Are there any limitations to importing forum data?
Answer
Yes, some limitations exist, particularly with specific forum platforms.
General: Private messages are often combined into private topics.
phpBB: Usergroup configuration and HTML entities may require manual adjustments after import.
vBulletin: Calendar recurrences, ratings (karma), and 'goes to coventry' are not imported perfectly. Attachments may need to be extracted directly from the live database due to potential corruption in SQL dumps.
Simple Machine Forum: Banning features may not import perfectly due to differences in how Composr handles bans.
Composr primarily uses database connections for importing. However, it also supports neutral data formats like CSV spreadsheet files and importing downloads from a directory.
Moving a Composr site involves transferring both the files and the database.
Files:
On the old server, ZIP the entire Composr directory.
Download the ZIP file to your computer.
Upload the ZIP file to the new server using SFTP/FTP.
On the new server, unzip the file.
Database:
On the old server, create an SQL dump of your database using the mysqldump command or phpMyAdmin.
Download the SQL dump file.
If your URL is changing, search and replace the old URL with the new one in the SQL dump file.
Upload the SQL dump file to the new server.
Restore the database on the new server using the mysql command or phpMyAdmin.
Important Steps:
File Permissions: After transferring files, ensure correct file permissions are set on the new server. You can use the fixperms.php script, the upgrader script, or manually adjust them.
Configuration: If database settings are different on the new server, update the _config.php file or use the config_editor.php script to change the settings for both the site and forum databases.
Base URL: If your URL has changed, update the base URL setting in the Installation Options editor (config_editor.php).
Caches: Clear the block cache using the upgrader.php script.
How does Composr handle user authentication with external systems like LDAP or HTTP authentication?
Answer
Composr can integrate with LDAP and HTTP authentication, but these features are considered complex and may require programming experience to set up correctly. Both methods allow users to log in to Composr using their existing credentials from the external system, streamlining access and management.
What are the limitations of using a third-party forum driver?
Answer
Using a third-party forum driver can lead to limitations. Custom profile fields of type LONG_TEXT are limited to TEXT length, cookie integration is not officially supported and can be complex, and some forum drivers have specific quirks detailed in the nuances tutorial.
What are the implications of using the "none-forum" driver?
Answer
Using the "none-forum" driver disables or limits many Composr features, including commenting, points, and user interactions. Consider using Conversr instead and restricting access to the forum zone, join module, and personal zone.
How can I integrate my forum visually into my website?
Answer
Composr allows you to integrate your forum visually into your website. Enable "Show forum within website" in the Admin Zone configuration module and update the forum link in your menu to pass through the "forums" embedding module. You may need to adjust CSS to achieve a seamless look.
Where are download galleries located, and can I move them?
Answer
By default, download galleries (to contain screenshots of a download) are placed under the root gallery. You can move them to a different gallery for better organization. Here's how:
Create a new container gallery (e.g., with codename "downloads").
Change the "Create download galleries under" configuration option to your new gallery's codename.
Use Commandr to move existing galleries to the new location.
Yes, the download system integrates with the points system, allowing you to charge for downloads. This is particularly useful for communities where members create and share content, like game modifications. You can set prices for downloads and creators earn points when users purchase them. Additionally, you can create a subscription-based system by requiring points for downloads, which users can purchase via methods like PayPal.
Outmoding means marking a download as superseded or replaced by a newer version. When editing the older download, you link it to the new one in the "outmode" field. This makes it clear to users that there is a newer version available. This is handy especially if you provide software.
What are the different ways to add downloads to my Composr site?
Answer
Composr offers several methods for adding files to the download system:
Uploading via web form (when adding a download in the Content Management Zone): This is the simplest method, where you attach the file directly when defining the download details. However, it's not suitable for large files and can be affected by unreliable internet connections.
Uploading and referencing the URL: You can manually upload the file using FTP/SFTP/SCP and then provide the URL to the file in the 'Add download' form. While this is better for large files, it requires additional
access, and the file isn't managed directly by Composr.
Batch adding from an FTP server: This allows staff to add multiple downloads from an FTP server in one go using FTP URLs. It's efficient for bulk uploads but requires separate addition of descriptions.
Batch adding from a directory: Similar to the FTP method, staff can add downloads from a web server directory accessible by URL.
File/media library (filedump): Webmasters can use any of the above methods to upload a file to uploads/filedump and then reference it in a download. This is especially handy if you are going to reference the file more than once on your site.
How can I change the structure of my Composr website's pages?
Answer
You can delete and move pages using the Admin Zone > Structure > Sitemap editor. However, moving pages between zones might invalidate existing page-links unless specified using the _SEARCH zone in the link.
To avoid issues with existing links and search engine indexing, consider setting up redirects when moving pages. This can be done through Admin Zone > Structure > Redirects.
It is recommended not to move default Composr pages as it can complicate future upgrades.
How do I open or close my Composr website to the public?
Answer
By default, your Composr site is closed after installation. To open it to the public (or to close an opened site), go to Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration > Site options > Closed site and adjust the setting accordingly. You can also configure a closed site message.
While a closed site prevents public access, it's worth noting that users can still join a closed Conversr-powered site if they have access to the join module URL. However, they won't be able to log in unless they're assigned to a usergroup with "Access closed site" permissions. You can modify the join module's permissions to restrict access further.
What is the .htaccess file and how does it relate to Composr?
Answer
The .htaccess file is a configuration file for the Apache web server. It allows you to define settings that apply to the directory where it's located and its subdirectories.
Composr can leverage .htaccess to enhance security and enable features like "URL Schemes." You can try renaming the provided recommended.htaccess file to .htaccess. This file includes recommended options that tighten security and ensure Composr has necessary PHP and Apache features activated.
Note that some web hosts might restrict the use of .htaccess files.
You should regularly review recommended.htaccess for changes between Composr updates.
Composr employs a multi-layered permission system with two main types: privileges and access permissions. The system grants users the best possible access based on the combination of their usergroups.
Privileges define broad permissions, such as accessing a closed site or content manipulation abilities based on impact level (low, medium, high). You can set privileges for usergroups via checkboxes, with the option to override them for specific pages or categories. Go to Admin Zone > Security > Global privileges.
Access permissions control what content users can view. These permissions are layered:
Zone access permissions
Page (or content entry) access permissions
Catalogue access permissions
Category access permissions
To configure access permissions, you can edit the specific resource or utilize the Permissions Tree Editor under Admin Zone > Security > Permissions Tree Editor.
