Media Site Structure

This chapter introduces the structure of a media site built with LightNet from the viewpoint of a site visitor. Along the way, it explains key LightNet terminology, which is used throughout the documentation.

Understanding Media Content in LightNet

LightNet is designed for sharing media content, which can include these media types:

• Videos
• Audio recordings
• Images
• Text (e.g. articles, books, PDFs)
• Downloadable files
• Links to external websites

Each piece of media content is represented by a media item, which contains metadata such as:

• Title
• Media type
• Description
• Cover image
• Authors
• Categories
• Links to the content

Navigating a LightNet Site

Visitors enter a LightNet-powered site through the homepage, a customizable landing page that welcomes them and displays a selection of media items in gallery views.

At the top of the page, they see the header bar, which contains:

• The site title, with an optional site logo.
• Various action icons, which can include Search, Language Selection and Main Menu.

Main Menu

The main menu, which is opened via the three-line “hamburger” icon, allows navigation to:

• Other pages on the same site
• External links

Language Selection

Next to the main menu, visitors find the language selection menu, where they can choose their preferred site language. Selecting a different language changes the locale, meaning visitors are redirected to a version of the site in the selected language. However, this does not translate media items themselves—titles, descriptions, and other metadata remain in their original content language.

Search Page

The Search Page is accessible in the header bar by clicking the magnifier icon. On the Search Page, visitors can:

• Search for media items by a search text
• Filter by content language, media type, or categories
  • Content language refers to the language in which a media item’s content is presented, such as the written language of a book or the spoken language of a video.
  • Media types define the kind of content, such as “video” or “book.”
  • Categories group media items by topic, such as “Theology” or “Life Support.”

About Page

The About Page is accessible from the main menu and provides visitors with key information about the site. This page typically includes:

• A brief introduction to the site’s purpose and mission.
• Details about the organization or individuals behind the media content.
• Contact information or links to related resources.
• Copyright notices and legal disclaimers.

Media Item Details Page

Selecting a media item from the homepage or search page leads to its details page. This page presents:

• The item’s metadata (title, description, cover image, authors, etc.)
• A way to view the content directly or navigate to it via external links.