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Composr CMS: Your Data, Your Privacy, Your Control - Composr CMS: Your Data, Your Privacy, Your ControlComposr CMS: Your Data, Your…

Composr CMS: Your Data, Your Privacy, Your Control - Composr CMS: Your Data, Your Privacy, Your Control

Earth & Sky

Earth & Sky

Legends of Nor'Ova

Legends of Nor'Ova

PDStig, LLC

PDStig, LLC

Super Tilted

Super Tilted

Saving Wallden

Saving Wallden

Newest 10 Entries

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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Question What are the key classes and utilities provided by Composr Mobile SDK?
Answer CMS SDK provides several classes with utility functions mirroring PHP and Composr APIs, including:
  • CMS_Arrays: Array operations (e.g., implode, explode, list_to_map).
  • CMS_Strings: String manipulation (e.g., strip_tags, html_entity_decode, strpos).
  • CMS_Langs: Localization functions (e.g., do_lang).
  • CMS_Preferences: User preference management.
  • CMS_Timestamps: Timestamp functions (e.g., get_timezoned_date_time, time).
  • CMS_HTTP: Web service interactions (e.g., rawurlencode, json_decode, http_get_contents).
  • CMS_Users: User data and permission checks (e.g., has_page_access, is_staff).
  • CMS_Flow: App flow control (e.g., access_denied, attach_message).
  • CMS_Forms: Form building and management.
  • CMS_Database: SQLite database access and manipulation.
  • CMS_Notification: Push notification handling.
  • CMSNetworkManager: Network request execution and response handling.

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Question How do I set up Composr Mobile SDK in my iOS and Android projects?
Answer iOS (Xcode):
  • Create a new project or open an existing one.
  • Add a Prefix Header file (.pch) if you don't have one, following the provided instructions.
  • Add required frameworks to your project's Build Phases.
  • Add the CMS SDK to your project, then remove references to unwanted files.
  • Set the header search path to the CMS SDK folder in build settings.
  • Add a compiler option for the JsonKit library.
  • Import CMS_SDK.h in your .pch file.

Android (Eclipse):
  • Create a new project or open an existing one.
  • Import CMS SDK into your workspace as an Android project.
  • Ensure "Is Library" is checked in the CMS SDK's "Android" properties tab.
  • Add CMS SDK as a dependent library in your project's properties.
  • Clean and rebuild your project.

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Question What are some key concepts related to mobile app development with Composr?
Answer Essential concepts include:
  • SDK (Software Development Kit): An API implementation, typically as a library.
  • API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules for software interaction.
  • JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A common language for structured data transfer over REST.
  • REST (Representational State Transfer): An architectural style for web services.
  • Push notification: A notification sent to a mobile device.

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Question What other approaches exist for mobile integration with Composr?
Answer Other approaches, in various stages of development, include:
  • Tapatalk: A third-party forum app with an official Composr addon, offering a high-quality "out-of-the-box" Composr app experience.
  • Further Composr Mobile SDK development: Plans and issues relating to the SDK's evolution can be found on the Composr tracker, driven by commercial projects and feature sponsorship.

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Top 10 Entries

Question How can I communicate privately with other members?
Answer Conversr offers two ways to have private conversations:
  • Private Topics:
    • Start a private topic from a member's profile, by clicking "Whisper" on their post and selecting "Quote post to a new Private Topic with this member," or from your account by selecting "Start a Private Topic" and entering the desired username.
    • Participate in the topic just like a regular forum topic.
    • You will receive notifications for new posts in your private topics.
    • Topics can be moved to the "Trash" category or other categories of your choosing for organization.
  • Inline Personal Posts (Whispers):
    • Send a private message within a public topic by clicking "Whisper" on a post and selecting "In-topic personal post to this member."
    • Whispers are visible only to the sender and recipient, and the whispered post is highlighted.
    • Receive notifications for new whispers.

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Question What are some key considerations when choosing field types for my catalogue?
Answer When selecting field types, consider:
  • Data type: Choose the appropriate field type for the data you want to collect (text, numbers, dates, etc.).
  • Comcode support: If you need rich text formatting or translation support, opt for fields that support Comcode.
  • Validation: Some field types offer built-in validation to ensure data accuracy.
  • Privacy implications: Be mindful of the sensitivity of the information and whether it requires specific privacy considerations.

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Question How can I ensure the privacy of personal information stored in my catalogues?
Answer Composr's privacy system can help manage personal data within catalogues. To leverage it:
  • Use specific field types: Utilize dedicated field types for sensitive data like member IDs, usernames, emails, IP addresses, and passwords for efficient handling by the privacy system.
  • Enable "May contain personal information": Mark fields that may contain personal information, enabling the privacy system to identify and handle such data during purging or downloading.

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Question What are some specialized types of catalogues available in Composr?
Answer Composr supports specialized catalogues, including:
  • eCommerce catalogues: Integrate with the Composr shopping cart for online stores.
  • Classified ads: Offer features like archival categories and usergroup-specific advert durations.

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Question How are breadcrumbs handled in catalogue views?
Answer Catalogue breadcrumbs can be customized using XML code (Admin Zone > Structure > Configure breadcrumb overrides). By default, they include the list of catalogues. However, Composr provides default breadcrumb XML that removes this, focusing on the current category hierarchy. Tree catalogues omit the index link, while non-tree catalogues include it.

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Question What is a tree catalogue and how do I create one quickly?
Answer A tree catalogue has a hierarchical category structure (which can contain sub-categories), similar to the download system. Composr offers a special feature for creating tree catalogues by simply typing the desired categories in a specific format (which is explained and available when adding a new catalogue), which automatically generates the tree structure.

Alternatively, a non-tree catalogue is simpler and only has top-level categories.

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Question Can I customize the look and feel of my catalogue?
Answer Yes, Composr allows advanced users to customize catalogue appearance through Tempcode programming. This involves using template IF directives to apply specific styles based on the catalogue's name and manipulating template parameters for complex layouts. Alternatively, you can create new template files using the catalogue name in the file to specify complete templates for specific catalogues. Check out the tutorials for more information.

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Question What are the different display types for catalogue entries?
Answer Composr provides four main display types for catalogue entries:
  • Title lists: Simple lists of entry titles linking to the full entry page.
  • Field-maps: Highly flexible, displaying as many fields as you desire within the category view.
  • Tabular listings: Organizes entries into columns, suitable for short data fields.
  • Grids of images: Displays entries as a grid of images, ideal for visual catalogues.

It is possible to create your own templates including ones that are specific to a catalogue. Check out the catalogues tutorial for more information.

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Question Why might I need a programmer for my catalogue?
Answer While Composr catalogues offer great flexibility, they can become complex if you need sophisticated data relationships, efficient searching, high data reliability, or advanced customization. In these cases, a programmer's expertise in database design, normalization, and templating can be invaluable.

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Question What are catalogues in Composr?
Answer Catalogues are custom databases you can create within your Composr website. They allow you to define your own records with custom fields and organize them into categories. Think of them as powerful tools for managing various types of content, like a database of books, a directory of businesses, or even a classified ads system.

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