COAP:COAP-3110/week4: Difference between revisions

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<categorytree mode="pages" depth="1" style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:3px; border:1px solid gray; padding:0.7ex; background-color:#f9f9f9;">COAP 3110</categorytree>
[[Category: COAP 3110]]
== Week 4 learning goals ==
== Week 4 learning goals ==


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'''Apache/PHP configuration:'''
'''Apache/PHP configuration:'''


Your web server and PHP configuration may have "low values" for execution time, memory use and upload file size. In particular, installation procedures may require more time. You can edit these values in the configuration files that you can get in the XAMPP console:
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)
* Not enough memory for PHP (php.ini)
: memory_limit = 256M
: memory_limit = 256M
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=== Hands on - Selecting themes and configuring the layout ===
=== Hands on - Selecting themes and configuring the layout ===


* Selecting the them (skin) should be based on several criteria, at least usefulness, usability and appropriate looks.
'''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]]
* Discussion about [[User experience and user experience design]]
* Explore various WordPress sites, e.g. from https://wordpress.org/showcase/


== Monday Part II - Term project and web hosting
'''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


=== PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting ===
=== PHP/MySQL/Apache hosting ===
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'''Be prepared to move you sever from the USB stick to a hosting company''' (ca. week 6 or 7)
'''Be prepared to move you sever from the USB stick to a hosting company''' (ca. week 6 or 7)


Free hosting exists (see below). Prices for low cost hosting start around 3 Euros / month, but you have to add fees for a domain name to that if you want your own.
'''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)
 
* 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)
 
== Wednesday part II - WordPress plugins ==
 
=== Using WordPress plugins ===
 
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]
 
=== 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). Test site used by the instructor: http://coap3110.comuf.com/
* 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 information 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 18:54, 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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