Contributors: A-Z Index

A

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

C

Name	Photograph	Title / Role	Contributions / Notes
Chris Graham		Founder	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.	View
Chris Warburton		developer for ocProducts	Made some key contributions to ocPortal	View

H

Name	Photograph	Title / Role	Contributions / Notes
Haydn Maidment		project manager for ocProducts	None available	View

J

Name	Photograph	Title / Role	Contributions / Notes
Jim Davidson		contributor	written many tutorials via Arvixe	View

P

Name	Photograph	Title / Role	Contributions / Notes
Patrick Schmalstig		Lead Developer	Joined Chris Graham behind the scenes in the development of Composr CMS in 2016. Took on the lead developer role in 2023 when Chris Graham stepped back to attend to his new lifestyle changes. Spearheaded the development of Composr CMS v11 and the new website, Composr.app. Formed the company PDStig, LLC to take on professional support and development for Composr CMS users especially after the discontinuation of ocProducts, Ltd.	View
Philip Withnall		Early Developer	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	View

R

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

S

Name	Photograph	Title / Role	Contributions / Notes
Steve Jarvis		project manager for ocProducts	Wrote many tutorials via Arvixe	View

Newest 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.

Top 10 Entries

Question	What is the Composr Repository?
Answer	The Composr repository is a user-friendly representation of Composr's data, which is typically stored in a database and on the filesystem. It presents the data in an easily accessible format using the JSON standard and can be accessed as a folder on your computer via WebDAV.

Question	What is Commandr?
Answer	Commandr is a command-line interface designed for experienced system administrators who prefer using a command line over a GUI. It supplements the Composr Admin Zone, allowing you to execute commands in the form of: PHP code (prefix `:`) SQL database queries (prefix `@`) (queries must be executed one at a time; semi-colon separation is not supported) Shell commands (prefix `#`) Commandr-code scripts (store in the Composr filesystem's bin directory, and just type the name of the script) Commandr-code commands (no prefixes) You can access Commandr via the Admin Zone > Tools > Commandr or using the Commandr button in the footer.

Question	Are there alternative chat solutions that integrate with Composr?
Answer	Yes, you can integrate third-party chat solutions with Composr. For example, CometChat is a commercial chat system that provides a Composr integration. You can also leverage video chat services like Talky, Jitsi, or appear.in by embedding links within your chat templates. For sales-chat needs, consider integrating a dedicated live chat platform like Comm100.

Question	Are there any limitations to the Composr Chat system?
Answer	While the Composr Chat system provides robust chat and IM features, it does have some limitations. Currently, it does not support video chat, sales-focused chat features, desktop app integration, or optimal performance for very high volumes of concurrent users. Additionally, it is only near real-time as Composr queries for new messages using AJAX at a set interval.

Question	Are there any safety guidelines for younger users?
Answer	It's crucial to emphasize safety, especially for younger users. Encourage them to follow these guidelines: never arrange to meet anyone from a chatroom in person, be cautious about sharing personal information, and report any suspicious behavior to moderators.

Question	Can I download chat logs?
Answer	Yes, you can download logs of any chat conversation. Simply navigate to the chatroom, click on the "Download chat logs" link, specify the desired date/time range, and the system will generate a downloadable log file for you.

Question	How can I moderate the chatrooms?
Answer	Composr offers a range of moderation features. Moderators can edit or delete messages, ban disruptive users, and delete entire chatrooms if necessary. Inline moderation links are available within chatrooms for quick actions, while the Admin Zone provides comprehensive moderation tools for managing chat content and user behavior.

Question	What is Chatcode and how can I use it?
Answer	Chatcode is a system of simple commands that you can embed within your chat messages to perform advanced actions. These actions include sending private messages to specific users within a chatroom, interacting with automated bots, sending chatroom invitations, and even creating new chatrooms.

Question	How does the chat system work?
Answer	The chat system utilizes AJAX technology, enabling dynamic updates without requiring page reloads. It includes a "Chat Lobby" where users can view available chatrooms and manage their friend lists for instant messaging. Users can join chatrooms to participate in group conversations or engage in private conversations with friends.

Question	What is the Composr Chat system?
Answer	Composr Chat is a feature built into the Composr CMS that provides both chatrooms and instant messaging capabilities. It offers real-time, text-based communication for users on your website.

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