1. Introduction

Tribiq CMS uses a unique Template Architecture which allows you to use new or existing template-based designs with Tribiq CMS web pages. In other systems, a site design may be called a “theme” or “style”. In Tribiq CMS, we call it a "template family", of which different designs for different pages are called "templates".

The Tribiq CMS Template Architecture is designed to be openly accessible and easy to work with. It allows you to create your own templates, which are accessible and standards-compliant, giving web designers the freedom to create novel designs which can be integrated into a powerful content management system.

The Tribiq Template Architecture also simplifies the task(s) involved in converting your existing templates to Tribiq CMS templates.

There are several ways in which you can create a new template for Tribiq CMS:

• Every Tribiq CMS download comes with a Template Family included; you are free to modify this and use it for your websites under the terms of the GPL,
• You can design your own templates using your own favourite tools. Tribiq CMS places no constraints on your creativity. You can convert your existing and new designs into working CMS templates by using the methods described in this Cookbook.
  
  And for our Commercial customers:
• Wireframe templates are available to licence holders of Tribiq Pro and Tribiq Multisite; these are working CMS templates and the absence of any initial styling helps accelerate the development of templates.

This Cookbook describes how to create CMS templates from scratch, but along the way we will have to "borrow" some bits from the bundled template family. We’ll tell you:

• how the CMS Template Architecture operates,
• how to create a new Template Family,
• how to insert PHP code snippets - the “hooks” of the CMS,
• how to insert aggregated data feeds, such as search results.

1.1 Skills required to use this Cookbook

This Cookbook is aimed at designers with the following:

• intermediate or better HTML/CSS knowledge,
• little or no PHP knowledge,
• little or no MySQL knowledge,
• a basic working knowledge of Tribiq CMS,
• a basic working knowledge of POST or GET (Form Handling).
• a basic working knowledge of server administration (e.g. comand line/shell)

We will be showing you how to use PHP “snippets” within your HTML page designs, thereby turning them into CMS templates; this should be a copy and paste process so no understanding of PHP is required.

However, users who do have PHP skills will be able to use the explanation of more advanced topics in this Cookbook to make greater enhancements to their CMS sites.

The Template Architecture also allows skilled users to build highly advanced applications, within the content managed framework of Tribiq CMS.

1.2 Glossary

For the sake of clarity, let’s define some common Tribiq terms too.

Site Administrator - Manages the website, defines roles, configuration options etc. A Site Administrator may also be a Site Author.

Site Author - Works with the website, manages content (add, edit, delete etc). A Site Author may also be a Site Administrator.

Site User/Visitor - Public visitors, the people you are attracting to your website.

Sitename - Textual reference to a local Tribiq site within your Tribiq CMS installation, e.g. “mytribiqsite”. (Only Tribiq Pro CMS Multisite allows for multiple sites and sitenames).

1.3 Callouts

Throughout this Cookbook you will notice a range of Callouts. These provide Warnings, Information and Tips. It is recommended that you pay attention to the callouts - they may be very helpful!

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