Hands-on Activities:

MindTouch - Deki Wiki (Week I):

(Demo Deki Wiki site: http://is346.wik.is)

1. Create a new user account.

 Done.

2. Create a sample wiki page.  How can you create a new wiki page in different ways? 

I created it by clicking on the NEW PAGE Icon.

3. Does Deki Wiki allow you to form your own information hierarchy by letting you create sub-pages under your top-level wiki pages?

Yes.  Go to a oage and click the NEW PAGE Icon and it will create a sub-page.

4. Does Deki Wiki allow you to rename your wiki page?

Yes.  When you edit a page you can change the name of it.

5. Create tags for your wiki page.

Done.  I named mine incorrectly, but could not go back and change it.

6. Embed an image into your wiki page.

Done.  I also attached an image as well. 

7. Does Deki Wiki support the CamelCase style?

No.  The documentation for the app says that camelcase is not supported.

8. Attach a sample Word document to your wiki page and check to see if it is possible to preview the document via Deki Wiki.

Done.  Yes, there is a Java applet that allows you to view an attached word document.

9. Does Deki Wiki's default configuration allow users to embed videos from online video-sharing sites (e.g., Google Video, YouTube) into their posts?  If so, embed a sample video into your wiki page.

Yes.  I embedded a YouTube video to test this feature.

10. Go to www.widgetbox.com, pick two widgets, and embed them into your wiki page (you will need to use the widgetbox extension for this task).

I chose tetris and donkey kong.  It took some doing to get it to work.  After scouring the web and the online documentation, I finally asked Lorne for help and he showed me where the inxtructions were.  I somehow missed the URL that explained fairly simply what to do.  Doh!

11. Add an RSS feed (maximum 3 items) to your wiki page.

Done.  I spent more time finding an RSS Feed that getting this to work.

12. Does Deki Wiki allow you to save your wiki page as a PDF file?

Yes.  When you print you can print or print to PDF.

Let's hope this post doesn't get lost.

Tongiht we had sonya Zhang present on her eporfolio software that she modified for her PHD work.  The program works.  It does however look like different pieces of software that are patched together, mainly due to esthetics.  Nothing a good designer (artist) can't fix.

Next looked at B2evolution.  This seems like a very nice blogging program.  The administration seems easy enough.  This somehow seems more complete or expansive than other blogging programs.  It also takes advantage of tabs like you're on a website.  This essentially makes the program easier to use.

Hands-on Activities:

b2evolution (Week I):

(b2evolution homepage:   http://www.researchapplication.com/b2evolution/)

1. Visit the individual demo blogs listed on the main page.

Done.

2. Create a new user account.

 Done.

3. Post a sample message to Blog A.

Done.

4. Does b2evolution's default configuration allow users to embed videos from online video-sharing sites (e.g., Google Video, YouTube) into their posts?  If so, embed a sample video into a post.

Yes, it is part of b2evolution.  I embedded a video from youTube.  for some reason I keep wanting to use the embed url provided by YouTube instead of just the ID tag from the URL of YouTube.  aaargh!

5. Can a user create a file folder for himself or herself by using b2evolution's interface, upload files to that folder, and then attach them to his or her blog postings?  If so, what are the supported file formats?

Yes, a user can create a folder.  I created the folder and then copied a .jpg into the folder.  I then went back to my original post and embedded the image into that post.  The actual task of embedding that image is kinda convoluted.  You have to click the file button then navigate to the file, then select it, then scroll down on the page and then click the image button and Presto you're done!  I like using a BROWSE feature and then navigating or even entering the path to the file as a better mthod.  There are many supported formats.

6. Can a user create static pages?

No.  There is no way to create a page like in WordPress.

7. Can a user post a message to multiple blogs at once (crossposting)?

I see a post that is in Blog A and Blog B, but I can't figure out how to do it.  There is a greyed out comment when creating a post that says that crossposting is disabled.  I think someone figured it out, enabled it, posted, and then disabled crossposting again.

8. Is it possible to highlight a computer code in a post?

 Yes, use the codeblock tags to do so.

Hands-on Activities:

Php Wiki (Week I):

(Php Wiki homepage: www.researchapplication.com/phpwiki)

1. Create a sample wiki page.

Done.

2. Embed an image into your sample wiki page.

I chose a picture of my dog Quincy.

3. Does Php Wiki support the CamelCase style?

Yes.  In fact you have to use it for you link to a word doc.

4. Add your name to the Recent Visitors list.

Done.  It took several tries as everyone was trying to make changes to that page at the same time.

TikiWiki (Week I):

(TikiWiki homepage: www.researchapplication.com/tikiwiki)

(TikiWiki admin page: http://www.researchapplication.com/tikiwiki/tiki-admin.php)

1. Create a new user account.

Done.

2. Create a sample wiki page.

Simple enough.

2.1. Upload a sample Word document to the IS346 file gallery and create an external link to your sample Word document.

I did it using CamelCase.

2.3. Embed an image into your wiki page.

I chose a picture of both of my dogs.  I had to play with the size a few times until I remembered the 640x480 size standard.

2.4. Add an RSS feed (maximum 3 items) to your wiki page.

I had to look at how Ben did his, and then find the RSS link before I figured out you had to use the admin panel and load that RSS info into and then use the RSS tag to call it in the wiki.  Now it works.

2.5. Does TikiWiki support the CamelCase style?

Yes, you need it for the link to your word file.

2.6. Install and test a TikiWiki mod by using the Admin Mods feature.

(Hint: Navigation bar -> Admin -> Admin Mods)

I installed the avatar and the calculator mods, but could not verify that they were working.

2.7. Assign a new module to the existing modules.

(Hint: Navigation Bar -> Admin -> Modules)

Hands-on Activities:

PhpBB2 (Week II):

I finished all of the tasks including changing the theme.  The new theme was nice enough until I tried tog et to the control panel.  When I clicked that link I got the 404 page not available error.  Oh oh!  So I waited in case the webserver or database was down and tried it agian later in the day.  Same problem.  :(  I tried several more times and it just would not go to the administrator panel.  Later I found that some themes are not compatible.  Looks like another reason to stay with the default theme.  I spoke with Mete and he suggested changing the name of the theme to the default.  Did it and it did not work  :(  Then I went into the db itself and dropped the tables.  No luck.  Ben copied the install and contrib files to my phpbb2 directory and now I had to install the program again!  aaaargh!  Looks like I should have made a backup BEFORE I made a change like that!!! 

1. Create a standard announcement.  What is the difference between a standard announcement and a sticky topic?

Both are posted at the top of a forum, but the announcement will always be above the sticky.

2. What is BBCode?  As an administrator, if you allow BBCode on your board, can users still disable it in their posts?

BBCode is a light markp language.  It is intended to give some functionality of HTML, without all of the security risks of HTML.  Yes, users can disable BBCode in their post.

3. As an administrator, if you allow the use of HTML on your board, can users use any HTML tag in their posts?

No, the administrator must list the tags that are allowed.

4. How can you prevent people from registering usernames similar to your username or real name?

Under the User Admin link, you can disallow certain names.

5. Create a full backup of your phpBB2's database tables by using your Administration Panel.

Done.

6. Does your phpBB2's default configuration allow users to attach files to their posts?

Yes.

7. Does your phpBB2's default configuration allow users to embed videos from online video-sharing sites (e.g., Google Video, YouTube) into their posts?

No.  You have to install Youtube BBCode for it to work.

8. What are MODs?  Install EasyMod.

MODs are modifications; changes to the code for phpBB.  I was not able to install easyMOD because I changed the theme and now I can't get into the admin panel.  I'm researching how to fix this and hopefully Mete will think of something as well.

(EasyMod's homepage: http://area51.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=15)

9. Install Multiple BBCode Mod from the following site:

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=145513

10. Install YouTube BBCode Mod from the following site and test it:

http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=375183

PhpBB3 (Week I):

1. Install phpBB3 (RC7).  Please do not forget to use a custom table prefix (e.g., mcphpbb3_) for your installation.

Done

2. Add the URL address of your phpBB3 to your index page on MySocialTech.com.

Done

3. Update your board's site name, site description, and system timezone.

Done

4. Rename your automatically generated forum ("Your first forum").

Done

5. Create a standard announcement and a poll associated with it.  What is the difference between a standard announcement and a global one?

Standard announcements apply only to the forum where they are posted.  Global announcements are in all forums.

6. Create a user rank that can only be obtained after posting a certain number of posts.  What is the difference between that type of a rank and a special rank?

A special rank does not require a certain level of posting to achieve.

7. Create a new usergroup called "Friends" (group type: request).

Done.  Invitation sent to Ben.

8. Visit one of your classmates' board, create a user for yourself, and join his or her Friends usergroup.  Update your profile and board preferences.

Done

9. Create a full backup of your board's database tables by using your Administration Control Panel (ACP).

Done.  I was wondering if I had to specifically add the tables I wanted backed up or does it already do it when I tell it to do a full backup.

10. Does your board's default configuration allow users to attach files to their posts?

Yes.

11. Does your board's default configuration allow users to embed videos from online video-sharing sites (e.g., Google Video, YouTube) into their posts?

No.

12. Add the custom YouTube and Google Video BBCodes to your board and test them.

I added teh custom codes and now I can embed youtube videos.  =)

The above custom BBCodes are available on http://www.phpbb.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=579376

13. There are four main role divisions (admin, user, moderator, and forum).  How many different types of moderator roles are defined in the moderator division?

4 roles - Standard, simple, full, and queue.

14. Is there a Mod installer for phpBB3?  Does EasyMod support phpBB3?

No, there is a MOD in development for phpBB3, but nothing exists at the moment.  EasyMod is not supported by phpBB3.

15. Change the style of your board.

I am going to wait on this one.  I don't want to have the same problem I had with phpbb2.

Next I changed the logo from the phpbb2 to a picture of my dogs.  A fishing picture would be more appropiate, but I'm just testing the software.  For my project I will be using a different software, but will have appropiate images.  I thought about changing the theme and realized that the default theme, as is often the case, the easiest to read.  I'm more interested in making the site easy to use than I am in its esthetics.  I keep the default theme.  Ben found a cool looking theme that is still easy to read, so I may revisit that decision when I do the project.

I create and account for Ben and he registers.  Now I got someone wanting to test my site.  Cool.  Ben does the same for me.  It lets us verify that only people we approve of can use the Bulletin Board.  I love that kind of control.  I also set the GMT to -7 so it has the proper time.  I set the board so whomever logs in can choose what theme they want to use.  There is an option to force users to use the same theme, which might be a good idea for business trying to keep its branding that they work so hard to achieve.

Overall phpbb2 was a simple to install, simple to configure, well done piece of open source software.  It could easily be used for corporate applications, with little customization.

Ok, I'm off to look at Studio 8 assignements and get cracking on those.

E

1. Create a template page and include its content in one of your wiki pages.

This is the same as the assignment Ben gave us.  It was a little tricky, but we all got it.

2. Create a template page so that whenever you type ((T1|X|Y)) (use braces instead of parentheses) (X: Task#, Y: StudioSession#) while editing a wiki page, your Wiki automatically displays the following statement after you save the page:

"This is my answer to Task#X in Studio Session#Y:"

e.g.: ((T1|1|7)) (use braces instead of parentheses) -->This is my answer to Task#1 in Studio Session#7:

3. Include the content of a wiki page in another wiki page by using the transclusion feature of your Wiki.

I used the  {{:Sample Page Page hah}} to get it done.

4. Create a wiki page displaying an RSS feed from your blog on www.claremontconversation.org.

Can't seem to get this to work.  Will try again later.

5. Install and test ShareThis (MediaWiki extension):

http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ShareThis

Done.  It has cool icons for all the social sharing sites.

6. Select two pages from your Special Pages list and briefly describe the function of each page.

Block user - Very cool for blocking users by name or IP address.  Simple, but useful.

Recetn Changes - I use this to find pages and edit them.  A nice visual way to see what pages you have.

7. Which special page shows all the extensions installed on your Wiki?

Version - Very cool special page.

8. Go over the extensions used by Wikipedia and install one of them to your Wiki.

I installed poem extension.  It allows you to put hyperlinks in quoted text.

9. Create a link on one of your wiki pages to a section of another wiki page.

I created a link to my home page on eric.mysocialtech.com so I could easily get to my blog.

10. Let's think of a scenario where there is a Wiki site that has several pages created by multiple users.  As one of the users of the site, how can you easily find to see if there are any pages that have linkss to your wiki page?

Use the Who Links Here link to find pages linked to your wiki page.

11. Why does your Wiki's current setting permit the use of only a limited number of HTML elements?  Is there a way to re-configure your Wiki to support full HTML coding in your wiki pages?

It's a security issues.  Full HTML would allow hackers to compromise the wiki.  Yes, you can enable full html to work, but it should only be doen for a private system.

12.  Create a link on one of your wiki pages to a Wikipedia page by using your Wiki's InterWiki feature.  Does this feature also work to create a link to a wiki page that is part of another Wiki on MySocialTech.com?

 </rant>  =)

Mediawiki is a very powerful program.  It allows for a great amount of customization.  There are 900+ available extensions, though not all of them work all of the time.  Through these extensions one can add features found on other wikis as well as expand the capabilities by adding features found on blogs.  The quantity and robustness of the available extensions is impressive.  Also, Mediawiki supports many languages.  Localization is a big deal when working with applications that world on the internet.  The World is home to the internet and any application that wants to address that demographic must speak the native language of its users.

One of the most powerful features of MEdiawiki, and also the most confounding, is the ability to organize information.  The categories tools and namespaces create a lot of confusion.  Ideally, one would sketch out how to organize date before starting on the Mediawiki.

The help availble for Mediawiki is there, but often time difficult to find.  Searching google regularly take you mediawikis help pages, but from there you have to carefully word your search to find helpful information.  When you do find help, it is usually of excellent quality.  The documentation is written well.  Instructions are concise and written for people with basic computer knowledge.