Features: A-Z Index

A

Administration Zone

Administration Zone

B

Banners

Banners

C

Calendar

Calendar

Catalogues

Catalogues

Chatrooms and IM

Chatrooms and IM

Community features

Community features

Content Sharing

Content Sharing

Conversr Forums

Conversr Forums

Conversr Topic Polls

Conversr Topic Polls

D

Design without barriers

Design without barriers

Downloads

Downloads

E

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

eCommerce and Subscriptions

eCommerce and Subscriptions

Extendable

Extendable

F

Featured Content

Featured Content

G

Galleries

Galleries

I

Installation

Installation

Integration

Integration

L

Localisation

Localisation

M

Membership

Membership

N

News and Blogs

News and Blogs

Newsletters

Newsletters

P

Parental Controls

Parental Controls

Performance

Performance

Points

Points

Privacy Tools

Privacy Tools

Q

Quizzes and Surveys

Quizzes and Surveys

R

Rich Media

Rich Media

S

Search Engine Optimisation

Search Engine Optimisation

Searching

Searching

Security

Security

Spam Protection

Spam Protection

Stay on Top

Stay on Top

Structure / Navigation

Structure / Navigation

Support Tickets

Support Tickets

T

Template Programming Language

Template Programming Language

Testing tools

Testing tools

Themeing tools

Themeing tools

Third party integration

Third party integration

W

Warnings / Moderation

Warnings / Moderation

Web Pages

Web Pages

Web standards

Web standards

Website Polls

Website Polls

White-labeling (Debranding)

White-labeling (Debranding)

Wiki+

Wiki+

Newest 10 Entries

Question What are the limitations for uploading large files?
Answer
  • 32-bit PHP build: Files larger than 2GB are not supported.
  • 64-bit PHP build: Files larger than 2GB are supported, but the file size will not be displayed.

For very large files, it's recommended to upload them manually and provide the URL instead of directly uploading them through the web form.

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Question Can users search for specific downloads?
Answer Yes, the unified Composr search system allows users to find downloads based on keywords. This includes searching within download titles and descriptions, as well as within the content of certain file types like PDFs, text files, and even some binary formats (providing they are not too large in size).

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Question Can I add images to my downloads?
Answer Yes, Composr automatically creates a gallery for each download (if the galleries addon is enabled). You can easily add images directly after creating the download or through the download-view screen. The download gallery is displayed within the download-view screen itself.

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Question Are there security features to protect downloaded files?
Answer Yes, Composr includes security measures to protect downloads.
  • Protection from hackers: Uploaded files are stored with obscured filenames, preventing direct access and bypassing of the download system. Additionally, an anti-leech feature (when enabled) prevents direct download links from being shared on other websites (this is done by requiring a session ID which is validated against the person / device accessing it and only provided when Composr presents the download links to you on the site).
  • Basic security: Composr will not let anyone upload dangerous scripts (such as PHP files) which can be executed.
  • Rootkit detection: The rootkit detection tool under yourbaseurl/rootkit_detection.php can help scan files for shell scripts and backdoors. Composr's Health Check can also do this regularly. Note this only offers very basic detection and will not work for obfuscated backdoors (you should use antivirus to scan for those).

It is the responsibility of webmasters to run antivirus on their site to regularly scan files uploaded to it. Composr does not include antivirus software or virus scanning.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Top 10 Entries

Question What notification options are available to members?
Answer Members can choose from a wide range of notifications, including:
  • Content Updates: Notifications for new or updated content, such as news articles, forum posts, and gallery images.
  • Private Messages: Alerts for new private messages received.
  • Friend Requests: Notifications for new friend requests.
  • Administrative Actions: Alerts for actions taken by site administrators, such as account approvals or content moderation decisions.

Members can choose to receive notifications via:
  • Email: Notifications sent directly to their email address.
  • Digest Email: Combined summaries of activity sent in batched emails. This requires the system scheduler and the digest e-mails configuration option to be enabled.
  • Private Topics: Notifications delivered as private forum topics.
  • SMS: Notifications sent as text messages (requires configuration and incurs costs).
  • Web Notifications: Real-time alerts displayed within the Composr interface.

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Question Can I share content like news and banners across the M.S.N.?
Answer Yes, you can share news by placing it on the central site and using RSS blocks on satellite sites to display it. Banners can be shared by adding them to the central site and configuring satellite sites to use the central site's banner.php script.

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Question What should I consider when managing usergroups for subcommunities?
Answer
  • Rank ladders: Use the default rank ladder for main site ranks and secondary usergroups for subcommunity memberships.
  • New member status: Set default usergroups for new members to grant them initial access while allowing removal if necessary.
  • Leadership: Assign leaders to usergroups to allow members to manage subcommunities.
  • Clubs: Consider using Clubs for member-driven subcommunities with their own forums.

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Question What are Composr Clubs and how are they useful for subcommunities?
Answer Clubs are special usergroups in Conversr (Composr's forum system) designed for creating subcommunities. They come with their own dedicated forums and are managed by members, taking pressure off site staff.

Key features:
  • No special permissions by default, simplifying permission management.
  • Members can join and leave like regular usergroups.
  • Provide a dedicated forum for the club.

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Question What are redirects and how can I use them for subsites?
Answer Redirects let you create custom URL paths that point to different zones and pages within your site.

Examples:
  • Sharing modules across zones: Create a redirect to make a module in one zone appear in another.
  • Creating shortcuts: Use a redirect to point a short URL to a longer, more complex URL.
  • Moving pages: Use a redirect to ensure old links still work after moving a page to a new location.

Go to Admin Zone > Structure > Redirects.

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Question What are virtual roots and how do I use them?
Answer Virtual roots let you make a sub-category within a Composr module (e.g., downloads) appear as the top-level category. This is useful for creating separate "databases" of content for different subcommunities.

To create a virtual root:
  • Enable "Virtual root links" in the Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration > Feature options > Advanced.
  • Navigate to the desired category while logged in as staff.
  • Click the rightmost link in the breadcrumbs (it will be an anchor for virtual root creation).
  • Use the resulting URL in your menus to link to the "virtualized" category.

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Question Can I have subsites and subcommunities within a single Composr installation?
Answer Yes, Composr offers various tools to create subsites and subcommunities within a single installation:
  • Zones: Create separate sections under different URLs with their own pages and content.
  • Redirects: Make modules appear in different zones without actually moving them.
  • Categories & Virtual Roots: Organize content like galleries, downloads, and catalogs into sub-trees that appear as separate entities.
  • Usergroups & Permissions: Group members into subcommunities and control their access to specific content.
  • Themes: Customize the look of different zones.

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Question What is the difference between a central site and a satellite site in an M.S.N.?
Answer The central site hosts the shared forum, member database, and netlink system. It is the core of your M.S.N.

Satellite sites are the additional websites within your network. They connect to the central site for member information and forum access.

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Question What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an M.S.N.?
Answer Advantages:
  • Full control: You have complete control over each site's settings and content.
  • Administrative separation: Managing staff and content for each site is more organized.
  • Special M.S.N. features: Composr provides specific features like the 'netlink' system for easy navigation between network sites.

Disadvantages:
  • Configuration and maintenance: Setting up and maintaining multiple sites can be more complex.

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Question What is a multi-site network (M.S.N.) in Composr?
Answer An M.S.N. allows you to run multiple Composr websites (installations) that share a common forum and member database. It's ideal for website networks with shared communities but segmented content, staff, or branding. In essence, members who join one site automatically have accounts on all sites within the network.

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