• Using Page Set Navigation to ensure consistency between pages
• Break long articles into multiple pages with common navigation that reduce the need for vertical scrolling

Unit 7 - Scheduling and Personalizing Content

• Hiding information based on security level
• Displaying information based on time of day / dates
• Displaying information based on group membership

Unit 8 - Simple Forms and Datasheets

• Using the Form Element to create a "Feedback" Form that emails information to administrators
• Using the Form Element to create a data entry interface for a staff directory
• Using the Data Sheet Element to display contact information captured through the Simple Form element

Unit 9 - Content Approval and Security

• Describe the Approval Process
• Configure a complex approval process
• Walkthrough the different approval roles
• Describe the differences between Read, Design, and Approval rights
• Restrict Access to CommonSpot Administrative Functions
• Manage Users and Groups

Unit 10 - Task assignment and Workflow

• Create task templates
• Assign and track task completion
• Assign Work Requests