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The updated version of the Customization Guide for the Telligent Evolution Platform for version 5.5 is now available.  It outlines the changes made to theme and widget support in 5.5 as well as guidelines on how to use new features to implement customizations Read More......( read more ) Read More...

I'd like to start posting more video-based demonstrations and walk-throughs of theming and customizing Community Server , but I don't really want to store the videos on my shared web host (and pay for storage and bandwidth). What is a good online video service for screencasts? Blip.tv ? Vimeo ? Veoh ? Other? Please let me know in the comments. Also, please let me know of any topics that you'd like me to cover. Read More......( read more ) Read More...

In Community Server 2007 and earlier versions, the many file-related features (post attachments, site files, blog files, avatars, role icons, etc) all implemented their own file management logic and supported (a) storing files in the database (b) storing files in the file system or (c) configurable options allowing file storage in the database and/or file system. Adding new file-based features (in the core application or in add-ons) required implementing custom file management logic. Database-based...

The updates to the official documentation sites are still a little way out, so, in the meantime, I've gotten permission to post the new, improved Chameleon control documentation on this site. Here it is: CS2008 Chameleon Documentation The new Chameleon documentation merges the old CHM download file and property documentation (along with some additional information and assumptions) to provide a single, integrated, searchable, control-based reference for all Chameleon controls in CS2008. It also...

In this post, I'll outline the changes to the Chameleon theming engine (and themes in general) between Community Server 2007 and Community Server 2008. If you're interested in the changes to themes between an earlier version of Community Server (before 2007) and the 2008 version, I suggest reading my Introduction to Chameleon posts from the release of CS2007. New Functionality Community Server 2008 merges the File Gallery and Photo Gallery applications into a single Media Gallery application...

Part one of Wyatt and my talk about theming Community Server from CSDC '07 is now available on the Telligent web site. This video provides an overview of Community Server theming, URL rewriting, and the Chameleon theming language. Go watch it now... Read More...

As was mentioned at the CSDC'07 back in October, Dynamic Configuration support is being used in more places. Today, it was announced that Graffiti CMS (a new product by Telligent ) now supports global variables. This feature is implemented using the same Dynamic Configuration support used in Community Server. The great news is that if you are familiar with defining configuration meta-data in Community Server, you already will know how to define configuration data in Graffiti! Both Community Server...

This past weekend at the CSDC , Wyatt Lyon Preul and I presented a two-part talk about implementing themes in Community Server -- both what is available in CS2007 as well as what we're adding in CS2008. We had an excellent turn-out and a lot of great questions (both during the presentation and one-on-one). It was great to meet with developers from all over the world and discuss their experiences, wants and needs in regard to implementing themes. For those who could not attend the CSDC, videos...

I've been working on adding content and documentation to the Themes topic on docs.communityserver.org . Please check out the new information and see what you think. Now, after you've looked around, what's missing? What would you like to know about Chameleon or theming in Community Server? ... let me know in the comments. Read More......( read more ) Read More...

I've just added descriptions and notes to docs.communityserver.org regarding some of the changes in SP3 I was involved with: Tags: Is there a way to hide TagClouds when they have no tags to display? Introduction to Chameleon: New TruncationEllipsisTemplate on Single Value Controls Blogs: How can I write blog posts outside of the Control Panel? Bug: The Text Editor takes a long time to Load Bug: Forum Thread View Counts are not Counted Accurately in CS2007 SP2 Bug: Local Avatar is Removed when...

I've finally updated and packaged the my Wikipedia Link Module for CS2007 which allows posts to include pop-ups for more information from Wikipedia . To download the updated version which includes a fix to support rendering within the forums, go to http://getben.com/files/folders/csmodules/entry6058.aspx Read More......( read more ) Read More...

As Scott mentioned a few weeks ago , there are currently a few open positions on the Community Server Team. If you dream in ASP.Net/SQL/XHTML/CSS/JavaScript, the CS Team is a great group to work with. The open positions are: Client Side Specialist This person really gets XHTML/CSS/JavaScript/DOM/Standards and has the ability to make a good design great. Previous experience with ASP.Net (or desire to learn a little) will be necessary. This position will primarily focus on improving the overall usability...

To add a new page to a theme in CS2007, Add the page to SiteUrls_Override.config The SiteUrls.config file defines all of the rewritten URLs within Community Server. The SiteUrls_Override.config file within the root of the Community Server installation can be used to customize the base SiteUrls.config file without changing the files contents. While changing the SiteUrls.config file directly is supported, using the SiteUrls_Override.config file to modify the SiteUrls.config file will make upgrading...