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11. Plugins |
11.1. Links Plugins
11.1.1 Google SiteMaps
11.1.2 Popular & New Link Includes
11.1.3 Extra Add URL / Modify Forms
11.1.4 Import/Export Utility
11.1.5 Random Link Includes
11.1.6 Total Link Include
11.1.7 Duplicate Link Checker
11.1.8 Listing Expiration for Classifieds
11.1.9 Link Expiry Tool
11.2 Category Plugins
11.2.1 Category Includes
11.2.2 Empty Category Checker
11.2.3 Category Drop Down Navigator
11.3 Advertisement Plugins
11.3.1 Premium Link Manager
11.3.2 Text/HTML Ad Manager
11.3.3 Banner Ad Manager
11.3.4 Reciprocal Link Checker
11.4 Searching Plugins
11.4.1 Search Term Statistics
11.4.2 Top Search Term Includes
11.4.3 Specialized Search Creator
11.4.4 Search Cloud
11.4.5 Keyword Assignment Tool
11.4.6 Category Searches
11.5 Email Plugins
11.5.1 Email Mailing & Address Retrieval
11.5.2 Premium Link Email Mailing
11.5.3 Form Mailer
11.6 Template Plugins
11.6.1 Template Switching Tool
11.6.2 Master Template Importer
11.7 Maintenance Plugins
11.7.1 Data Backups
11.7.2 Broken Link Checker
11.8 Spam Blocking Plugins
11.8.1 Spam Filter
11.8.2 Spambot Disabler
11.9 Utility Plugins
11.9.1 Raw SQL Query Tool
11.9.2 Thumbnail Batch Resizer & Importer
11.1 Links Plug-Ins
11.1.1 Google SiteMaps
The Google SiteMaps Plug-in can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
The Google SiteMaps plugin enables you to assign Google Spider Priorities and Update Frequencies to generated category pages and the generated 'More Info' pages of listings.
Google SiteMap Priorities and Update Frequencies and Category Pages:
You can set Google SiteMap Priorities and update frequencies by editing any category from the 'Dir Manager'. When the category is generated as HTML files then the SiteMap file will be updated to include URLs with Priorities and Update frequencies for any categories that has Priorities and Update Frequencies configured.
Google SiteMap Priorities and Update Frequencies for More Info Pages:
You can set Google SiteMap Priorities and update frequencies by editing any listing from the 'Dir Manager'. When the 'More Info' pages of listings are generated as HTML files then the SiteMap file will be updated to include URLs with Priorities and Update frequencies for any listings that has Priorities and Update Frequencies configured.
Notes:
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The Google SiteMap functionality is only available for Static Directories.
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The Plugin needs to be configured before it can be used. This can be done by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plugins >> Google SiteMaps Plugin >> Configure
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The URLs of category pages and 'More Info' pages of listings will only be included in the SiteMap file if the Priorities and Frequencies of Categories or 'More Info' pages has values set.
11.1.2 Popular & New Link Includes
The Popular & New Links Plug-in can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
Popular & New Link Includes enables you to create lists of the links that is the most popular and/or latest links for specified categories or globally. You can include these 'link lists' via 'JavaScript Includes' into other existing HTML pages or any PowerSeek templates. Popular & New Link Include pages are automatically generated/updated when generating HTML files.
How it works
Let's say for example that you have the following main categories: Entertainment, Business, Health, etc. With Popular & New Link Includes you can list the most popular and recent links from the Entertainment category on any external page or any PowerSeek template. The same goes for any other categories, Business, Health, etc. You could also, for example in your PowerSeek templates, list the 10 most popular links in your Directory or the 10 latest links in your Directory.
Creating a Popular or New Link Include
Go to the Control Panel. Then click the 'Plug-Ins' tab. Now click on the 'Popular & New Link Includes' link. Click on the 'Add Link Include' button.
Below is an explanation of what you need to supply to create the include:
Include Name: This is the name of the include. Choose a name.
Include Type: This indicates if you would like to display the most recent or the most popular links.
Premium Links Only: If this is checked then only 'premium' new or 'premium' popular links will be included.
Category ID: This is the ID of a category. You can get category IDs by clicking the 'Dir Manager' tab. Then click the 'edit' link next to any existing category. After that scroll down to 'Related Categories' - then press the 'Browser' button next to the fill-in-field.
Popularity: This setting is only valid if this Include will display popular links. If you are creating an include that lists the most popular links then you can choose by what popularity will be determined by. It could be determined by votes or the number of clicks - of links.
Number of Links: This is the number of most recent or most popular links that will be available in the include.
Link Template: This is the template HTML code that will be used to display the most popular or most recent links. It works in the same manner as the link-style-templates available in the Template Manager. This means that you can customize the link displays in the include and give it any look and feel you have in mind.
How to list the most popular & most recent links in external pages or templates
All includes will be listed in a table when you enter the Popular & New Link Includes section. Click on the Generate / Get HTML link next to the include to get JavaScript code which you can insert into your PowerSeek templates or external pages. Once the JavaScript code has been added to your templates/pages the include will display the most popular or recent links of the category specified for the include.
Keeping the Includes up to date
When you generate HTML files the Popular & New Link Includes are automatically updated.
11.1.3 Extra Add URL / Modify Forms
The Extra Add URL / Modify Forms Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
Why would you want to use extra Add URL and Modify Form Sets?
This functionality has specifically been created to be able to accept different types of submissions. With this functionality you could for example accept Standard Link Submissions, Articles, and Classified Ads submissions. You could then for example have a standard Directory that lists standard links, a Classified Ads section and a Articles section all with one installation of PowerSeek. In this kind of setup you could then categorize the Standard Links in one Main category, the Classifieds in another one and the Articles in another main category. You can change the look and feel of links that is listed in specific categories by using 'Custom Category Template Sets'.
Important Note: You will need to be familiar on how to edit PowerSeek templates to use this functionality. If you don't know how to customize the PowerSeek templates then it would be best to first customize your Directory to the look and feel you have in mind and then come back to this section when the look and feel of your Directory has been customized.
Recommended Reading: How to use Custom Category Template Sets, How to Add Extra Fields, Template Includes
How to implement extra Add URL / Modify Forms:
Step 1: Create a Custom Category Template Set (This step can be skipped in some situations)
You will most likely want to give listings a different look and feel than the standard listings used throughout the Directory. PowerSeek has the ability where you can give links a different look and feel in specific categories. To do this go to the PowerSeek Control Panel >> Template Manager >> 1. Default Category/Directory Templates >> Create or Edit Custom Category/Directory Template Sets
Now click on the 'Add New Category/Directory Template' button. You will now be presented with templates that you can customize. These templates will be used in categories you specify. Customize the templates and click the 'Add New Custom Template Set' button.
Now that a new Custom Category Template Set has been created click the 'Dir Manager' tab and browse to the categories where you want to use these templates. Underneath the column 'Templates' (in the Dir Manager) click on 'Default' next to any category to assign a Custom Category Template Set to that category. Do that now.
Step 2: Create an extra Add URL / Modify Form Set
Now that you have created and assigned a custom category template set to categories, you can now create a set of Add URL / Modify forms for listings that will be submitted to these categories.
To create an extra Add URL / Modify Form Set go to the PowerSeek Control Panel >> Settings >> Extra Add URL / Modify Forms and click the 'Add a New Set of Add URL and Modify Forms' button.
Specify all the settings you require for the Add URL / Modify Form Set and click the 'Next' button and the extra Add URL / Modify Form set will be created.
Step 3: Edit Add URL / Modify Templates
Now that the 'Add URL / Modify Form Set' has been created click the 'Edit Templates' link next to the name you specified for it. After clicking the link, you can now customize the 'Add URL / Modify' templates used. Customize these templates according to your needs.
Note that PowerSeek will automatically generate the 'Add URL' and 'Modify' templates for you but you will need to customize them as they won't contain your logo, graphics, menu bars, etc.
Step 4: Customize Notification Emails
After customizing the Add URL / Modify templates, click the 'Edit Notification Emails' for the 'Add URL / Modify' form set. Then customize all the email responses sent out to users for this 'Add URL / Modify' form set.
Step 5: Place links from PowerSeek templates
Now that the 'Add URL / Modify' form set has been created, you will need to place links from your PowerSeek templates to the 'Add URL' forms. You can click 'Get Links' to obtain the URLs to the 'Add URL / Modify' form set that you just created.
It is strongly recommended that you place 'Add URL' links inside the User Control Panel template. You can edit this template by going to the PowerSeek Control Panel >> Template Manager >> 3. Add URL Templates >> Control Panel Templates
Additional Notes:
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You can create as many 'Add URL / Modify' form sets as you require.
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You can place the links to the Add URL forms for the 'Add URL / Modify' form set on any external web pages, PowerSeek Templates or PowerSeek Template Includes.
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You can only use custom Add URL / Modify forms if you use the User Registration System. The User Registration System requires users to register an account to be able to submit links.
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All types of PowerSeek extra fields can be used inside custom 'Add URL / Modify' form sets. You can also require or not require specific fields to be completed by users.
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When listings are submitted from custom 'Add URL / Modify' form sets then it will be indicated with the listings from PowerSeek's 'New Submission Approval Area'.
11.1.4 The Import & Export Plugin (Importing or Exporting Links)
The Import & Export Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
This Plug-In allows you to import links into PowerSeek from tab delimited text files or export links into tab delimited text files from PowerSeek.
How to Import Links into PowerSeek
The importer will import links with categories. To use it follow the following steps below:
Step 1 - Go to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Import Utility >> Choose 'Import'
Step 2 - Make sure the file you want to import is in the correct format
Note that it is critical to make a backup of your database before using the importer. Files to be imported that is not in the correct format can cause problems.
The file you are planning to import needs to be in the following format:
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Records must each end with a carriage return (Each record should be on a new line)
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Fields must be delimited by tab, colon, or semi-colon (Tab recommended)
- Each record in the text file should at least have a category present. Category levels must be separated by a slash character. For example:
Business
Business/Investments
Business/Investments/Stock Exchange
Step 3 - Specify the layout of the text file you are importing
You will see drop down menu's from the section where you can import files. Specify via the drop down menu's how the fields are arranged inside the text file you are about to import. Note that there will probably be fields that is not present in your text file. Set the drop down menu's for these fields to be 'Blank'. Note that is is vital that you configure the fields via the dropdown menu's to be in the correct order according to the order the fields are in the file you are importing.
Step 4 - Specify the text file by pressing the browse button so that it is to be uploaded.
Step 5 - Press the 'Import' button to do the import.
How to Export Links From PowerSeek
The exporter will export all links from the PowerSeek database or specific links from a category specified.
Go to the Control Panel >> Plug-In's >> Import Utility >> Choose Export
Choose how you would like to arrange the fields to be exported and how to delimit the fields and the date format to use.
Then choose to export it to a file or download it.
11.1.5 Random Link Includes
The Random Link Includes Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
Random Link Includes let's you display random links inside any PowerSeek template or external web pages. You can set up an Include to rotate random links, randomly selected from the database or randomly selected from specified categories. You can also specify a time interval when links should be randomized. The look and feel of the links displayed can also be 100% customized.
To create a Random Link Include to display random links in a PowerSeek template or external web page, go to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins >> Random Link Includes
Click the 'Create New Random Include' button and specify details being asked for.
After the Include has been created click on 'Get HTML Code' and copy and paste the HTML Code provided into any PowerSeek template or external web page to display random links.
11.1.6 Total Link Include
The Total Link Include Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
The Total Link include is designed to display the total number of Categories & Links in the database in any PowerSeek Template or External Web Page.
How to display the number of categories and links inside the database in any PowerSeek Template or External Web Page:
Go to the Control Panel. Then click the 'Plug-Ins' tab. Now click on the 'Total Link Include' link.
Choose from the various options:
Edit Total Link Include
This option allows you to customize the look & feel of the totals that is to be displayed.
Generate the include/Get html code
The include will be created and saved as a JavaScript file inside PowerSeek's 'html' directory. You can display the output on any html page or PowerSeek templates by pasting the given JavaScript code into the desired location of your web pages or Powerseek templates.
Preview your generated Total Link Include
Pressing the preview link allows you to view the display of the total categories and links. Useful to judge the output before including the code elsewhere.
Keeping the include up to date:
You can manually re-generate the include to update the totals, by using the generate/get-html link. Note that the totals are automatically updated when you generate HTML files.
11.1.7 Duplicate Link Checker
The Duplicate Link Checker Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
The Duplicate Link Checker Plugin lets you remove duplicate links throughout the database. Duplicates are checked against Link URLs. All duplicate links are available for inspection after a check for duplicates has been done. The duplicate links can then be removed.
11.1.8 Listing Expiration for Classifieds
The Listing Expiration for Classifieds Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
This Plug-in enables you to expire/remove listings automatically when they have reached a certain age. Note that this plugin only supports a static (HTML generated) Directory.
11.1.9 Link Expiry Tool
The Link Expiry Tool Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Links Plug Ins
This plugin let's you remove links older than a specified date from the Database.
11.2 Category Plug Ins
11.2.1 Category Includes
The Category Includes Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Category Plug Ins
Category Includes enables you to create "extra category/directory displays"; You can use it to have, for example, indexes to the left hand side of your pages.
You can include category displays into any HTML pages or PowerSeek templates. Category Includes are automatically generated/updated when you generate your HTML files.
How it works:
You can display the output on any html page or PowerSeek template by copying and pasting the given JavaScript code after setting up the include.
Creating a Category Include:
Go to the Control Panel. Then click the 'Plug-Ins' tab. Now click on the 'Category Includes' link. Click on the 'Add Category Include' button.
Below is an explanation of what you need to supply to create the include:
Include Name: |
This is the name of the include. Choose a name. |
Category ID: |
This is the ID of a main category of which you would like sub categories displayed from. If you want to display the categories like they are listed on your front page, insert a 0 (zero).
You can get category IDs by clicking the 'Dir Manager' tab. Then click the 'edit' link next to any existing category. After that scroll down to 'Related Categories' - then press the 'Browser' button next to the fill-in-field. |
Number of columns to use? |
If you want to display all your categories under one column, set this to 1. Similarly, a setting of 3 will display categories in 3 columns.
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Cell height: |
This is the height of the cells containing the categories.
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Table Cell Spacing? |
This sets the spacing between tables. Use larger numbers for larger spacing.
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Table Cell Padding? |
This number represents the spacing that will be used within table cells. Use larger numbers for larger spacing. |
Table Background Color? |
Sets the color to be used for table background setting. |
Cell Background Colors in Table: |
Sets the cell background setting in table. |
Main Category Font: |
Change the font settings of the main category. |
Main Category Font Size: |
The size of the font. |
Main Category Font Style: |
Style of font. (Bold or Italic) |
Would you like to include sub directories/categories beneath main categories/directories? |
If set to 'no', no sub categories will display. |
If you specified above to include sub categories/directories, how many sub categories would you like to list under main categories? |
Specify the amount of sub categories to use/list. Leave blank/ignore if above value was set to 'no'. |
By what should subcategories be separated by: |
Specify the separation character eg. a comma. |
What text should be displayed at the end of the sub category listing: |
Example, Etc... or many more... |
Sub Category Font: |
Change the font settings of the sub category you're viewing. Ignore if no sub categories are used. |
Sub Category Font Size: |
The size of the font. |
Sub Category Font Style: |
Style of font. (Bold or Italic) |
Would you like descriptions beneath main categories? |
The Meta Descriptions specified for the main categories will be used if this is set to 'Yes'.
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Description Font: |
Change the font settings of the sub category you're viewing. Ignore if not using descriptions. |
Description Font Size: |
The size of the font. |
Description Font Style: |
Style of font. (Bold or Italic) |
Include link numbers next to categories? |
The numbers that will be shown next to categories will represent the number of links inside the categories.
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Would you like to display a New graphic next to Categories that had new links added recently? |
Set this to 'Yes' if you want to display a graphic to help point out the "newness" of a category. |
If you do not want to list certain categories, specify their category IDs here:
(Separate Category ID's via comma) |
You can get category IDs by clicking the 'Dir Manager' tab. Then click the 'edit' link next to any existing category. After that scroll down to 'Related Categories' - then press the 'Browser' button next to the fill-in-field. |
Previewing your Category Include:
Press the preview link of the include to allow the include to display a category list, similar to that on your main page, but "tweaked" according to the display settings you've set in 10.8.2.
Getting the JavaScript code to place on your site:
The generate/get-html link serves two functions:
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The include will be created and saved as a JavaScript file inside of PowerSeek's 'html' directory.
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You will be provided with the JavaScript code to place inside your existing web pages or templates of PowerSeek
Keeping the lists up to date:
You can manually regenerate each JavaScript include to update the lists, by using the generate/get-html link. Note that when you generate your HTML files, that the Includes are automatically updated.
11.2.2 Empty Category Checker
The Empty Category Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Category Plug Ins
The function of this plug-in is to inform you what categories has no links. It will display the categories with clickable links to the empty categories so that you can navigate to the the categories in the 'Dir Manager' to add links to the empty categories or to edit or remove empty categories.
11.2.3 Category Navigator
The Category Navigator Plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Category Plug Ins
The function of this plug-in is to provide your visitors with an alternative method of navigating categories. It will display drop down menus where users can choose categories from. When a category is chosen then sub categories will be dynamically loaded (using Ajax) with sub categories where users can choose from those until the user reached the category he/she is interested in in going to.
How to implement:
Go to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Category Plug Ins >> Category Navigator
Copy and Paste the HTML code provided into any PowerSeek Template or Web Page.
11.3 Advertisement Plug Ins
11.3.1 Premium Link Manager
See: Chapter 10. Premium Links
11.3.2 Text/HTML Ad Manager
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Advertisement Plugins
The Text/HTML Ad Manager enables you to target Text/HTML based Adverts inside your categories and to rotate Text/HTML Based Adverts on any web page or inside any template of PowerSeek. Detailed logs will also be kept of all impressions and click-through's.
You can rotate Text/HTML in your categories by defining/creating Banner Slots (also called Ad Slots) in the directory/category template(s). Groups of Text/HTML Adverts can be assigned to these Banner Slots from the 'Dir Manager' to specific categories/directories.
To make use of Text/HTML Advert rotation when end users do searches, you can make use of Advert/HTML code that you can place inside your search template. The HTML code obtained can also be placed in any other PowerSeek templates or be placed inside any Web Pages to rotate Text/HTML Adverts.
How to rotate Text/HTML Adverts in categories:
The instructions below assume that you are using the Default Directory HTML Template (defdir.html) in your directories/categories. If you don't understand what this means then you will be using the Default Directory HTML Template (defdir.html) in your directories/categories.
To rotate Text/HTML Adverts in your categories you can do the following.
Step 1
Go to the Control Panel >> Template Manager >> 1. Default Category/Directory Templates >> Main Category/Directory
Step 2
Now copy and paste the HTML code of the template into your Web Editor to edit the template.
Step 3
Lets say you have 4 locations in this HTML template where you want to place Text/HTML Adverts. These 4 locations should each rotate Text/HTML Adverts. Place the word/variable %%bannerslot1%% in the location where you want the first Text/HTML Advert rotated.
Place the word/variable %%bannerslot2%% in the location where you want the second Text/HTML Advert rotated.
Place the word/variable %%bannerslot3%% in the location where you want the third Text/HTML Advert rotated.
Place the word/variable %%bannerslot4%% in the location where you want the forth Text/HTML Advert rotated.
Step 4
Now you have defined advert slots or also called banner slots. You may define up to 5 banner slots in the ‘Main Category/Directory Template’. Copy and paste the HTML code from your web editor into the 'template manager' and click the save button to save the ‘Main Category/Directory Template’.
Step 5
Click the 'Plug-ins' tab and then click 'Text/HTML Advert Manager' to go to the Text/HTML Advert Manager.
Step 6
In the Text/HTML Advert Manager you can add groups of Text/HTML Adverts. Each group can contain Text/HTML Adverts that can be rotated. Create a group by clicking the ‘Add New Advert Group’ button and then create the Text/HTML Advert group.
Step 7
After the Text/HTML Advert group has been created, edit the Text/HTML Advert group you have just created, by selecting ‘Add/Edit/Delete Adverts of Group’ from the drop down box and by pressing the ‘Go’ button.
Step 8
Add all the Text/HTML Adverts that you would like to be rotated for this group.
Step 9
Now you should have defined Advert Slots or also called Banner Slots in your ' Main Category/Directory Template' (defdir.html) and you should have created a Text/HTML Adverts group containing Adverts.
Go to the Dir Manager and to any category that you would like the Text/HTML Adverts of the group that you created to be rotated. In the 'Adverts' column listed next to each Directory/Category you will see the word/link 'None'. Click on this link and a popup window will appear. The Advert Group that you have defined/created will be available for selection for any of the Advert or Banner slots that you added in the ‘Directory Template HTML Code’. (defdir.html) Select the group for the specific Advert/Banner slot where you would like the Text/HTML Adverts rotated.
Step 10
Now you can add more Text/HTML Advert groups so that other Adverts can be rotated in the Advert/Banner slots that you have defined.
How to target Adverts at content:
To target Text/HTML Advert, insert Advert/Banner slots in the category template(s) that is used for your directories/categories (custom category templates also supported). Once the Advert/Banner slots are present, go to the 'Dir Manager' and assign groups of banners to be displayed in specific directories/categories.
For example: You can create an Advert group called 'Entertainment' and just add entertainment related Adverts to this group. Lets say you have an entertainment category/directory with link listings. Ensure that the template used by the 'Entertainment' category or directory has banner slots. From the 'Directory' manager choose what groups of Adverts needs to be displayed in Entertainment.
Displaying Adverts with search results:
You will need to define/create an Advert/Banner group in the 'Text/HTML Advert Manager'. Add the Adverts to the group that you would like to be rotated when displaying search results.
After you have Adverts in the group that you plan on using in search results, get the Adverts rotation HTML Code. This can be done by selecting the Advert group in the Text/HTML Advert Manager, and then by selecting 'Get HTML Code For Use on Other Pages'. After this click the 'Go' button next to the drop down menu.
Insert the HTML code in the 'Search Results Template'. To do this go to the 'Template Manager' and click on '2. Search Result Templates' >> 'Main Search Page' (searchres.html) to edit the Search Results template.
Note that you can place the rotation HTML code for Adverts inside any PowerSeek templates to rotate Adverts from any PowerSeek Templates.
How to rotate Adverts on Web Pages:
You can also rotate any Text/HTML Adverts on any external web pages by using the HTML code provided when you choosing the 'Get HTML Code For Use on Other Pages' option from the dropdown menu in the area where you create/setup Advert groups.
11.3.3 Banner Ad Manager
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Advertisement Plugins
The Banner Ad Manager enables you to rotate content sensitive banners inside your categories and to rotate banners on any web page or inside any template of PowerSeek. Detailed logs will also be kept of all impressions and click-through's.
You can rotate banners in your directories/categories by defining/creating banner slots in the directory/category template(s). Groups of banners can be assigned to these banner slots from the 'Dir Manager' to specific categories/directories.
To make use of banner rotation when end users do searches, you can make use of banner HTML code that you can place inside your search template. You may get the HTML code for banner groups from the Banner Manager.
How to rotate banners in categories
The instructions below assume that you are using the Default Directory HTML Template (defdir.html) in your directories/categories.
To rotate banners in your categories you can do the following.
Step 1
Go to the Template Manager and click on 1. Default Category/Directory Templates >> Main Category/Directory
Step 2
Now copy and paste the HTML code of the template into your Web Editor to edit the template.
Step 3
Lets say you have 4 locations in this HTML template where you want to place banners. These 4 locations should each rotate banners. Place the word/variable %%bannerslot1%% in the location where you want the first banner rotated.
Place the word/variable %%bannerslot2%% in the location where you want the second banner rotated.
Place the word/variable %%bannerslot3%% in the location where you want the third banner rotated.
Do the same with the fourth banner you want rotated.
Step 4
Now you have defined banner slots. You may define up to 5 banner slots in the ‘Directory Template HTML Code’. Save defdir.html or copy and paste the HTML code from your web editor into the 'template manager' and click the save button.
Step 5
Click the 'Plug-ins' tab and then click 'Banner Manager' to go to the banner manager.
Step 6
In the Banner Manager you can add groups of banners. Each group can contain banners that are to be rotated. Create a group by clicking the ‘Add New Banner Group’ button and then create the banner group.
Step 7
After the banner group has been created, edit the banner group you have just created, by selecting ‘Add/Edit/Delete Banners of Group’ from the drop down box and by pressing the ‘Go’ button.
Step 8
Add all the banners that you would like to be rotated for this group.
Step 9
Now you should have defined banner slots in your ' Main Category/Directory Template' (defdir.html) and you should have created a banner group containing banners.
Go to the Dir Manager and to any category that you would like the banners of the group that you created to be rotated. In the 'Banners' column listed next to each directory/category you will see the word/link 'None'. Click on this link and a popup window will appear. The group that you have defined/created will be available for selection for any of the banner slots that you added in the ‘Directory Template HTML Code’. (defdir.html) Select the group for the specific banner-slot where you would like the banners rotated.
Step 10
Now you can add more banner groups so that other banners can be rotated in the banner slots that you have defined.
How to target banners at content
To target banners, insert banner slots in the category template(s) that is used for your directories/categories (custom category templates also supported). Once the banner slots are present, go to the 'Dir Manager' and assign groups of banners to be displayed in specific directories/categories.
For example: You can create a banner group called 'Entertainment' and just add entertainment related banners to this group. Lets say you have an entertainment category/directory with link listings. Ensure that the template used by the 'Entertainment' category or directory has banner slots. From the 'Directory' manager choose what groups of banners needs to be displayed in Entertainment.
Displaying banners with search results
You will need to define/create a banner group in the 'Banner Manager'. Add the banners to this group that you would like to be rotated when displaying search results.
After you have banners in the group that you plan on using in search results, get the banner rotation HTML Code. This can be done by selecting the banner group in the Banner Manager, and then by selecting 'Get HTML Code For Use on Other Pages'. After this click the 'Go' button next to the drop down menu.
Insert the HTML code in the 'Search Results Template'. To do this go to the 'Template Manager' and click on '2. Search Result Templates' >> 'Main Search Page' (searchres.html) to edit the Search Results template.
11.3.4 Reciprocal Link Checker
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Advertisement Plugins
How to enable Reciprocal Link Checking
The Reciprocal Link Checker will check if a submitter placed a link to your web site when he/she does a new submission. You can have this enabled when visitors submit standard and/or premium links. If you are new to PowerSeek then it would be best to first customize the look and feel of your Search Engine and Directory before you enable the Reciprocal Link Checker. This will ensure that you are familiar with the terms and references in the instructions below.
Follow the following steps to enable reciprocal link checking:
Step 1 - Enable the Reciprocal Link Checker Settings
Go to the Powerseek Control Panel >> Settings >> Global Engine Settings >> 5. New Submission Settings
Look for 3 settings that reads:
Enable the reciprocal link checker for standard URL's?
If you would like to check for a reciprocal link when a visitors submits a standard link then set this to 'Yes'.
Enable the reciprocal link checker for premium URL's?
If you would like to check for a reciprocal link when a visitors submits a premium link then set this to 'Yes'.
If you answered 'Yes' above then specify the URL that should be looked for at the submitters web site:
On your submission forms you will need to provide the submitter with HTML code that he/she can place on his/her web site. This HTML code will need to include a URL to your web site. Specify that URL in this setting. The reciprocal link checker will connect to the submitters web site and download the page and look for this URL inside the page. The page it downloads will be the reciprocal link the submitter provides on the Add URL form.
Step 2 - Edit Add URL forms
Go to the Powerseek Control Panel >> Template Manager >> 3. Add URL Templates. These are the forms that is displayed to visitors when they need to enter their link details to do a submission.
If you enabled reciprocal link checking for standard links then edit your standard Add URL form/template. Add the following to the form/template within the scope of the <FORM> tags of the page:
Reciprocal Link: <input type="text" name="reciprocal" size="45"> (This it the URL on your web site where you have placed a link to us)
If you enabled reciprocal link checking when visitors submit a premium link then edit the Premium Add URL form as well and add the same HTML code.
Now you will only be able to accept submissions from visitors who have placed a link to your web site.
Step 3 - Edit Modify forms
Go to the Powerseek Control Panel >> Template Manager >> 3. Add URL Templates
If you enabled reciprocal link checking for standard links then edit your standard modify form/template. Add the following to the form/template within the scope of the <FORM> tags of the page:
Reciprocal Link: <input name="reciprocal" type="text" value="!!modify_recip!!" size="45"> (This it the URL on your web site where you have placed a link to us)
If you enabled reciprocal link checking when visitors submit a premium link then edit the Premium Modify form as well and add the same HTML code.
Reciprocal Link Validation
Powerseek also comes with a 'Reciprocal Link Checker/Validator' plugin that will check that your link is still available on web sites that placed a link to your own site when they did a submission. This plugin will go through all links that has a reciprocal link and check that your link is still available. After it checked all reciprocal links it will provide you with options to email link owners where your reciprocal link was not found anymore. Also included in the options provided to you is an option to remove sites from the Index where your reciprocal link could not be found.
The Reciprocal link checker will also keep track of the times when it checked links for your back link. You can for example send link owners a warning if your link has been removed. If you checked it the third time in 3 weeks for example and your link is still not back (even after sending email to the user with the built-in mailer function) then you can remove the user's link from the Index.
The plugin can be found in the Control Panel >> Plugins >> Reciprocal Link Checker
11.4 Searching Plugins
11.4.1 Search Term Statistics
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Searching Plugins
This plugin will display the keywords statistics that has been searched for. Note that keyword logging is not active with PowerSeek by default. It has to be enabled from this plugin so that keyword statistics are being recorded.
11.4.2 Top Search Term Includes
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Searching Plugins
This plugin enables you to display keywords that was 'most searched for' on your Search Engine, by including the 'most searched for' keywords in any external web page or PowerSeek template.
How it works
This Include works tightly with the Search Term Statistics that displays keyword statistics between a certain time frame. Top Search Term Includes calculate what was 'most searched for' on your Search Engine. You can display the output on any HTML page by pasting the given javascript code after setting up the Include.
Setting up a Top Search Term Include (to display keywords that was most searched for)
Click the 'Top Search Term Includes' link on the plug-ins page and click on the 'Add Top Search Term Include' button.
Explanation of the various settings used to set up the include:
Name: This is just a name to differentiate between other Search Term Includes. Choose a name for the Include.
Number of Keywords: Setting this to for example, 10, will have the effect of displaying the 10 most searched for keywords. Thus; 50 will give you the top 50.
Template: The HTML here are solely responsible for the look/feel of the top Search Keywords that will be displayed. By default, listings display underneath each other, but can be tweaked/customized to your liking by editing the provided html code.
When done, click the add include button.
Previewing your Top Search Term Include
Press the preview link to the right of the name of your Search Term Include.
Note that the 'Preview' is just to test/preview the Include.
Getting the Javascript code to place on your site
The generate/get-javascript link serves two functions:
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The include will be created and saved as a JavaScript file inside powerseek's html directory
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You will be provided with the JavaScript code to place inside your existing web pages or templates of PowerSeek to display the Top Search Terms. (Include)
Keeping the lists up to date
These includes are dependant on the search statistics and will automatically update every time you use the 'Generate HTML Files' link (in the control panel) to update your pages. You can also, but don't need to, manually regenerate (using the generate link) each JavaScript include, to update the Includes.
11.4.3 Specialized Search Creator
See: 3.12 How to Create Specialized/Advanced Searches
11.4.4 Search Cloud
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Searching Plugins
This plugin enables you to display a Search Cloud in any PowerSeek template or on any web page. A Search Cloud is a list of the latest keywords being searched for. (It will display the latest keywords that was searched for.) There are various configuration options available. The plugin provides you with HTML code that you can place inside any PowerSeek template or external web page to display the search cloud.
11.4.5 Keyword Assignment Tool
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Searching Plugins
This plugin allows you to assign keywords to links residing within specific categories. In some situations when importing links for example, the links inside categories won't have keywords. Use this tool to assign or append keywords to links inside specified categories.
11.4.6 Category Searches
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Searching Plugins
This plugin lets you set up category specific searches. You choose a category and it provides you with HTML code you can place in a web page or any PowerSeek template to provide your visitors with a search that will only search categories you have chosen. It also comes with functionality where custom search templates can be used to display search results from category searches you create with this plugin.
11.5 Email Plugins
11.5.1 Email Mailing & Address Retrieval
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Email Plugins
Sending Email to Link Owners
To send email to link owners go to the Control Panel >> Plug-In's >> Email Plugins >> Email Mailing & Address Retrieval >> Send Email to Link Owners
Below is an explanation of the options available to you before you mail the link owners:
From Email Address
This is the email address from which you will be sending email to link owners.
From Name
The email will be sent from this name. You can specify your name or company name here.
Subject
This will be the subject of the email.
Message
This will be the email message that will be sent to link owners. You can personalize this email by using variables inside the message.
You may use the variables (words) as listed below inside the email message. It will be replaced by for example the names and details of premium links.
%%title%%
This will be replaced by the title of the link.
%%description%%
Replaced by the description of the link.
%%keywords%%
Replaced by the keywords of the link.
%%url%%
Replaced by the URL of the link.
%%name%%
Replaced by the name of the contact person for the link.
%%rating%%
Replaced by the rating of the link.
%%votes%%
Replaced by the votes the link has received.
%%hits%%
Replaced by the hits (clicks) the link has received.
Only send email to link owners who ticked the subscribe box when they made a submission.
When a submission is made there is an option to tick a subscription box. If you select this option to only send email to link owners that checked this box then only email will be sent to them.
Exclude Premium Links in Mailing
Email will not be sent to premium link owners if this box is checked.
Prevent duplicate emails
If checked then owners of multiple links will only receive one email.
Number of Emails to Send at a Time
The mailer will only send this specified amount of emails at a time. Setting this value too high might overload your mail server. Sending only a limited amount of email messages at a time will avoid overloading of the mail server.
Sending a Test Email
You can fill in this field with your own email address to send yourself a test message to see how the message will look like when users receive it. When you send yourself a test email then no users will receive the message. The message will only be sent to yourself.
Retrieving Email Addresses on a Per Category Basis
To retrieve email addresses go to the Control Panel >> Plug-In's >> Email Mailing & Address Retrieval >> Retrieve Email Addresses of Link Owners
The Email Address Retrieval function enables you to retrieve email addresses and link details of link owners. You will want to retrieve email addresses if you want to for example use third party mailing software.
11.5.2 Premium Link Email Mailing
See: 10.1.3 Sending Email to Premium Link Owners
11.5.3 Form Mailer
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Email Plugins
The Form Mailer Plugin lets your visitors send email to link owners from 'More Info' pages. The setup and configuration of this plugin is explained when you go to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Email Plugins >> Form Mailer >> Setup Instructions
The setup instructions will provide you with instructions on what templates to edit and it will also provide you with HTML code to place in the templates to let visitors send email (via form) to link owners.
11.6 Template Plugins
11.6.1 Template Switching Tool
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Template Plugins
The Template Switching Tool Plugin lets you switch to extra template sets or themes that comes with PowerSeek. Note that if you switch to another template that the existing templates used by PowerSeek will be discarded and any changes you made to the existing templates will be lost. You can make a backup of your templates by following the backup instructions.
11.6.2 Master Template Importer
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Template Plugins
The Master Template Importer plugin lets you implement a global template. A global template referred to here is a normal HTML file that you upload with this plugin and all PowerSeek templates takes on it's look and feel. This plugin makes it easy to change all templates globally to brand your Search Engine & Directory with your own layout, logo, css, graphics, etc.
You can find complete instructions on implementing a global template when accessing the Plugin.
Notes:
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Implementing a global template is destructive to existing PowerSeek templates. This means that all changes to existing PowerSeek templates will be lost when a global template is implemented.
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The global template uploaded acts like a frame around all PowerSeek functions and workings end-users see.
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The global template can contain your layout, css, logo, menu bars, headers, footers, etc.
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After implementing a global template you can edit individual templates by clicking the 'Template Manager' tab.
11.7 Maintenance Plugins
11.7.1 Data Backups
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Maintenance Plugins
How to Configure the Backup Utility
Go to the Control Panel >> Plug-In's >> Data Backups
Click on the 'Configure' link to configure the backup & restore utility.
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mysqldump - (Unix/Linux Only)
mysqldump is a mysql program that dumps the entire contents of a MySQL database to a text file. - Recommended
You will be asked for the paths to the mysql and mysqldump programs when configuring the use of mysqldump as a backup method. The best way to get these paths would be to contact your hosting company and to ask them the full server paths to the mysql and mysqldump programs so that you can make and restore backups of your mysql database.
The default location of these files on Linux based operating systems normally are:
/usr/bin/mysqldump
/usr/bin/mysql
Note that the paths above might be different on your host.
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MySQL's DATA INFILE AND OUTFILE SQL Syntax
This method involves selecting all data from the PowerSeek tables and dumping them to text files. This backup method will not work in most situations as your host has probably disabled the this kind of functionality for security reasons. In this case use the mysqldump method to backup your database.
How to backup data
Do the following to backup the entire contents of your Search Engine & Directory.
Step 1: Go to the Control Panel > Plug-Ins > Data Backups
Step 2: Click the 'Backup Database' link.
Step 3: After clicking the 'Backup Database' link, the PowerSeek backup script will back up all your database tables. All data in the database PowerSeek uses will be exported to your 'data' directory and placed inside a subdirectory called dbbackup. The 'data' directory is explained in the installation instructions of PowerSeek.
Step 4: Now transfer the entire contents of the 'data' directory to your hard drive so that you can back it up on a CD or some other suitable medium.
How to restore backed-up data
Note that the restoration of a data backup will put your Directory (links, templates, settings, etc) back into the state that it was when you made the backup.
To restore a backup do the following:
Step 1: Transfer the contents of the 'data' directory that you backed up previously from your 'hard drive' to your PowerSeek 'data' directory.
Step 2: Assign the permission setting of 777 to all the files that you transferred to your 'data' directory. (Including sub directories with their files) - You can find out how to set file permissions here.
Step 3: Go to the Control Panel > Plug-Ins > Data Backups
Step 4: Click on the 'Restore Database Backup' link.
11.7.2 Broken Link Checker
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Maintenance Plugins
Note that you need the LWP::Simple Perl module installed to be able to check for broken links. In most situations chances will be that you have it installed. In some cases it is not installed and you will need to contact your hosting company to install it for you. (Most hosts normally will do that for you) - An error will occur when you try to run the broken link checker when it is not installed. (Normally an Internal Server Error)
How to configure the Broken Link Checker
To configure the broken link checker go to the
Control Panel >> Plug-Ins >> Broken Link Checker >> Configure Broken Link Checker
The following configuration options will be available to you:
Number of threads to open when checking links:
This is the amount of browser windows (frames) that will open to check for links. (via <iframe> tags). If you are not sure what this setting means then leave it at 10. Note that using many threads may place a substantial load on the server. If you are on a shared host then keep this around 10
Time Out value in seconds:
This is the amount of seconds the link checker will wait to connect to a URL to check if it exists. If a connection could not be made within this time frame then the link checker will not wait anymore for a connection and mark the link as faulty as a time-out error occurred.
Number of threads to open when checking links via SSH:
This is the amount of thread processes that will be created to check links.
How to check for broken links using the control panel (browser)
Go to the following location in your control panel:
Control Panel >> Plug-Ins >> Broken Link Checker >> Check All Links Now
The "broken link checker" checks which links (in your search index) are pointing to nonexistent pages or pages that had problems when loading.
Important note: Do not check for broken links in more than one browser window, because the link checker uses files to swap out data. A second instance of the link checker will cause clashes with the files being used.
If you have more than 15 000 links, then it is strongly recommended that you check for broken links via telnet/ssh. It is many times faster than checking for broken links through the browser.
How to check for broken links in specific categories
Go to the following location in your control panel:
Control Panel >> Plug-Ins >> Broken Link Checker >> Category IDs To Check Links In
Examples of what you could specify above: 343,42,3,1 - Please specify category IDs above where links resides in, to check for broken links in specific categories. Separate the category IDs via comma's. You can get category IDs or assign category IDs by clicking the 'Browser' button next to the fill-in-box.
How to check for broken links from SSH/Telnet
Telnet or SSH into your host.
From the Telnet/SSH command prompt, type in:
perl linkchecker5.cgi
How to manage broken links that has been reported by the Broken Link Checker
Go to the following location in your control panel:
Control Panel >> Plug-Ins >> Broken Link Checker >> Manage Broken Links found by Link Checker
How to manage broken links that has been reported by visitors
Go to the following location in your control panel:
Control Panel >> Plug-Ins >> Broken Link Checker >> Manage Broken Links Reported by Visitors
PowerSeek comes with an option where visitors to your Search Engine & Directory can report broken links. The functions here enables you to manage these links reported by visitors as broken
11.8 Spam Blocking Plugins
11.8.1 Spam Filter
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Spam Blocking Plugins
The Spam/Keyword filter enables you to block submissions that you do not want included in your new submissions area for approval. This can be useful to completely ignore spam, a spammer, or to keep your Directory family friendly. Note that once you added keywords here, the submission containing those keywords will be blocked completely and the blocked submission will only show in the 'blocked log'. The submitter will get the idea he submitted successfully but the submission will have been in fact blocked. Use with caution as you can block submissions that you don't want blocked.
How to add a new spam filter
Go to the Control Panel >> Plug-In's >> Spam Filter
Choose one of the following options to add a spam filter.
Keywords Filter
If keywords match inside the title, description or keywords of a submission then the submission won't be accepted. This can also be used to accept only family friendly submissions by excluding listings that contain offensive words.
Email Filter
If any email addresses in this filter is found in a new submission then the new submission will not be accepted.
Domain Name Filter
If any domain names inside this filter is found in a new submission then the new submission will not be accepted.
IP Filter
Submissions will not be accepted when the submitters IP address is present within this filter.
There are also options available from the new submissions area when approving new submissions to block links via the Spam Filter.
11.8.2 Spambot Disabler
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Spam Blocking Plugins
This plugin will ban spam bots, email harvesters or any automated spider or crawler that uses excessive server resources. This plugin will disable bots executing large numbers of scripts within very short time periods which eats away at system resources or leads to crashing a server.
This plugin is enabled globally within PowerSeek by default. You configure it's settings by accessing the plugin.
11.9 Utility Plugins
11.9.1 Raw SQL Query Tool
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Utillity Plugins
This plugin lets you run normal SQL queries on the MySQL Database that PowerSeek is using.
11.9.2 Thumbnail Batch Resizer & Importer
This plugin can be accessed by going to the Control Panel >> Plug Ins >> Utillity Plugins
This plugin allows you to resize images to thumbnails and import them directly into the database. The way it works is that you upload image files to your web hosting account. The plugin will then read all uploaded files and resize and import them into the database. This comes in handy if you want to use PowerSeek to build an image gallery.
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