Featured Sites: A-Z Index

H


Newest 10 Entries

Question How do I add dynamic content to my Comcode pages?
Answer Composr utilizes "blocks" to embed dynamic content and functionality within Comcode pages. These blocks can range from displaying recent forum posts to showing information about the logged-in user.

To add a block, you can use the "block construction assistant" accessible via a button above the editor. This tool provides a user-friendly way to:
  • Browse and select available blocks.
  • Configure the block parameters.
  • Preview the block output.
  • Generate the necessary Comcode to embed the block.
Question How do I create a new Comcode page?
Answer Composr provides two easy ways to create a new Comcode page:

Method 1: Direct URL Entry
Type the desired URL of your new page into your browser's address bar.
Since the page doesn't exist yet, Composr will present you with a 404 error and a link to create it. Click the link to open the Comcode page editor.

Method 2: Admin Zone
Navigate to Admin Zone > Content > Pages (Comcode pages).
Scroll down to the list of existing pages and enter the name of your new page using the ":" (page-link) format. For example, a new page in the Welcome zone named "about" would be entered as ":about", or a new page in the "site" zone named "foobar" would be entered as "site:foobar".
Question What are Comcode pages?
Answer Comcode pages are standalone content pages within the Composr system that you can create and edit using either a WYSIWYG editor, a simple markup language called Comcode, or a combination of both.

Think of them as documents within your website, offering flexibility beyond the structured content provided by modules like forums or news. You can use them to build landing pages, about us sections, contact pages, and more.
Question Can I create custom Comcode tags?
Answer Yes, you can create custom Comcode tags through the Admin Zone > Setup > Custom Comcode. This allows you to add unique functionality or wrap specific HTML code (especially if you use a certain block of HTML frequently on your site) for easier use. Custom Comcode tags can be tailored to your needs and even include your own parameters. You can also specify if the Comcode is dangerous so only those with elevated privileges can use it.
Question What are the security considerations when using Comcode?
Answer Composr has a multi-tiered security system for Comcode. HTML code is filtered based on user permissions to prevent XSS attacks. Content is parsed with different credentials depending on who is editing or adding it, ensuring users can't elevate their privileges by modifying existing content.
Question What is oEmbed and how does it work with Comcode?
Answer oEmbed is a system that allows you to embed content from other websites simply by pasting its URL. When you paste a supported link in Comcode, oEmbed will automatically embed the content for you in a nicely-formatted box. For example, pasting a YouTube video link will embed the video directly into your content so it can be played on your website.
Question How do I add attachments to my content?
Answer Composr has an integrated attachment system. You can upload files, like images or documents, via the attachments section (or the image button if using the WYSIWYG editor with simplified attachments UI), and they will be automatically added to your Comcode using the attachment tag. You can then move this tag within your content to position the attachment as needed.
Question How do I use Comcode tags?
Answer Comcode tags are similar to HTML tags, but use square brackets [] instead of angle brackets <>. Each tag has an opening and closing tag, with content in between.

Example: [b]This text would be bold.[/b]

Tags can also have parameters:
Example: [img src="image.jpg" alt="Image description"]

A shorthand exists for the param parameter (the primary parameter of Comcode tags):
Example: [page="_SEARCH:howdy_do"]Howdy do[/page]
Question What are the advantages of using Comcode?
Answer Comcode offers several advantages:

Intuitive content authoring: It's written like plain text, making it easy to learn and use.
Dynamic functionality: You can embed dynamic content like blocks, comments, and forms using Comcode.
Special effects: You can easily add prebuilt graphical features like tabs, carousels, and more.
Basic styling and layout: Comcode allows for basic website styling and page layout.
HTML integration: For advanced styling and layout, you can embed HTML code within Comcode with the semihtml tag.
Question What is Comcode?
Answer Comcode is Composr's markup language, similar to BBCode used in forums. It allows you to create formatted text, embed dynamic content like blocks and attachments, and even mix in HTML for advanced styling. It's user-friendly and designed to work alongside standard web technologies.

Top 10 Entries

Question What are the different ways to target recipients for my newsletters?
Answer Composr offers several targeting options:
  • Subscriptions: Users can specifically subscribe to newsletters, separate from site membership.
  • Usergroups (Conversr only): You can send newsletters to members of specific usergroups, regardless of their newsletter subscriptions.
  • CSV imports/exports: You can import subscribers from a CSV file or export your subscriber list for custom targeting.
Question How can I prevent my emails from being marked as spam?
Answer Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of your emails being flagged as spam:
  • Set up SPF records: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps verify that your server is authorized to send emails from your domain.
  • Ask users to whitelist your email address: Encourage recipients to add your email address to their contacts list or "Safe Senders" list.
  • Configure DKIM: DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your emails, increasing their legitimacy.
  • Use a reputable email service provider: Consider using a third-party email service if you're struggling with email deliverability.
Question Why are my emails being blocked by spam filters?
Answer Several factors can cause emails to be blocked:
  • 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.
Question How do I configure SMTP settings in Composr?
Answer 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.
Question How does Composr send emails?
Answer 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.
Question 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.