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.