Posted by: Will Strohl
7/16/2010 9:43 AM 

One of the most common questions throughout the DotNetNuke community and ecosystem overall is, “Where can I learn about DotNetNuke?”  Of course, this question has several variations like, “How can I learn to skin in DNN?”  There are many places and ways to learn DNN, as with any other software out there.  I hope to be able to point you in the right direction for DNN with this post.

There are going to be more resources than the few I list here, so feel free to leave a comment with your favorite learning resources (even if you are the resource).

On the DNN Website

There are several areas on the DNN website itself that offer you various ways to learn about DNN.  Some you probably already use, but they are viable resources just the same.

• Online Help  this is a non-downloadable online reference area for DNN core functionality and modules
• Documentation  this contains a lot of downloadable user and admin guides
• Blogs
• Forums
• Webinars  these were live webinars that have since been posted for your reference and learning
• Official Training 

Books

Books are often a great way to get a primer into any technical subject, and DNN is no different.  Probably my favorite thing about books is that you can move through them at your leisure.  There are several books that are still relevant to the current version of DNN.  (It should go without saying that books are not free, right?)

• Professional DotNetNuke 5: Open Source Web Application Framework for ASP.Net
• DotNetNuke 5 User’s Guide: Get Your Website Up and Running  great for “newbies” and non-technical admins
• Professional DotNetNuke Module Programming  probably the best module development reference available anywhere
• Building Websites with DotNetNuke 5
• DotNetNuke Websites Problem Design Solution
• Beginning DotNetNuke Skinning and Design

E-Books

An e-book is basically a downloadable book, or mini-book. These are great because they are so portable, and usually offer bite-sized information.  These e-books are not free.

• Done in 60 Minutes: Building a Custom DotNetNuke Membership Provider  tells you how to build hooks into your own membership provider source
• DotNetNuke and Web Standards  talks about implementing web standards in DNN skins
• jQuery for ASP.Net Developers  not necessarily DNN-specific

Podcasts

Podcasts are just too darned convenient to ignore.  They offer plenty of information in a portable audio format, which allows you to listen to them while you drive, exercise, do work around the house, and even while you work.  There two known podcasts that are specific to DNN. Luckily, these podcasts are both free!

• DNNVoice
• DotNetNuke Podcast  (by DNNCreative)

Websites

There are so many websites that offer DNN content, tutorials, tips, and more.  Most of them even specialize in it.

• DNNCreative   (not free) an online video tutorial repository
• DNNHero  an online video tutorial repository
• DotNetNuke Blogs  an aggregated feed of numerous DNN bloggers in one place
• DotNetNuke Skinning Reference  a great reference of how to use DNN skin objects
• Module Development  the “go to” place for tutorials on DNN module development

Hopefully this gives you a pretty good idea of where to go for your next stop in learning something new about DNN.  Once again, if you have any more resources that you don’t see listed here, please feel free to “name drop” in the comments below.  :)

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