The Content Construction Kit allows you to add custom fields to nodes using a web browser.

CCK is one of the most popular Drupal modules, with most Drupal sites using it because it gives much more flexibility and control over your content. It is a core building block for many websites.

Here is an overview of Lullabot’s new Learning CCK Video:

• Intro – Setting up what examples will be used and beginning to add fields to content
• Content Types in Drupal Core – How to add content in the basic default
• The Content Construction Kit – How to add extra content beyond core
• Adding a New CCK Field – Adding new fields
• Text Fields /User Reference – Creating dummy users and roles and how to add user reference field
• CCK Formatters – Formatting data and how it appears
• How CCK Stores Data – A visual of how you data looks when it is stored behind the scenes
• File Field/ Node References – Second content type and linking from one node to another
• Multiple Value Shared Fields – Creating multiple field options
• Options that Change the Database – How to edit content to change in the database and options that change the database. How to minimize text in the database
• Additional CCK Modules – Showing other modules you can use (Date, Calendar, Image Fields)
• Field Level Permissions – Permission options and how to configure permissions
• Multiple Value Widgets – Creating multiple selections in fields
• Default Values – Setting the defaults for each field and how to default by php
• CCK Vs. Taxonomy – Explains when to use each option
• Theming CCK – How to theme the site and customize views
• Conclusion – Overview

I’m Valerie, and I’ve just joined the TopNotchThemes team to help with testing and other things behind the scenes. This is my review after watching the Lullabot-Learning CCK for Drupal Video.

Being new to Drupal and the development world I found that I had to go through certain sections of the tutorial several times even after watching Lullabot’s introductory Understanding Drupal Video. Even though I did have a hard time understanding parts of the video, specifically the end which included all of the theming and code, the rest of it I found, to my pleasant surprise, that I could grasp many of the processes needed to utilize Drupal.

The general style of the video was decent but I believe that there was room for improvement. Speaking purely from an aesthetics point of view, several times I was distracted by the sound of an airplane or footsteps in the background. Many times I felt an air of awkwardness or it seemed too stiff and rehearsed. I feel like it would have been better if it was more relaxed. Even with that being the case, the lessons that were being taught were still learnable and got the point across.

Let me again reiterate the fact that I do not know much about development and the building of websites. Even without this knowledge I was impressed that the information that was given was enough for me to get the idea of Drupal and gave me a generous helping of how to start.

The order in which things were presented flowed well and I was able to merge from one subject to the next with ease. Being able to watch the screen as the processes were being put into action helped tremendously. If they had been done a tad slower I might have been able to do them myself, so hopefully that means anyone who has any idea about Drupal or development will be just fine after watching.

I felt like Nate overall was the best teacher and explained each thing he was doing. Even the smallest thing, like what every option in a drop down menu does, was explained. He was very thorough and was pleasant to listen to and learn from. On the opposite side I felt like Jeff spoke way too fast for me and many things went overlooked and I either lost interest or any understanding of what he was trying to convey. James was a happy medium between the two. Most of the time I got what he was trying to teach and only on occasion did I need to rewind and listen to what he had to say again.

I was also happy that they used specific examples through the entire video. They starting from a blank canvas and kept with the same example until they reached the end of the tutorial. I also liked how each time they made a change they went back to show you how it looked.

I would have liked to have seen a different theme. Maybe not used for the entire tutorial but at least to show me what would change if you used a different theme. I would have also liked in the beginning or throughout, a little more explanation of terms. I felt like more often times than not I had to ask what something meant. Usually it was something simple but I still needed to know what it was to understand a certain process.

Overall it was a well flowing video with just a few hitches here and there. I can honestly say that I know and understand what Drupal is much better than I used to. With more relaxed teaching and a little more explanation on things that seem simple or menial I think it would be a great success.

The Lullabot Learning CCK Video is currently available for purchase for $75 through their website.