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Module: Seeries
Posted: 10 November 2009 03:27 AM   [ Ignore ]  
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“Seeries” means “entry series”.

This module/extension is inspired by Andrew Weaver’s Selected Items module. It has the same purpose - to allow multiple custom ordering of entries.

Except the purpose and general concept everything else is different:

1) Seeries module has completely different interface; it supports pagination in all relevant places of the module’s interface;

2) it allows to assign to members the right to edit particular entry series (further “seeries”); members can see only those seeries they are permitted to;

3) it allows do define seeries more flexibly;

4) it has option allowing seeries to be updated automatically;

5) it uses more efficient ‘weblog_entries_query_result’ hook.

INSTALLATION

1) copy “seeries” directory into “modules” directory on the server;

2) copy “ext.seeries_ext.php” file into “extensions” directory on the server;

3) copy “lang.seeries.php” file into “language/english” directory on the server;

4) go CP Home >  Admin >  Utilities >  Extensions Manager and enable “Seeries” extension;

5) go CP Home >  Modules find “Seeries” module in the list and click “Install”; the module will be installed;

6) then open the page of “Seeries” module and click button “Define or Edit Seeries”; Define some seeries.

7) Then again open the page of “Seeries” module and assign just defined seeries to some member or to some member group; now that member or all members of that member group has the right to custom order entries belonging to seeries. Notice: Seeries assignments made on member level override those made on member group level; but you can revoke member-level assignments for entire group while assigning Seeries to it. Also you can revoke member-level assignments for single member. In relevant places letter “m” marks that the assignment of seeries was made on member level, while letter “g” marks that assignment was made on group level.

CUSTOM ORDERING OF ENTRIES

Logged-in member after opening the page of “Seeries” module sees all seeries he has the right to reorder. To reorder some seeries he must click the link displaying seeries name. Then a list of entries belonging to seeries will be displayed.

To reorder seeries checkboxes should be checked and new count numbers should be entered in relevant text fields. To exclude entry from seeries text field should be left blank. Entries excluded from seeries are displayed at the bottom of the list.

DISPLAYING CUSTOM ORDERED ENTRIES

To display entries in the order specified by seeries one should use {exp:seeries} tag. This tag has following parameters:

1) “id”, “id_1”, “id_2”, “id_3” ... “id_48”, “id_49”, “id_50” - allows to specify one or more seeries id numbers.

2) “name”, “name_1”, “name_2”, “name_3” ... “name_48”, “name_49”, “name_50” - allows to specify one or more seeries names.

At least one out of “id”, “id_1”, “id_2”, “id_3” etc. or “name”, “name_1”, “name_2”, “name_3” etc. parameters of exp:seeries tag must be defined, since ids and names are used to uniquely identify seeries.

{exp:seeries} tag has following variables:

1) {seeries} - outputs content of the seeries specified by “id” or “name” parameter.

2) {seeries_1}, {seeries_2}, {seeries_3} ... {seeries_48}, {seeries_49}, {seeries_50} outputs content of the seeries specified by “id_1”, “id_2” ... “id_49, “id_50”, or “name”, “name_1”, “name_2”, “name_3” ... “name_48”, “name_49”, “name_50” parameters.

{exp:seeries} tag can be used to wrap {exp:weblog:entries} tag; {exp:weblog:entries} tag must have “orderby” parameter value set to “seeries”:

{exp:seeries name="eee" parse="inward"}
{exp
:weblog:entries entry_id="{seeries}" orderby="seeries"}
<a href="{homepage}/template_group/template/{url_title}/">{title}</a><br>
{/exp:weblog:entries}
{
/exp:seeries}

Also {exp:seeries} tag can be used to wrap {exp:entries_list} tag of Entries List plugin:

{exp:seeries name="aaa" parse="inward"}
{exp
:entries_list entry_series="{seeries}" site="1" }
<a class="menuItem" href="{weblog_url}/{url_title}/">{title}</a><br>
{/exp:entries_list}
{
/exp:seeries}

NEW PARAMETERS OF exp:weblog:entries TAG

1) seeries_limit - if you wrap with exp:seeries tag the tag exp:weblog:entries, then its “limit” parameter will work correctly only in case “paginate” parameter and {paginate}{/paginate} variable pair is used. In cases you do not use “paginate” parameter and {paginate}{/paginate} variable pair use instead of “limit” parameter use “seeries_limit” parameter.

2) seeries_entry_id_from - if you wrap with exp:seeries tag the tag exp:weblog:entries, then its “entry_id_from” parameter will not work correctly. Use instead “seeries_entry_id_from” parameter.

3) seeries_entry_id_to - if you wrap with exp:seeries tag the tag exp:weblog:entries, then its “entry_id_to” parameter will not work correctly. Use instead “seeries_entry_id_to” parameter.

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seeries_v2.1.1.zip  (File Size: 33KB - Downloads: 10)
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Posted: 11 November 2009 01:05 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]  
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I just did a quick test. Looks extremely handy and thank you again for another brilliant add-on! grin

After using it for a little while I had a couple of observations…

1. The reordering method is a little strange in that it doesn’t seem to follow other EE UI methods of reordering. The more common methods are drag-and-drop (like Structure and FF Matrix) or clicking to order all entries by number or arrows—as opposed to your method of checking the box in an (currently unlabeled) column and then clicking submit to reveal the field to type in the new position number. Especially since you use up/down arrows on the main page for ordering.

2. I think it would probably be useful to be able to assign permission to all members of a Member Group in some cases.

I appreciate your sharing your work with the community.

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Posted: 11 November 2009 01:54 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]  
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I echo Smartpill, and I have needed something like this for a long time, seeriously. Your work fills an unusual, yet vital, niche in the EE ecology. Will test and report if I observe anomalies.

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Posted: 11 November 2009 02:36 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]  
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I’d like to check this out, but I’m getting some sort of error - I get a white screen when I try to define a new seeries. 1.6.8 build 20091002. Of course I’m running a heap of extensions - wonder if there’s a conflict of some sort?

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Posted: 12 November 2009 02:46 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]  
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Hi all,

The more common methods are drag-and-drop (like Structure and FF Matrix) or clicking to order all entries by number or arrows—as opposed to your method of checking the box in an (currently unlabeled) column and then clicking submit to reveal the field to type in the new position number. Especially since you use up/down arrows on the main page for ordering.

I used up/down arrows for ordering list of available seeries and list of assigned seeries because I assumed that these lists hardly ever will be very long; and I avoided using up/down arrows for ordering of entries since lists of entries can be very long - consisting of hundreds and even thousands of entries. Reordering of such long lists neither drag-drop nor arrows are handy; only manual entering of count numbers is.

I think it would probably be useful to be able to assign permission to all members of a Member Group in some cases.

I will think about such enhancement when releasing new version.

I get a white screen when I try to define a new seeries. 1.6.8 build 20091002.

My build is a couple of months older, but I doubt that the issue has anything to do with builds. More probably it is caused by some conflict between extensions. Could you try to disable other extensions and check if the issue persists?

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Posted: 12 November 2009 03:04 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]  
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Laisvunas - 12 November 2009 02:46 AM

Hi all,

I get a white screen when I try to define a new seeries. 1.6.8 build 20091002.

My build is a couple of months older, but I doubt that the issue has anything to do with builds. More probably it is caused by some conflict between extensions. Could you try to disable other extensions and check if the issue persists?

I’m in the midst of a huge push right now; when I get a free moment - say, over the weekend - I’ll try that. I wish there where some easier way to disable extensions for testing - some sort of checkboxes or something. And settings always seem to end up garbled….

Can’t wait to play around with this, though. Thx!

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Posted: 12 November 2009 04:14 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]  
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This works as described for me on build 1.6.8 20090915 with lots of extensions installed.

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Posted: 12 November 2009 10:35 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]  
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Laisvunas - 12 November 2009 02:46 AM

The more common methods are drag-and-drop (like Structure and FF Matrix) or clicking to order all entries by number or arrows—as opposed to your method of checking the box in an (currently unlabeled) column and then clicking submit to reveal the field to type in the new position number. Especially since you use up/down arrows on the main page for ordering.

I used up/down arrows for ordering list of available seeries and list of assigned seeries because I assumed that these lists hardly ever will be very long; and I avoided using up/down arrows for ordering of entries since lists of entries can be very long - consisting of hundreds and even thousands of entries. Reordering of such long lists neither drag-drop nor arrows are handy; only manual entering of count numbers is.

That’s a good point. I do like how the row becomes editable when the button is checked. I just think it could be clearer to the user. I’ve attached a screenshot of 3 suggestions I believe would help:

1. Add “edit” to the table header above the checkboxes
2. Change “submit” to “update order”
3. Add the option to customize instructions above the table, or add simple instructions for the user such as “Check the boxes on the left to edit the order and click ‘update order’ button to apply.” I’m not sure what the “description” field is for. Maybe that can be used for text above each “seeries”?

I also wanted to let you know that the ability to restrict the lists to specific weblogs, categories and statuses is amazingly helpful.

As the designer/developer for 4 independent hyperlocal news sites in CT/MA area, I want to wish Dylan Smith/ContextDesign good luck with the launch of tucsonsentinel.com.

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Posted: 12 November 2009 06:38 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 8 ]  
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Hi all,

Thanks for excellent suggestions.

I released version 1.1 of Seeries module.

New in this release:

1) added possibility to assign group-level permissions to edit seeries; member-level permissions override group-level permissions;

2) added “Edit” to the table header above the checkboxes in seeries order page;

3) changed “Submit” to “Update Order” in seeries order page;

4) added brief instructions for the user in seeries order page.

Please report any bugs you encounter.

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Posted: 13 November 2009 08:22 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 9 ]  
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Hi all,

Just released version 1.2.1 of Seeries module. In this version a serious issue was solved - permissions assigned at group level only possible to change at member level.

Now Seeries assignments made on group level can be changed both on group level and at member level. Since Seeries assignments made on member level override those made on member group level, once assignment is made on member level it cannot be changed on group level.

E.g. there are seeries “aaa”, “bbb” and “ccc”. Seeries “aaa”, “bbb” and “ccc” are assigned to all members of “contributors” member group. Peter is member of “contributors” member group, but Seeries “aaa”, “bbb” and “ccc” are assigned to him directly, not through group. Now let’s say permisions to edit Seeries “aaa”, “bbb” and “ccc” are canceled for all members of “contributors” member group. Now member of the contributors” member group cannot edit seeries “aaa”, “bbb” and “ccc” anymore, except Peter. Peter retains his permissions because they are set not at the group level, but at the member level. Canceling Peter’s right to edit seeries must be done not at group level, but at member level.

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Posted: 16 November 2009 09:31 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 10 ]  
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Laisvunas - 12 November 2009 02:46 AM

I get a white screen when I try to define a new seeries. 1.6.8 build 20091002.

My build is a couple of months older, but I doubt that the issue has anything to do with builds. More probably it is caused by some conflict between extensions. Could you try to disable other extensions and check if the issue persists?

Finally had a chance to take another crack at this. Same result. Downloaded the new release, disabled every other extension, and I’m getting a white page. This has got me perplexed….

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Posted: 17 November 2009 07:26 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 11 ]  
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Downloaded the new release, disabled every other extension, and I’m getting a white page. This has got me perplexed….

Very strange. I have no idea what might be causing such behavior. On my installation “Define or Edit Seeries” page works correctly.

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Posted: 17 November 2009 01:36 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 12 ]  
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For what it’s worth, I’ve installed it on 2 sites so far with no issues.

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Posted: 19 November 2009 01:21 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 13 ]  
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Laisvunas - 17 November 2009 07:26 AM

Downloaded the new release, disabled every other extension, and I’m getting a white page. This has got me perplexed….

Very strange. I have no idea what might be causing such behavior. On my installation “Define or Edit Seeries” page works correctly.

Trying again: disabled all extensions, reinstalled module & extension, this page still fails to save (http://www.mysite.com/system/index.php?S=0&C=modules&M=Seeries&P=seeries_prefs). I can enter info into the form, but when I save, here’s Mr. White Page again.

Very strange indeed.

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Posted: 20 November 2009 10:06 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 14 ]  
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Hi,

I released version 1.4 of Seeries module.

In this release:

1) fixed bug - group level assignments not being transferred to newly created members;

2) added possibility to revoke member-level assignments for entire group.

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Posted: 22 November 2009 10:51 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 15 ]  
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Hi Laisvunas,

I installed this module to see if it’s something that I can use. Even though it looks like it’s working fine, I have some questions and remarks:

1. I am using the following code:

{exp:seeries name="test" parse="inward"}
{exp
:weblog:entries weblog="software" entry_id="{seeries}" orderby="seeries"}
<a href="{url_title_path=">{title}</a><br>
{/exp:weblog:entries}
{
/exp:seeries}

At the top of the page, it always shows the following PHP notice:

Notice: Undefined index: paginate in /home/domain/public_html/ee/system/extensions/ext.seeries_ext.php on line 232


2. On some of the CP pages, it shows a weird character encoding. For example:

CP Home  ›  Modules  ›  Seeries  â€º  Order Seeries
and
CP Home  ›  Modules  ›  Seeries  â€º  Define Seeries


3. When defining seeries, what does the “Order By” option do exactly? I mean, when I enable the “Add new entries automaticaly?” option, I already select where I want new entries to be added, so they are already sorted that way?

4. Two other PHP notices I’ve seen after enabling the “Add new entries automaticaly” option:

Notice: Undefined variable: LOC in /home/domain/public_html/ee/system/modules/seeries/mod.seeries.php on line 465

Notice
: Trying to get property of non-object in /home/domain/public_html/ee/system/modules/seeries/mod.seeries.php on line 465

5. Minor typo: “automaticaly” should be “automatically” smile

Looking forward to your reply, this is a very promising module!

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Posted: 22 November 2009 12:49 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 16 ]  
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Hi Gleon,

Your remarks (1), (2), (4) and (5) concerned bugs. I fixed them, so grab the version 1.4.1 and check if now everything works as expected.

Concerning your remak (3):

Using “Order By” option you specify how entries in the seeries should be ordered initially, i.e. before any reordering can happen. “Add new entries automaticaly?” setting has no relation to initial ordering of seeries; it starts functioning when seeries is created and initially ordered.

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Posted: 22 November 2009 01:29 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 17 ]  
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Perfect, thanks! I haven’t been able to reproduce the bugs, so this version looks very stable now!

Regarding the “Order By” option, I guess it confused me because it’s still an option that you can change when you choose to edit a previously created seeries…but it will no longer function by then because it’s only used when you initially created the seeries?

If so, it may be better to not show a dropdown box for the “Order By” and “Sort” options when you edit a seeries, but rather show a message such as “This seeries was initially ordered by date and sorted descendingly” instead?

Thanks again Laisvunas, I’m going to play with it some more in the next couple of days smile

PS the categories column is a very nice feature, something I was missing in the REEOrder module (when you have hundreds of entries it’s nice to see the categories they belong to).

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Posted: 24 November 2009 02:32 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 18 ]  
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Hi Gleon,

If so, it may be better to not show a dropdown box for the “Order By” and “Sort” options when you edit a seeries, but rather show a message such as “This seeries was initially ordered by date and sorted descendingly” instead?

Excellent suggestion. Grab the version 1.5. In it after defining seeries there will be no more selectboxes “Order By” and “Sort” displayed. Instead you will see messages, such as

This seeries has been initially ordered by title.

and

This seeries has been initially sorted descendingly.

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