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[[Category: COAP 3110]]
== Week 4 learning goals ==
== Week 4 learning goals ==


(under construction ....)
* Initial configuration of WordPress
* Theme selection
* Relational dabase principles, including looking at the table structure of Wordpress (if time left)
* (more .... TBA)


== Monday ==
== Monday Part I ==
 
... finishing the basic installation, preparation of next steps
 
=== Hands on- Worpress installation ===
 
* In principle, each participant does have a running wordpress
 
'''Installation problems:'''
* Wrong database name
* Wrong database user and/or password name
* file permissions (will happen when you move to a provider, change permissions)
 
'''Apache/PHP configuration:'''
 
Your web server and PHP configuration may have "low values" for execution time, memory use and upload file size. In particular, if you work with a slow USB stick, installation procedures may require more time. You can edit these values in the configuration files that you can get in the XAMPP console:
* Not enough memory for PHP (php.ini)
: memory_limit = 256M
* Not enough execution time, often due to slow memory stick/computer. You may need as much as '''600''' seconds)
: max_execution_time = 600
* File upload size must be changed in both Apache and PHP in in several places, e.g. see this [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2184513/php-change-the-maximum-upload-file-size stackoverflow Q/A]
 
=== Hands on - Selecting themes and configuring the layout ===
 
'''Discussion'''
* Think about your [[COAP:COAP-3110/term project|term project]]
* Selecting the the (skin) should be based on several criteria, at least: usefulness, usability and appropriate looks.
* Discussion about [[User experience and user experience design]]
* Explore various WordPress sites, e.g. from https://wordpress.org/showcase/
 
'''Things to do in class''' (ask your neighbor or the instructor for help)
* Select a theme: Dashboard -> Appearance -> Themes
* Please configure the theme, including a picture: Use the "Customize your Side" link from the Dashboard.
* Add two static pages and make sure that they show up in a menu
* Add two stories.
* Add an Atom/RSS widget: Dashboard -> Appearance - Widgets
 
== Wednesday Part I - Term project and web hosting ==
 
* 10 minutes catch-up for Monday hands-on activity: Theme installed, configured, pages created, menu changed.


=== Hands on - Identify a provisional project ===
=== Hands on - Identify a provisional project ===


Identify a subject for your term project (you will be allowed to change)
Short discussion of term project ideas


* Read [[COAP:COAP-3110/term project|COAP 3110/term project]]
* Read [[COAP:COAP-3110/term project|COAP 3110/term project]]
* Identify a type of project you would like to implement
* Find 3 good examples (preferably based  on WordPress)
* Discuss their features (functionality) and design in class


=== Hands on - Selecting the theme ===
=== PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting ===
 
'''Be prepared to move you sever from the USB stick to a hosting company''' (ca. week 6 or 7)
 
'''Contents moved''': See [[COAP:COAP-3110/week6|week 6 program]]
 
=== A very short introduction to relational databases ===
 
* [[SQL_and_MySQL_tutorial#Relations_between_tables|Relations between tables]] (Wiki article)


* Selecting the them (skin) should be based on several criteria, at least usefulness, usability and appropriate looks.
* WordPress [https://codex.wordpress.org/Database_Description Database description] (see the picture) and [https://deliciousbrains.com/tour-wordpress-database/ Tour of the WordPress Database] (by Iain, 2015, includes a more understandable list of tables and fields and a better schema)
* Discussion about [[User experience and user experience design]]
 
== Wednesday part II - WordPress plugins ==
 
=== Using WordPress plugins ===


=== PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting ===
Please read:
* [https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugins Plugins] (Codex.wordpress)
* [https://codex.wordpress.org/Managing_Plugins Managing Plugins] (in particular, read '''installing plugins''')
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/ Official WordPress Plugins Repository]


Prices for hosting start around 3 Euros / month, but you have to add fees for a domain name to that if you want your own.
=== Hands on - installing a picture gallery ===


Well-known free (read the fine print)
(1) Installation steps
* [http://www.host-ed.net/ Host-ed] (free, without domain name)
* Go to Plugins > Add New.  
* [https://www.awardspace.com/ AwardSpace] (free, without domain name)
* Search for "gallery" or "photo gallery"
* [https://www.000webhost.com/ 000webhost] (free, without domain name)
* Install one gallery plugin. Before you do so, click on "more details" !


You can search the web for alternatives, e.g. read [http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/top-free-hosting-for-uk-businesses-1214296 TechRadar], but be careful. Cross-check informations about a provider.
There exist many comparisons on the web, e.g. read [http://www.designbombs.com/best-gallery-plugins-wordpress/ 8 of the Best Gallery WordPress Plugins Compared]


Well-known cheap, HostGator is best according to [http://uk.pcmag.com/hostgatorcom/880/review/hostgator-web-hosting PC Mag]
(2) Create a gallery and make it available
* [https://www.hostpapa.eu/ HostPapa] (3 Euros/month)
* Create a gallery and a few pictures (at least 2)
* [https://www.godaddy.com/ GoDaddy] ($4-5 / month)
* Create a page that includes a gallery. Usually, a gallery can be added through the HTML editor
* [http://www.hostgator.com/ Hostgator] (3.5$ / month), also cheap dedicated hosting for $80/month


Recommended local (Geneva, Switzerland)
(3) Compare with your fellow students
* [https://www.infomaniak.com/en Infomaniak] (10 CHF / month). Probably one of the best in that range (quality/speed)
* Is the plugin intuitive ?
* [https://www.hostpoint.ch/en/ HostPoint] (10CHF/month, 30 day trial)
* Is it useful with respect to your needs ?
* How many other people installed this ? What are the ratings ?
* Is the documentation well done and easy to find ?


'''Domain name registration'''
=== Hands on - installing another plugin ===


* Most hosting companies will provide that service
* Find, install and configure another plugin of interest.
* You many check if they are [https://www.icann.org/registrar-reports/accredited-list.html accredited with ICANN] (i.e. first-level registrars)

Latest revision as of 17:54, 27 September 2016

COAP 3110
COAP:COAP-3110
COAP:COAP-3110/term project
COAP:COAP-3110/week1
COAP:COAP-3110/week2
COAP:COAP-3110/week3
COAP:COAP-3110/week4
COAP:COAP-3110/week5
COAP:COAP-3110/week6
COAP:COAP-3110/week7
COAP:COAP-3110/week8

Week 4 learning goals

  • Initial configuration of WordPress
  • Theme selection
  • Relational dabase principles, including looking at the table structure of Wordpress (if time left)
  • (more .... TBA)

Monday Part I

... finishing the basic installation, preparation of next steps

Hands on- Worpress installation

  • In principle, each participant does have a running wordpress

Installation problems:

  • Wrong database name
  • Wrong database user and/or password name
  • file permissions (will happen when you move to a provider, change permissions)

Apache/PHP configuration:

Your web server and PHP configuration may have "low values" for execution time, memory use and upload file size. In particular, if you work with a slow USB stick, installation procedures may require more time. You can edit these values in the configuration files that you can get in the XAMPP console:

  • Not enough memory for PHP (php.ini)
memory_limit = 256M
  • Not enough execution time, often due to slow memory stick/computer. You may need as much as 600 seconds)
max_execution_time = 600
  • File upload size must be changed in both Apache and PHP in in several places, e.g. see this stackoverflow Q/A

Hands on - Selecting themes and configuring the layout

Discussion

Things to do in class (ask your neighbor or the instructor for help)

  • Select a theme: Dashboard -> Appearance -> Themes
  • Please configure the theme, including a picture: Use the "Customize your Side" link from the Dashboard.
  • Add two static pages and make sure that they show up in a menu
  • Add two stories.
  • Add an Atom/RSS widget: Dashboard -> Appearance - Widgets

Wednesday Part I - Term project and web hosting

  • 10 minutes catch-up for Monday hands-on activity: Theme installed, configured, pages created, menu changed.

Hands on - Identify a provisional project

Short discussion of term project ideas

PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting

Be prepared to move you sever from the USB stick to a hosting company (ca. week 6 or 7)

Contents moved: See week 6 program

A very short introduction to relational databases

Wednesday part II - WordPress plugins

Using WordPress plugins

Please read:

Hands on - installing a picture gallery

(1) Installation steps

  • Go to Plugins > Add New.
  • Search for "gallery" or "photo gallery"
  • Install one gallery plugin. Before you do so, click on "more details" !

There exist many comparisons on the web, e.g. read 8 of the Best Gallery WordPress Plugins Compared

(2) Create a gallery and make it available

  • Create a gallery and a few pictures (at least 2)
  • Create a page that includes a gallery. Usually, a gallery can be added through the HTML editor

(3) Compare with your fellow students

  • Is the plugin intuitive ?
  • Is it useful with respect to your needs ?
  • How many other people installed this ? What are the ratings ?
  • Is the documentation well done and easy to find ?

Hands on - installing another plugin

  • Find, install and configure another plugin of interest.
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