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

Title Newsletters
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Description

Automatically create newsletter issues highlighting your latest content

Double opt-in: Prevent false sign-ups by asking subscribers to confirm their subscriptions.

Host multiple newsletters: Visitors can subscribe to the ones they want.

Flexible mailings: Send out mailings to all members, to different usergroups, or to subscribers of specific newsletters.

Welcome e-mails: Send multiple welcome e-mails to new users automatically, on a configurable schedule (Conversr-only).

Bounce cleanup: Automatically clean out bounces from your e-mail list.

Unsubscribe: Recipients can easily unsubscribe from newsletters through an unsubscribe link provided in the e-mail.

Change settings: Newsletter subscribers can change their subscription settings on-site.

Drip sending: Prevent overwhelming your mail server or outbound limits.

Title Searching
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Description

Choose what is searchable

Boolean and full-text modes

Keyword highlighting in results

Search boxes to integrate into your website

Logging/stats

OpenSearch support: Allow users to search from inside their web browser.

Results sorting, and filtering by author and date

Search within downloads: Including support for looking inside archives.

Composr fast custom index: Support full-text searches in instances where your database does not

Title Banners
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Description

Multiple types: Each one can specify its own width-by-height (e.g. skyscraper).

Smart banners: Integrate text-banners into your content via keyword detection.

Broad media compatibility: Image banners, external banner rotations, and text banners.

Determine which banners display most often

Run a cross-site banner network

Hit-balancing support: A site on a banner network gets as many inbound hits as it provides outbound clicks.

Targeted advertising: Show different banners to different usergroups.

Track banner performance

Use the banner system to display whole sets of sponsor logos or partners

Supports Geotargeting

Periodic content reviews: Reminders to check (or remove) banners

Title Installation
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Description

Quick installer: Our self-extractor allows faster uploads and will automatically set permissions.

Wizard-based installation

Auto-scans for compatibility problems: Be informed of problems before installing

Get your site up and running in just a few minutes

Keep your site closed to regular visitors until you're happy to open it

Configures server: Automatically generates an htaccess file for you (for Apache).

Auto-detection of forum settings for easy integration

Install test content

Title Web Pages
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Description

Add virtually unlimited pages to your site

WYSIWYG editor (powered by CKEditor)

Convenient edit links: Staff see “edit this” links at the bottom of every page.

PHP support: Upload your PHP scripts and run them inside Composr (may require adjustments to the script code).

Hierarchical page structure: Supports parent and child pages

Periodic content reviews: Helping you ensure ongoing accuracy of your content.

Add Comcode pages (the default) or static HTML pages

Supports revisions and revision control systems (such as git); add new pages as files, and Composr will automatically register them in its system.

Title Downloads
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Description

Clear organisation: Uses a tree structure for unlimited categorisation.

Anti-leech protection: download links contain a session ID

Community-centred: Allow users to comment upon and rate downloads

Many ways to add new files: Upload files. Link-to existing files. Copy existing files using a live URL. Batch import links from existing file stores.

Author support: Assign your downloads to authors, so users can find other downloads by the same author.

Set licences: Make users agree to a licence before downloading.

Images: Show images along with your downloads (e.g. screen-shots) (this implicitly uses galleries).

Basic file versioning support

Control monthly bandwidth use site-wide

Title Wiki+
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Description

Think “structured wikis”.

Create an encyclopaedic database for your website

Use a tree-structure or traditional cross-linking

Supports revisions: Track changes

Display the tree structure of your entire Wiki+

Allow users to jump in at random pages

Make your pages either wiki-style or topic-style

Allow members to contribute to Wiki+ pages by adding Wiki+ posts

Title Quizzes and Surveys
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Description

Run a competition: Choose winners randomly from those who passed the quiz.

Surveys: Gather data and find trends.

Tests: Test members' knowledge on a variety of topics.

Cheat prevention: Settings to prevent cheating, such as time limits, question / answer shuffling, and re-testing rules.

Integration with points: Charge points to enter a competition, or award points for winning.

Title News and Blogs
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Description

Member blogs: Allow members to have their own blogs on their profile

RSS and Atom support: Export and import feeds.

Trackback support: Send and receive trackbacks.

Scheduled publishing

Ping support and RSS Cloud support

Multiple news categories and filtering

Multiple ways to integrate news into your website

Import from RSS feeds

Supports geotargeting

Members can rate and comment on news articles and blog posts

Send out a news article as a newsletter

Title Calendar
Icon Image
Description

Day/week/month/year views

Advanced “recurring event” settings

Event subscriptions: Receive reminders and notifications by event or event type

Warnings about conflicting events

Microformats support

Integrate a calendar month view, or an upcoming events view, onto your design

Supports categories: Have multiple event types

Multiple time zones: Have different events in different time zones with configurable conversion settings.

Priority flagging: Choose between 5 priorities

Programmers can even use the calendar to schedule custom tasks (Commandr) to be run

RSS and Atom support: Export support, but also support for overlaying news feeds onto the calendar.

Supports geotargeting

Feedback: Allow members to comment and rate events. Segregate feedback on recurring events by date.

Top 10 Entries

Question How do I install geo-location data for Composr statistics?
Answer Geo-location data installation is usually automatic during the Composr installation process. If not, you can manually install it by navigating to Admin Zone > Audit > Site statistics > Install geolocation data. This action will reschedule the installation task. If you don't see this option, the geo-location data is already installed.
Question What are the key differences between Google Analytics and Composr statistics?
Answer While there is some overlap, Composr statistics and Google Analytics are complementary tools.

Google Analytics Pros:
  • Offers sophisticated functionality for professional marketers.
  • Integrates with other Google products like AdSense and Search Console.
  • Provides insights based on Google's marketing data, such as visitor demographics.

Google Analytics Cons:
  • Limited to web visit data unless custom programming or complex configuration is implemented.
  • Relies on JavaScript for tracking, which can be blocked by users.
  • Uses tracking cookies, raising privacy concerns and potential GDPR compliance issues.
  • Data is potentially sold to third-party data brokers or used for targeted advertising by Google.
  • Closed-source platform.

Composr Statistics Pros:
  • Server-side tracking, independent of JavaScript and browser configurations.
  • Contextual information and graphs for data beyond web visits (e.g., sales).
  • Enhanced privacy as it only uses IP addresses, session IDs, and member IDs.
  • Complete data control as it is hosted on your website.
  • Open-source addon, fully customizable.

Basic users may find Composr statistics sufficient, while expert marketers might prefer the power of Google Analytics.
Question What tools and strategies can be used for staff training and development?
Answer While Composr itself doesn't provide built-in training features, several approaches can be used for staff development:
  • Documentation & Tutorials: Utilize the extensive Composr documentation and tutorials available online to familiarize staff with the platform's functionalities.
  • Mentorship: Pair experienced staff with newcomers to provide guidance and support during the initial learning phase.
  • Private Forums & Chat: Create dedicated communication channels where staff can exchange knowledge, ask questions, and share best practices.
  • Regular Meetings: Conduct regular staff meetings to discuss updates, share information, and address any arising challenges.
  • External Resources: Leverage external resources like online courses or workshops focused on relevant skills, such as content management or community moderation.

By investing in ongoing staff training and development, communities can ensure their teams possess the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their roles effectively and contribute to the platform's overall success.
Question How can potential conflicts between staff members be avoided (regarding content moderation)?
Answer Composr incorporates "conflict detection" features to prevent staff from accidentally overwriting each other's work. When multiple staff members attempt to edit the same resource simultaneously, a warning message appears, prompting communication and coordination.

Open communication and transparency are crucial. Encourage staff to share their ongoing tasks and plans with each other to prevent overlaps and potential conflicts. Utilizing shared tools like the staff checklist and private forums can further facilitate coordination.
Question What should be considered when assigning roles and responsibilities to staff?
Answer When assigning roles, it's recommended to start new staff with limited responsibilities and gradually increase their authority based on performance and dedication. This fosters a sense of progression and prevents discouragement among existing staff.

Always consider the individual's skills and interests when assigning tasks. For example, someone with strong writing skills might be well-suited for managing content creation, while a technically-minded person could excel at site maintenance.
Question How can staff be effectively managed in a Composr community?
Answer Successful staff management requires a mindful approach that prioritizes fostering a positive and productive environment. Key recommendations include:
  • Respect staff limitations: Avoid overwhelming staff with excessive workload or overly ambitious site expansions.
  • Active involvement: Maintain active involvement in overseeing staff activities and ensuring their effective functioning.
  • Open communication: Engage in regular communication, providing feedback, addressing concerns, and recognizing achievements.
  • Foster teamwork: Encourage collaboration and information sharing among staff members.
  • Lead by example: Ensure staff adhere to community rules and demonstrate expected behavior.
  • Empowerment and trust: Grant sufficient freedom and control to enable staff to excel in their roles.

By fostering a supportive and empowering environment, community managers can enable staff to contribute their best efforts and drive the community's success.
Question How should staff members be chosen for a Composr-based online community?
Answer Choosing staff for online communities differs from traditional hiring processes due to factors like unpaid positions, varying time commitments, and remote interactions. Focus should be placed on identifying individuals with:
  • Genuine interest: Look for members passionate about the community and its goals.
  • Available time: Ensure potential staff can dedicate sufficient time to fulfill their responsibilities.
  • Relevant skills: Prioritize skills and experience aligned with the specific role requirements.
  • Maturity and discipline: Seek individuals who demonstrate responsible behavior and commitment.
  • Recruitment methods like directly approaching active community members or allowing the Composr points system (or the karma non-bundled addon) to identify dedicated contributors can be more effective than traditional advertising.
Question How can content issues be reported and addressed by staff?
Answer Composr's content reporting system, powered by the Tickets addon, allows users to report problematic content to staff. Key features include:
  • Report links: "Report this" links embedded throughout the site enable users to flag content for review.
  • Custom reporting interface: Forums offer a dedicated interface for reporting individual posts.
  • Anonymous reporting: Logged-in users can choose to report content anonymously.
  • Ticket-based management: Reports are automatically created as support tickets, facilitating staff collaboration and record-keeping.
  • Comprehensive report details: Tickets include content title, type, ID, submitter information, an embedded rendering of the reported content, and the reporter's explanation.

This system ensures efficient handling of content issues, allowing staff to address concerns effectively while maintaining a transparent record of actions taken.
Question How can staff members collaborate effectively in Composr?
Answer Composr offers various tools to facilitate staff collaboration:
  • Private forums: Dedicated forums with restricted access enable staff to discuss site operations and coordinate activities. Composr installs a staff forum by default in Conversr.
  • Conflict detection: When multiple staff members attempt to edit the same resource simultaneously, Composr displays warnings at the top to prevent accidental overwrites.
  • Staff checklist & dashboard: The Admin Zone dashboard provides a shared checklist for task management, along with space for notes and links.
  • Staff notifications and tickets system: Staff receive notifications about various site events, including support tickets from the "Contact Us" page, allowing for efficient issue handling.
  • Content notes: Staff can embed notes within Comcode or use dedicated "staff notes" fields for various content types to share information and context.
  • Validation and workflows: Content can be intentionally left unvalidated even by staff, enabling secondary checks before publishing. A dedicated workflows addon allows for complex approval processes with multiple stages involving different staff groups.
Question What defines a staff member in Composr?
Answer There are two ways to define "staff" in Composr:
  • System-defined staff: This includes administrators and super moderators who have specific privileges within the forum/member system (Conversr).
  • Privilege-based staff: Anyone granted the necessary permissions for a particular situation is considered staff for that context.

Composr prioritizes flexibility by utilizing privileges over fixed roles, allowing for customized staff responsibilities. However, certain features like "staff reply" in tickets inherently rely on a pre-existing understanding of "staff."