The figure shows a part of the private message system. Messages from the user support reaches the user as private messages. This is managed with the bug tracking software mantis which is connected by SOA.
There is an overview about the features of xPyrus, which we call a functional documentation addressed primarily to users and there is a technical orientated documentation (of the code) which is obviously addressed to developers and other's interested in the technology.
For users: Functional documentation
xPyrus allows users to …
- … create their own user page including:
- journal
- guestbook
- space to present themselves
- a list of their friends (which can be categorised optionally)
- … send and receive private messages
- messages can be sent to several users at once
- files can be attached to messages
- … share their thoughts in the message boards.
- thread based bulletin board
- including subboards
- the level of accessibility can be specified: readable by all, readable for logged in users, private boards for groups and organisations
- RSS feeds are available
- … register as an organisation. Organisations can:
- manage their own rights (self-management by the organisation's administrator).
- present themselves on an information page.
- post information related to the organisation on their own message board.
- … benefit from the document exchange system
- the document exchange is based on courses
- documents can be downloaded in exchange for points
- documents can be rated after download
- outdated documents can be updated
- … stay up to date with the latest news
- RSS feeds
- … run their own weblog with the following features:
- comment function
- trackbacks
- RSS feed
- email notification
- miscellaneous features
- access rights according to function, grouping according to role
- BBCode parser
- LaTeX support
- code highlighting
- inline pictures (can be uploaded as attachments)
- RSS feed
- card system to warn users for inappropriate behavior
- interface to the bug tracker Mantis to handle user support
- freely configurable box layout based on HTML & CSS (no tables)
- birthday notification
- user award system
- small world tool
- virtual valuta ("points") and feature levels as incentives for users
- shoutbox
- special concepts
- multiple universities on one platform (site based interacting communities)
- user authentification by specific mail addresses such as university accounts
- interconnection between different platforms/communities
- write permission in message boards and guestbooks
- public key signature
For developers
At a glance—xPyrus follows the model view controller concept, it uses a PostgreSQL database, an Apache webserver, PHP5 and the template layer Smarty.
Many informations can be found in the developer wiki (You need to contact us to get access), but we suggest to look at first into the very well documentated and structered code itself. You will find a basic tutorial in the file /htdocs/core/businesslogic/skeleton/skeleton_business_logic_controller.php.