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Newest 10 Entries

Question What are "breadcrumbs," and how can I customize them?
Answer Breadcrumbs are a navigation aid that shows the user their current location within the website's hierarchy. In Composr, breadcrumbs are customizable through an XML file.

You can override default breadcrumbs using "match-keys" to target specific pages and define the desired breadcrumb structure. This allows you to adjust the breadcrumb trail to better match your website's organization.

To edit, go to Admin Zone > Structure > Configure breadcrumb overrides.
Question How can I control which panels are displayed on specific pages?
Answer Panels are the areas around your main content area where you can place menus, blocks, and other dynamic elements. You can control panel visibility using display rules within your panel's Comcode:
{+START,IF,{$NEQ,{$PAGE},example_page_1,example_page_2,example_page_3}}
... panel content ...
{+END}

This example prevents the panel from showing on pages named "example_page_1," "example_page_2," and "example_page_3."
Question What is a "page-link," and how does it differ from a URL?
Answer A page-link is a Composr-specific way to reference a page or screen within your website. It's a simplified, local representation of a URL, independent of the URL scheme you might be using.

For example, the page-link site:downloads:browse:10 points to the download category with ID 10 in the site zone. This page-link remains consistent even if your URL scheme changes the way URLs are structured. Page-links also do not consider monikers, so if a URL moniker changes, page-links will stay the same.

This is a powerful feature as you can use the Comcode [page="page-link"]Page title[/page] tag to generate URLs of local content. And these will always work regardless of URL scheme or moniker.
Question How do menus work in Composr, and can I customize them?
Answer Composr has a flexible menu system that can be customized to your needs.
  • Default Menu: Generated automatically from the Sitemap, reflecting the structure of your content.
  • Editable Menus: You can create and fully customize these menus, adding links to specific content or external websites.

Menus can be added to panels (sidebars, headers, footers) or embedded directly within Comcode pages. The menu editor provides tools for adding branches, setting captions, tooltips, and URLs, and even defining context-sensitive behavior using "match-keys."
Question What are "zones" in Composr, and what are they used for?
Answer Zones are like sub-sites within your Composr website. They provide a way to organize content and apply different settings, like permissions, themes, and navigation. Some default zones include:
  • Welcome Zone: The initial landing page, often used for login/signup.
  • Site Zone: Your main website content, with features for viewing, submitting, editing, and deleting content on the member level.
  • Admin Zone: For site administrators to manage the website.
  • Content Management Zone: Where content is added, edited, and deleted, typically by site staff.
  • Forum Zone (if using Conversr): Houses the forum section of your site.
Question What are the different ways to control access in Composr?
Answer Composr offers a robust permission system with various methods for controlling access:
  • Zones, Pages, and Categories: Control which usergroups can view specific zones, pages, and categories (permissions).
    • Admin Zone > Security > Permissions Tree Editor, or on the UI for the Zone / Page / Category.
  • Global Privileges: Define permissions for actions like using advanced Comcode or bypassing the word filter, applicable across the entire site.
    • Admin Zone > Security > Global privileges
  • Module/Page Overrides: Tailor privileges for particular content types by overriding them on the controlling module or page.
    • Admin Zone > Security > Permissions Tree Editor [> Content permissions]
  • Category Overrides: Modify privileges for specific categories, allowing fine-grained control over actions within those categories.
    • Admin Zone > Security > Permissions Tree Editor
  • Match-key Permissions: Implement ad-hoc access control based on specific match-keys, offering flexibility beyond traditional permission structures.
    • Admin Zone > Security > Match-key page restrictions
Question What happens when I add a new usergroup to a third-party forum integrated with Composr?
Answer If you are not using Conversr as your forum, Composr won't automatically assign any permissions to the new usergroup. To rectify this, you can use the "Absorb usergroup-permissions" feature in the Admin Zone. This tool allows you to copy the permissions from an existing usergroup to the newly created one, ensuring consistent access and functionality.
Question What are some security considerations regarding super-moderators and super-administrators?
Answer While super-moderators have extensive access to manage your site, certain sensitive privileges are reserved for super-administrators. This includes the ability to impersonate other users, execute arbitrary code, and view private content. These restrictions help prevent potential privilege escalation and ensure the overall security of your website. Exercise caution when granting super-moderator status and trust only reliable individuals.
Question What are some useful tools for debugging permission issues?
Answer Composr provides a couple of tools to help pinpoint permission problems:
  • FirePHP: This browser add-on allows you to view detailed logs of permission checks performed by Composr. By analyzing these logs, you can identify which checks are failing and adjust your settings accordingly.
  • Permission Check Logging: Enable logging of failed permission checks to a file (data_custom/permission_checks.log). This provides a persistent record of permission issues that you can review and troubleshoot.
Question How can I test if my permission settings are working correctly?
Answer Composr's "SU" feature allows administrators to temporarily assume the identity of another user, enabling you to experience the site as they would. Simply enter the desired username in the "SU" box in the footer. You can also use "Guest" to browse as an unauthenticated visitor. Remember that using "SU" doesn't accurately reflect online status and retains administrator access to sensitive areas.

Top 10 Entries

Name Jim Davidson
Title / Role contributor
Contributions / Notes

written many tutorials via Arvixe

Name Chris Warburton
Title / Role developer for ocProducts
Contributions / Notes

Made some key contributions to ocPortal

Name Haydn Maidment
Title / Role project manager for ocProducts
Contributions / Notes

None available

Name Steve Jarvis
Title / Role project manager for ocProducts
Contributions / Notes

Wrote many tutorials via Arvixe

Name Philip Withnall
Title / Role Early Developer
Contributions / Notes

Coded the chatroom, blogging support, the analytics system, and OcCLE (now Commandr)

Masters Degree in Computer Science degree from The University Of Cambridge

Other work has included helping out with Firefox, and ongoing work on GNOME

Name Allen Ellis
Photograph Image
Title / Role Founder
Contributions / Notes

Original designer for ocPortal

Also conceived and coded the Theme Wizard and Point Store

Son of one of the early inventors of Internet protocols (Usenet, aka Internet newsgroups)

Token non-brit

Name Robert Goacher
Photograph Image
Title / Role Founder
Contributions / Notes

Ran some of the early websites where ocPortal came from

Technically the original developer of ocPortal, in that he wrote the first few lines of code

Heavily involved in the feature design process

Hosted some of our early meet-ups

Name Chris Graham
Photograph Image
Title / Role Founder
Contributions / Notes

Original developer of ocPortal, former lead developer of Composr CMS

Masters degree in Computer Science from The University Of Sheffield

Undertaken work for over 15 FTSE-100 companies, as well as many small and mid-sized organisations. Includes a number of banks and major brands.

Links

@gamerevolt

Website Earth & Sky
Screenshot Image
Short Description Earth & Sky is a Composr v11 gallery website showcasing natural photography by Mark Brunner.
Website Saving Wallden
Screenshot Image
Short Description This is an informational website for a Visual Pinball X game in development called "Saving Wallden". The site features the planned game rules, development news, and a download of the game as it is so far.