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Publishing Options in Movable Type

One of Movable Type’s most powerful features is its publishing engine, which allows you to control everything the system publishes through a minimal set of configuration rules and templates.

Configuration rules dictate the types of content published by the system as well as their locations and the rendering mode used to generate them (i.e. static or dynamic). Templates allow you to define the content, layout and structure for particular pages in your site or entire classes of pages.

Once configured to suit your needs, Movable Type handles the rest, seamlessly creating and updating your blog’s content without the burden typically associated with updating a website.

Flexible, Customizable Output

While Movable Type is specifically well suited and configured out of the box for publishing blogs and related content, the system’s flexible template system doesn’t limit you in any way and enables you to publish practically anything regardless of design, content or file format. This includes but is certainly not limited to:

  • HTML
  • XML / RSS / Atom
  • Plain text
  • PDF
  • WordXML
  • Podcats / Videocasts
  • PHP/ASP/JSP code
  • Structured Query Language (SQL)

Learn more

  • Archive Types in Movable Type. Movable Type publishes “indexes” and “archives.” Indexes change constantly and the presence of a single piece of content on them usually lasts a few weeks at most. These types of pages exist almost solely for keeping visitors apprised of what’s new. However, in addition to these quickly changing indexes, Movable Type publishes a set of pages upon which the content lives permanently. These files in aggregate are called the blog’s archives.

  • Static and Dynamic Publishing Modes. Movable Type supports two modes of page rendering: static and dynamic publishing. The difference between the two modes is mainly the timing of page compilation. Which you choose depends solely on your blog’s particular traffic patterns and size.

  • Archive Mapping. Movable Type enables publishing of individual, monthly, category and author-based archives by default, covering the needs of most users. Movable Type’s “Archive Mapping” feature allows you to specify the type of archives to publish as well as the location of those archives.

  • Using Movable Type’s Publish Queue. Movable Type 4 features a new capability that enables publishing your blog in the background. Depending on your specific circumstances, requirements and system configuration, the Publish Queue may help you reduce the time your users (both authors/administrators and site commenters) wait while Movable Type publishes files to your filesystem, and improve overall system performance.

  • Configuring your Blog’s Publishing Settings. How to configure your blog’s publishing settings, including publishing paths (where on your filesystem archives are published), how Movable Type builds archives and what default file extension Movable Type will use when publishing files.

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