In order to gather some useful information on how contentful communicates its product to its audience, I will attempt to go from Zero-to-API-Keys on using a part of the Contentful ecosystem starting from their site.
I also intend to log my thoughts and observations during the process.
My first Investigation will be on the premise that I've heard of contentful And I would like to build something on their system.
I will garner some brief knowledge on how to use some part of the system. Then I'll get some API keys.
Google.
No ads, first link.
Done.
Homepage: https://www.contentful.com/
Editors get a CMS. Developers don't have to deal with one.
HAH I like that. The CMS was often the bane of my existence.
Contentful is the essential content management infrastructure for projects of any size, with its flexible APIs and global CDN.
OK... I think I understand. You're going to give me CMS functionality in the form of an API? OK, lets see more...
I can see a thing here on the homepage. Its got a moving hand.
I understand. Its basically showing me when I edit something it shows up on thr right hand side. So its showing me what it does really.
I'm guessing the JSON structure is the JSON I would get back from their API... Pretty cool.
LOGO PORNOGRAPHY...
A powerful admin interface
Image of their admin panel. Looks quite nice. Never thought about the admin interface, but at least I know its there now.
We speak your language, We provide SDKs for the most popular languages, so you can focus on building your app instead of connecting the pieces.
Great! Easy enough to know straight off they can help me out there.
Some customer responses to the product.
Now that you’ve scrolled all the way to the bottom... How about you give Contentful a try.
I like this bit. I'm not convinced just yet... Its true, I like to learn more before I go through the signup ordeal.
Nice that the page is taking me somewhere when I reach the bottom, and i'm not having to think about what to do.
OK... The I'm not convinced... thing, just shows more features and other links. I'm kind of convinced now anyway, so lets see if I can find out how to use the thing.
OK, straight to the top, I'm looking for docs, looks like its under developers...
Simple docs page.
I'm not going to use the search bar because its probably powered by algolia and therefore completely useless. (See my algolia investigation if you dont believe me).
Great, looks pretty simple. The main headers are explained nicely.
I'll choose Tutorials, and PHP.
Getting started with the Content Delivery API SDK and PHP
This tutorial will walk you through the first steps using the Content Delivery API with a PHP application.
Does what it says/ Great, i'll choose that one.
Pretty straightforward. I understand. Right time to get keys.
Sign up button at the top right. Nice.
Simple, email password affair.
OK, next screen:
We’re preparing your sample e-commerce project
I'd rather it didn't, but it did, and it took forever... ok done. Dashbard seems nice, if simplistic.
OK, clicking API's button at the top. I assume keys are there somewhere.
OK, Lots of different keys, there's some explanation.
Website Key Gotcha.
Done.