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.
Yes, you can reward users with points for successfully passing a test. This incentivizes participation and encourages users to engage with your content.
Surveys: These quizzes gather information from participants without right or wrong answers, making them ideal for collecting opinions and feedback.
Tests: Tests assess knowledge with right and wrong answers and provide immediate feedback to participants, including pass/fail results. They're suitable for evaluating understanding of a topic.
Competitions: These quizzes rank participants based on their scores, allowing you to select winners. Competitions are great for engaging users and promoting specific content or events.
Conversr utilizes a rank system based on your accumulated rank points. As you earn points, you progress through different usergroups, unlocking new privileges and benefits. Your rank is a status symbol within the community and often grants access to exclusive features or content.
This is subject to your configuration. To make a rank ladder based on points, go to Admin Zone > Security > Usergroups. You are given options regarding ranks when adding or editing a usergroup.
Members can see their rank and progress on their member profile rank tab. They can also see all the rank-based benefits they unlocked and ones yet to unlock in future ranks.
Points escrow is a system that holds points securely during transactions involving a written agreement, often for a product or service. This ensures trust and provides a resolution mechanism in case of disputes.
Creating an Escrow: You initiate an escrow on the member's profile points tab, specifying the amount, reason, and any agreement details.
Points Held: The points are deducted from your balance and held by the system.
Agreement Fulfillment: Both parties must mark the escrow as satisfied upon fulfilling the agreement.
Points Release: Once both parties are satisfied, the recipient receives the points.
Disputes: If either party has a dispute, they can dispute the escrow, which then locks it down and notifies a staff member to review and take a resolution action.
Can I create a leaderboard to showcase top point earners?
Answer
Yes, Composr offers a leaderboard block and module to display top point holders. You can customize the leaderboard to show weekly, monthly, or yearly rankings, filter by usergroups, and exclude staff members if desired. This can encourage healthy competition and motivate members to earn points.
Go to Admin Zone > Setup > Leader-boards to create a leader-board.
Staff members with the "Moderate members' points" privilege can directly credit or debit points from members' accounts. This can be used to reward exceptional contributions, refund purchases, or penalize rule violations.
The ledger provides a transparent and immutable record of every point transaction on the website. It ensures accountability and allows members to track their point activity. Members can view their own ledger, and with the appropriate privilege, they can also see the ledgers of others.
