Janode: How to use and tips and tricks

Introduction

This is a node type that allows you to create a library of http:// links to other resources on the Internet. Each node has a title, the matching url and a description. The node can be allocated to a taxonomy in the normal way. You can use Janode to create your own webdirectory. Janode also periodically checks each http:// link for 404 errors. Any Janodes with a 404 error are put into a moderation queue for investigation.

Installation

Unpack the module into your sites/all folder or site specific folder sites/example.com/modules (4.7 and eariler should use the modules/ rather than sites/all).

Then simply go to "admin >> modules" and enable. The Drupal 4.7 (and above) automatically creates the database table required for this module.

Don't forget to go to "admin >> access control" to setup which roles can create/modify own janodes.

Limitation: currently only "http://" links are permitted.

Cron is used to attempt an "HTTP GET" of your link. If an invalid http header (say 404) is detected, the janode is placed back into the moderation queue and unpublished. The site admin should decide what to do with it.

Note, in order for cron to check a link, your server must be able to make HTTP (TCP Port 80) outgoing requests. Firewalls may block this thus sending all ur links back into the moderation queue. If this is the case and you are unable to chamge any external firewall rule sets but wish to continue using Janodes then you can disable the automatic link check facility as show below.

Settings

Display the link on teasers

Does what it says on the tin

Display the link on main node body

Does what it says on the tin

Use "inward" redirection to external link

Setting this checkbox will make the link first visit a local "redirect" page before sending the browser on it's way to the link. This allows for a) recording the user click in the watchdog log b) bumping the stats "node counter displayed" value if the module stats module is "active" and c) bump the local janode internal click through counter;

Open new browser window

The site admin can force all janode links to open a new browser window if they desire. Just check this box if you want the feature.

Content type display name

This allows you to change the "content type" from "Jan's node" to something a site admin might prefer. It was a feature request that seemed reasonable.

How many janodes to 404 test

Does what it says on the tin. Don't set this too high. The module batch tests the links.

Enable link checking by cron

You can disable the link checking feature by unchecking this checkbox and saving.

The class name applied to the link's HREF

If you want a specific style class applying to the link enter the class name here. A blank input here means the HREF link will not have a class applied

Link prefix and Link suffix

Again, you may want to "wrap" the link in say a <div> You can do that here or leave blank for no wrapping.