You can think of a Manila site as an intersection where editors, writers, graphic artists, Web designers, content, members and visitors meet. A site can take many different forms depending on what it's being used for, and we'll look at some of these models in the next section. For now, let's consider the diagram below showing a typical Manila site.

Editorial Roles

There are two editorial roles on a Manila site: Managing Editor and Contributing Editor. If you run the site, you're probably the Managing Editor. In that role, you can

• Change the Home Page
• Create Stories, Pictures and DG Messages
• Use Preferences to change the way the site looks and operates
• Maintain the site using the Administration features
• Send Bulletins

As Managing Editor you can also edit any Story, Picture or Message on the site, no matter who created it.

One of the Preferences the Managing Editor controls is the list of Contributing Editors. Any Member can be selected as a Contributing Editor. This lets them create Stories, Pictures and DG Messages, but doesn't allow them to change the Home Page, or access the Prefs, Admin and Bulletins features. Contributing Editors can edit the Stories, Pictures or Messages they created.

The Managing Editor can also name other Managing Editors, who then gain the same level of control over the site.

The editorial roles on a site could be broken down like this:

• Webmaster - Managing Editor
• Web designer - Managing Editor
• Editor - Managing Editor
• Writer - Contributing Editor
• Graphic Artist - Contributing Editor

Membership

Membership is normally turned on for a new Manila site and your Home Page will have a Members box with links for joining and logging in. Once someone joins, there are site Membership Preferences that determine what kind of access they have.

Depending on your needs, you can set your site up so

• The DG is reserved for selected Members only
• All Members can participate in the DG but Visitors can't read it
• All Members can participate and Visitors can read the DG

Membership can be turned off on a Manila site. In that case, the Members box and the Signup page don't appear. The Managing Editor can still add members manually, and their access to the DG is determined by the DG settings described above.

The Managing Editor controls whether there's a link on the DG page to create a new topic. If not, Members can only respond to topics created by the Managing and Contributing Editors. Members can edit the Messages they create.

When someone becomes a Member, they choose whether or not to receive email Bulletins from the site. This is their choice, not one that you can change - wouldn't want to spam anyone!

Visitors

Your Home Page is usually open to all visitors, although there's an Editor's Only setting to block everyone else. Otherwise, visitors can look at what you have on the Home Page and follow links to the Stories you've posted. Unless they join, however, they won't receive Bulletins or be able to participate in the DG. Visitors can join by following the Join Now link in the Members Box and filling out a simple form.

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