The forum base URL should be a URL prefix to your forums without a script name. For example, http://forums.example.com is correct, while http://forums.example.com/index.php is incorrect. You can fix this using the config_editor.php script and then clear the Comcode page cache.
Most Composr resources with commenting enabled create comment topics in the configured comment forum. If the forum uses BBCode, Comcode features not supported by BBCode may not display correctly. Moderate comments from the forum as you would any other topic.
It's not easy to switch forums after installing Composr. The member and usergroup IDs referenced by Composr would lose their association. Check the "Importing data into Composr" tutorial for more information on this.
Conversr is Composr's built-in forum system. It offers seamless integration, allowing you to use Comcode for forum posts, a unified Admin Zone, shared themes and templates, and innovative features like Private Topics and in-post whispers. Using a third-party forum can be clunky and may lead to maintenance headaches.
Composr supports several forum drivers, including Invision Board, phpBB, myBB, vBulletin, Burning Board, and Simple Machine Forum. If your forum is not listed, professional developers can add support. Composr also provides converters for migrating from these forums to its own forum system, Conversr.
What are the PHP requirements for running Composr?
Answer
Composr requires PHP 7.2 or higher, but versions not officially supported by PHP developers are discouraged. The maximum tested version is PHP 8.3.
Required PHP extensions:
GD2 (gd) with PNG and JPEG support
MySQL extension (mysqli or pdo_mysql)
XML extension (xml)
Multibyte String (mbstring)
cURL extension (curl)
JSON support (usually available by default)
Sodium (libsodium)
ZIP extension (zip) if ZIP file support is needed
Additional recommendations:
posix extension for permission checks
zlib extension for faster upgrades, compressed backups, and page compression
ctype extension for slightly faster performance
IMAP extension (imap) for managing newsletter bounces
OpenSSL extension (openssl) for encrypted CPFs, DKIM, and SSL certificate expiry checks
Pspell (pspell) or Enchant (enchant) extensions for spell checking
Ensure the following PHP settings are configured:
File upload size limit of at least 5MB (or higher as needed)
Maximum execution time of at least 30 seconds
Memory limit of at least 128MB
The installer will warn you if any critical functions have been disabled via disable_functions or other PHP modifications. Avoid web hosts that heavily restrict standard PHP functionality.
To uninstall Composr, access the uninstall.php file in your web browser, enter your administrator password, and follow the prompts to remove the database data. Afterward, you can safely delete the Composr installation directory.
What are the recommended web hosting options for Composr?
Answer
Choosing a web host is crucial. Avoid the cheapest options and look for hosts with recent positive reviews and minimal credible complaints. Ensure they meet Composr's requirements, including adequate disk space, no restrictive file size limits, and support for required PHP extensions.
Composr is compatible with various hosting control panels like Plesk and cPanel, and works on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS servers.
Yes, you can install Composr on a Windows desktop using software packages like WampServer, XAMPP, EasyPHP, or ampps for simplified setup. Alternatively, you can manually install Apache, PHP, and MySQL, following the instructions provided in the respective documentation. Remember to configure file permissions appropriately and ensure the webserver isn't accessible from outside your network.
How does Composr ensure printed web pages look appropriate?
Answer
Composr uses a combination of approaches to ensure printed web pages have a suitable layout:
Automatic browser behavior: Browsers typically disable background images when printing.
CSS print stylesheets: Composr utilizes CSS to define specific display rules for printed versions of pages, such as removing margins and hiding social media links.
wide_print parameter: This parameter, activated through specific links or specifying it in the URL, further influences page layout for printing.
How can I test my website's compatibility across different browsers and devices?
Answer
Testing your website on different browsers and devices can be challenging due to operating system limitations and device availability. Here are some solutions:
Virtual Machines: Use virtual machines to run different operating systems and test various Internet Explorer versions.
Device Emulation: Use built-in device emulation features in browsers like Chrome to simulate mobile devices.
Online Testing Services: Employ commercial online testing services like BrowserStack to access a wide range of browsers and devices hosted in the cloud.
Real Devices: Conduct testing on physical mobile devices for a more realistic user experience.
What are the recommended desktop settings for viewing a Composr website?
Answer
A minimum screen resolution of 1024x768 is strongly recommended for viewing a Composr website. This is the minimum resolution for which the default theme is designed. Using a lower resolution might lead to display issues or an unsatisfactory browsing experience. As of version 11, smaller resolutions will often trigger the mobile layout automatically (responsiveness) to ensure a better UI for smaller displays.
Composr aims to support all modern browsers, including the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Internet Explorer 11. It is designed to work seamlessly with browsers that automatically update, like Chrome and Firefox. For browsers with manual updates, Composr generally supports the last two releases.
While not explicitly supported, Composr will often address bug reports for other popular browsers like Opera, Chromium, and Konqueror. Additionally, Composr strives to provide an accessible experience for text-mode browsers and those designed for users with disabilities.
What is CSS and how does it impact website design?
Answer
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a language used to describe the visual presentation of a web page written in HTML or XHTML. It controls aspects like:
Fonts and typography: Defining font families, sizes, weights, and styles.
Colors and backgrounds: Setting colors for text, backgrounds, borders, and other elements.
Layout and positioning: Controlling the placement and arrangement of elements on a page.
Visual effects: Adding shadows, gradients, transitions, and other visual enhancements.
By separating content structure (XHTML) from visual presentation (CSS), websites become easier to maintain and update. Changes to the design can be made without altering the underlying HTML structure.
Composr utilizes CSS extensively for theming, allowing users to manipulate the website's visual appearance.
Why is understanding XHTML important for website customization?
Answer
XHTML (Extensible HyperText Markup Language) is the language used to structure web page content. It defines the various elements of a webpage, such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links.
Understanding XHTML is crucial for website customization because it allows you to:
Modify page layout: Change the arrangement and positioning of elements on a page.
Add new content: Insert additional text, images, or other multimedia elements.
Customize the appearance of existing elements: Change fonts, colors, sizes, and other visual styles.
Integrate interactive features: Embed JavaScript code for dynamic functionality.
Composr uses XHTML for its templates, allowing users to extensively customize the website's design and layout.
What is the difference between cookies and sessions?
Answer
While both cookies and sessions are used for user identification and maintaining state, there are key differences:
Storage: Cookies are stored on the user's computer, while sessions are stored on the server.
Expiration: Session cookies expire when the browser is closed, while persistent cookies have a set expiration date. Sessions typically expire after a period of inactivity.
Data sensitivity: Sessions are generally used for more sensitive data, as the information is not stored on the user's computer and therefore less likely to be stolen by a hacker.
Composr uses both cookies and sessions. Session cookies are primarily used for user identification (such as anonymously matching a user to a session in the server database), while persistent cookies can be used for remembering login details if the user chooses.
A cookie is a small piece of data that a website stores on a user's computer. It is sent from the user's web browser to the web server each time a page is viewed. Cookies are used for various purposes, including:
User identification: Cookies can be used to identify a specific user, even if they are not logged in. This allows websites to remember user preferences, shopping cart contents, and other information.
Tracking user behavior: Cookies can be used to track user behavior on a website, such as the pages they visit and the links they click. This information can be used to improve the website's design and content.
Advertising: Cookies can be used to deliver targeted advertising to users based on their browsing history.
There are two main types of cookies:
Session cookies: These cookies are temporary and are deleted when the user closes their web browser. They are often used to store information about the user's current session, such as the items in their shopping cart.
Persistent cookies: These cookies are stored on the user's computer for a longer period. They can be used to remember user preferences, such as their login details or language settings.
