CS 418 — Web Programming | Project 2: Expanded Message Board Features

CS418-S13.Project2 History

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February 21, 2013, at 06:54 PM by scott -

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~~'''Assigned'''~~: Thu, Feb 14, 2013 \\

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(:*toc-float Contents:)

'''Assigned''': Thu, Feb 21, 2013 \\

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'''Due''': Thu, Mar 14, 2013—in-class demos

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'''Due''': Thu, Mar 21, 2013—in-class demos

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February 13, 2013, at 10:18 PM by scott -

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(:title Project 2: Expanded Message Board Features:)
'''Assigned''': Thu, Feb 14, 2013 \\
'''Status Report''': Thu, Mar 7, 2013 \\
'''Due''': Thu, Mar 14, 2013—in-class demos

!!! Description

The assignment asks you to build upon the basic message board that you built for [[Project 1]]. This version requires several additional features, including roles (admin, moderator, etc.), thread support, multiple forums, and pagination.

!!! Requirements

!!!! Roles

Users can now have roles, which are separate from a user’s identity

* '''admin''': superuser for the message board — if there is a function that is possible to do through your web interface, then admin has that capability.
* '''moderator''': less powerful than the admin, but more powerful than regular user (separate moderator functionality will arrive later).
* '''user''': a regular user.
* The role must be visually displayed for the user and all other users to see
* ''sainswor'' = admin, ''scott'' = moderator
* Other users may have admin or moderator roles

Required:
* Admin must have its own interface/page from which to perform message board functions.
** Does not preclude context-sensitive functionality elsewhere in the message board, but there must be an “admin home page” from which all message board things are possible
** Message board can have 0 moderators, but must always have at least 1 admin.
* Users have a "remember me?" or "stay logged in" option when logging in.
** Example: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php
** Server will send a cookie to the client so the user will automatically be logged in if they return to the message board in, say, 5 minutes (a real value would be longer)
* Explicit “log out” function that terminates the current session & the “remember me” cookie

!!!! Thread Support

A thread is a message and all of its associated replies (and replies to replies to replies...). There are many different display models possible.

List of Threads in a Forum Examples:
* Display all threads in a forum as subject line, show hierarchy of all replies
--> http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/
* Display topic of all threads, showing number of replies, click on topic to see messages - very common
--> http://message.snopes.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

List of Messages in a Thread Examples:
* Flat, or linear - display all messages in chronological order
--> http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=81408
--> http://www.tigerfan.com/threads/so-who-will-be-the-new-punt-return-specialist.104339/
* Threaded - display hierarchy of replies, show one message at a time
--> http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=4442282&mode=threaded
* Hybrid - display hierarchy of replies, show all messages in chronological order
--> http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?mode=hybrid&t=315734

Required:
* Choose and implement a style for the display of threads and messages.

!!!! Multiple Forums

A forum is a sub-topic relevant to the entire message board (e.g., separate forums for "Good Eats" and "Recruiting" on the [[http://www.tigerfan.com/|LSU sports message board]]).

Required:
* Your message board must support multiple forums.
* Administrator can add/delete forums

!!!! Pagination

Administrator can set how many messages/replies to view on a single “page” (default = 5). See threading examples for pagination examples.

Required:
* Users must have ability to paginate through a forum.

!!! Grading

!!!! In-class status report (Mar 7)

* Binary, either 0 or 3 points
* Attendance is mandatory
* 3-4 minute presentation per group
* Slides or appropriate digital and presentable alternative
* Status, problems, solutions, concepts, “to dos”
* Show us the message board(s) that serves as your design inspiration
* Questions for your audience

!!!! In-class demo (Mar 14)

* Order of the demos will be chosen at random.
* everyone should be prepared to demo on Mar 14.
** no code is to be edited after midnight on Mar 14.
* Demonstrate all of the required features of your system.
* Show any 'extras' that you have done.
* Tell us the division of labor (who did what).
* Demo must use the version available on sainsworth418 – no magic laptops!
* 5 minutes max – practice your demo ahead of time.
* Will assign 17 points based on a detailed examination after the class.

!!!! Each ''student'' will grade the aesthetic appearance of the other groups' message boards

* Email me a score of 0-3 with the subject line "CS 418/518 Project 2 Eval".
* Put the scores for all groups in a single email.
* Each group will receive the average value (rounded up).
* If you do not send your grades by 11am on Fri Mar 15, you will lose 3 points from your assignment.

!!!! Grades should be available within one week

!!! Submission

* https://sainsworth418.cs.odu.edu/~username/proj2/.
* These URLs will be valid for all students.
* If you are in a group of 2, only 1 URL will have the actual PHP, and the ''other'' URL will auto-redirect to the ''right'' URL.

!!! Recommendations

* Debug within your group first, then ask for other groups to help debug your operations.
* Your status report the week before the due date is for your benefit and the benefit of your peers more than for me.

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