Create a Desktop

You can create desktops two ways: an empty desktop populated with portal resources and a desktop from a template. An empty desktop is one that is not derived from an existing portal definition. When you create an empty desktop, you must then populate it with portal resources. A desktop created from a template allows you to make use of existing resources such as books, pages, and portlets.

Note: Book and Page resources are often created by developers in WebLogic Workshop. In order to make these resources visible in the library, you must create a desktop in the Administration Portal using the portal created in Workshop as the template. For example, if a developer creates book and page resources in a portal called NewTestPortal in Workshop, you must create a desktop and select the NewTestPortal as your template for the desktop.

Creating a Desktop

1. In the Portals folder, select the portal in which you want to create the empty desktop.
2. Select the Portal Properties tab in the Editor Pane, if it is not already selected.
3. Click Create New Desktop.
4. Fill in the fields of the New Desktop Properties Form. Use the table below for guidance.

Create a desktop from a portal template:

5. After completing steps 1-4 above, select the radio button next to Portal Template File
6. Select a template from the Choose a Template drop-down menu.

   Note: If you select the New Blank Desktop, you will create an empty desktop to which you must add pages and other resources. The New Blank Desktop template uses default values for the shell and look and feel and creates a new blank book as the primary book. Once you have created the desktop from a template, you can customize it by editing the portal resources.

7. Click Create New Desktop.
8. To verify your changes in a browser, right click on the associated desktop in the Portal Resource tree, and click View Desktop.

Create a desktop from existing portal resources in the library:

5. After completing steps 1-4 above, select the radio button next to Existing Portal Resources in Library.
6. Select a Shell from the Default Shell drop-down menu.
7. Select a Look and Feel from the Look and Feel drop-down menu.
8. Select a Book from the Primary Book drop-down menu. If the menu is empty, you may create books to add to your desktop.
9. Click Create New Desktop.
10. To verify your changes in a browser, right click on the associated desktop in the Portal Resources tree, and click View Desktop.

Related Help Topics:

• Set the Primary Book on a Desktop
• Add a Page to a Book
• Add a Book to a Book
• Assign Delegated Administration of Portal Resources
• Overview of Desktops
• How Do I Create Different Views of My Portal for Different Users?