• Introduction
• Signing In to Movable Type
• Updating Your Profile
• Changing your Password
• Recovering a Forgotten Password
• Signing Out
• Setting Up a New Weblog
• Moving to a Different Weblog
• Creating an Author
• Adding an Author to a Weblog
• Controlling What an Author Can Do in the System
• Deleting an Author

With the most difficult part of running Movable Type -- the installation -- behind you, it is time to get started using MT.

It all begins with The Movable Type Content Management System (CMS). This script is the heart and soul of what makes powerful weblog publishing possible.

The CMS contains the majority of the intelligence and work flow that makes Movable Type what it is. Whether it involves posting an entry, adding a colleague as an author, or publishing your content with a whole new style, it is the CMS that is doing the heavy lifting.

By default the CMS script is named mt.cgi, although this may differ in advanced configurations. Assuming you are running a standard installation of MT, you'll begin interacting with the system by pointing your browser to a URL such as http://www.example.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt.cgi. This URL is the only one you need to care about. Bookmark it, since you will begin with it each time you use the system.

The CMS is a sophisticated, browser-based application that makes full use of the latest industry standards such as XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript. All that is required to use the CMS is a standards-compliant browser such as Firefox and an Internet connection. Since MT runs on a server that you interface through a browser, there is no need for any other desktop software. You have access to your system anywhere you have Internet connectivity.

The remainder of this section covers the interface components that all users will need to become familiar with in order to make effective use of the system.

Common System Controls and Navigation

Primary Navigation

The primary navigation consists of navigation controls leading to the core areas of the system and your account. These controls are present at the top of every screen.

1 Main Menu. A link to the Main Menu screen.

2 System Overview. A link to the System Overview screen

3 Help. A link to the Movable Type User Manual and other resources.

4 Weblogs Pulldown Menu. A control for quick navigation to a specific Weblog in the system.

5 Username. The user currently signed in to the system and a link to their profile.

6 Logout. A link to log the user out of the system.

7 View Site. A link to the URL of the current weblog, if any. When not in a specific weblog-related page this link is not present.

Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are a navigational control displaying all visited pages leading from the main menu to the current page. All page titles are linked for easyy backwards navigation. They are positioned just above the screen title.

Tabs

Tabs are a navigation control for managing different views of the same screen. Tabs are used when a single view would be too cluttered to use.

Filters

A filter is a dynamic control for limiting a list on a screen based on user-defined criteria. For instance a filter could limit a list of entries to those with a status of "Draft."

The filter controls can be displayed by clicking the Filter link found directly under the screen tabs. To the right of this is a Quick Filter link representing predefined criteria, enabling you to filter the list with one click.

Display Options

Display options are a collection of controls housed in a dynamic pop-up display. These controls are made visible by clicking the "Show Display Options" link found at the bottom of any listing screen. These controls will vary based on the listing screen.

Weblog Toolbar

The Weblog Toolbar is a column of buttons leading to all the functional areas of the current weblog that the user has permission to access. This toolbar is present on the left-hand side of all screens relating to a specific weblog.

New Entry. The screen for creating a new post.

Entries. Listing of weblog entries the user can edit.

Upload File. Opens a pop-up window for quickly uploading a file to the weblog and optionally creating an entry or thumbnail.

Comments. Listing of all published, unpublished and junk comments.

Commenters. Listing for managing commenters.

Notifications. Listing for managing all notification subscribers.

TrackBacks. Listing of all published, unpublished and junk TrackBack pings.

Templates. Listing for managing all templates.

Categories. Listing for managing all defined categories.

Settings. The preferences and default values relating to various aspects of the weblog.

Search. A utility for searching and optionally replacing entry texts.

Activity Log. Listing of all logged activity for the weblog.

Import/Export. A utility for importing or exporting entries.

Rebuild Site. Opens a pop-up with various page rebuilding options.

View Site. Opens the weblog's homepage in another browser window.

System Toolbar

The System Toolbar is a column of buttons leading to all the functional areas of the System Overview that the user has permission to access. (See "Controlling What an Author Can Do in the System" for more about permissions.) This toolbar is present on the left-hand side of all system view screens.

Weblogs. A listing of all the weblogs in the system.

Authors. A listing of all authors in the system.

Plugins. A listing of registered plugins and their configuration controls.

Entries. A listing of entries across all weblogs.

Comments. A listing of comments across all weblogs.

TrackBacks. A listing of TrackBack pings across all weblogs.

Settings. Controls system-wide configuration and preferences.

Search. A utility for searching and optionally replacing entry texts across multiple weblogs.

Activity Log. Listing for all logged activity for all weblogs.

Main Menu

The Main Menu is the starting point for every user after they sign in. As its name implies, it contains links and navigation controls to all other parts of the system. This screen can be reached at any time by clicking the "Main Menu" link in the Primary Navigation.

1 Primary Navigation. Navigation control[s] to the core areas of the system and your account.

2 Weblogs Listing. Weblogs you have permission to access plus a few shortcuts and stats.

3 Newsbox. Syndicated list of Movable Type news from Six Apart.

5 System Shortcuts. A list of varied system views and functionality.

6 Quickpost. A link to a tool for creating browser "bookmarklets" for easy posting to weblogs.

Weblog Menu

The Weblog Menu contains links and navigational controls to the content and settings that make up a specific weblog. This screen is accessible through the Weblogs pulldown menu in the Primary Navigation.

1 Weblog Toolbar. Buttons to all the functional areas of the current weblog the user has permission to access.

2 Breadcrumbs. Navigational control displaying all visited pages from the main menu to the currunt one.

3 Welcome Message. A brief, customizable instructional message.

4 Quick Search. A facility for quickly searching the text of all entries.

5 Recent Posts. Titles of the five most recent posts, hyperlinked for quick access.

6 Recent Comments. Names of the five most recent people who have commented, linked for quick access.

System Overview

The System Overview Screen contains links and navigational controls to the content, resources and settings for the entire MT system. This screen is accessible by clicking the "System Overview" link in the Primary Navigation.

1 System Toolbar.

2 Newsbox. Syndicated list of Movable Type headlines and excerpts from Six Apart.

3 System Stats. Core statistics about the system such as entry and comment counts.

4 Essential Links. Useful links for news, information and support of Movable Type.

Weblog Settings

Weblog Settings is a collection of tabs used to control the preferences and default values of various aspects of each weblog. The Settings screen can be accessed through the Weblog Toolbar, assuming you have permission to access it.

This section will only examine the contents of each tab. The specific purpose and use of each control is discussed throughout the text.

• General

  The General screen contains settings for the Weblog, content display and third-party services integration.

• New Entry Defaults

  In addition to default values and setting for all new entries, this tab contains settings for notifying remote publicity services such as TrackBack-enabled weblogs or the Movable Type "Recently Updated" Service.

• Feedback

  The Feedback tab contains settings for various Comment and TrackBack controls.

• Publishing

  The publishing tab contains controls for publishing preferences and archives.

• Plugins

  The Plugins tab is a collection of configuration controls for any third-party plugins that have implemented one.

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Problem

You need to sign in to Movable Type.

Solution

Point your browser to the Movable Type Content Management System script (typically mt.cgi) and enter your username and password.

Discussion

Before using the system, each author must identify themselves by signing in. The purpose of this exercise is not only to secure the contents of the system, but also to provide customizations based on user preferences.

Begin by entering your username and password. (If you are the first person to log into this system your username will be "Melody" and your password will be "Nelson.") If you check "Remember me?," the system will automatically sign you in to later sessions with this username and password. Press Log In to submit your information and continue.

If you pointed your browser to the Movable Type CMS and ended up on the Main Menu, without ever seeing the login screen, then you are already signed in. This could happen if you've already checked "Remember me?" or because you have an existing session open in another browser window.

When you sign in, MT compares your information to the values in its database. If they match, and if you've previously set the Remember me? option, then an HTTP cookie will be set that contains your username and a unique string called a hash. The password itself is never stored in the cookie. Subsequent requests to the system will transparently verify the contents of this cookie. The cookie expires when you shut down your browser or explicitly sign out unless you previously selected the "Remember me?" option.

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Problem

You need to update your author profile.

Solution

Click the Authors System Shortcut on the Main Menu screen or your username in the Primary Navigation of any screen.

Discussion

When you log in for the first time you will want to immediately update your profile. Updating your profile provides the system with additional information it can use in weblog layouts and in keeping your account maintained.

When you initially sign in and update your profile, you should change your password to something easier to remember. You will also want to provide the system with a valid email address and password hint. Without these MT cannot reset your password if you were to forget it.

If you are signing in as the initial user, Melody, you may change the username to one of your liking. Because author data is related to the author by an internal identification number, changing the username will have no effect on any existing relationships.

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Problem

You need to change your password.

Solution

Your password can be changed by clicking your username in the primary navigation.

Discussion

If you've had your password reset, or are signing in for the first time, it's a good idea to change your password to something easier to remember.

Enter your author profile by clicking your username in the Primary Navigation. In your author profile you will find a Password section where you must enter your current password and then your new password twice. Press Save when completed.

Note that your password is only significant up to the first 8 characters (due to the encyption algorithm that Movable Type uses). Creating a password longer than 8 characters will not provide any additional protection and are, in fact, ignored by the system. To make a better password, you should instead include a mixture of letters, numbers, and characters, not using real words, etc.

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Problem

You forgot your Movable Type password and need to recover it.

Solution

Follow the "Forgot your password?" link on the Movable Type sign-in screen and submit your username and password hint.

Discussion

Clicking the "Forgot your password?" link will open a pop-up window requesting your username and password hint (before 3.2, this was your Birth Place). Press Recover and Movable Type will verify your account and hint, and then reset your password with a series of random characters. The new password is sent to the email address stored in your profile. Once you have signed in, you should change your password to something easier to remember.

Without a password hint, Movable Type will not be able to reset your password; and without a valid email address entered in your profile, you won't be able to receive the new password. This is why it is important that you provide them when you first set up your account. In the event you cannot reset your password, contact your Movable Type system administrator. The Knowledge Base article on Lost Password may also contain information on possible alternatives for recovering your password.

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Problem

You want to sign out of the system.

Solution

Click the Logout link in the Primary Navigation. In some cases simply shutting down your browser will do.

Discussion

Explicitly signing out of Movable Type is only mandatory in certain instances. MT's sign in system uses a cookie that acts a transparent means of verifying access to the system as discussed in "Signing In to Movable Type". Typically this cookie will expire as soon as your browser is shut down, thereby signing you out of the system. This is not the case for those who opted to be signed in automatically using the "Remember me?" option when signing in. For these users, explicitly signing out cancels this request and immediately expires the cookie, closing off access to the system.

If you are using a public or shared machine to access the system, you should log out when finished in order to assure that no one can gain access to the system via your account.

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Problem

You want to create a new weblog.

Solution

Click the Weblogs System Shortcut found on the Main Menu and follow the "Create New Weblog" link on the Weblogs Listing screen.

Discussion

Creating a new weblog tailored to your specific needs and liking takes a bit of time and consideration. However, getting one set up and running can be taken care of in just a few steps.

From the Main Menu click the Weblogs System Shortcut and then the "Create New Weblog" link on the Weblogs Listing screen.

Now fill out the four form fields on the New Weblog Settings screen as follows.

• Weblog Name

  The name or title of your weblog.

• Site URL

  The URL that will be used in a browser to view the homepage of this weblog. Do not include a filename such as index.html. For example, "http://www.example.com/weblog/" is a value you might use in this text box.

  Movable Type assumes all necessary web server and domain name settings have been performed. The system will not do these for you.

  You should never set your Site URL to the same value as your Movable Type application URL (i.e. your CGIPath). Publishing your weblog content to the Movable Type directory is a security hazard and can lead to numerous problems such as inadvertent overwriting of Movable Type distribution files.

• Local Site Path

  Enter the path where your homepage file will be located in the server's file system. An absolute path (starting with '/') is preferred; however you can also use a path relative to the Movable Type directory. For example, "/home/melody/public_html/weblog" is a value you might use in this text box.

  The Site URL should point to the same directory as defined as the Local Site Path.

  It is likely that you will need to create the Local Site Path directory before you publish the weblog for the first time.

• Timezone

  Select the timezone for the weblog from the pulldown menu. This information is used for display purposes in the CMS and in the publish timestamps generated by the weblog's templates.

All of these values can be modified later if necessary. Click the Save Changes button when completed.

The weblog will be created with default settings and templates. You will be designated as the weblog's administrator.

From here you can begin to customize the weblog by adding authors and modifying templates and settings.

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Problem

You have multiple weblogs in your system and want to move from one to another.

Solution

Select the name of the weblog in the Weblogs pulldown menu found in the Primary Navigation and press Go.

Discussion

One of the most useful features of Movable Type is the ability to manage multiple weblogs from one installation. The Weblogs pulldown menu found in the Primary Navigation makes moving between multiple weblogs quick and easy. This control contains weblogs that you have permission to access. Simply choose one and press Go.

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Problem

You need to create a new author.

Solution

Click the Authors System Shortcut found on the Main Menu.

Discussion

Contributors to one or more weblogs in the system are designated as authors. Each weblog in the Movable Type system can have one or more authors assigned to it, each with varying levels of access. Only System Administrators have the ability to add new authors.

To add a new author to the system, log in to Movable Type, click the Authors System Shortcut which will take you to the Authors Listing screen, then click "Create New Author." In the Profile section of the screen, enter the new author's username, display name, email address, website URL, initial password, and password hint. Choose which weblogs the new author will be associated with by selecting from the listing on the righthand side of the page, checking the appropriate box(es).

After saving the author's information, you will be presented with the Edit Permissions screen, with options for General Permissions and Weblog Permissions. Check the permissions you would like to grant the new author, and then save your changes.

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Problem

You need to add an existing author to a weblog.

Solution

Use the author's permissions screen to give them access to a weblog.

Discussion

Movable Type's flexible permissions system not only allows you to assign different roles to an author overall, but also different roles per weblog. Before any permission can be granted, the author must be associated with or added to a specific weblog. After associating an author with a weblog, you can then define roles for them.

To add an author to a weblog, click on Authors in the System Shortcuts, find the author you wish to edit and click on their username. Check the weblog and weblog features you want to grant, then click the Save Changes button.

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Problem

You want to control which weblogs an author can access and what they have permission to do.

Solution

Click the Authors System Shortcut on the Main Menu and then click on the username that you want to edit. Select the weblog and weblog features you want to enable/disable based on the user's role.

Discussion

Movable Type uses a role-based system to grant access to authors, allowing them to perform actions related to a specific weblog or to the system overall.

For instance, you might have one user who is helping to design a weblog. You could assign this user full permissions to modify the weblog within the Weblog Administrator role -- edit templates, assign authors, edit categories, and so on. Another user may only be acting as contributor. For this user you could designate them as an author and assign permissions only to post and edit their own work.

To edit the permissions of an existing author, click Authors in the System Shortcuts, find the author you wish to edit and click on their username. With the screen that follows you can assign permissions to any weblog for which you have author-editing permissions.

Based on a user's permissions their navigational choices and toolbars will change to reflect what they can do.

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Problem

You want to permanently delete an author from the system.

Solution

Go to the Authors Listing screen by clicking on Authors in the System Shortcuts on the Main Menu. Check off the authors to be deleted and press the Delete button.

Discussion

Deleting an author from the system is a drastic move that should be considered carefully.

If you only want to remove an author from a particular weblog, edit the author's permissions. (See "Controlling What an Author Can Do in the System".) Deleting an author will remove the author from the system entirely. Any entries or other content created by the author will not be deleted; however things such as their author name will not be displayed when pages are published.

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