Easy way to add a module (other than news?)

[Norrabel]

I have been creating a site this past week using CMSMS.

http://trexlernaturepreserve.org

Although I know NO PHP, I have created many sites using HTML, usually coding using Dreamweaver to save time and for help.

Anyhiow, can anyone direct me to documentation that I can understand about adding a module to my template? I want to add some interactive modules such as poll or newsletter signup and I have had no luck after many attempts. I looked at how the News Module was added, but don't understand how to adjust parameters. I am a complete noob at PHP.

I am good at following directions.  If there are any directions specific to a module (other than what I have read in HELP), please let me know.  I am especially interested in adding a poll and a way to sign up for emails (guestbook), etc. Hopefully, if I can at least get one going with some help from anyone, I will be able to add others on my own.

Thanks.

[RonnyK]

Norrabel,

after having installed a module, the help states the calling of the module. Guestbook f.e. shows under "Content -> Guestbook -> Help",

The code would look something like:
{cms_module module="Guestbook" number=5 shownow=true smiley=1 mailnoti=you@example.com}

A little below that line is the list of parameters and possible values:

Parameters
(optional) mailnoti="" - E-mail address to send a notification to if a message was submitted. The CMSMailer module will be used for sending the E-mail if it is installed (otherwise PHP's mail function is used).
(optional) showaddform="0" - Shows the insert form on the first page. Replaces the "New Guestbook Entry" button.
(optional) captcha="0" - This will enable captcha on the guestbook entry form. The Captcha module must be installed for this parameter to work.
(optional) smiley="0" - Translate text-based smileys to image smileys and shows the smiley table on the entry submit form. Uses the Smiley module if it is installed.
(optional) shownow="0" - Shows messages right after submission, without approval by an admin.
(optional) dateformat="d-m-Y" - Change the way the Date will display, it takes the PHP format codes
(optional) sortasc="0" - Sort guestbook items in ascending date order (new posts will go to the end).
(optional) timespan="0" - Minimal timespan between posts (in seconds).
(optional) number="10" - Maximum number of entries shown on a page.
(optional) textleng="1000" - Sets how many characters can be entered. The default is 1000 characters. This parameter affects both server-side and client-side validation.
(optional) lang="en_US" - Parameter is used to specify what language to use for display on the frontend. Not all modules support or need this.

If they are optional you can go without them in the calling.

Ronny

[cyberman]

I am especially interested in adding a poll

http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org/projects/polls/

(needs PHP5)

and a way to sign up for emails (guestbook),

http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org/projects/gastbuch/