AI 對話紀錄  March 21, 2025

【CL-03a】Online Course: Building a Publii + AppGini CMS

Q: Maybe I can design an online course on how to create a Publii + AppGini CMS like this!

---

A: That’s a fantastic idea! Designing an online course on how to create a Publii + AppGini CMS like the one we’ve built for your chaplaincy site would be a valuable resource for non-programmers, small organizations, or anyone looking to build a low-code CMS with a static frontend. You’ve already gone through the process of designing and implementing a practical, user-friendly system, so you’re in a great position to teach others how to do the same. Let’s outline a high-level plan for your course, focusing on the structure, key topics, and a few tips to make it engaging and accessible. I’ll keep it concise and actionable, building on the CMS design we’ve developed.

---

Online Course: Building a Publii + AppGini CMS

Course Overview

• Title: "Build a Low-Code CMS with Publii and AppGini: A Step-by-Step Guide for Non-Programmers"

• Target Audience: Non-programmers, small business owners, community leaders (like pastors), or hobbyists who want to manage a website with a simple CMS.

• Objective: Teach learners how to create a CMS using AppGini (for content management) and Publii (for a static frontend), with dynamic content integration via PHP.

• Outcome: By the end, learners will have a working CMS with pre-defined pages (e.g., campaigns, highlights) that they can update easily without coding.

Course Structure

Break the course into short, digestible modules with a mix of video lessons, text guides, and hands-on exercises.

1. Module 1: Introduction to Low-Code CMS

   • Topics:

     • What is a CMS, and why use a low-code approach?

     • Overview of AppGini (backend) and Publii (frontend).

     • Benefits of a static site with dynamic content (speed, security, simplicity).

   • Activity: Set up a free QNAP server account (or localhost) for testing.

2. Module 2: Setting Up AppGini

   • Topics:

     • Install AppGini and create a new project.

     • Design the special_pages table (fields: id, title, content, created_at, status, type, slug as a dropdown).

     • Add initial records (e.g., current-campaign, highlight01).

   • Activity: Create the table and add a test record.

3. Module 3: Setting Up Publii

   • Topics:

     • Install Publii and create a new site with the Tattoo theme.

     • Create pre-defined pages (e.g., current-campaign.php, highlight01.php–highlight04.php).

     • Override page.hbs to include dynamic content via PHP.

   • Activity: Set up the pages and test a static site sync to QNAP.

4. Module 4: Connecting AppGini and Publii with PHP

   • Topics:

     • Write dynamic-special-page.php to pull content based on the slug.

     • Use fixed slugs to map AppGini records to Publii pages.

     • Add logic for campaigns, highlights, and placeholders.

   • Activity: Upload the PHP file to QNAP and test dynamic content loading.

5. Module 5: Automating Content Management

   • Topics:

     • Use AppGini hooks to lock the slug field and automate highlight shifting.

     • Archive old campaigns when a new current-campaign is added.

     • Add a “Recent Highlights” section on the funnel page.

   • Activity: Implement the hooks and test the automation.

6. Module 6: Enhancing the User Experience

   • Topics:

     • Add navigation links in Publii for key pages.

     • Style the site with custom CSS (e.g., for highlights and campaigns).

     • Encourage social media engagement (e.g., link to Facebook/YouTube).

   • Activity: Customize the site’s look and test navigation.

7. Module 7: Launch and Maintenance

   • Topics:

     • Sync the site to a live server.

     • Teach users (e.g., the pastor) how to update content in AppGini.

     • Tips for troubleshooting (e.g., slug mismatches, database errors).

   • Activity: Launch the site and update a page in AppGini.

Course Logic

• Fixed-Slug Design: Pre-defined slugs (e.g., current-campaign, highlight01) ensure content updates are predictable and error-free.

• AppGini as CMS: Manages content with a user-friendly interface, using dropdowns for slugs to prevent mistakes.

• Publii for Static Frontend: Generates fast, secure pages with .php slugs to enable dynamic content.

• PHP as Glue: Connects AppGini and Publii by matching slugs to database records and displaying content dynamically.

• Automation: Hooks handle repetitive tasks (e.g., shifting highlights, archiving campaigns), making the system low-maintenance.

Tips for a Great Course

• Keep It Simple: Use analogies (e.g., “AppGini is your filing cabinet, Publii is your display shelf”) to explain concepts to non-programmers.

• Show Real Examples: Use your chaplaincy site as a case study (e.g., “Here’s how I update my highlight01 page with new event photos”).

• Provide Resources: Share downloadable files (e.g., dynamic-special-page.php, AppGini hooks) and a sample project.

• Engage Learners: Include quizzes (e.g., “What happens if the slug doesn’t match?”) and a final project (build a mini CMS).

• Platform: Host the course on a platform like Teachable, Udemy, or your own site (using Publii!).

Next Steps for You

1. Outline the Lessons: Write a detailed script for each module (e.g., video script, text guide).

2. Create Content:

   • Record short videos (5–10 minutes) showing each step (e.g., setting up AppGini, creating pages in Publii).

   • Write text guides with screenshots.

3. Test the Course: Share a draft with a small group (e.g., friends or the pastor) to get feedback.

4. Launch: Publish the course and promote it via your chaplaincy’s social media (e.g., facebook_post, whatsapp_post).

---

What do you think—does this course structure feel like a good fit? Want to start outlining a module, or would you rather focus on another part of your project (like Streamlit reporting)? Let me know!

Original Chat

Sharing is sexy