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Question How do I set up the system scheduler in Composr?
Answer The system scheduler is crucial for scheduled tasks like sending notifications, running backups, and processing reports. To set it up, you need to schedule a system-level task to run the data/cron_bridge.php file at least every 10 minutes. This links Composr's scheduler with your server's scheduler (like Cron on Linux).

Composr can often detect the correct command to use for your setup. You can check by visiting http://yourbaseurl/data/cron_bridge.php?query_mode=1, which should display the suggested Cron command. Note that you may need to replace the php command with the absolute path to PHP if you cannot use the php command directly.

If your hosting doesn't support Cron or scheduled tasks, you can enable scheduled tasks to run when visitors access your site. Navigate to Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration > Performance options and check "Web requests run scheduled tasks". Keep in mind that this method relies on visitor traffic and isn't as reliable as a dedicated scheduler.

Alternatively, consider using external services like EasyCron, setcronjob.com, or onlinecronjobs.com. These services allow you to schedule calls to the data/cron_bridge.php script by URL at specified intervals.
Question What are the different security levels in Composr's Setup Wizard and what do they affect?
Answer Composr offers five security levels in the Setup Wizard: Minimum, Low, Medium, High, and Ultra High. Each level sets various security configurations that you can later customize under Admin Zone > Setup > Configuration.

The security levels influence settings such as:

  • Content Security Policy
  • Session expiry time
  • Password reset process
  • Password expiry days
  • Minimum password length and strength
  • Login error secrecy
  • IP strictness for sessions
  • Cryptographic ratchet
  • CAPTCHA usage
  • Brute force threshold
  • Audio CAPTCHA
  • URL Monikers
  • .htaccess restrictions on maintenance scripts
  • Enquiry on new IP addresses

The higher the security level, the more stringent the security measures, with Ultra High offering the most robust protection but the most potential inconvenience to users.

Generally, you should use these settings depending on your site:
  • Minimum: Very bare-bones informational-only sites
  • Low: Sites which do not allow public registrations and do not use eCommerce but have content managed by different staff, and are not concerned with privacy or data
  • Medium: Sites with social features / public accounts but do not use eCommerce.
  • High: Sites which use eCommerce.
  • Ultra High: Sites containing very sensitive data, such as but not limited to cybersecurity sites, government departments, banks, healthcare, etc.
Question How do I change my website's logo?
Answer You can change your site's logo manually or by using the Logo Wizard. To change it manually, go to Admin Zone > Style > Themes. Choose "logo/-logo" from the dropdown list, which represents the logo for the Welcome Zone and any zone without a specific logo. Replace the current image by uploading a new .jpeg, .gif, or .png file. Ensure that the 'Name' field remains unchanged.
Question What are Composr addons and how do I manage them?
Answer Composr is built using a series of addons that provide different functionalities. All "bundled" addons are installed by default. Once you are familiar with Composr, it's recommended to remove any bundled addons you don't need to simplify your site and prevent accidental exposure of unconfigured features to visitors (the Setup Wizard can also uninstall these addons based on your preferences). You can manage addons by navigating to Admin Zone > Structure > Addons. Uninstalled addons are archived and can be restored later, but any associated data will be permanently lost.

Composr also offers non-bundled addons. These addons are not bundled because they are not considered mainstream, rely on third-party services, haven't been vetted to Composr standards, or don't fully conform to those standards.

You can install non-bundled addons by going to Admin Zone > Structure > Addons, scrolling to the bottom and clicking "Import non-bundled addon(s)". You will need to browse to the addon file and click the import button. Once imported, review the warnings and proceed to install the addon.

You can also download and import addons from this website under the Downloads section.
Question What are some of the default Comcode pages in Composr?
Answer Composr includes several default Comcode pages, each serving a specific purpose:

  • home (Welcome and Site zones): The default front pages for the respective zones.
  • sitemap (Welcome zone): Displays the sitemap, typically generated automatically.
  • _rules (Welcome zone): Outlines the site rules, also displayed during registration. The "rules" page (no underscore) is a wrapper for this page.
  • privacy (Welcome zone): Provides privacy policy information. By default, this is generated automatically with Composr's privacy policy generator block.
  • 404 (Welcome zone): The page shown for 404 errors (page not found) and includes a sitemap.
  • help (Site zone): Contains general help information.
  • userguide_comcode (Site zone): A basic guide to Comcode for users.

Remember that you can edit these default pages or create entirely new ones to tailor your site's content to your specific needs.
Question How do I hide a Comcode page from the sitemap?
Answer If you want to prevent a Comcode page from appearing in your sitemap, you can simply prefix its name with an underscore (_). For example, pages named "_test" or "_example" would be excluded from the sitemap. Note that this generally does not hide the page from your site itself (to do that, use the validation addon to turn validated to "OFF" for the pages); it only hides them from the sitemap / search engines.
Question Can I organize Comcode pages in a hierarchical structure?
Answer Yes, Composr allows you to simulate a hierarchical structure for your Comcode pages using multi-part paths in the page monikers. By editing the page monikers to include slashes (e.g., "about/team"), you can create a virtual directory structure within a single zone, enhancing your site's organization and navigation.
Question How do I embed content from other modules into a Comcode page?
Answer You can use various blocks to embed content from different modules:

  • main_content block: Allows you to feature individual entries from modules/content like news or articles.
  • main_multi_content, main_cc_embed, main_gallery_embed, main_news blocks: Enable you to pull in and display multiple entries based on categories or other criteria.
  • main_include_module block: Provides a powerful way to integrate any module screen directly into a Comcode page.
Question What is the difference between blocks and boxes in Composr?
Answer While both terms may seem similar, they have distinct meanings in Composr:
  • Blocks are functional units that generate dynamic content or provide specific features. They don't inherently have a visual form and their output can vary widely.
  • Boxes are a visual design element in Composr, essentially containers that visually group content on a page and often with a title at the top.

In practice, blocks often place their content within a box, but this isn't a requirement / standard.
Question Can I customize the appearance of blocks?
Answer Yes, you can customize the appearance of blocks by editing the associated templates and CSS. Each block typically has a corresponding template file (e.g., BLOCK_MAIN_NEWS.tpl for the main_news block) that controls its HTML structure. You can modify this template to change the layout and styling of the block's output.

An easy way to do this is through the template editor in Admin Zone > Style > Themes, and click edit templates for the relevant theme.

Top 10 Entries

Question What web technologies does Composr use beyond HTML, CSS, and JavaScript?
Answer Composr relies on a wide range of web technologies (depending on what features and settings you use), including:
  • Protocols: HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SFTP, SMTP, IMAP, POP3, DNS, and others
  • Data formats: XML, JSON, CSV, PHP's serialized format, iCalendar, and various image and archive formats
  • Standards: Accessibility standards (WCAG, WAI-ARIA), metadata standards (Open Graph, schema.org, Dublin Core), and microformats
  • Server-side technologies: PHP, SQL (for database interaction)
  • Composr-specific technologies: Tempcode (template system), Comcode (content language), Page-links, Filtercode, Selectcode, and Language packs
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question How does Composr handle browser compatibility?
Answer 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question How does JavaScript enhance website interactivity?
Answer JavaScript is a programming language that runs in web browsers, allowing for dynamic and interactive elements on web pages. It enables features like:
  • Dynamic content updates: Modifying page content without requiring a full page reload.
  • User interface enhancements: Creating interactive elements like dropdown menus, image sliders, and form validation.
  • Animations and visual effects: Adding visual appeal and engaging user experiences.
  • Asynchronous communication: Fetching data from, or sending data to, servers in the background without disrupting user interaction.

Composr relies on JavaScript for its default theme and administrative features.
Question 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.
Question What are cookies and how do they work?
Answer 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.