Keep it Simple

• Create web forms that are integrated with the CMS in a fraction of the previous time (and that was already pretty fast).
• Generate multiple related web sites from a single database (Great for organizations with departments or branches).
• Display documents as points on a new Google Data Map portlet.

Quick Forms

Let's face it, there is always room for improvement in the speed of form development. With our latest update, web forms can now be created with a single "Quick Form" definition document. A variety of common fields can be selected from a drop down. Other fields on the form allow additional customization:

• The labels and help messages can be overridden.
• Security is selected from a drop down using PDQ Groups.
• Custom fields can be added using the Design tab in the ADMIN area.
• Selecting "Newsletter section" will display the newsletter section on the form with fields and buttons that allow documents to be added to specific newsletter issues.
• Selecting "Site section" adds the buttons and fields needed for the multi-site feature.

To save even more development time, we also have a new view definition form that allows these documents to be connected to a section in the CMS system. We also have several new portlets for displaying the documents (including the new Google Data Map portlet).

Multi-Site

A single database can now be used to generate multiple branch or departmental web sites. Different types of site profiles can be created for individuals, departments, outside dealers, etc.

• Articles or sections can be selected for inclusion in each site.
• Banner graphics can automatically be generated from text and uploaded images.
• Contributors can control the availability of their article to other sites.

Google Data Map

A new geolocation type field is available on both dynamic forms and the new quick forms.

• Location information is automatically determined based on either street address or IP number.
• A new Google Data Map portlet lets documents with this information be plotted.
• An @formula can be used to generate a tabbed popup information window for each point.

Demo Database

To demonstrate these features a new demo database has been created. It is multi-site and newsletter enabled and has two quick forms for a photo gallery and a simple ride sharing application. It also contains the report definitions for our own HTML newsletter to give you a head start on your own. A working version can be accessed at http://demo.pdqportal.com although you will have to install it on your own server to access the newsletter definition documents.

The free PDQ Portal CMS can be downloaded from http://www.pdqportal.com.

In my next posts I will go into detail on the code behind some of these features....