Community @ The Turning Gate

Rob - Thanks a million!  Worked perfectly.  Tried first by ftp, and that worked.  Then deleted ftp'd version and did Lightroom upload into /galleries/firstgallery subdirectory and that worked perfectly, too.  User Template remembers subdirectory info. 

Matt - I see why you advocate trying various elements of CE3 Suite before hacking.  I hope rest goes well.  Look forward to exploring Publisher.

I've been looking for this system for visual clients for a decade.  The fact that it's rooted in software that is otherwise very useful is fabulous.  Drupal and WordPress just don't make it.  Once I'm more solid in CE3, I will surely be looking eCommerce upgrade.

Matthew -

Thanks.  Server was full.  I am starting to enjoy CE3 very much.

At least I was, until I reopened lightroom this morning and all my gallery settings have disappeared.

Hi.  I have used Drupal and Wordpress for years.  I understand the basics of LAMP platforms, including php, some js, and CSS. 

When installation and setup instructions are clear, it is very easy to install and set up a software system.  The instructions are not instructions.  They are a mix of various information, including a description of how the software was created, what various elements do (but not, on the surface, how to install and use them).  It is a very frustrating meandering approach after following the instructions for many iterations of other web software.

All I want to do is to know

1) How to install whatever I need to install (without the philosophy and sales bumpf or how things work.  These things belong in another section of your site).

2) How to use what I need to use (without the reasoning and extraneous information about how things were created, etc etc)

to create a website where I can

1) St up a system for a client where I can create a look and feel for a client's site, and then show him how to
    a) upload Lightroom galleries that will appear in a menu
    b) create and edit a HOME page, and four "ABOUT" pages, including BIO, EXHIBITIONS, REVIEWS, and CONTACT info.

The documentation for this should be just a few simple steps, including

1) installing desired web engines and plug ins (me)
2) ftping a basic file set to the site as required (me)
2) creating and editing each of the above in Lightroom or wherever they are created (me, then client once first set created)

As is, the system is not comprehensible by my clients, it is cumbersome and the instructions are convoluted, so it is not an option for them.  I cannot recommend that my clients purchase the system, as it is not made for ordinary people, but for people who want to spend the time learning the specialized knowledge involved.  The simple method of uploading lightroom galleries into a website, and having those galleries appear in the website's menu, is far too distant from the purchase to make this a viable system for anyone but developers.

cb