Month: November 2009

Upload Videos

8.0 Upload Videos

8.1 Introduction

One key feature that the WordPress plugin check has included is the ability to upload videos of different formats onto the page. The plugin that accomplishes this is TinyMCE Advanced. TinyMCE adds options to the visual editor toolbar. The feature that we are concerned with is the upload video option.

Figure 15. TinyMCE Advanced

8.2 Instructions

To upload a video, just click the video upload button and a new menu will appear.

Figure 16. Video Upload Button

Figure 17. Video Upload

From the video upload menu, the user can choose from video types: Flash, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, Shockwave, and Real Player.

To upload a Windows Media Player file, for example, the user need to providesa URL of the file. If the Windows Media Player file is on the user’s computer, then they first need to upload the file onto WordPress using the Media option found on the sidebar:

Figure 18. Add new Media

After the user uploads the video, they then copy the URL provided to the video upload menu to complete the upload. It is that simple.

Figure 19. Video URL

Wordpress Plugin Check

Tabs

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 27, 2009

7.0 Tabs

7.1 Introduction

The Tabs Plugin gives users the ability to add content tabs. The tabs emulate a multi-page structure inside a single page. The purpose of using the tabs plugin is simple: to emulate a multi-page structure for plugins of the same category.

7.2 Instruction

Using and implementing the tabs is very simple, no programming is required. To create a tab, the user need only create the tag [tab: name] at the start of the specific plugin check.

For example, to create the Flash tab, we add the tag [tab: Windows Media Player] in front of the plugin check content. As illustrated below:

Figure 13. Tab

Once the tab is created in front of the plugin check content, creating the next tab will end the content. Like the above image, the windows media player content ends when the Quicktime tab is inserted. When we want to end the tabs for the post, we insert the tag [tab:END], like above.

Figure 14. Tabs at front-end

Wordpress Plugin Check

Hide Posts/Plugins

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

6.0 Hide posts/plugins

6.1 Introduction

A key feature that has been implemented in the WordPress plugin check is the option to hide specific plugin checks. By doing this, we allow flexibility for back-end users to show only the plugins that they want to show to front-end users.

6.2 Instructions to hide plugin checks

To hide a specific plugin check, the user has to enter in [hidepost] and [/hidepost] around the plugin they do not want to include.

Example:

If the user wants to hide the Windows Media Player plugin check, they go to the edit post of “Media”. From here, in the Visual Editor, we add the [hidepost] tag to the front of Windows Media Player tab, and then add [/hidepost] into the end of the Windows Media Player table, in front of the next tab.

Below is an illustration of the process:

Figure 10. Hidepost Tags

Figure 11. Hide Windows Media Player

Once the hidepost tags are added, the effect will take place when the user has logged out of the back-end and view the site as a normal user.

6.3 Instructions to posts

To hide a post, we can use the hide post option commonly found in every WordPress template.

Figure 12. Hide Post – Check Private Post

Checking the “Private post” box will hide the post, in this case, “Media” from normal users.

Wordpress Plugin Check

Order Posts

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

5.0 Order Posts

5.1 Introduction

The Order Posts plugin serves the simple task of organizing the posts.

5.2 Instructions

To use the order posts, we only need to change the slug ID of each post. First, enter “Post” then “Quick Edit”. Once you click it, a new menu will appear, as illustrated below:

Figure 9. Quick Edit, Slug ID

As shown by the image above, a Slug ID can be modified; this is the value you change to order the posts. First post is 1 and second post is 2, and so on. For example, if you want the first post to appear in the plugin check to be “Media”, then you would change Media slug ID to 1 and change the remaining posts from 2 and onwards.

Wordpress Plugin Check

Rotating Posts

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

4.0 Rotating Posts

The purpose of using rotating posts for our Plugin Check website is to allow a simple and efficient navigation system between posts. The rotating posts creates a window that displays the full content of the post.

Here is a screenshot of the rotating post in action:

Figure 7. Rotating Posts

The Rotating Post plugin comes with a navigation bar and a display for the post content. Users can use the navigation bar to either go from post-to-post or skip to a specific post by clicking on their corresponding thumbnails.

Unlike many other post slideshow plugins found in WordPress which displays either a certain amount of the post content or only the excerpt, the rotating post plugin displays the post content as if the user is within the post’s link. However, the greatest asset of the rotating post plugin is its ability to maintain the options of the post template. What does this mean? It means that users who have no experience with HTML but wish to remove certain plugin checks from the website can simply use the hide option found in every post to remove it from a common user’s view. This, in return, allows maximum flexibly for administrators and editors to modify the plugin check to their own liking, without knowledge of HTML and Javascript coding.

4.1 Programming Description

Using this plugin did not require any manipulation of existing HTML code except for adding this code snippet:

<?php rotating_posts(); ?>

into the contents of your theme. Preferably, the code snippet should be placed in the Main Index Template (index.php) of your theme, like so:

<?php

/**

* @package WordPress

* @subpackage Gold_Pot_Theme

*/

get_header();

?>

<div <?php post_class() ?>>

<?php rotating_posts(); ?>

</div>

<?php get_footer(); ?>

Once placed, the rotating posts plugin provides the user with an extensive list of options to modify its properties, all of which users inexperienced in HTML and Javascript can easily understand.

Figure 8. Rotating Posts Options

In conclusion, the purpose of the Rotating Post plugin is to provide a simple and efficient navigation system for users using the webpage. Its greatest strength is displaying the full contents of the post while keeping the posts template options.

Wordpress Plugin Check

Changeable untested version using AnyVar

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

3.0 Changeable untested version using AnyVar

3.1 Introduction

Similar to changing the certified version, users can change the range of untested plugin versions using AnyVar.

3.2 Instructions

Changing the untested range is as easy as changing the certified version. The only difference is that you need to change the untested_minversion and untest_maxversion.

For example, in the AnyVar variable list, there are the variables java_untested_minversion and java_untested_maxversion, as illustrated below:

Figure 5. AnyVar Untested Version Variables

Changing the minversion variable to “1.0” and maxversion to “1.4” will correspond in the front-end as seen below:

Figure 6. Untested Version

If the user is using a java version that is within the untested range but do not have the certified version, a question mark will appear on the Java sidebar.

3.3 Programming Description

The programming of the untested range of plugins is implemented by simple if and else statements.

function javac() {

var version=parseFloat(PluginDetect.getVersion (“Java”));

if (version==[java_version]) {

document.getElementById(“javab1″).src =”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/javacheck.bmp”;

} else {

if(version >=[java_untested_minversion]){

if(version <=[java_untested_maxversion]) {

document.getElementById(‘javab1’).src =”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/javaquestion.bmp”; }

else { document.getElementById(“javab1″).src =”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/javacross.bmp”; }

}

else { document.getElementById(“javab1″).src=”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/javacross.bmp”; }

}

The start of the code is an if statement that checks if the plugin version equal to the certified version created by the user using AnyVar, if so a check mark will appear of the plugin sidebar. If not, if the plugin is in the untested range, then a question mark will appear. If not within the range, then a cross mark will appear indicating that the plugin version being used is not certified and untested.

Wordpress Plugin Check

Changeable certified plugin version using AnyVar

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

2.0 Changeable certified plugin version using AnyVar

2.1 Introduction

The back-end of the WordPress Plugin Check allows users to change the certified version of each plugin. This is accomplished using the AnyVar plugin. AnyVar can be accessed under “Tool” in the sidebar.

Figure 2. AnyVar Interface

The image above shows the interface of AnyVar. To use AnyVar, we must first create a desired variable, for example [java_version], and place this tag within our HTML code. Luckily, the site developer has already done this, so we do not need to worry.

2.2 Instructions

Each of the plugins are clearly listed: flash_version, java_version, etc. These variables each accompany with them a value displayed on the right textbox. This value is the certified version of the plugin. For example, flash_version has a “10.0”, this means that the certified version for the flash plugin check on the front end is “10.0”. If a user has Flash “10.0”, a check mark will appear on the front end like so:

Figure 3. Certified Version

This variable is completely changeable to any the user desires. If the user wants to change the certified flash_version to “9.8”, he/she needs only to click on the variable, and then a new page will show allowing them to enter in the new number. Similar to the image listed below:

Figure 4. Change certified version

Once changed, the front-end of the plugin check will also act accordingly, showing a check if the user has Flash 9.8 installed.

2.3 Programming Description

AnyVar is a plugin that allows the modification of user created tags. The greatest asset for this plugin is in the implementation of the plugin version. Developers can create a tag like [java_version] and insert it into the HTML page, then users can modify that variable to any number they want by using the intuitive interface provided by AnyVar.

Here is an example of the AnyVar plugin in action within the Plugin Check code:

function flashc(){

if(PluginDetect.isMinVersion(“Flash”,[flash_version])==1) document.getElementById(“flashb1″).src =”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/flashcheck.bmp”; else document.getElementById(“flashb1″).src =”http://oltubc.com/sandbox/images/flashcross.bmp”;

}

</script>

As you can see within the “if” statement, we imbedded the tag [flash_version]. To explain in detail, if the flash version is not greater that the version stated in the tag [flash_version], and then the image id “flashb1” will show a cross, indicating that the version installed in your browser does not meet the minimum version required by the plugin check.

Therefore, in conclusion, the purpose of the AnyVar plugin is to allow modification of the required plugin version without the experience of any HTML or Javascript programming, that is its greatest asset, and the reason we use it.

Wordpress Plugin Check

Introduction

Post author By Hoi Lo
Post date November 26, 2009

1.0 Introduction

The back-end of the WordPress plugin check allows users to customize the plugin check with the aid of some very intuitive plugins (explained in detail later). The benefit of using plugins allows users unfamiliar with HTML and Javascript programming to customize the features of the plugin check. Here is a list of features that allow modifications by users from the back-end.

1.1 Login

To login to the back-end of the WordPress plugin check, click the login as illustrated below:

Figure 1. Login

1.2 Features

Changeable certified plugin version using AnyVar
Changeable untested version using AnyVar
Rotating Posts
Order the posts (Internet,Media,Contact) with quick edit (slug)
Hide Posts/Plugins
Tabs
Easy upload of videos, TinyMCE
Customizable contact form

Each feature listed above will be explained in detail in this report.

1.3 Limitation

Mouseover to load plugin check
Order of tabs require users to change arrangement of HTML code
Browser Detect does not give detailed browser version

Experiential Report

EXPERIENTIAL REPORT

OLT HELP DESK SUPPORT ASSISTANT

title image

Henry Lo

Student Number: 71710065

Discipline: Computer Engineering

Work Term One – APSC 110

Co-op employer: UBC Office of Learning Technology (OLT)

Date Submitted: October 30, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction. 1

2.0 Company Overview.. 2

2.1 Office of Learning Technology. 2

2.2 History. 2

2.3 Focus and Mission. 2

3.0 Position Overview.. 3

3.1 Responsibilities. 3

3.1.1 Web design. 3

3.1.2 Reply to emails / Formal Writing Skills. 5

3.1.3 Researching and Reporting. 5

3.1.5 System Comprehension Development and Problem Solving. 5

3.2 Employer Expectations. 6

3.3 Relation to my academic program and future Co-op work terms. 6

3.3.1 Formal Writing and Communication Skills. 6

3.3.2 Web design. 6

4.0 Recommendations for future work terms. 7

4.1 Determination. 7

4.2 Flexibility. 7

4.3 Communication. 8

4.4 Organized. 8

APPENDIX I. 9

References/Bibliography. 9

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Textbox : Expand/Shrink. 4

Figure 2. Plugin Detect. 4

1.0 Introduction

My name is Henry Lo and I am a 3^rd year coop student studying Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia. For my first work term, I am working at UBC Office of Learning Technology (OLT) as an OLT Distance Courses Services Assistant/Help Desk support. My supervisor is Anne-Rae Vasquez, the Program Administrator, Production and Web Designer. My tasks include assisting with Production Assistant and Learners’ Support supervisor Andrea Oppermann.

My coop term is from August 31^st, 2009 to Dec 15^th, 2009 during which I will work full-time from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.

This report is aimed to outline and highlight my time here working at OLT. The main purpose of this report is to describe my job duties and my working experience in the first few months and to illustrate the relations between my current job experience and my academic and career development. First, I will give an overview of the department: the history of UBC Office of Learning Technology, its purpose and mission. Then I will introduce the responsibilities that are given to me: the daily tasks and projects I have been involved with during my time here at OLT. Finally, I will give recommendations for future co-op students on qualities, which I believe, are essential to be successful at this position.

2.0 Company Overview

The University of British Columbia has been offering Distance Education courses for over 50 years. Many of these courses have been jointly developed by Faculties across campus and the Office of Learning Technology. Some Faculties develop their own to fit their own student’s needs.

2.1 Office of Learning Technology

The Office of Learning Technology collaborates with UBC Faculties to design and deliver high quality, innovative courses and programs that leverage technology to support learning and teaching at a distance. OLT offers courses from the Faculties of Applied Science, Arts, Forestry, Land and Food Systems, and Science, as well as the Schools of Music and Nursing.

2.2 History

The Office of Learning Technology comprises of two organizations: Distance Education and Technology and Office of Learning Technology. DE&T was established 57-years ago at UBC to serve the needs of students and instructors. They collaborated with different faculties to design innovative courses that can support distance learning. In 2002, the Office of Learning Technology was established. Aimed to continually improve the experience of distance education courses for students and instructors alike, OLT has become recognized as an innovative department that promotes learning and teaching with technology at UBC.

2.3 Focus and Mission

The Office of Learning Technology’s focus is to apply sound learning and teaching principles in the design and development of distance education courses, establishing the commitment to strengthening learning and teaching experiences at UBC by supporting technology-enabled environments. The department works collaboratively with different faculties throughout UBC to provide students and instructors with a streamline experience with distance education courses.

3.0 Position Overview

For my first work term, I am working at UBC Office of Learning Technology (OLT) as an OLT Help Desk Assistant. My duties include responding to emails from students and instructors regarding technical issues they experience in UBC Vista. I am also required to contact the backup web programmer when escalation is required for these issues. My duties also include researching and writing technical reports regarding existing or new applications that are being developed and develop website applications as advised by the senior web programmer.

3.1 Responsibilities

During my time working at the Office of Learning Technology, I am able to learn invaluable skills in an office environment and improve on my technical skills. Listed below are the skills I have learned and hope to improve on during my time here working at OLT.

3.1.1 Web design

While working at OLT, I am required to research and develop complex web applications under the guidance of a senior web programmer for UBC Vista. My first project was creating a textarea resize button that would be added to an existing development control panel used by UBC Vista developers. This project required me to learn CSS independently and apply on an existing javascript, which I successfully completed. Below is an illustration of the project.

textbox expandshrink 1

Figure 1. Textbox : Expand/Shrink

Currently, I am working on a plug-in detection application that scans the user’s internet browser plug-ins. This serves the purpose in ensuring students are able to identify which plug-ins that are missing from their browsers for them to be able to run UBC Vista successfully. I am also tasked to add a backend to the application that allows privileged users to be able to modify the database. Below is a diagram of the plugin detect.

plugin detect

Figure 2. Plugin Detect

During the time I have spent researching and developing these complex projects, I feel I have gained a strong understanding in the languages and styles of website design, and I hope to continue to learn more.

3.1.2 Reply to emails / Formal Writing Skills

As this position requires replying to students and professors daily, being able to write emails in a clear and coherent fashion is a skill that crucial to be successful at this position. Working at OLT, I am required to reply to students that are having technical difficulties with UBC Vista, helping them resolve their issues and having to be proper and concise in replies. As well, during the development of my web applications, I am required to write comprehensive reports in an engineering style. This, in return, allows me to practices my technical writing skills in an engineering environment, which I believe is very useful skill for future job opportunities.

3.1.3 Researching and Reporting

This position also involves researching and reporting on new projects as advised by the Senior Web Programmer. Performing this task has given me the chance to improve my research skills, which is vital in the work place and for my studies. When given one with a strict time constraint, I am also able to practice my organization and time management skills when researching and prioritize my tasks according to importance. In addition, reporting on specific topics of research gives me insight and practice when it comes to the format and styles required when writing documents in a professional environment.

3.1.5 System Comprehension Development and Problem Solving

Helping students and professors with issues regarding distance learning allows me to improve my problem solving ability. Through solving these problems, I can see from the eyes of the web developer and administrator and understand how web components function. In addition, working with the OLT system will give me an understanding of how complex web systems operate, and allow me to learn future systems with ease.

3.2 Employer Expectations

What expectations does your supervisor have for you in regards to your professional and/or personal growth during this work term?

Have a process of communication with Production Assistant (Learners Support) Andrea in place, to streamline the Distance Learning team’s learner support needs.
Work with Senior Web Programmer on existing projects (to completion) and document process.

3.3 Relation to my academic program and future Co-op work terms

Having the opportunity to be able to work at UBC Office of Learning Technology has allowed me to obtain a strong foundation especially in the areas of formal writing, communication skills, and professional website design, which will help me obtain future co-op opportunities and aid my academic program.

3.3.1 Formal Writing and Communication Skills

As this position requires replying to students and professors, I am required to write emails in a clear and coherent fashion. Working in an office environment, I have been able to improve on my formal writing and communication skills. In addition, I have practiced my communication skills: conversing with co-workers, supervisors, and employees in an effective and professional manner. I feel that working for OLT has allowed me to improve on all aspects of these skills and transfer to future job opportunities.

3.3.2 Web design

Before I started working at OLT, I only had a basic experience and knowledge with HTML and PHP, which I learned outside of school. After being involved with numerous complex projects for OLT, I have obtained a solid fountain and firm understanding in website design. I now understand HTML, CSS, PHP, mySQL, and Ajax, all of which are integrate components used to build websites. I know these skills will help me in my academic future, having a heads-up on students who have not had previous experience with website design, and for my future co-op opportunities now that I have worked in an professional office environment under the supervision of senior engineers.

4.0 Recommendations for future work terms

During your coop work term, one must have qualities besides those that are technical, as they are the skills that allow you to learn and continuously improve. Listed below are the qualities I feel are the most important to be successful during your work term here at the Office of Learning Technology.

4.1 Determination

Determination is the most important quality when working or when given a task. Having the determination to complete a task with the upmost quality not only allows you to learn more about what you are doing, it shows your employer that you are hard working and committed to your work.

4.2 Flexibility

Many times, the job description does not include all the responsibilities of the position. Many times, as with most work places, other potential responsibilities may arise. Being able to be flexible and being able to adapt to different situations is the most important aspect of effectively handling a task. If you are able to be flexible and handle multiple tasks, it not only adds your value to your supervisor; it gives confidence to him or her that you can handle any future tasks given to you.

4.3 Communication

A very important aspect when working in a company is work relationships. Having good relationship with your fellow colleagues is important because you will be communicating with them on a daily basis. When you encounter a problem, your coworkers can help guide you in the right direction. In order to work happily during the work term, it is important to establish a good working relationship with your colleagues in the first week.

4.4 Organized

On any work term, they must know what they want to learn and accomplish during their work term because this is the time for students to gain knowledge in a professional environment outside of school. One must have foresight. Having a plan and goals to accomplish on a daily basis at work and during your work term can improve your organization skills. When working, they must know how to manage their time so that at the end of the day, they have completed their tasks or reached the goal they have set for the day.

APPENDIX I

References/Bibliography

About | Office of Learning Technology: Bridging the Distance. 28 October 2009. Dept. of Learning Technology, UBC. <http://olt.ubc.ca/about/>.

Mission | Office of Learning Technology: Bridging the Distance. 28 October 2009. Dept. of Learning Technology, UBC. < http://olt.ubc.ca/about/mission/>.

My Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Co-op Student Learning Objectives

Student Introduction

My name is Henry Lo and I am a coop student studying at the University of British Columbia. For my first work term, I am working at UBC Office of Learning Technology (OLT) as an OLT Help Desk Support Assistant. My supervisor is Anne-Rae Vasquez, the Program Administrator, Production and Web Designer. My tasks include assisting with Productions Assistant and Learner’s Support supervisor Andrea Oppermann.

My duties include checking and responding to email requests from instructors and students involving troubleshooting browser issues or basic technical problems and forwarding any emails to the appropriate web programmers or course developer if the enquiry needs escalation or is related specifically to an online course. My duties also include researching and reporting on new technologies as advised by the Structural Designer and maintaining the Help Desk.

My coop term is from August 31^st, 2009 to Dec 15^th, 2009 during which I will work full-time from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Objectives

During my time working at the Office of Learning Technology, I hope to learn invaluable skills in an office environment and improve on my technical skills. Listed below are the learning objectives I hope to achieve working at OLT.

Formal Writing and Communication Skills

Working in an office environment, I want to improve on my formal writing and communication skills. As this position requires replying to students and professor s, I want to be able to write emails in a clear and coherent fashion. In addition, I want to improve on my communication skills: conversing with co-workers, supervisors, and employees in an effective and professional manner. I feel that working for OLT will allow me to improve on all aspects of these skills.

Technical Skills: Web design

Aside help desk assistance; I intend to improve on my web designing skills. I currently have basic experience and knowledge with HTML and PHP, which I learned outside of school. I hope to improve my knowledge of the many different languages used for website design and gain knowledge of coding practices and methodologies through tasks in editing online course webpage for OLT.

Researching and Reporting

This position also involves researching and reporting on new projects as advised by the Senior Programmer. Performing this task allows me to improve my research skills, which is vital in the work place and for my studies. When given one with a strict time constraint, I am also able to practice my organization and time management skills when researching and prioritize my tasks according to importance. In addition, reporting on specific topics of research gives me insight and practice when it comes to the format and styles required when writing documents in a professional environment.

Problem Solving and System Comprehension Development

Transferable skills for future work terms

Determination

Determination is the most important quality when working or when given a task. Having the determination to complete a task with the utmost quality not only allows you to learn more about what you are doing, it shows your employer that you are hard working and committed to your work.

Flexibility

Relationship

Organized

Conclusion

While working for the Office of Learning Technology, I will achieve the learning objectives I have set out for myself. I hope to gain knowledge of web development and design, practice my problem solving skills, and be determined and motivated in completing any task given to me. I will bring the attitude and qualities I mentioned above to work every day and strive to learn and improve at every task I tackle.

What expectations does your supervisor have for you in regards to your professional and/or personal growth during this work term?

Have a process of communication with Production Assistant (Learners Support) Andrea in place, to streamline the Distance Learning team’s learner support needs.
Work with Senior Web Programmer on existing projects (to completion) and document process.