Composr Tutorial: Addon index

Written by Chris Graham (ocProducts)
This tutorial features an index of the Composr addons, with links to tutorials that are relevant to them, and other useful information and links.


Addons

Addon Description Tutorials Synonyms Feature suggestions
Actionlog
(actionlog)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Audit-trail functionality. Dealing with annoying users audit Link
Aggregate Types
(aggregate_types)

Core: No

Dependencies: commandr, import
Define complex aggregate types in XML, and spawn them. Aggregate Content Types Link
Apache Config Files
(apache_config_files)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Sample .htaccess files to help achieve optimal configuration on the Apache web server. Advanced configuration Link
Authors
(authors)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Certain kinds of content can have authors instead of submitters (e.g. 'ocProducts'). The authors may be independently described and searched under. Authors

People in their roles
login

log-in

sign-in

sign-on

logon

log-on

authorize

bio

biography
Link
Awards
(awards)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Pick out content for featuring. Providing featured content highlight

feature
Link
Backup
(backup)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Perform incremental or full backups of files and the database. Supports scheduling. Backing up your site Link
Banners
(banners)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
An advanced banner system, with support for multiple banner rotations, commercial banner campaigns, and webring-style systems. Support for graphical, text, and flash banners. Hotword activation support. Running advertisements (via the banner system) advert

advertising

advertise
Link
Bookmarks
(bookmarks)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Allow members to bookmark screens of the website. As the bookmarks are tied to their member profile they can access them from any computer they can log in on. Composr member system favorite Link
Breadcrumbs
(breadcrumbs)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Advanced breadcrumb editing. Composr site structure

Advanced site structure and flow
Link
Calendar
(calendar)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
An advanced community calendar. Running a calendar/diary event

diary

schedule
Link
CAPTCHA
(captcha)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Stop spam-bots from performing actions on the website. Composr member system Link
Catalogues
(catalogues)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Describe your own custom data record types (by choosing and configuring fields) and populate with records. Supports tree structures, and most standard Composr features (e.g. ratings). Custom structured content (via catalogues)

Choosing how to publish

Custom fields
Link
Chat
(chat)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Chatrooms and instant messaging. Running chatrooms (features and advice) Link
Conversr Avatars
(cns_avatars)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_member_avatars
A selection of avatars for Conversr Composr member system Link
Conversr Cartoon Avatars
(cns_cartoon_avatars)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_member_avatars
A selection of avatars for Conversr (sketched characters) Composr member system Link
Conversr Clubs
(cns_clubs)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Clubs for members, each of which comes with a forum. Tools for subsites and subcommunities Link
Conversr Contact Member
(cns_contact_member)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Off-site e-mailing of members (more private, and may be used by guests). Correspondence between members Link
Conversr Custom Profile Fields
(cns_cpfs)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Custom profile fields, so members may save additional details. If this is uninstalled any existing custom profile fields will remain in the system. Advanced Composr member system Link
Conversr Forum
(cns_forum)

Core: No

Dependencies: polls
The Conversr forum- a modern advanced forum for members to interact on. Discussion forums

Keeping on track of busy forums

Basic forum moderation

Choosing how to publish
Link
Conversr Member Avatars
(cns_member_avatars)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Member avatars. Composr member system Link
Conversr Member Photos
(cns_member_photos)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Member photos. Composr member system Link
Conversr Member Titles
(cns_member_titles)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Member titles. Composr member system Link
Conversr Multi Moderations
(cns_multi_moderations)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_forum
Multi-moderations for the Conversr forum. Basic forum moderation Link
Conversr Post Templates
(cns_post_templates)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_forum
Post templates for the Conversr forum. Running a virtual support desk Link
Conversr Reported Posts
(cns_reported_posts)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_forum
Post reporting with the Conversr forum. Coordination between staff and staff/members Link
Conversr Signatures
(cns_signatures)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Member signatures. Composr member system Link
Conversr Thematic Avatars
(cns_thematic_avatars)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_member_avatars
A selection of avatars for Conversr Composr member system Link
Conversr Warnings
(cns_warnings)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Member warnings and punishment. Dealing with annoying users

Coordination between staff and staff/members
Link
Code Editor
(code_editor)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
For programmers- A simple editor for editing Composr code files, with support for override support and saving via FTP. The Composr programming framework Link
Collaboration Zone
(collaboration_zone)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Collaboration Zone. Running a collaboration hub: the Collaboration Zone Link
Commandr
(commandr)

Core: No

Dependencies: import
A command-line environment for managing your website, designed for Linux/Unix lovers. Commandr

The Composr Enterprise Repository
console

command prompt

command line

cle
Link
Content Privacy
(content_privacy)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_cpfs
Allows users to specify privacy level for their content. Dealing with annoying users Link
Content Reviews
(content_reviews)

Core: No

Dependencies: unvalidated, commandr
Regularly review content for accuracy. Admin Zone overview content reviews

audit
Link
Core
(core)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
(Core Composr code) Dos and Do-nots of a (Composr) website

Drinking from the feature pool

Metadata

Manually editing your database with phpMyAdmin

URL Schemes in Composr

Improving your search engine ranking

Filtering using Selectcode syntax

Filtering using Filtercode syntax

Composr keyboard shortcuts

Understanding and configuring e-mail

Disaster recovery

Anti-spam settings
Link
Core Abstract Components
(core_abstract_components)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality. Themeing your site Link
Core Abstract Interfaces
(core_abstract_interfaces)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality. Themeing your site Link
Core Addon Management
(core_addon_management)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Install or uninstall addons. The Composr programming framework Link
Core Admin Zone Dashboard
(core_adminzone_dashboard)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
The dashboard tools shown in the Admin Zone. Admin Zone overview Link
Core Cleanup Tools
(core_cleanup_tools)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Behind-the-scenes maintenance tasks. Cleanup tools Link
Core Conversr
(core_cns)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
The Composr member/usergroup system. Composr member system

Advanced Composr member system

People in their roles

Integrating Composr into a network via HTTP authentication

The Composr emoticon system
Link
Core Comcode Pages
(core_comcode_pages)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Manage new pages on the website, known as Comcode pages. Adding standalone pages of content (via Comcode)

Using blocks

Choosing how to publish
Link
Core Configuration
(core_configuration)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Set configuration options. Basic configuration and getting started

Advanced configuration

Moving sites
Link
Core Database Drivers
(core_database_drivers)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
The code layer that binds the software to one of various different kinds of database software. Webhosting for Composr

Basic Installation

Advanced installation
Link
Core Feedback Features
(core_feedback_features)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Features for user interaction with content. Feedback and user interaction

Advanced news
Link
Core Fields
(core_fields)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
(Core fields API) Custom structured content (via catalogues)

Custom fields
Link
Core Form Interfaces
(core_form_interfaces)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality for forms. Themeing your site Link
Core Forum Drivers
(core_forum_drivers)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
The code layer that binds the software to one of various different forum/member systems. Nuances of forum integration

Code Book, part 1b (Further back-end concepts)
Link
Core Graphic Text
(core_graphic_text)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality for imagery. Supplementary web technologies (media, social networking, etc) Link
Core HTML Abstractions
(core_html_abstractions)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality. Themeing your site Link
Core Language Editing
(core_language_editing)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Translate the software, or just change what it says for stylistic reasons. Localisation and internationalisation

Changing the site language (for end users)

Translating Composr content

Translations code philosophy

International support communities
Link
Core Menus
(core_menus)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Edit menus. Customising what's on the menus Link
Core Notifications
(core_notifications)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Sends out action-triggered notifications to members listening to them. Notifications Link
Core Permission Management
(core_permission_management)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Manage permissions. Access control and privileges

Advanced access control
Link
Core Primary Layout
(core_primary_layout)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Core rendering functionality. Themeing your site

Designer themes, implementing a clean-room design
Link
Core Rich Media
(core_rich_media)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Comcode and attachments. Comcode and the attachment system

Advanced Comcode

WYSIWYG editing
Link
Core Themeing
(core_themeing)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Themeing the website, via CSS, HTML, and images. Themeing your site

Releasing a theme

Theme Lifecycle

Tempcode programming

Fixed-width layouts

Introduction to web design

Designer themes, implementing a clean-room design

Mobile design
Link
Core Upgrader
(core_upgrader)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
The upgrader code. Performing an upgrade Link
Core Webstandards
(core_webstandards)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Web Standards checking tools. Helping improve site accessibility for disabled users

Guide to web technologies (including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript)
Link
Core Zone Editor
(core_zone_editor)

Core: Yes

Dependencies: None
Manage zones (sub-sites). Composr site structure

Advanced site structure and flow
Link
Counting Blocks
(counting_blocks)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Blocks for hit counters, and count-downs. Providing featured content Link
Custom Comcode
(custom_comcode)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Create new Comcode tags. Advanced Comcode Link
Debrand
(debrand)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Allow easy debranding of the website software. Code Book, part 3 (Miscellany) Link
Downloads
(downloads)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Host a downloads directory. Providing downloads

Advanced provision of downloads

Choosing how to publish
file

document

publication

library
Link
eCommerce
(ecommerce)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
eCommerce infrastructure, with support for digital purchase and usergroup subscriptions. Accounting functionality. eCommerce shopping

payment

purchase

products
Link
Errorlog
(errorlog)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Log of errors that have happened on the website. Admin Zone overview Link
Failover
(failover)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Advanced system to detect if the site goes down, and provide an automatic fallback. Optimising Performance Link
Filedump
(filedump)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
File/media library, for use in attachments or for general ad-hoc sharing. Running a collaboration hub: the Collaboration Zone library

file manager

asset
Link
Forum Blocks
(forum_blocks)

Core: No

Dependencies: news_shared
Blocks to draw forum posts and topics into the main website. Providing featured content Link
Galleries
(galleries)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Galleries, including support for video galleries, and member personal galleries. Providing galleries

Advanced galleries
gallery

album

podcast

multimedia
Link
Google Appengine
(google_appengine)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Support for deploying to Google App Engine (for developers). Installing on Google App Engine Link
Help Page
(help_page)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A simple website help page. Note that removing this will not remove the menu link automatically. Basic configuration and getting started Link
HPHP Buildkit
(hphp_buildkit)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Scripts for supporting Facebook's HHVM. Optimising Performance Link
Import
(import)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Switch to Composr from other software. This addon provides the architecture for importing, and a number of prewritten importers. Importing data into Composr convert

migrate

interchange

importance

priority

precedence

level
Link
Installer
(installer)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
The installer files (can be removed immediately after installing; in fact Composr makes you remove install.php manually). Basic Installation

Advanced installation

Linux file permissions
Link
Language Block
(language_block)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A block to allow visitors to choose their language. Localisation and internationalisation

Changing the site language (for end users)

International support communities
Link
LDAP
(ldap)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Support for integrating Conversr with an LDAP server, so usergroup and members can be the same as those already on the network Integrating Composr into a corporate network via LDAP active directory Link
Linux Helper Scripts
(linux_helper_scripts)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Bash shell scripts to help configure permissions on Linux/Unix servers. Advanced installation Link
Match Key Permissions
(match_key_permissions)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Match-key-permissions allow advanced setting of permissions on a screen-by-screen basis. Advanced access control Link
MSN
(msn)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Features to support multi-site-networks (networks of linked sites that usually share a common member system). Advanced techniques for multi-site-networks Link
News
(news)

Core: No

Dependencies: news_shared
News and blogging. Releasing news & running a Blog

Advanced news

Choosing how to publish
blogs

press release

journal

story

stories

article
Link
News Shared
(news_shared)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
(Common files needed for RSS and News addons) Releasing news & running a Blog

Advanced news
Link
Newsletter
(newsletter)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Support for users to join newsletters, and for the staff to send out newsletters to subscribers, and to specific usergroups. Running a newsletter mass-mail

mass-mailing

bulletin

mail-merge

announcement
Link
Page Management
(page_management)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Manage pages on the website. Composr site structure

Advanced site structure and flow
Link
PHP-Info
(phpinfo)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Access PHP configurational information from inside Composr. Webhosting for Composr Link
Points
(points)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Allow members to accumulate points via a number of configurable activities, as well as exchange points with each other. Points act as a ranking system as well as a virtual currency. Creating an economy/reward-system for members via points karma Link
Pointstore
(pointstore)

Core: No

Dependencies: points
Provide a number of virtual products to your members in exchange for the points they have accumulated by their activity Creating an economy/reward-system for members via points Link
Polls
(polls)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A poll (voting) system. Feedback and user interaction Link
Printer Friendly Block
(printer_friendly_block)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A block to provide a link for the current screen to be turned into it's printer-friendly equivalent. Browser version requirements Link
Quizzes
(quizzes)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Construct competitions, surveys, and tests, for members to perform. Highly configurable, and comes with administrative tools to handle the results. Quizzes surveys

tests

competitions

questionnaires

prize-draw

exam

assessment
Link
Random Quotes
(random_quotes)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A block to display random quotes on your website, and an administrative tool to choose them. Providing featured content Link
Realtime Rain
(realtime_rain)

Core: No

Dependencies: stats
Real-time/historic display of website activity. Activity statistics for your site (analytics) Link
Recommend
(recommend)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Allow members to easily recommend the website to others. Composr member system refer Link
Redirects Editor
(redirects_editor)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Manage redirects between pages. Tools for subsites and subcommunities Link
Rootkit Detector
(rootkit_detector)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A tool to help power-user webmasters identify if a "rootkit" has been placed on the server. Security Link
Search
(search)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Multi-content search engine. Searching your website find

filter
Link
Securitylogging
(securitylogging)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Log/display security alerts. Security

Using IP addresses to trace users
audit Link
Setupwizard
(setupwizard)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Quick-start setup wizard. Basic configuration and getting started

Drinking from the feature pool
Link
Shopping
(shopping)

Core: No

Dependencies: ecommerce, catalogues
Online store functionality. eCommerce ecommerce

payment

purchase

products
Link
SMS
(sms)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Provides an option for the software to send SMS messages, via the commercial Clickatell web service. By default this is only used by the notifications system. Notifications Link
SSL
(ssl)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Choose which pages of your website run over HTTPS (SSL). Requires an SSL certificate to be installed on the webserver, and a dedicated IP address. Security https Link
Staff
(staff)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Choose and display a selection of staff from the super-administator/super-moderator usergroups. This is useful for multi-site networks, where members with privileges may not be considered staff on all websites on the network. Coordination between staff and staff/members

Advice for choosing and managing staff

People in their roles
moderator

admin

administrator

operator

webmaster
Link
Staff Messaging
(staff_messaging)

Core: No

Dependencies: cns_forum
Blocks to allow visitors to contact the staff, either via e-mail, or via a special administrative interface which the staff may use to comment on the messages and assign task ownership. Feedback and user interaction

Running a virtual support desk
Link
Stats
(stats)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Show advanced graphs (analytics) and dumps of raw data relating to your website activity. Activity statistics for your site (analytics) engagement

metric

kpi

analytics

statistics

hits
Link
Stats Block
(stats_block)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A block to show a selection of your website statistics to your visitors. Activity statistics for your site (analytics) Link
Supermember Directory
(supermember_directory)

Core: No

Dependencies: collaboration_zone
Show a list of all members in the configured "Super member" usergroup. Useful for communities that need to provide a list of VIPs. Running a collaboration hub: the Collaboration Zone Link
Syndication
(syndication)

Core: No

Dependencies: syndication_blocks
Syndicate RSS/Atom feeds of your content. Integration of Composr and other installed scripts/applications

Releasing news & running a Blog

Advanced news
atom

rss

feed
Link
Syndication Blocks
(syndication_blocks)

Core: No

Dependencies: news
Show RSS and Atom feeds from other websites. Releasing news & running a Blog

Advanced news
Link
Textbased Persistent Caching
(textbased_persistent_caching)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A persistent data cache, using disk files for data storage. Optimising Performance Link
Themewizard
(themewizard)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Automatically generate your own colour schemes using the default theme as a base. Uses the sophisticated chromagraphic equations built into Composr. Themeing your site

Designer themes, implementing a clean-room design
Link
Tickets
(tickets)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A support ticket system. Running a virtual support desk contact

feedback

message

issue

email

e-mail

support

desk
Link
Uninstaller
(uninstaller)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
The uninstaller. Uninstalling Composr from a server uninstall

disable

remove
Link
Unvalidated
(unvalidated)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Subject member's to validation (approval) of their content submissions, and enable/disable content. Dealing with annoying users check-in

workflow

validation

valid

approve

approval

approved

live

accept

posted

online

active

activate

activation

visible

verify

publish
Link
Users Online Block
(users_online_block)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A block to show which users who are currently visiting the website, and birthdays. Composr member system Link
Welcome E-mails
(welcome_emails)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Welcome e-mails for new members. Advanced Composr member system Link
Wiki
(wiki)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Collaborative/encyclopaedic database interface. A wiki-like community database with rich media capabilities. Custom structured content (via Wiki+)

Choosing how to publish
knowledgebase Link
Windows Helper Scripts
(windows_helper_scripts)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
A .bat script to help configure permissions on Windows servers. Advanced installation

Installing Composr on a Windows desktop
Link
Wordfilter
(wordfilter)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Block rude/offensive/inappropriate words. Dealing with annoying users word-filter

swear

curse
Link
XML Fields
(xml_fields)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Advanced form field filtering. The form field filter system Link
Zone Logos
(zone_logos)

Core: No

Dependencies: None
Support for having different logos for individual zones. Basic configuration and getting started Link

Other tutorials

The following tutorials do not link into any specific addon:



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