Geeklog FAQ Manager by Blaine Lang

Based on the FAQ Application by Stephen Ball

Adapted for Geeklog  by Blaine Lang

Version 0..8 Beta 1
Released: Mar 9, 2003

Contact Info:

 

Author Email Website
 Stephen Ball stephen@aquonics.com www.aquonics.com
 Blaine Lang: blaine@portalparts.com www.portalparts.com

 

 

Geeklog FAQ Manager

1.0 Overview

2.0 Licence

3.0 New Installation

 


1.0  Overview

The FAQ Manager is a Geeklog Plugin that allows you to create categories and topics for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's). The FAQ editor allows you to enter full HTML and supports imbedded PHP. The Plugin includes the integrated install, de-install, administration, security, search all wrapped inside the Geeklog portal.

Stephen Ball has granted me permission to distribute his application and remove his copy write notices and restrictions that the original application is distributed with. This now provides a nicely integrated plugin.

In completing the integration, I added the logic to support magic_quotes being ON or OFF in the hosted PHP environment. The original 2.0 release of the application required magic_quotes to be on.

The FAQ Manager uses it's own and different template method then Geeklog. I have not looked at changing this or allowing the plugin to support different templates per theme. I have done considerable customization of the templates to provide a tighter integration with Geeklog

 

This is a BETA Release so please report any problems or feedback on my site's forum.

 

 

 

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2.0  License

This Geeklog Plug-in, like Geeklog is released under the GNU General Public License. It is a bona fide Open Source / Free Software project.

Like all good open source projects, Geeklog and this Plug-in both depend on the community. Thanks for your continued support, and let us know what we can do to make Geeklog and the Plug-in even better.

Stephen Ball has granted me permission to distribute his application and remove his copy write notices and restrictions that the original application is distributed with. This now provides a nicely integrated plugin.

 

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3.0  New Installation

Note: You need to manually create the plugin program directories and copy the program files into their appropriate directories.

Step 0.        Database backup

Make a backup of your current geeklog database using the built-in admin feature. Verify your backup feature is configured correctly and backup file is not 0 bytes (This is worth a check)

Step 1.        Copy plugin files into their required directories

Uncompress the archive files into your <geeklog_dir>/plugins directory. It will create a faqman directory and associated subdirectories for the files. You will need to move the files in the admin and public subdirectories to their appropriate directory as indicated below.

1.1        public_html/           - Main program files

The files in the public directory under your new plugins/faqman folder need to be copied to <geeklog_dir>/public_html/faqman directory

You will need to first create the:

<geeklog_dir>/public_html/faqman directory

1.2        admin/                 - Plugin Install and Main admin program files

The files in the admin directory under your new plugins/faqman folder need to be copied to <geeklog_dir>/public_html/admin/plugins/faqman directory.

You will need to first create the:

<geeklog_dir>/public_html/admin/plugins/faqman directory

1.3        Directory and File Permissions 

Directory and File owner should be same as webserver

All the files and directories should have Read permissions and directories need execute. Setting all plugin files and directories to have read + execute should not be a security issue but PHP files only need read access to execute. The directories need execute rights in order for them to be searched or accessed

 

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Step 2.        Run the install program

2.1  Logged in as admin

     As of Geeklog 1.3.7 - Plugins can now be installed directly from the Plugins Editor.

     Geeklog will list all installed plugins and show those that are not installed with a link.

     All plugin files must be in place first

    

     OR: In your browser, go to http://your_geeklog_url/admin/plugins/faqman/install.php

Note: The installer is designed to back out any database changes if there should be an error. You can monitor the installer by viewing the error.log, file <geeklog_dir>/logs/error.log

2.2  Verify successful operation

o        Did you get a successful completion message that your database tables have been created

o        There should now be a faqman link in your top header.

o        As admin, you should see the "faqman" menu item in the "Admin Block"

 

2.3    Check the install logging in the <geeklog_dir>/logs/error.log file

 

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