(again, sorry...) Which FAQ Module ?

[fredt]

I'm using this good Canary 0.13 version... and waiting for 1.0 !
I need a FAQ module for our intranet site : which one is currently under development / supported ?

I'd need to : define entries (terms or full sentences) and definitions (can be quite long) - store by categories - and be able to choose entries order in each category.
Ideally, having a search module, and active/inactive status would be fine. Well, and avail in French would be fine, too (but I easily can cope with a EN->FR translation).

I've found 4 modules in the Forge :
- Glossary/FAQ (but seems to be more "term-oriented", and -though I didn't try it- I couldn't figure how to use it... : lack of doc!),
- FAQ/QA (no file yet ?),
- PIFAQ (downloaded, but english/german mix, no examples - and... is Piratos still supporting it / supporting CMSMS?)
- FAQX (incomplete doc after download, seems unfinished - labori in corso ?)

The Forum hadn't much activity on this topic these last 2 months...

So.... what's your advice ?

TIA !!!

[hotaru]

After running into all the things you mentioned with the other modules, I use Glossary for the FAQs on my site. It does have some limitations/annoyances when used for this purpose:

- It has categories, but the entries/questions aren't sorted by category on the admin screen. So you have to remember which goes with which category as you work.

- It automatically puts the entries alphabetically. I've gotten around this by putting numbers in front of my questions, but it means I have to re-number if I want to insert a new question.

- No FCKeditor makes formatting long entries, putting in links, etc. a pain. Since it's in a "raw" view, I had to go through the answer text and make sure there were no "&" symbols, etc.

- I get validation errors when my entries/questions are longer than one word.

I've found it quite usable anyway, and it has a nice neat appearance for viewers on the front end. Since my FAQs aren't *that* long, the limitations with categories and editing weren't too much for me to keep using it.

Hope this helps,

Genevieve

[KoalaBlue]

Hi there,

I've looked in my latest install in the Module Manager, but no GLOSSARY.

I've looked on http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org but no GLOSSARY ... hmmm maybe it's been renamed?

OK - did a search - found it here

http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org/projects/glossary/

This allows the administrator to create a list of terms, which will appear in a paginated list. Clicking on the term will expand it to include the definition. It also allows you to turn on active term replacement across your site.

Sounds good, but not quite what I'm looking for.

[WebGirl]

KoalaBlue,

Easiest way to install is to go to Module Manager in your CMSMS installation.

This is an alphabetical list of modules which were installed with the software.

Click on G for Glossary, click the latest version [at the top] and click DOWNLOAD & INSTALL.

Now go to Extensions / Modules, find Glossary in the list, and click INSTALL.

Here are a few quick notes I made when I installed it:

STEP 1

Create a new page called FAQ, and paste this code in the Content box [you can change layout, style etc later]:

{cms_module module='Glossary'}

Click SUBMIT to save the page.

STEP 2:

In the Main Menu, select CONTENT / GLOSSARY to start adding stuff:

You will be taken to a page where you can:
* Manage Terms
* Manage Categories
* Manage Templates
* Manage Admin Preferences

You will see a few sample items already there.  You can delete these by clicking the DELETE icon at the right of each Item Name.

STEP 3:

* Create a couple of Categories - if you would like them to appear in a specific order, you might wish to number them when you name them, e.g. "1. Getting Started"
* Create a couple of Glossary Items and assign Categories to them - if you would like them to appear in a specific order, you might wish to number them when you name them, e.g. "a. First Step!"

STEP 4 - Changing Template/Stylesheets:

If you need to change the way they 'look' on the page, you can do so by clicking the link MANAGE TEMPLATES, and specifying a different STYLESHEET in the Admin Prefs.

TIP: You can change the Template on Glossary Link as well as Glossary Page 'tabs'.

Hope this helps
Cheers
WebGirl


*** UPDATE 4 DEC 06 ***

After playing around with PiFAQ and GLOSSARY some more, I have to admit I'm totally bamboozled by GLOSSARY categories.  I've created them, I've assigned them to the FAQs, but the Category names don't appear anywhere. I've tried using different Stylesheets but no luck so far.

I must be missing something reeeeeeally simple If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it



[gelöscht durch Administrator]

[hotaru]

The categories let you choose which FAQs will appear on a given page. So, if you want one page with only installation related FAQs, you make a category called "installation", and then on the page put:

{cms_module module='Glossary' cat="installation"}

If you want a header that says "Installation", just add it in the content above where you call the glossary module.

HTH!

-- Genevieve

[WebGirl]

Thanks Genevieve!

That's great - but I'd really like to see one page with ALL my categories and FAQs listed ... any idea if it's possible to do this? For example

Main FAQ page:

Category 1
- faq
- faq
- faq
Category 2
- faq
- faq
- faq
Category 3
- faq
- faq

Fingers' crossed!

[hotaru]

Well, you can call the module more than once, each time using a different category, as I've done here:

http://birthingway.org/college_faq.html

It does seem to cause validation issues, though... 

[cyberman]

but I'd really like to see one page with ALL my categories and FAQs listed

Have you tried to set "Number of terms to show per page" (Glossary page display options) in admin prefs to a very high value?

[WebGirl]

Hotaru, thanks!

I'll give that a shot ... had a look at your page, and yes, that's what I'd like to see.


Cyberman, thanks for your input too. Added to Hotaru's suggestion this might just be the solution!

Cheers!