What are channels and how do they work?
Channels are created and configured by the network operator, and the Network Site can be utilized only after 1 or more channels are created.
Channel benefits#
- Microsite for a topic, or organization or persona, within a single URL
- Subscribeable by members to build their own powerful personalized feeds
- Individually configurable and manageable
- Extendible with custom blocks for additional functionality
- Monetizable via subscriptions from end users, or by handing over channels to a Channel Operator
Types of channels#
There are three distinct Channel types:
- Topics
- This channel type is a general purpose channel for any kind of topic.
- Topic channels are Public by default and can be optionally be access controlled - one can choose to make the channel Restricted, Protected or Private, with increasing levels of restrictions and complexity.
- Topic channels can also be turned into a specialized channel for support.
- Organizations
- These are specialized channels, operating as microsites meant for an organization.
- Personas
- These are specialized channels, operating as microsites meant for a persona.
The type of channel must be selected when creating the channel and cannot be changed later.
Channel planning#
Each MainCross Social+ tier is allowed a generous quota of channels.
Please note that a channel cannot be deleted once fully setup (ie has content and subscribers). They permanently count towards the quota.
However channels can be repurposed with the additional restrictions:
- Type can only be selected during setup, ie channel cannot be converted between types
- Access control of Private can only be selected during channel setup, ie Private channel cannot be converted into Public / Restricted / Protected and vice-versa.
Hence channel planning at the start is critical. We highly recommend starting with just a few channels to see how the system is used and then creating more as the network grows.
Channel access control#
Org and Persona channels are always Public.
Topic channels are Public by default and can be optionally be access controlled - one can choose to make the channel Restricted, Protected or Private, with increasing levels of restrictions and complexity
Channel management#
All networks start with just 1 default Topic channel called "uncategorized". This is a catch all topic channel for any posts by members that have not been posted into a channel.
Channels can be managed (created and edited) by 1 or more privileged accounts, ie "Heroes" using the Channel Dashboard.
Each channel can be individually configured and managed.
When setting up a network site, the network owner determines how to map the network to 1 or more TOP channels. The TOP model is extensible and can be used as desired during network setup. Some indicative examples:
