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Question What are the different ways to target recipients for my newsletters?
Answer Composr offers several targeting options:
  • Subscriptions: Users can specifically subscribe to newsletters, separate from site membership.
  • Usergroups (Conversr only): You can send newsletters to members of specific usergroups, regardless of their newsletter subscriptions.
  • CSV imports/exports: You can import subscribers from a CSV file or export your subscriber list for custom targeting.
Question How can I prevent my emails from being marked as spam?
Answer Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of your emails being flagged as spam:
  • Set up SPF records: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps verify that your server is authorized to send emails from your domain.
  • Ask users to whitelist your email address: Encourage recipients to add your email address to their contacts list or "Safe Senders" list.
  • Configure DKIM: DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your emails, increasing their legitimacy.
  • Use a reputable email service provider: Consider using a third-party email service if you're struggling with email deliverability.
Question Why are my emails being blocked by spam filters?
Answer Several factors can cause emails to be blocked:
  • Server issues: Your server might be on a spam blacklist, or there may be problems with your server's reverse DNS or HELO settings.
  • Content issues: Your email content might trigger spam filters due to factors like an unreasonable image-to-text ratio, broken reply-to addresses, or inconsistent text and HTML versions.
  • SPF records: Your "Website email address" might be hosted on a different server with an SPF record that doesn't authorize your web server to send emails from that address.
Question How do I configure SMTP settings in Composr?
Answer Composr can use either its own SMTP connection code or PHP's built-in SMTP functionality. Using PHP's SMTP settings is generally recommended and can be managed at the server level. However, if your SMTP server requires authentication (which PHP doesn't support natively) or if your server lacks an SMTP server, you'll need to use Composr's SMTP connection code, configurable in the Configuration module.
Question How does Composr send emails?
Answer Composr constructs emails using language strings and templates written in Comcode. It sends emails in both HTML and plain text formats to ensure compatibility with different email clients. To minimize the chance of emails being marked as spam, Composr embeds CSS and images directly into the email instead of linking to them externally.
Question How can I make my website design more appealing to different thinking styles?
Answer Different individuals process information differently. Some are more visual, while others are more analytical. To appeal to diverse thinking styles, a website design should incorporate a balance of elements. For instance, using a striking header image coupled with well-structured, informative text can cater to both visual and analytical thinkers. Understanding your target audience and their thinking styles is key to creating a design that resonates with them.
Question What considerations are necessary when designing for different user levels on a website?
Answer User levels often necessitate different content or functionalities. For instance, administrators might need access to content creation tools, while regular visitors only view published content. Consider these factors during design:
  • Visibility: Some elements might need to be hidden or displayed based on user roles (e.g., admin-only links).
  • Permissions: Design elements and interactive features should reflect the permissions granted to different user levels.
  • Customization: Consider allowing users to customize their experience based on their preferences and roles.

Remember, a well-designed website should cater to all user levels while maintaining security and a cohesive experience.
Question How do I make my website theme mobile-friendly in Composr?
Answer Composr offers several features to optimize themes for mobile:
  • Mobile mode: You can design separate layouts and CSS styles specifically for mobile devices, which Composr automatically activates when a mobile user visits your site.
  • Tempcode's 0 symbol: This symbol helps conditionally display content based on whether the user is on a mobile device or desktop.
  • CSS media queries: By using media queries, you can target specific screen sizes and adjust styles accordingly, making your theme responsive.
  • Viewport meta tag: This tag controls how the browser scales and displays the webpage on mobile devices, ensuring a properly sized and zoomable experience.
Question What is responsive design, and why is it essential for mobile devices?
Answer Responsive design ensures a website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, providing an optimal viewing experience across devices, particularly mobile phones and tablets. It utilizes techniques like flexible grids, fluid images, and CSS media queries to adjust layout and content based on screen dimensions.

This is crucial because mobile device usage is significant, and a non-responsive site leads to a poor user experience on smaller screens, potentially driving visitors away.
Question How can I create a theme pack for release in Composr?
Answer After designing your theme, go to the admin panel's "Addons" section. You'll find an option to export your current theme as an addon. Composr will package the necessary files into a downloadable archive, ready to be shared with others or submitted to the Composr community for installation on other sites.

Top 10 Entries

Question 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.
Question Can I sell downloads on my Composr site?
Answer 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.
Question What does it mean to "outmode" a download?
Answer 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.
Question 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.
Question What is the Composr Setup Wizard and what does it do?
Answer The Setup Wizard is a guided process to help you configure essential settings for your Composr website after installation.

It can:
  • Generate a default theme and logo
  • Set initial site options
  • Remove predefined content and unnecessary addons
  • Place initial blocks on your pages

While convenient, be aware that re-running the Setup Wizard may overwrite existing settings and customizations if you already configured your site.
Question 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.
Question What are Installation Options and how can I change them?
Answer Installation Options are low-level settings for Composr, such as database details and default language.

You can access the Installation Options editor through:

  • The script: http://yourbaseurl/config_editor.php
  • The Admin Zone: Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration > Installation Options

Remember that you'll need your maintenance password, specified during installation, to access and modify these options.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question How do Composr permissions work?
Answer 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.