You should be able to change most of the back office UI by modifying Umbraco's CSS files, yet be aware that you might have a proper job at hand should you ever want to upgrade to a newer version of Umbraco and things have changed a bit. However I got the slight feeling that your client doesn't like the whole way the backup if layed out/how it's working, like using trees to organize your content, have different sections that you can loop through on the bottom left and maybe not even the tabbed system to modify your content? In that case you have a bit of a problem because that would basically mean rewriting the whole backend UI (though it would be interesting to know what your client doesn't like and particularly how they would rather like things to work!).
I believe version 4.5 + are licensed fully under MIT, which means you can change the backend admin etc as you would like. Previous versions were a combo of MIT and proprietary. Double check the license and you may want to drop a line to umbraco HQ. Someone correct me if I am wrong. If you have a pro license it shouldn't be a problem.
My client wanted to change how to organize the content. He doesn't like the app tree like the windows explorer type of listing. He want's it to look like more of a html menu. He doesn't like the icons that what use in the content editor, he said that it looks stiff.
Since the content within umbraco is hierarchical, I'm not sure how you would display it other than within a tree. Unless you wanted to navigate to each folder down the line to find a single page to edit. IMHO that seems like much less "user friendly".
While the attractiveness of a user interface is subjective, I understand you have a client to please. We've all been there. I would address the fact that the goal of the administrator was not to be pretty, but to serve a function. If your client's having trouble understanding the interface, perhaps a bit of instruction would help out or one of the training courses or umbraco.tv.
I remember quite a few people had issues with the "Ribbons" microsoft used in their latest versions of office. But in the end it was more efficient.
I would spend time focusing on the usability and attractiveness of the front- facing website, which is the only one that really matters.
I'd like to add that maybe this is a perfect use case for canvas editing perhaps? Maybe that concept is easier for him to understand? I think that it's not realistic or worth the effort to even try making a complete makeover of the Umbraco UI: Then I think time would be better spent using another CMS, which looks more like what your client expects out of the box.
But honestly, compared to other CMS, umbraco is cleaner and much easier to understand. I can't also blame him because there is still a lot of people who doesn't know basic computer functions.
My plan is to create custom data type for the following to increase the usability and functionality
Anyway, do you happen to know if I can change the arrow image in the content section? I was thinking of using a + and minus sign to denote toggle function.
There have been times when I've felt Umbraco was not the most suitable interface for the type of data/amount of data which I've been dealing with, but the beauty is you can quickly write additional controls to make the user interface perfect for your needs without changing any of the Umbraco UI. A balance can be achived by writing a user control which sits on the parent node. This means if the users hits say, events, they can quickly view the events in a more paletable format (e.g a calendar!) and also provide a form to quickly create events.
This makes more sense, but still retains the Umbraco tree structure so serious edits can still be carried out and you've not created a big potential for future bugs, issues.
This really only makes sense though when you are using Umbraco to store large amounts of information under a node, particulary for Events/Calendars, Form Submissions, and alike. It's also a handy way of dealing with large news sections, as it can be a bit of a beast to find your node if there is say 1,000!
You can try to change the arrows by changing the stylesheet located at /umbraco_client/Tree/Themes/umbraco/style.css row 34, but I bet you will run into problems...
redesigned back office
Hi Guys,
I have a big problem. My client thinks that the back office UI is not user friendly and not that attractive. So now he wants me to change it.
What can you suggest on how can I change the icons, color scheme and etc.
Thanks,
Sherry
Hi Sherry
When I make a solution using Umbraco I am always use the Fam Fam Fam Icon package.
http://our.umbraco.org/projects/developer-tools/famfamfam-icons
That way you can give the different document types, different icons. That way, I think that the usability of Umbraco increased.
Hope it will helps you.
/Dennis
Hi Sherry,
+1 one for fam fam fam, it's fantastic! :)
You should be able to change most of the back office UI by modifying Umbraco's CSS files, yet be aware that you might have a proper job at hand should you ever want to upgrade to a newer version of Umbraco and things have changed a bit. However I got the slight feeling that your client doesn't like the whole way the backup if layed out/how it's working, like using trees to organize your content, have different sections that you can loop through on the bottom left and maybe not even the tabbed system to modify your content? In that case you have a bit of a problem because that would basically mean rewriting the whole backend UI (though it would be interesting to know what your client doesn't like and particularly how they would rather like things to work!).
Hth, Sascha
I believe version 4.5 + are licensed fully under MIT, which means you can change the backend admin etc as you would like. Previous versions were a combo of MIT and proprietary. Double check the license and you may want to drop a line to umbraco HQ. Someone correct me if I am wrong. If you have a pro license it shouldn't be a problem.
http://umbraco.org/products/license
My client wanted to change how to organize the content. He doesn't like the app tree like the windows explorer type of listing. He want's it to look like more of a html menu. He doesn't like the icons that what use in the content editor, he said that it looks stiff.
Since the content within umbraco is hierarchical, I'm not sure how you would display it other than within a tree. Unless you wanted to navigate to each folder down the line to find a single page to edit. IMHO that seems like much less "user friendly".
While the attractiveness of a user interface is subjective, I understand you have a client to please. We've all been there. I would address the fact that the goal of the administrator was not to be pretty, but to serve a function. If your client's having trouble understanding the interface, perhaps a bit of instruction would help out or one of the training courses or umbraco.tv.
I remember quite a few people had issues with the "Ribbons" microsoft used in their latest versions of office. But in the end it was more efficient.
I would spend time focusing on the usability and attractiveness of the front- facing website, which is the only one that really matters.
Just my opinion :)
-Chris
Hi Sherry
+1 for what Cris is saying.
I'd like to add that maybe this is a perfect use case for canvas editing perhaps? Maybe that concept is easier for him to understand? I think that it's not realistic or worth the effort to even try making a complete makeover of the Umbraco UI: Then I think time would be better spent using another CMS, which looks more like what your client expects out of the box.
/Jan
Thank you guys for your inputs.
But honestly, compared to other CMS, umbraco is cleaner and much easier to understand. I can't also blame him because there is still a lot of people who doesn't know basic computer functions.
My plan is to create custom data type for the following to increase the usability and functionality
Anyway, do you happen to know if I can change the arrow image in the content section? I was thinking of using a + and minus sign to denote toggle function.
There have been times when I've felt Umbraco was not the most suitable interface for the type of data/amount of data which I've been dealing with, but the beauty is you can quickly write additional controls to make the user interface perfect for your needs without changing any of the Umbraco UI. A balance can be achived by writing a user control which sits on the parent node. This means if the users hits say, events, they can quickly view the events in a more paletable format (e.g a calendar!) and also provide a form to quickly create events.
This makes more sense, but still retains the Umbraco tree structure so serious edits can still be carried out and you've not created a big potential for future bugs, issues.
This really only makes sense though when you are using Umbraco to store large amounts of information under a node, particulary for Events/Calendars, Form Submissions, and alike. It's also a handy way of dealing with large news sections, as it can be a bit of a beast to find your node if there is say 1,000!
Just a though, Laurie
You can try to change the arrows by changing the stylesheet located at /umbraco_client/Tree/Themes/umbraco/style.css row 34, but I bet you will run into problems...
Just finished my Back Office Themes package. Due to an issue with the project creation errors.. I haven't been able to upload the package.
DOWNLOAD HERE: http://www.dascoba.com/media/created-packages/Back_Office_Themes_1.0.zip
It uses jQuery UI to give Umbraco a great custom look and comes preinstalled with 23 themes.
You can create you own themes by simply using the jQuery UI ThemeRoller.
Daniel - is there some info about this package somewhere? Sounds very interesting!
The package is done (pretty much).. there are some other features I want to add.
I was trying a to add the project but there are errors on this site right now. I'll have it in the repository soon.
Just download and install it from my previous post. I'd like some feedback if you wouldn't mind.
More info: http://our.umbraco.org/forum/developers/extending-umbraco/17837-New-Package-Back-Office-Themes
@Daniel - Will install this and give you feedback asap. Really great.
That would be awesome.. I've been working on this for almost a week and I need someone elses input beside my wifes.. :)
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