Joomla Pages
Pages are the first proposed totally new features in our Joomla 1.6 Admin Template Concepts, so please bear with me if the idea is a bit rough on the edges. Of all proposed concepts, this one will likely require to most development and will likely change the most.
Joomla Menus and Menu Items are probably the most confusing for new users to wrap their heads around. I've always heard comments like "I just want to create a new page on my site!". Walking the user through the required steps might make it easier to grasp. Pages will simplify the process.
Pages Stacks
I like the idea of "Stacks" of pages representing Joomla Menus and Menu Items with children.
When you hover an a Stack, the children items would be revealed. Filters would be placed in the right sidebar.
Pages Items
This view would be a drill-down of the Page Stacks (Menus). Once again, hovering would reveal any children items.
Adding a Page
Adding a new page would invoke a modal window with multiple steps. Step 1 would be a simple Page Type selection. The trick on the programming end would be looking at the installed components and presenting them in a more straight forward manner. Info icons would reveal explanations of each.
The user would be able to jump forwards or backwards in the process from any step.
Adding a Page: Step 2
Step 2 would gather also be simple for the user. Only the most important menu item information is present here, with terminology that is a bit more understandable.
If the user is linking to a Category or Single Item and one does not yet exist, they should have the options to quickly and easily add one here.
Adding a Page: Step 3
Next the user would be able to add all the options specific to the page they're creating. This view might need to be broken up into simple and advanced views because there are a TON of params on menu items in Joomla 1.6.
Adding a Page: Step 4
Lastly the user has the option to set permissions and publishing for this new page.
What do you think?
Like I said, there's still a lot of feedback and discovery needed that will influence the construction of Pages, but it's a good idea right? :)
Should things like the placement of modules on these pages be part of the process, or is that too much?
