[wp-edu] Use of custom fields.

[Covello, Steve]

Custom fields are intended to extend the kinds of data that can be
associated with a particular post beyond the "stock" data input in a
typical post.

There are two halves to the process: creating the custom field, and
displaying it.

IMO, I have had the best experience using the Easy Content Types plugin by
Pippin http://pippinsplugins.com/easy-content-types/

The outcome of using this plugin will be a dedicated post type that
appears in your dashboard admin with its own data fields according to
whatever criteria you establish. The metabox feature gives a wide variety
of data types you can integrate into your custom post type.

With a CPT, a set of taxonomies, and a slew of metaboxes, you can then
modify your post templates to display whatever data you want, based on the
custom fields slugs that are automatically created when you create your
CPT.

Each taxonomy you create in this process will also appear in your
Appearance/Menu area so you can build navigation based on the taxonomies
your create. You will have to create a template, however, that corresponds
to this query. The plugin provides ample documentation on how to do this.

The description above is intended for creating a set of posts that are
distinct from the stock post type your get out of the WordPress box. If
you are looking to simply add custom fields to the existing post system,
this plugin would help establish the custom fields, but it might be
overkill.

Please remember, too, that custom fields will not appear in your dropdown
menus as available until at least one post has been published that uses
that custom field (kinda like the way Categories don't appear in menus
unless there's a post in one).

- Steve

-- 
Steve Covello
Rich Media Specialist/Online Instructor
Granite State College
603-513-1346
Skype: steve.granitestate
Scheduling: http://meetme.so/stevecovello



 

On 4/26/13 11:53 AM, "Grogan, David" <David.Grogan at tufts.edu> wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>I have not delved to deeply into the use of the custom field
>functionality of WordPress but I'm looking at a use case that will do the
>following:
>
>1. Each post would have custom fields defined.
>
>2. The name and value of these custom fields would automatically be
>displayed in the post content when viewed on the site.
>
>3. A page would show the index of values for a particular custom field to
>allow users to access posts by that value.
>
>Has anyone done this? Any plugins you can recommend?
>
>David
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------
>David Grogan
>Senior Solutions Specialist
>Educational & Scholarly Technology Services (ESTS)
>Tufts Technology Service (TTS) Tufts University
>108 Bromfield Rd 
>Somerville, MA  02144
>
>Phone: 617.627.2859
>Fax: 617.627.3082
>http://it.tufts.edu/ests
>
>
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