What is Tempcode, and how is it used in website themeing?
Answer
Tempcode is a templating language used within Composr. It offers a powerful way to control the output of dynamic content and design elements on a website. It works by using:
Parameters: Placeholders for content passed to the template from Composr / PHP.
Symbols: Global functions that perform operations, calculations, or retrieve information.
Directives: Instructions that control the flow or logic of content, such as conditional statements and loops.
Language strings: References to pre-defined text stored in language files for easy translation.
Escaping: Ensures the content generated is properly escaped according to its use case.
Tempcode empowers theme designers to create highly customizable and dynamic websites, allowing for logic, conditional rendering, and manipulation of various website elements.
How can design elements like dominance and attention to detail improve a website?
Answer
Dominance and attention to detail are key to a balanced and engaging website. Important elements can be emphasized using techniques like larger text, unique colors, and increased spacing. Conversely, less crucial elements should receive less emphasis. This interplay helps guide the visitor's eye and ensures a visually harmonious layout.
Attention to detail involves eliminating inconsistencies and distractions, such as typos, misaligned elements, and low-quality images, that can detract from the overall aesthetics and message of the website.
What is the importance of color schemes in website design?
Answer
Color schemes are crucial as they convey emotions and brand identity. Choosing colors that align with your website's purpose can evoke desired feelings in visitors. For example, a website selling chocolates might use shades of brown to subconsciously trigger associations with chocolate. However, an environmental website would be better suited using green, aligning with pre-existing perceptions of environmentalism.
It is also important to maintain consistency with your color scheme, limiting the number of colors used to avoid a conflicting and cluttered appearance.
Can I use Comcode / resource IDs directly when working with the repository?
Answer
Using Comcode / resource IDs directly is not recommended as they may not match between different sites. Use GUIDs instead, which Composr automatically substitutes for IDs before parsing Comcode. You can use Commandr commands like find_guid_via_id to find the GUID for specific resources.
You can access the repository using WebDAV (non-bundled addon), which allows you to view it as a folder on your computer. Composr uses the SabreDAV PHP library for WebDAV functionality. However, please be aware that SabreDAV is deprecated and may not function correctly on newer PHP versions.
The repository is structured as a filesystem with various meta-filesystems mounted under a root directory. These meta-filesystems include:
bin: Stores Commandr scripts.
database: Provides access to the raw database.
etc: Allows access to Composr configuration options.
home or filedump: Provides access to the File/Media Library.
home contains the files in a special JSON format with metadata
filedump contains the raw files
members: Lists registered members with their settings and user groups.
raw or root: Provides access to the Composr installation directory.
raw contains the raw files without overrides, and modifying any file modifies them directly without automatic override handling
root contains the files with applicable overrides applied automatically, and Composr will automatically handle overrides and utilizing _custom directories when these files are modified
var: Contains structured website resources and content.
How can potential conflicts between staff members be avoided (regarding content moderation)?
Answer
Composr incorporates "conflict detection" features to prevent staff from accidentally overwriting each other's work. When multiple staff members attempt to edit the same resource simultaneously, a warning message appears, prompting communication and coordination.
Open communication and transparency are crucial. Encourage staff to share their ongoing tasks and plans with each other to prevent overlaps and potential conflicts. Utilizing shared tools like the staff checklist and private forums can further facilitate coordination.
What should be considered when assigning roles and responsibilities to staff?
Answer
When assigning roles, it's recommended to start new staff with limited responsibilities and gradually increase their authority based on performance and dedication. This fosters a sense of progression and prevents discouragement among existing staff.
Always consider the individual's skills and interests when assigning tasks. For example, someone with strong writing skills might be well-suited for managing content creation, while a technically-minded person could excel at site maintenance.
How can staff be effectively managed in a Composr community?
Answer
Successful staff management requires a mindful approach that prioritizes fostering a positive and productive environment. Key recommendations include:
Respect staff limitations: Avoid overwhelming staff with excessive workload or overly ambitious site expansions.
Active involvement: Maintain active involvement in overseeing staff activities and ensuring their effective functioning.
Open communication: Engage in regular communication, providing feedback, addressing concerns, and recognizing achievements.
Foster teamwork: Encourage collaboration and information sharing among staff members.
Lead by example: Ensure staff adhere to community rules and demonstrate expected behavior.
Empowerment and trust: Grant sufficient freedom and control to enable staff to excel in their roles.
By fostering a supportive and empowering environment, community managers can enable staff to contribute their best efforts and drive the community's success.
How should staff members be chosen for a Composr-based online community?
Answer
Choosing staff for online communities differs from traditional hiring processes due to factors like unpaid positions, varying time commitments, and remote interactions. Focus should be placed on identifying individuals with:
Genuine interest: Look for members passionate about the community and its goals.
Available time: Ensure potential staff can dedicate sufficient time to fulfill their responsibilities.
Relevant skills: Prioritize skills and experience aligned with the specific role requirements.
Maturity and discipline: Seek individuals who demonstrate responsible behavior and commitment.
Recruitment methods like directly approaching active community members or allowing the Composr points system (or the karma non-bundled addon) to identify dedicated contributors can be more effective than traditional advertising.
How can content issues be reported and addressed by staff?
Answer
Composr's content reporting system, powered by the Tickets addon, allows users to report problematic content to staff. Key features include:
Report links: "Report this" links embedded throughout the site enable users to flag content for review.
Custom reporting interface: Forums offer a dedicated interface for reporting individual posts.
Anonymous reporting: Logged-in users can choose to report content anonymously.
Ticket-based management: Reports are automatically created as support tickets, facilitating staff collaboration and record-keeping.
Comprehensive report details: Tickets include content title, type, ID, submitter information, an embedded rendering of the reported content, and the reporter's explanation.
This system ensures efficient handling of content issues, allowing staff to address concerns effectively while maintaining a transparent record of actions taken.
How can staff members collaborate effectively in Composr?
Answer
Composr offers various tools to facilitate staff collaboration:
Private forums: Dedicated forums with restricted access enable staff to discuss site operations and coordinate activities. Composr installs a staff forum by default in Conversr.
Conflict detection: When multiple staff members attempt to edit the same resource simultaneously, Composr displays warnings at the top to prevent accidental overwrites.
Staff checklist & dashboard: The Admin Zone dashboard provides a shared checklist for task management, along with space for notes and links.
Staff notifications and tickets system: Staff receive notifications about various site events, including support tickets from the "Contact Us" page, allowing for efficient issue handling.
Content notes: Staff can embed notes within Comcode or use dedicated "staff notes" fields for various content types to share information and context.
Validation and workflows: Content can be intentionally left unvalidated even by staff, enabling secondary checks before publishing. A dedicated workflows addon allows for complex approval processes with multiple stages involving different staff groups.
System-defined staff: This includes administrators and super moderators who have specific privileges within the forum/member system (Conversr).
Privilege-based staff: Anyone granted the necessary permissions for a particular situation is considered staff for that context.
Composr prioritizes flexibility by utilizing privileges over fixed roles, allowing for customized staff responsibilities. However, certain features like "staff reply" in tickets inherently rely on a pre-existing understanding of "staff."
