Information Technology - Web Development - CommonSpot
What is CommonSpot?
CommonSpot is the university supported web content management system. It allows you to create and edit webpages through your web browser. No local web editing software is required on your personal machine.
How do I delete a page I have created or a document that I have uploaded?
- go to My Pages
- check the box for the page you want deleted
- click the Delete Selected Pages button
When I am authoring a page, how do I know what to click on?
There are three areas that each user must get used to in order to be more fluid with CommonSpot.
- To edit elements. Click on the gray text or pencil icon.
- To make sure the changes are seen by end users. Click on yellow icons and submit the page for publication.
- To make sure all the options were set in a pop up box. Always check for a "Next" button at the bottom of the screen and check for additional tabs at the top of the screen.
Why is a very small window popping up when trying to insert a new element, or edit an existing element?
This problem is because of service pack 2 on Windows XP. What you can do is add our domain name (*.ecu.edu) to the trusted zone (tools ->internet options -> security)
How do I get to author mode?
Author url: http://author.ecu.edu/cs-site/subsite/login.cfm
For example: http://author.ecu.edu/cs-lib/sample/login.cfm
Why doesn't the template I created appear in the template gallery when I create a new page?
Your template needs to be submitted for public use and be activated.
- Go to the template
- Enter author mode
- Click the Page & Template Management icon (the one on the right of the 3 icons)
- Click on Submit Template for Public Use
- A popup comes up, click the submit button
- Another popup comes up to tell you the template was successfully submitted.
What is a CommonSpot Template?
Think of templates like transparencies for an overhead projector. As many transparencies as necessary can be stacked on top of each other as needed to render the look desired.
ECU has a basic template designed that is used to help people start creating their pages. Think of the ECU template like letterhead for paper communications. The ECU template specifies the header, footer, and a few other properties.
Each department or individual persons can create additional templates that further expand the design of their pages. You must create a new page based on your desired template from the beginning, because once a page is created you cannot switch to a different template. Making a change to the template file will update all pages that were created based on that template at the same time.
For more information on using templates, refer to the CommonSpot Contributor Guide.
I have submitted my template for public use but still do not see the template?
The easiest way to find out which category heading your template is in is to go to author mode.
1. Go to the template
2. Enter author mode
3. Click the Page & Template Management Icon (the one on the right of the 3 icons)
4. Click on page properties
5. Click on the Other tab and look for the category field (this is where your template is stored and which heading it will show up if you have different categories)
6. You may need to change this category if you are unable to see the template in the template gallery.
Why don't I see the icons at the top of my page?
Are you using the correct login information?
First, be sure you are entering your website by http://author.ecu.edu/cs-________/login.cfm>
cs-________ (this is the main directory of your site and must be entered to enter the author mode of your site) ex. cs-admin, cs-lib, cs-itcs, cs-studentlife
How do I link files I have placed in my CustomCF directory?
The CustomCF directory can be used if you have a custom script or multiple files you would like to upload. When using this directory here is an example:
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/customcf/______________________(name of file)
Just be sure to add customcf after your directory.
If you have multiple large files you may want to put your files on a media server. Please use the support request system to get access to this server.
I uploaded documents via the CustomCF section on my tools page but they do not show up after I link them?
Sometimes there is a delay in the server when uploading files to the customcf section. One way to fix this is by choosing the "CustomCF Server Sync" link on the left side under the Subsite Tools Menu which shows up on the "Manage CustomCF" page.
How do I insert the ECU tab bar seen on the ECU Home Page?
Please see this page for more information. http:/www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/ECUtabbarDemo.cfm
How do I find the pages that I did not create in my directory?
You need to visit the page finder section in author mode. Here is a simple tutorial to show you the basics. http://author.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/upload/PageFinder.pdf
How do I obtain usage statistics for a specific CommonSpot page or for an entire subsite?
To obtain this information:
- Login to your CommonSpot site
- Click the bottom left icon (knowledge maps)
- Select the "document info" option
- Click the "usage statistics" button
- Select from the drop down at the top for current page/current site etc and the number of days
What is the container element and how do I use it?
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/commonSpotContainer.cfm
I do not see "Click to insert New Element" in my page.
Click on the 4 squares Icon and go to layout properties
Under Miscellaneous check "Allow insertion of multiple elements per cell"
Are you having problems authoring in CommonSpot?
Often it helps to clear out your browser's temporary internet files:
1. Open up Internet Explorer
2. Choose "Internet Options" choice from the "Tools" menu from the top.
3. Select the "General" tab if it is not already selected.
4. Click on the three buttons: "Delete Cookies," "Delete Files," and "Clear History" confirming each action.
5. Click on the "OK" button to close the Internet Options dialog window.
How do I test links or see content before I submit my changes?
Toggle to the "preview mode" by accessing your middle icon and clicking on Preview. Your editing icons will disappear and you can test links and see how your page will display. Return to the middle icon and uncheck preview to go back to the author mode.
How do I upload a document - PDF, Excel file, Word doc, etc.?
You can upload to document and set a link at the same time.
1. Highlight the text that will be the link to the respective file.
2. Click the insert link icon.
3. Choose "Link to new uploaded file" by clicking the radio button in front of this option.
4. You'll get a screen to browse to find the document you want to upload.
Caution: your files must be one word names.
5. When you find the document, click open.
6. Fill in the rest of the fields in the pop-up and click finish - ONLY CLICK IT ONE TIME and wait a few seconds
Please note: When naming your file, name it something that you will recognize in the document gallery. The name you choose will be viewable only to you and other site editors via the image gallery as CommonSpot renames all files for external viewers.
7. The file will upload and automatically set your link.
Caution: If you click finish twice, CommonSpot may upload the file and not set your link. You'll think nothing happened and try to upload again. If the upload has already occurred, a pop-up window will say "a file by that name already exists." In that case, back out, highlight the text and set the link manually by searching your gallery for the document you named during the previously attempted upload.
Is there a way to upload an updated file that is already uploaded to CommonSpot?
Yes.
1. Go to your right-hand icon.
2. Click My Pages.
3. Click the + beside the My Uploaded Documents.
4. Find the document you want to replace in the list that displays.
5. Click the pencil to the right of the respective document.
6. Choose Upload New Version.
7. You will get a pop-up box that allows you to browse to find the document.
8. Find it on computer.
9. Say open.
10. Click finish on the pop-up box.
11. You will get another pop-up box to say submit for publication.
12. Click ok.
I have created a simple form, what is the address I send to users?
The address must include the entire URL of the simple form when linking to or sending the URL through e-mail to function properly.
For example:
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-xxx/xxx not http:www.ecu.edu/xxx (be sure to include the cs-xxx of your directory)
How do I create a Simple Form?
Simple Form Tutorial
The message "Image cache does not exist for this page" appears on my page in place of the image, what do I do?
This is a known problem with CommonSpot. You will need to click on the 3rd icon at the top in author mode and go to update and clear cache to fix the problem.
Can I add a background color to my table in CommonSpot?
You can not add background colors to the cells in CommonSpot as the Style Sheet that we set up does not enable different color backgrounds.
My links show up as author.ecu.edu and I used the page gallery section.
If this happens and you are on the www (viewing) server you will need to go through the process of updating your links again. Just click on the chain link and pick the link again and hit finish. This should correct the problem.
