Channels are specialized entries often used for content that will display in one or more locations throughout a site. Think of these as mini-databases. Anything in a channel is “portable” across the site in different ways. One place to edit, multiple places where it can display.
You can create categories and apply them to channel entries to have additional control and customization. For example, you could categorize directory entries as “faculty” or “staff” and direct certain pages to display one or the other only, or allow the user to select which type to view.
Core Channels
Channels found on a typical Builder site:
-
Aliases
Use Alias entries to build custom URLs for pages, assets, or documents in your site or external links. A typical use case for this is for marketing purposes, when it is advantageous to list a shorter, simpler URL on printed marketing material or verbal references.
-
Each Directory entry represents a person in the directory. It does not generate a login for the person (that is a User). You can include basic or detailed profile information, including job title(s), portrait, attached CV, gallery, etc.
-
Documents
Documents Channel entries allow document assets (files that include PDF, .docx, and .xlsx file types) to be added to pages with the Document Download Block and connect files from Assets to custom titles, descriptions, and categories (not required).
-
Events
Post events to your website with Events Channel entries. Provide title and date information, along with an optional description, location, and photo. You can include a button to link users to registration forms, event materials, or recordings. Apply categories to provide news filtering options on the main events page or to display certain categories of events on specific website pages.
-
Entries in the Glossary channel feed course glossaries. They are plain text constructions of words and definitions. You can apply categories to relate words to specific courses within your portfolio. Entries can have more than one association. Use the Glossary Highlighter Content Builder Block to add highlighted definitions to any page. Use a Channel Listing to construct a glossary in list form on any page.
-
News
News entries can be built by hand and reside natively on the website or efficiently linked directly to any external news source, such as Penn State news. Apply categories to display specific categories of news throughout the website and to provide news filtering options on the main news page. Schedule news in advance by editing the “post date.”
-
Testimonial entries have fields nearly identical to Blockquote Content Builder Block’s fields. These include: Title, Quote, Attribution, Attribution Title, Image Alignment, and Image. When no image is supplied, the Testimonial will use a Global fallback image.
Unlike regular Blockquotes, you can assign categories to Testimonials. Then, you can control which testimonials appear where via Channel Listing with category limits. -
Resource entries create the site’s Resource Library and are found on related pages throughout the site. Resource entries typically include: title, category that reflects the topic, description, flexible link, and preview photo option.
Custom Channels
Examples of custom channels include:
-
The Fox Graduate School uses two channels to create Awards and Award recipients.
-
The Bellisario Student Media site uses channels to organize and display student-produced news and sports broadcasts.
-
Varied sessions are delivered to the Global Impact Forum website via channel data.
-
The College of Arts & Architecture uses channels to create entries for the many undergraduate and graduate degrees offered.
-
The College of Arts & Architecture uses channels to create a directory of facilities.
-
Channels for shows and airdates create show listings for the broadcast radio portion of the Bellisario Student Media website.
-
The News Literacy Initiative features News Over Noise podcast episodes in a custom channel.
-
The many projects created by the College of Arts & Architecture are delivered to the website in a searchable, sortable format via channel data.
-
The College of Arts & Architecture uses alumni and faculty spotlights throughout the site to highlight individual contributions and successes.
-
Student print and multimedia stories receive special treatment via a channel on the Bellisario Student Media website.