Use Universal Channel Types

As you start brain-storming ideas for using content channels you'll find yourself needing to create one-off channel types that will be used by a single content channel. For instance, when we set out to create the Lava documentation we first needed to create a new channel type called 'Lava Channel Type'. We could then add a new content channel 'Lava Documentation' that implemented that type. Creating the type for use with a single content channel was wasted effort, especially since content channels can add their own item attributes.

Hence the generic Universal Channel Types were born. These channel types are generic types that you can use to build your one-off content channels from. They have no attributes defined, so your channel will define all of the item attributes you need. No wasted effort. The only difference between each type is what date fields are available, or if no dates will be used.

Rock includes three Universal Channel Types:

• Universal Single Date Channel Type - Each item has one date, such as a publish date.
• Universal Date Range Channel Type - Each item has a start date and an end date.
• Universal No Date Channel Type - Items have no dates.

To use one, add a content channel as described in Use Content Channels. Choose the universal type that matches your dates in the Type setting, then add the fields you need as item attributes in the channel's Item Attributes panel.