Content
1.Introduction
2. Installing the module
3. Managing the guestbook
4. Configuring the guestbook module
5. Your guestbook on the site
6. The email the guestbook sends
The Guestbook module of Site@School has the following features:
- A page on the site where the guestbook entries can be seen.
- A link on that page which brings the guests to the guestbook for signing.
- Guests must fill in a valid email address. The address is visible but cannot be harvested. It has the form of 'user (at) schoolsite (dot) org'.
- Management of the guestbook by inspecting and, if necessary, removing unwanted entries.
- Adjustable number of guestbook entries on a page. When the number of entries is reached, a new page is made. Guests can select 'next page' and 'previous page'.
- Email alerts can be sent when a visitor makes an entry in the guestbook. The email contains all the entries the guest made as well as the IP address. The last option facilitates tracking unwanted entries.
- An [Edit] function to change the module name and the program name to fit your language.
The module needs to be connected to a page before it is usable. The guestbook module only has one program option: 'View Guestbook'. Read the Module manager chapter for further instructions.
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To manage the guestbook, go to the Module manager > Guestbook. You will see:
![[ ]](pics/mod_gbk_mng.jpg)
mod_gbk_mng.jpg
This is the guestbook module opening screen. Inspect the entries and delete unwanted entries by clicking on the [Delete] link.
NOTICE: In the message text HTML tags are visible. This is a security precaution; it prevents the execution of JavaScript in messages.
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Click on 'Configuration'. You will see:
![[ ]](pics/mod_gbk_conf.png)
mod_gbk_conf.png
- Introduction text Guestbook (HTML code): You can make your own introduction text to the guestbook. Take notice to end the text with a <br> tag. Otherwise your intro text will be immediately followed by the link text: 'Sign our guestbook'.
When you want to also change the 'Sign our guestbook' text, go to 'Tools' > Translate Tool > Guestbook. There you can change the text. See 'Tips and Tricks for details.
- Email alert to: Email alerts can be sent to the maintainer of the guestbook. Multiple addresses are possible. Separate them with a comma and a space.
- Items per page: Set the number of guestbook entries that will be visible on the site before a new page is made.
- Save: Press 'Cancel' to undo your work.
- Cancel: Press 'Save' to save your work and return to the previous menu.
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Go to the guestbook on your school site. You will see:
![[ ]](pics/mod_gbk_site_gbk.jpg)
mod_gbk_site_gbk.jpg
Explanation:
- Welcome text: Here you can have your own welcome text. See the configuration of the guestbook for details (below).
- Sign our guestbook: When you click on the link, you enter the guestbook (see below).
- An entry made by someone in the guestbook.
Click on 'Sign our guestbook'. The guestbook will open:
![[ ]](pics/mod_gbk_site_gbk_entry.png)
mod_gbk_site_gbk_entry.png
Put in a few entries so you have something to manage in the guestbook module. By entering ':)' in your text (omit the quotes), you add the corresponding smiley in the guestbook.
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When you have entered a valid email address in Configuration, this address will receive an email alert when a visitor makes an entry in the guestbook.
Here is an example:
![[ ]](pics/mod_gbk_email.jpg)
mod_gbk_email.jpg
As you can see the originating IP address (fictional) and the exact time are also given. These data facilitate tracking abusers.
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Author: Dirk Schouten <schoutdi (at) knoware (dot) nl>
Last updated: 2006-04-12