Can I display different content to different usergroups?
Answer
Yes, you can achieve this by leveraging Tempcode within your templates. By using conditional statements like {$IS_IN_GROUP} and {$HAS_PRIVILEGE}, you can show or hide specific content sections based on the user's group membership or privileges. This technique allows you to "tease" premium content to non-paying users or tailor the user experience based on their access level.
What are match-key permissions and why would I use them?
Answer
Match-key permissions provide a more granular level of access control beyond the standard zone, page, and category permissions. They allow you to restrict access based on specific "match-keys", which are unique identifiers for different actions or content within Composr. For instance, you could use match-key permissions to prevent guests from submitting banners or to restrict access to the member directory for all but specific usergroups. You can also specify custom access denied errors for each match-key.
A "match-key" is typically a page-link, such as cms:cms_banners:add.
How can I control who can view specific pages or categories?
Answer
You can manage access control for zones, pages, and categories primarily through the Permissions Tree Editor (Admin Zone > Security > Permissions Tree Editor). This tool provides a central location to set view permissions for different usergroups. You can also edit individual zone and category permissions through their respective editing interfaces, but the Permissions Tree Editor offers a more streamlined and efficient approach.
What is the difference between access permissions and privileges in Composr?
Answer
Access permissions control whether members of a certain usergroup can view specific areas of your site, such as zones, pages, and categories. A member only needs one of their usergroups to have access permission to view the content. But permissions work on a deny-first policy; if one of the permissions applicable to viewing something is denied for a usergroup, then the whole thing is denied for that usergroup (e.g. even if a download itself grants access, access will be denied if its category denies access).
Privileges, on the other hand, dictate what actions a usergroup is allowed to perform across the website, like using advanced Comcode or bypassing the word filter.
How can I change the news archive display to show summaries instead of just headlines?
Answer
By default, the news archive screen shows only headlines. To display summaries like the news block, add :inline=1 to the page-link. For example, if your news archive page-link is site:news, modify it to site:news:inline=1. This will show summaries instead of just the headlines in the archive view.
What are Trackbacks and how do they work in Composr?
Answer
Trackbacks are a blogging feature that creates a link from an article on one blog to an article on another, acting as a citation mechanism.
How Trackbacks Work:
The original article includes a "trackback" link in its HTML.
When another blogger writes an article referencing the original, their software uses the trackback link to inform the original site.
Composr receives the trackback and displays a list of articles linking back to the original.
To enable trackbacks, go to Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration > Feature options and check the "Trackbacks" option. You can then enable trackbacks for individual content items.
How can I filter the news archive to show specific content?
Answer
The news system allows advanced filtering:
Blog vs. Non-Blog Posts: Choose to display blog posts only, regular news posts only, or both.
Category Filtering: Limit results to specific news categories.
Double Filtering: Apply a second category filter for a two-level categorization system (useful for large sites).
These filters are controlled through parameters passed to the news blocks and carried through navigation links. When viewing a news post, you can also filter by the categories associated with that post.
How do I display external RSS feeds on my Composr website?
Answer
Composr offers two blocks for displaying RSS and Atom feeds in a news-like format:
main_rss block: Suitable for main content areas
side_rss block: Designed for sidebars and smaller spaces
To add a block, use the Block Construction Assistant or insert the following Comcode into your page:
[block="http://example.com/feed.xml"]main_rss[/block][block="http://example.com/feed.xml"]side_rss[/block] Replace "http://example.com/feed.xml" with the actual feed URL.
Important: Exercise caution when using external feeds. Ensure the source is trustworthy, as malicious feeds can contain harmful code.
What are RSS/Atom feeds and how do they benefit my website?
Answer
Feeds, in formats like RSS and Atom, are XML files that syndicate your website content, making it accessible beyond your website. They can be viewed using feed reader applications (e.g., Feedly, Vienna) or integrated into other websites or web browsers.
Composr supports both RSS and Atom for syndicating news and other content. While RSS is more common, Atom is a cleaner, standardized format. Both effectively share your content updates.
Benefits:
Wider audience reach: Your content becomes accessible to those using feed readers and aggregators.
Content repurposing: Other websites can incorporate your feed, increasing visibility.
Increased traffic: Users discovering your content in feeds may visit your website directly.
Staying on top: Those who use your RSS feeds will see when you post new news articles.
What are Personal Categories/Blogs in Composr? How do I create one?
Answer
Composr allows members of permitted usergroups to have their own personal news categories, also known as "blogs". These blogs appear as a tab on the member's profile (Conversr-only) and may also appear in the main news block depending on your configuration.
To create a blog, a member simply adds a news post and selects their personal category. If the category doesn't exist, it will be automatically created upon submission.
A dedicated "Blogs" CMS module (Admin Zone > Content > Blogs) is available if the "Separate blogs" configuration option is enabled. This simplified module focuses on blog posting and can be used to restrict members from submitting to general website news.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
