Admin Messages

It is often necessary to post an important message to site users that must remain above normal dynamic content. The Admin Messages module provides that functionality to PostNuke. A perfect example of an admin message is the Welcome to PostNuke posting on your site's home page (see Figure 5.12).

Figure 5.12. Welcome to PostNuke.

Click on Admin Messages in the Administration Menu to get to the Messages Administration page. A table containing all admin messages is in the top area, and below that is a simple form where you can add new messages (see Figure 5.13).

Figure 5.13. Managing admin messages.

Different from other main content forms, this module contains an active/inactive switch for its content. Admin messages can be written and stored for use whenever you need them. Click the Edit link in the table for the Welcome to PostNuke message. Change the Active setting to No and click the Save Changes button. Now when you look at your home page, you see the Welcome message is gone, and your test news posts are at the top.

The Message module also has the ability to set an audience for each message. The Who Can View This drop-down list box has the following options:

• All Visitors Messages with this setting are seen by every user browsing the site, no matter their registration or login status.

• Registered Users Only Only users who are currently registered and logged in to your site see these messages.

• Anonymous Users Only This audience setting is great for promoting site registration. You can mention the great content and features only available to logged-in users.

• Administrators Only PostNuke sites with multiple administrators need this audience setting to easily communicate important announcements or tasks to the administration team.