Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

[wmgilligan]

Can anyone give me the "elevator" version of the difference between the frameworks and the dreamweaver integrations?

If I create a framework - do I do that in dreamweaver?

If I edit all the pages in dreamweaver, upload them, then save all that as a framework - is that redundant?

Can I edit my framework by downloading dreamweaver pages?

Bill

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Bill,

It's pretty easy:

1. A Framework is simply saving all of the pages and items in a given store. Thus if when building stores for your clients, you always have to do the same 10 steps over and over again before you really do any specific customizations for them (i.e. category page into 3 columns, pagination, breadcrumbs, minibasket, modify checkout, etc...) you can now do it once and save that as a Framework. Thus you don't have to do it again in the future. It's also useful for building something for a specific vertical (i.e. not only do we have the CSS based Framework coming out soon, we're internally also working on a charity framework that allows for both product shopping and variable price giving that doesn't act like a product).

2. Dreamweaver integration simply allows you to export and import pages to Dreamweaver to give you a full featured control over layout and items.

Obviously you might use Dreamweaver to build parts of your Framework but their two totally separate pieces.

[wmgilligan]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Thanks Rick.
So - I could make the basic changes needed in the admin - then save the framework.

Then - download to dreamweaver, make addtional basic changes, and upload, and save the framework.

Then make final changes (finished look/feel) and save again.
Thereby having 3 frameworks - each with the basic needed stages - all reuseable on another similar site if desired...

If I understand it right - nice work.
I am working on our first - from scratch - V5.5 store.
Bill

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

You understood perfectly.

[Eric]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Rick,

I think your post above should be made into a "sticky" as well as put into a FAQ as I am sure others have the same question and your answer was a great explanation.

Eric

[Pete McNamara]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

So, how do I export and import Frameworks?

[Barrett]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Does someone have a tutorial or hands on briefing on this whole Dreamweaver and Frameworks procedure ?
I know there is a big vacuum out there of Golive users considering the jump to DW since adobe killed the product. If this turns out to be a slick feature, then possibly many more graphic designers out there could be more likely to get on board editing MM stores that recently moved to DW.

[HostMySite]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

To import your frameworks, Click on your store name in the admin section, then the frameworks button on the top. You can then upload the framework through this interface and then select it and apply it. From what I understand to download on, you have to download it through FTP and it is located in the following path /SCRIPTS/mm5/frameworks/00000001/
directory, or at least that is how it seems on mine.

[Pete McNamara]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Thanks for that. And in what application do I edit/create a framework?

[Gilbert]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

If I understand well then Pages are imported/exported to a directory (Dreamweaver template) in root and Frameworks in a different one. I would suggest that all import/export be under the same generic repository within the site directory. This would also assist (if feasible) modules developers to add this function for their modules and for the end user to be able to use this function on the fly (and keep his/her sanity).

e.g.
/mm5/dw/00000001/frameworks
/mm5/dw/00000001/templates
/mm5/dw/00000001/ctm
/mm5/dw/00000001/etc.

/mm5/dw/00000002/frameworks
/mm5/dw/00000002/templates
/mm5/dw/00000002/ctm
/mm5/dw/00000002/etc.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Thanks for that. And in what application do I edit/create a framework?

Pete,

A Framework is a collection of Miva Merchant Pages and Items. So you build a Framework in Miva Merchant. This feature is really a benefit for people like yourself who build multiple Miva Merchant stores and is not likely to be used broadly be the general public.

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: Stupid question? Frameworks VS Dreamweaver

Does someone have a tutorial or hands on briefing on this whole Dreamweaver and Frameworks procedure ?
I know there is a big vacuum out there of Golive users considering the jump to DW since adobe killed the product. If this turns out to be a slick feature, then possibly many more graphic designers out there could be more likely to get on board editing MM stores that recently moved to DW.

The core of it is in the 5.5 eBook, which is in BETA right now (but being delivered). It will be entirely fleshed out in the next week or so to provide more in-depth concept & instruction.