[Xerte] Re: installing XOT on institutional servers

Fri Jan 20 11:32:08 GMT 2012

It could be that  'we can't install that because of security' actually means 'it's Friday, and we really can't be bothered'. There again it might not. I wouldn't like to say.

I'd probably go up the line and get some senior support.

From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Dave Burnett
Sent: 20 January 2012 11:26
To: Xerte list
Subject: [Xerte] Re: installing XOT on institutional servers

>we wouldn't install any freeware on to our servers due to security risks.

Like Linux? It's free.

There is a rather germane difference between "freeware" and "open source".

Freeware may be free, but it is usually proprietary and compiled and will earn a living via advertising or referral.
There is no way to see exactly what the internal code is doing, so yes, I would call that a security risk.

Open source, like Xerte (and Linux), means the internal coding is open to all to examine, test or alter.
If there are security issues, there is no place to hide them.

I'm a little taken aback that an IT department would not be conscious of the difference.

Dave

> Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:17:00 +0000
> From: patrick.lockley at googlemail.com
> To: xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> Subject: [Xerte] Re: installing XOT on institutional servers
>
> All software has a security risks, there isn't a lot you can do
> against something that dogmatic
>
> You could see about getting an external host? A basic web hosting
> package (bought) would support toolkits
>
> Pat
>
> On Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 11:05 AM, Outterside, Gillian
> <G.Outterside at wlv.ac.uk> wrote:
> > I made enquiries to our (University) IT dept about installing XOT and got this reply
> > "I have spoken to colleagues and unfortunately we wouldn't install any freeware on to our servers due to security risks."
> >
> > Could you help me with arguments?
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of xerte-request at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> > Sent: 20 January 2012 10:55
> > To: xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> > Subject: Xerte Digest, Vol 60, Issue 35
> >
> > Send Xerte mailing list submissions to
> >        xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >
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> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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> >
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> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Xerte digest..."
> >
> >
> > Today's Topics:
> >
> >   1. Re: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own XOT
> >      installation (Pat Lockley)
> >   2. Re: Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide? (Ron Mitchell)
> >   3. Re: Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide? (Alistair McNaught)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:37:26 +0000
> > From: Pat Lockley <patrick.lockley at googlemail.com>
> > To: Xerte discussion list <xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
> > Subject: [Xerte] Re: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own
> >        XOT     installation
> > Message-ID:
> >        <CAO2PinMrBj5pAoQN7TVuqbjv+B+G9UVax22R89CTFcF4=_EXzQ at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >
> > Hello
> >
> > The SCORM export probably isn't importable as it has differently named files (it's hard to work out what files you should let a website upload as it's a bit insecure)
> >
> > Importing a SCORM export wouldn't do anything extra anyways - importing SCORM wouldn't make toolkits do anything differently.
> >
> > Pat
> >
> > On Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 10:32 AM, Oliver Haslam <Oliver.Haslam at uwe.ac.uk> wrote:
> >> Hi
> >>
> >> After some tinkering on the server (not entirely sure what) we can now create and play LOs on our installation of XOT. Importing/exporting of LOs works fine as 'zip export' but doesn't work as 'scorm export'.
> >>
> >> Trying to import as Scorm gets the following: "Upload checkFile transfer has failed.****Only Xerte templates are currently imported."
> >>
> >> I'm delighted we've got this far but having scorm capability would be even better...
> >>
> >> Best
> >>
> >> Oli
> >>
> >> _______________________________
> >>
> >> Oliver Haslam
> >> Course Developer (Technologist)
> >> Applied Sciences & Allied Health Professions
> >>
> >> Technology Enhanced Learning
> >> University of the West of England
> >> _______________________________
> >> T: 0117 32 88215
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Ron
> >> Mitchell
> >> Sent: 19 January 2012 16:17
> >> To: 'Xerte discussion list'
> >> Subject: [Xerte] Re: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own
> >> XOT installation
> >>
> >> Also no need to apologise it was others who hijacked your subject line
> >> ;-)
> >>
> >> With a new installation it's obviously a fundamental step/requirement that creating and viewing an LO works before trying things like exporting and importing. Clearly something isn't right with your install and if you don't have access to the server yourself you may need to get whoever does to subscribe and post to this list. Pat will no doubt make additional suggestions but my list would be...
> >>
> >> Check database.php and make sure the values are correct Check the
> >> site_details table in the database especially that the various paths
> >> are correct Check the permissions are correct
> >>
> >> Make sure creating/editing/viewing works before even trying exporting
> >> and importing Once that works try exporting and importing from the
> >> same install before trying to import a sandpit created lo Finally try
> >> the sandpit import and post further questions if everything but that
> >> works
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> Ron
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Julian
> >> Tenney
> >> Sent: 19 January 2012 15:58
> >> To: Xerte discussion list
> >> Subject: [Xerte] Re: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own
> >> XOT installation
> >>
> >> I notice parent_t has 8 letters - why is it truncating there? The folder should be parent_templates... does that folder exist on the server?
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Oliver
> >> Haslam
> >> Sent: 19 January 2012 15:56
> >> To: xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> Subject: [Xerte] exporting from sandpit and importing to our own XOT
> >> installation
> >>
> >> Hi
> >>
> >> First of all, my apologies for any confusion caused by posting to the wrong list. I'm new in this post, new to XOT, new to how these support lists work and I think I have been mixing up two or more XOT problems into the same email help request. So thanks for all the help so far and for bearing with me!
> >>
> >> Secondly, despite the subject line of this email (which I have kept only for the sake of continuity!) I don't know if there is and export issue at all but there's obviously an issue with our new installation of XOT: I've made a test LO but when I try to play it I get this message: "ERROR: The file modules/Xerte/parent_t" and it won't play.
> >>
> >> I don't have access to the server files myself but will pass on any advice received to those that do.
> >>
> >> Many thanks
> >>
> >> Oli
> >>
> >> _______________________________
> >>
> >> Oliver Haslam
> >> Course Developer (Technologist)
> >> Applied Sciences & Allied Health Professions
> >>
> >> Technology Enhanced Learning
> >> University of the West of England
> >> _______________________________
> >> T: 0117 32 88215
> >>
> >>
> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Message: 1
> >> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:25:29 -0000
> >> From: "Ron Mitchell" <ronm at mitchellmedia.co.uk>
> >> To: "'Xerte discussion list'" <xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
> >> Subject: [Xerte] Re: FW: exporting from sandpit and importing to our ?
> >> ? ? ?own ? ? XOT ? ? installation
> >> Message-ID: <011001ccd6ad$d212de80$76389b80$@co.uk>
> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >>
> >> This is all going to get confusing with some of the subsequent replies hijacking the subject line for an unrelated topic.
> >>
> >> Not sure if Oli has subscribed here yet either but I would comment/add
> >> as
> >> follows:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 1. As David has said in a subsequent reply the sandpit doesn't currently work with the Zip local option or scrom + metadata export. That will be fixed in future and is specific to the sandpit but in a way irrelevant at the moment.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 2. The normal Zip export and Scorm export work fine on the sandpit and import back into the sandpit ok too.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 3. Oli my 1st suggestion would be for you to create a new test LO on your new installation. Publish and export that. Then try to import that back into the same installation. Does that work without the same errors? If it doesn't then you need to resolve the issue with your installation and this is separate from any issues with the sandpit.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 4. If step 3. did work send a copy or link of the zip you exported from the sandpit so we can test and provide further help.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> HTH
> >>
> >> Ron
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Alistair
> >> McNaught
> >> Sent: 19 January 2012 12:11
> >> To: Xerte discussion list
> >> Subject: [Xerte] FW: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own
> >> XOT installation
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi all
> >>
> >> I picked this up from teacher list but it more properly belongs in here so any ideas? I'll ask Oli to ensure he's subscribed in here to pick up the answers.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> A
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: A list to facilitate and support teachers using Xerte Online
> >> Toolkits [mailto:XERTEFORTEACHERS at JISCMAIL.AC.UK] On Behalf Of Oliver
> >> Haslam
> >> Sent: 19 January 2012 12:05
> >> To: XERTEFORTEACHERS at JISCMAIL.AC.UK
> >> Subject: exporting from sandpit and importing to our own XOT
> >> installation
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> We finally have our own installation of XOT and I'd like to transfer the LOs I've made in the sandpit to our own version of XOT. But I'm having a few problems. Any help would be very gratefully received!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I can export from the sandpit as a straightforward "zip export"
> >> without any problems. And I can import the .zip into our own version
> >> of XOT okay but when I try to play the newly imported LO I get an
> >> error message saying
> >> "ERROR: The file modules/Xerte/parent_t" and it won't play.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> So I tried to export from the sandpit in different formats to see if
> >> that works. When I try to export as a "Zip (local) export" or as a
> >> "SCORM + metadata export" I am immediately logged out of the sandpit
> >> and taken to the login page: ?http://xerte5.techdis.palepurple.co.uk/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I can export from the sandpit as a "Scorm export" but when I try to import the .zip into our own XOT I get a message saying "Upload checkFile transfer has failed.****Only Xerte templates are currently imported." And can go no further.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Perhaps our version of XOT is not installed/configured correctly? But it seems the sandpit is not happy either...
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Any suggestions?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Oli
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Oliver Haslam
> >>
> >> Course Developer (Technologist)
> >>
> >> Applied Sciences & Allied Health Professions
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Technology Enhanced Learning
> >>
> >> University of the West of England
> >>
> >> _______________________________
> >>
> >> T: 0117 32 88215
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Xerte mailing list
> >> Xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/xerte
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Xerte mailing list
> >> Xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/xerte
> >>
> >> This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee
> >> and may contain confidential information. If you have received this
> >> message in error, please send it back to me, and immediately delete it. ? Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. ?Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.
> >>
> >> This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system:
> >> you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Xerte mailing list
> >> Xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/xerte
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Xerte mailing list
> >> Xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> >> http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/xerte
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:46:55 -0000
> > From: "Ron Mitchell" <ronm at mitchellmedia.co.uk>
> > To: "'Xerte discussion list'" <xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
> > Subject: [Xerte] Re: Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide?
> > Message-ID: <006601ccd760$d5f9c550$81ed4ff0$@co.uk>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >
> > Alistair
> >
> > I was updating the itq installation as your message came in - try again I think you'll find it works now?
> >
> >
> >
> > However could you try exporting that and viewing locally and answer the
> > following:
> >
> >
> >
> > 1. Does it still display the latex when viewed locally?
> >
> > 2. If it displays is it ok or is it jumbled in any way e.g. spacing between lines not quite right?
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Ron
> >
> >
> >
> > BTW sandpit not yet updated - need to contact David about something.
> >
> >
> >
> > From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> > [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Alistair McNaught
> > Sent: 20 January 2012 10:33
> > To: Xerte discussion list
> > Subject: [Xerte] Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide?
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi all
> >
> > I previously creates a learning object at
> > http://itq.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_59 to show teaching staff how to create formulae using simple Latex expressions.
> >
> >
> >
> > I know there have been issues with the site that was used to host the Latex rendering script and we now have a new solution but I'm not sure how to implement the new solution so that my old learning object (above) will correctly display the formulae now.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I've probably missed some important comment in a thread I skimmed too quickly but any pointers as to how to 'redeem' old formulae rich learning objects will be very welcome.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > A
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Alistair McNaught
> >
> > Senior Advisor
> >
> > JISC TechDis
> >
> > C/O The Higher Education Academy Building
> >
> > Innovation Way
> >
> > York Science Park
> >
> > YORK
> >
> > YO10 5BR
> >
> >
> >
> > 07870567659
> >
> > Skype: alistair_techdis
> >
> >
> > <http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/?utm_source=emailsig&utm_medium=email&utm_camp
> > aign=sitelaunchmail> http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk
> >
> > http://www.scoop.it/t/inclusive-teaching-and-learning
> >
> >
> >
> > Interested in pragmatic inclusion- focused staff development?
> > See JISC TechDis
> > <http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/pages/detail/floating_pages/ITQ_Access
> > ible_IT_Practice> ITQ for accessible IT practice information and <http://itq.jisctechdis.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=5> taster resource.
> >
> >
> >
> > This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please accept our apologies. Please do not disclose, copy, or distribute information in this email nor take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please inform us that this message has gone astray before deleting it. Please note that views expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Higher Education Academy.
> > Please note that this e-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a secure communications medium. We advise that you understand and observe this lack of security when e-mailing us. Although we have taken steps to ensure this e-mail and attachments are free from any virus, we advise that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. The Higher Education Academy Registered No 4930131
> >
> > This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to me, and immediately delete it. Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.
> >
> > This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system:
> > you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.
> >
> > -------------- next part --------------
> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
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> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:54:41 +0000
> > From: Alistair McNaught <Alistair.McNaught at HEAcademy.ac.uk>
> > To: Xerte discussion list <xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
> > Subject: [Xerte] Re: Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide?
> > Message-ID:
> >        <F0AEBF37A5C5AB4A852BCBA19A9132500A7770 at HEAEXCHMBX01.HEAcademy.ac.uk>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >
> > Hi Ron
> > Many thanks for speedy response.
> >
> > 1) Now it works fine on the server BUT
> > 2) Local version after download doesn't work - doesn't render any latex but leaves blank spaces.
> >
> > Is that the export function that needs tweaking or something different?
> >
> > A
> >
> >
> >
> > From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Ron Mitchell
> > Sent: 20 January 2012 10:47
> > To: 'Xerte discussion list'
> > Subject: [Xerte] Re: Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide?
> >
> > Alistair
> > I was updating the itq installation as your message came in - try again I think you'll find it works now?
> >
> > However could you try exporting that and viewing locally and answer the following:
> >
> > 1. Does it still display the latex when viewed locally?
> > 2. If it displays is it ok or is it jumbled in any way e.g. spacing between lines not quite right?
> >
> > Cheers
> > Ron
> >
> > BTW sandpit not yet updated - need to contact David about something.
> >
> > From: xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Alistair McNaught
> > Sent: 20 January 2012 10:33
> > To: Xerte discussion list
> > Subject: [Xerte] Formulae and Latex - idiot's guide?
> >
> > Hi all
> > I previously creates a learning object at http://itq.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xerte/play_59 to show teaching staff how to create formulae using simple Latex expressions.
> >
> > I know there have been issues with the site that was used to host the Latex rendering script and we now have a new solution but I'm not sure how to implement the new solution so that my old learning object (above) will correctly display the formulae now.
> >
> > I've probably missed some important comment in a thread I skimmed too quickly but any pointers as to how to 'redeem' old formulae rich learning objects will be very welcome.
> >
> > Thanks
> > A
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Alistair McNaught
> > Senior Advisor
> > JISC TechDis
> > C/O The Higher Education Academy Building Innovation Way York Science Park YORK
> > YO10 5BR
> >
> > 07870567659
> > Skype: alistair_techdis
> > http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk<http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/?utm_source=emailsig&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sitelaunchmail>
> > http://www.scoop.it/t/inclusive-teaching-and-learning
> >
> > Interested in pragmatic inclusion- focused staff development?
> > See JISC TechDis ITQ for accessible IT practice<http://www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/techdis/pages/detail/floating_pages/ITQ_Accessible_IT_Practice> information and taster resource<http://itq.jisctechdis.ac.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=5>.
> >
> > This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please accept our apologies. Please do not disclose, copy, or distribute information in this email nor take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please inform us that this message has gone astray before deleting it. Please note that views expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Higher Education Academy. Please note that this e-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a secure communications medium. We advise that you understand and observe this lack of security when e-mailing us. Although we have taken steps to ensure this e-mail and attachments are free from any virus, we advise that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. The Higher Education Academy Registered No 4930131
> >
> > This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please send it back to me, and immediately delete it. Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham.
> >
> > This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system: you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.
> >
> > This email is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient please accept our apologies. Please do not disclose, copy, or distribute information in this email nor take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please inform us that this message has gone astray before deleting it. Please note that views expressed in this email are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Higher Education Academy. Please note that this e-mail has been created in the knowledge that Internet e-mail is not a secure communications medium. We advise that you understand and observe this lack of security when e-mailing us. Although we have taken steps to ensure this e-mail and attachments are free from any virus, we advise that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure they are actually virus free. The Higher Education Academy Registered No 4930131
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Xerte mailing list
> > Xerte at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
> > http://lists.nottingham.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/xerte
> >
> >
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