README (for workshops)

Workshops Event and Signup sheets for the current semester will be stored in the 'Workshops this Semester - workshops/current' folder.   A python script and a cronjob handle automatic notification of lab closing and registrant reminders.

PRI Workshops

Each PRI workshop can have two content items: an event (req) and a signup sheet (opt).   NOTE: DO NOT store supplementary materials for the workshop in this folder.  Find an appropriate location based on topic for these (more on this below).  This avoids url  problems when we move the stuff from 'current' later. 

Event objects

Put the name of the intsructor(s) in the field: Attendees

Tag the Event Type as Workshop and optionally a topical subject.

Put either help@pop.psu.edu for the contact email or the instructors email

In the Event URL, put the url of the Signup Sheet that is associated with this event.

Be sure to PUBLISH

Handouts and Supplementary materials

put them in a topical folder, this is usually under one of the main sections: Software Packages, Statistical and Analytical methods, Data Collections at PRI.  If you aren't sure, ask Tara or Jeanne.   Tag the handouts as "Handout", plus whatever related subject topic they are. Note: the 'workshop' tag should only be used for Events (but we may change this).

Be sure to PUBLISH

SignUpSheet objects

Each workshop can have an signup sheet with the naming convention: "workshopname -Signup" This will be used in the Event object as the Event URL to link the two items together. The Signup Sheet has a body text area, this should be used to describe any prerequisites, eligibility requirements, enrollment limitations, etc.  You do not need to repeat the information in the Event object about the content of the workshop.  Read the cryptic, but essential, documentation

Past Workshops

At the end of a semester, you can delete any signupsheets. Create a subfolder under the folder "Workshops from Past Semesters" with the name 'yyyy-semester' e.g. "2008 Fall".  Cut and paste the events from "workshops this semester" into this folder.  Please remove keywords otherwise the past events appear in the tag cloud.

Reminder notices

There is a cron job [jeanne runs it] to look for upcoming workshops and notify the participants. The cron job command looks like this:

0 23 * * * wget --http-user=cronjob --http-passwd=maintenance http://help.pop.psu.edu/workshops/current/eventNotifier > /dev/null

The script is accessible through the ZMI in the portal_skins/custom folder and is titled 'eventNotifier'.

In the Security tab, I clicked local roles and made cronjob a co-owner of the script

Other Workshops

The PSUtraining portlet dislplays RSS feeds from ITS and QuaSSI. It also displays workshops we want to announce that do not have feeds. To do this, they must be added as News items with the Workshop tag. Add a News item to the appropriate semester folder about the workshop. Be sure to PUBLISH. [Note: this is controlled by the SmartFolder newspsutraining]. The portlet itself is controlled by the CMFSin sin_tool PSUtraining map.