Transcript SubjectsPlus Presentation

SubjectsPlus
Open Source Software for
Library Guides and more.
David Lowder
Georgia Southern University
2011 annual GIL Users Group Meeting
May 19, 2011
Macon State University
SubjectsPlus is a free open source tool
that Georgia Southern is using for
managing several parts of our website.
SubjectsPlus manages:
Subject,Course or Topic Guides
A-Z list of Databases
FAQ’s
Suggestion Box
Staff Directory
History
• Copyright (C) 2002 East Carolina University
(Joyner Library)
• PirateSource started at the Joyner Library at
East Carolina University. It only did Subject
Guides.
• Copyright (C) 2007-2011 Andrew Darby
• Andrew Darby, Web Services Librarian at the
Ithaca College Library, took the basic idea and
developed SubjectsPlus.
Versions
• Version 0.9x is the current production version.
• Georgia Southern is using a mixture of 0.9 and 0.8
• We went to 0.9 for FAQ’s etc in December but
didn’t want to change the 0.8 guides in mid-year.
• Version 1.0 is in beta for release in May??
• This presentation is an overview of the beta
release.
• Documentation on the website is more complete.
http://www.subjectsplus.com/
What's required?
• Web server
o If you have your own server or have good access you have
more control and more options.
o We use our campus web server so we don’t have complete
access. We have to do some work arounds.
• PHP
o Must be on the web server
o Must be at least version 4
o SP 1.0 beta requires 5.2 or greater
• MySQL
o Can be on the same hardware as the web server but doesn't
have to be.
o We run MySQL on an old PC in the Library.
Want to do your own servers?
•
•
•
•
L - Linux or W - Windows
A - Apache
M - MySQL
P - PHP
There are books available in the UC using the keywords
above.
One sample title is:
Apache, MySQL, and PHP
weekend crash course.
Schafer, Steven M.
Very good instructions are in a readme
file and on the wiki.
http://groups.google.com/group/
subjectsplus
FTP the extracted files to your web server
"SP" is the default directory.
It can be changed but it's easiest to leave it alone.
Prepare the MySQL database
PHPMyAdmin - http://www.phpmyadmin.net/ is a free software tool
used to administer MySQL.
Cut & Paste the contents of the sql file
to create the tables and load starting data.
Edit the config file
Configure the Catalog Searches
Configured GIL-Find Searches
GIL-Find Search Box – sp_Pluslet_5.php
sp/subjects/includes/header.php
Edit to customize public pages with header
graphics, Google Analytics, etc. for your site.
SubjectsPlus Control Panel
An admin user is included in the
install. Use it to create a new admin
user and then delete the default.
Menu options depend on the
rights assigned to the user.
Admin - User Functions
Admin – Departments
Add the departments before adding the users.
Admin – Add New User
Admin – Add New User
Error since my web server doesn’t have “write”
rights to the directory. I use FTP to create
directory and upload jpg.
The same error occurs if a user tries to
update their picture. I use FTP instead.
Admin – Manage Users
Admin – Sources
Admin – FAQ Collections
Admin – Manage Guides
Can filter by user or type.
Make batch changes
Guides
New Guide
“View Your Guide” after saving.
“View Your Guide” lets you
place the elements of the guide
“Find Box” lets you
copy elements from other guides.
Pick by name of guide...
or search for keywords.
Click on the plus sign to add it.
“New Box” elements are drag & drop
Drag to left or right column
Edit content as needed and save.
“All items by Source” won’t show until
you add items linked to the guide.
Button toggles the navigation bar.
Records
Browse existing records by letter or by
type and add it to your new guide.
Adding a New Record
WYSIWYG editor to add description.
Format, Access Restrictions and
ctags control the display icons.
A Record can have multiple
locations and/or subjects.
Now add “All Item by Source” to
see records for this guide.
Public view of guide
Public view of version 0.8 guide
Public view of version 0.9 guide
An Editable Box can link to your catalog
using the syntax in the config file
On the Browse Guides or Manage Guides
screen, use the globe icon to check links.
TalkBack - Suggestions don’t go public
until they are answered here.
WYSIWYG editor.
Only make it “live” when finished.
Public View
Anti-SPAM question doesn’t change.
FAQ Admin
WYSIWYG editor. Attach Subjects
and/or FAQ Collections.
FAQ’s sort alphabetically
Version 0.9x FAQ’s with GSU template
Beta version Staff Directory
Version 0.9x Staff with GSU template
Form that uses GALILEO subjects
Lists only databases from our A-Z
Much of the look, like colors, can be changed
through the style sheets.
I like the Web Developer Toolbar
http://chrispederick.com/work/web-developer/
Questions?