Community Server 2.1

Community Server Gurus

Dave — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Here are some of the Masters of Community Server. They have their own CS powered sites of course and they have excellent, valuable content for anyone interested in getting anything done with CS that isn't already done for you when you take it 'out of the box'.

Dave Stokes (davestokes.net) - Dave Stokes will show you exactly, and I do mean EXACTLY how to setup CS. He has step by step instructions on how to install CS on your server, dedicated server and so on. He is very thorough, includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and everything. His documents show you how to install a new installation or upgrade an existing installation. Thanks Dave for providing this!

Scott Water (scottwater.com) - Once you get your CS up and running, Scott is going to provide you with amazing add-ons so that you can do cool stuff with your Community Server. One example is: Enable people to post YouTube based videos with a simple tag they insert into a post. Get his CS Module Pack for CS 2.1 off of his website. Here are some of the things in it (Thanks Scott!)

MetaBlogExtender - enables access to the full CS Blog Post API via the MetaBlogAPI
LiveSearch - enables creating posts which act like live search results. The search happens at render time enabling CS to always use the most recent data and the current user's permissions.
XHTML - attempts to convert any CS content to XHTML (actually just xml)
ShareIt - see above
Camtasia - enables adding Camtasia flash movies to posts[1]
ModuleNotification - enables sending emails at key CS events

How to install a Tag Cloud in CS 2.1

Dave — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:16:00 GMT

I just upgraded from CS 2.0 to 2.1. One of the great new features is the Tag Cloud feature. Basically you can attach key words to blogs and forum posts, and then visitors can click on those key words in the tag clouds to find related content.

Here's the forum thread on how to install a tag cloud.

Here's what I got from that thread and I'm going to clarify a little:

First, here's the code to copy into your clipboard:

Second, open the ASP.NET Master page for the Theme you are using. I'm assuming you are using the default theme, so the file you want is \themes\default\Masters\Master.ascx

Third, paste in the code for the cloud. I decided to put it here, underneath the standard controls that appear on the right hand side. Search for this line and insert the tag cloud code directly below:

<td valign="top" id="CommonRightColumn">
<CS:MPRegion id="rcr" runat="server" />
[[ OK insert tag cloud here ]]

Fourth, add align="center". I added a align="center" attribute to the right hand column cell header tag, so it looks like this: <td valign="top" align="center" id="CommonRightColumn">. I found that if I didn't have that then the tag cloud would appear offset to the left and didn't line up with the other panels. Adding this attribute didn't move the other panel items at all.

I'd actually prefer to put the tag cloud inside the controls that appear on the right hand side but I haven't figure out yet which file I need to modify. I'd like to get it above the Recent Additions panel. If you know which control it is please let me know.

How to upgrade from Community Server 2.0 to CS 2.1

Dave — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:13:00 GMT

Dave Stokes wrote a terriffic guide for upgrading from CS 2.0 to 2.1. After reading this guide I can't possibly imagine trying to do this on your own. Definitely get the guide. You have to register on his site, but the energy expended to tap a few key strokes is really worth the great information Dave provides.

Get Dave Stokes's Guide to Upgrade CS 2.0 to CS 2.1

Purpose of this Blog

Dave — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:08:00 GMT

The purpose of this blog is to capture lessons about setting up Community Server 2.1 as I learn them. I'm hoping people can benefit. On the official Community Server Forums you can probalby learn everything you can find in this blog. However, on the CS forums there is a lot of Q&A and dialog as people collaboratively uncover solutions. I'm going to post only solutions and when I'm not too lazy post links back to the original solution providers. I'm not an expert on CS but I think it's really fun and exciting. Partly, this blog is for my own reference as I set up additional CS sites.

This blog also relates only to CS v2.1.