TOPIC:

This thread describes the new features and benefits in FreeToastHost 2.11:
Here is a screen shot of the initial Admin Console screen to facilitate discussion:


We are moving to implement the use of tabbed dialogs to simplify the process of organizing and locating settings in the Admin Console. However, even when you use tabs, you can overdo it. We are trying to use concise tab names and not have many rows of tabs.

We recognize that what may be an obvious name to call something may not be so obvious to someone else, so if you have suggestions for clearer, more concise tab names or other labels, please let us know.

Banner Text setting.

You can now set the Banner Text in the website heading independently from the Club Name. This allows you to include your club number in the banner, for example, but not have to include it in the Club Name. Also, the Banner Text setting supports the use offor some minimalist text effects. (basically like in the role descriptions)

Hide Contact Us form link. The form is still accessible via a link to #####.toastmastersclubs.org?contactus .

You can now hide the Contact Us form link. Here is why this is useful:

1. Some clubs/districts may choose to use a different contact form or contact method.

2. In a corporate club, having the Contact Us link available may open the club up to being contacted by people outside the organization who cannot really join the club. In a corporate club, the established method of contacting the club to express interest may be very different.

3. By shutting off the default Contact us form link, then linking back to the form via a Custom Link (via above link), the placement of the Contact Us form link in the menu can be altered. It could be put at the bottom of the public menu, for example.

Home Page and Meeting Info/Directions now exist on their own tabs.

This is so it is easier to find them and edit them.

Also, you can set the background colors for these pages.

Lastly, you can just enter an address for the Google Map and the system will figure out the correct iframe code.

Social Networking Links, Floater Messages, and Administrator Info on tabs in the Admin Console "home dialog".

They really never needed their own dialogs--they are very simple forms. Just having them on tabs makes it simple to find them. They are very simple forms so they really do not impact the loading and saving of info from the Admin Console "home dialog" very much.

Email and Notifications dialog.

Replaced the old Default Forms dialog with Email and Notifications dialog.

Right now, I am keeping this as a separate dialog in anticipation of building out the email and notifications features in the next update (Version 2.12), but I may eventually decide to demote it to a tab. (don't know yet)

Custom Web Pages -- Undelete features.

In Custom Web Pages, pages can now be deleted and undeleted with a simple button click (a confirmation dialog is shown).

In the event that a web page needs to be undeleted, the deleted web pages can be viewed (not edited) and optionally undeleted. Deleted pages will be held in the system for 7 days before being purged. (purging being the actual deletion)

This should give people a bit more piece of mind about experimenting with custom web pages.

Custom web pages -- updated CKEditor.

This update to the third party web page editor has a lot of great features including sample page layouts, maximize editor to full screen, and view page elements (like where the div elements are).

Additionally, I have installed a plug-in for the editor called Oembed that greatly simplifies adding media and photos to a web page. The user only needs to enter a URL address, and Oembed figures out how to embed the content regardless of where it is coming from. To get a sense of the vast array of content that oembed supports, take a look at the following page: oembed documentation

The following annotated screen capture shows how to access the Oembed plug-in. It is the button in the editor with the musical notes on it.

Custom web pages -- Menu Position #.

You can now enter a number for Menu Position # that overrides the alphabetical sort used to order the menu entries for Custom Web pages. If you do not enter a number, then it defaults to the same alpha sort as now and those menu entries are placed below the ones for which a Menu Position # has been entered.

Custom Web Pages -- Web Page Reference Notes

"Where did I get that widget from?" "How do I change out this photo?"

Now you will have a spot to record the answers to these types of questions in a notes area for each custom web page.

This should also help when clubs/districts turn over web admin duties to a new person.

Custom Web Pages -- Officers Only Pages

There is now a new type of custom web page... an officer access (officers only) web page.

The menu links for these web pages are displayed and activated in the Members Only menu area when an officer logs in using their member login. Otherwise, the menu entries are not displayed or activated. (hidden until officer logs in)

Some clubs have requested this feature to deal with the need to store sensitive club information such as passwords and account information in web pages that are only accessible to club officers.

Custom Web Pages -- Unlisted Pages ("hidden pages", "child pages", etc.)

Unlisted pages are custom web pages that exist and can be viewed, but are not listed in any menu. The are only accessible via a link placed in a different web page.

The Many Benefits of Unlisted Pages:

1. They allow web pages that are under construction to not be shown in the menu until they are actually completed.

2. They allow for more complex custom web pages to be built that link to other web pages that are not listed in the menu.

3. They help reduce "menu congestion".

4. They allow for web pages that are seasonal or temporary (e.g., contest web pages) to be "taken down" (set as Unlisted) without being deleted and kept for reuse at another time.

5. They allow for multiple versions of some pages to be kept for reuse and variety. For example, you could have 3 or 4 versions of certain pages, and switch one to be active (listed) in the menu and "take down" the old one by making it unlisted. In the future, this will allow for multiple home pages to be kept with one being the active (listed) one.

Hide Links -- Private Member Directory

I have added the ability to hide the Private Member Directory link on the Members Only menu. This is in response to a recent post by a user and recognizes that some clubs may just use their own member information document or spreadsheet.

Appearance - Background Colors

You can now set background colors for menus and most pages of your website. This makes it easy to create a distinctive look for your website. You do this using one of the "color pickers" in the Appearance tab of the Admin Console'

This update will go live by 3:00pm PST on 10/17/2013.

Email blast is now running to the Site Admins, Presidents, and Vp Eduction.

Thanks Brian.

Appearance - Text Colors for Left Side Menus

You can now set the text colors for the left side Public and Members Only menus. This makes it easy to create a distinctive look for your website. You do this using one of the "color pickers" in the Appearance tab of the Admin Console.

***This was a planned feature for FreeToastHost 2.11, but was delayed due to technical issues.***