[LON-CAPA-admin] New Testing version 2.1.99.2 Released

[Guy Albertelli II]

New Testing Version 2.1.99.2 Released


This one should be good for installation on production machines. 
(MSU is currently running it.)


Warning: A data formatting change in the grading queues, and slot
definitions has occurred compared to versions prior to 2.1.99.0. If
you upgrade from a version prior to 2.1.99.0 you will need to upgrade
all servers simultaneously. (No performance data will be lost, its
just if a user submits an answer to an essay problem on a post-2.1
access server, but the instructor accesses the grading queue from a
2.1 server, the student won't appear in the queue. After the update is
installed the student will appear in the queue.)

Please read the update procedure. We now suggest stopping both the
webserver and Lon-CAPA services before running the update script.


Notable Changes from 2.1.99.1:
- bugs with access to portfolio files for grading and passphrase
  access fixed
- JME drawing popup was not functional when WYSIWYG was enabled
- formulas with space were not being handled correctly
- attachments to intial posts to standalone bulletin board posts weren't
  working
- students no longer are shown the page formatting screen when printing
- nav screen would show incorrect duedate when an interval wasn't set
  but access data existed
- formula response better about more types of implicit multiplication
- customresponse prints out an answer
- nsdl resources import properly
- custom roles can be added to groups, and automatically added
  and dropped on role assignment
- printing no longer stretches to fill the page
- wording updates to printing helper (always called the mode 'CODE' rather
  than 'anonymous')
 

Notable Changes from 2.1.99.0:
- Courses can subdivide students into groups of users
    - groups can have collaborative tools (e.g., discussion boards,
      portfolio space etc., for each group) 
    - groups can also have parameters set for them (like sections)
    - statistics/chart/SPRS can slice data by groups
    - students can belong to multiple groups in a single course
    - group membership can be automatically done during role assignment
- passphrase access to portfolio files
- course owners can be in a domain other than the course
  (Domains where localenroll::new_course() has been customized may
   need to make modifications to their code.)
- usability enhancements to the user interface
- regrading a Task properly reinserts it back in the grading queue if needed
- homework script function &check_status() works correctly on part 0
- page headers when printing can be configured


Notable Changes from 2.1.3:
- jsMath 3.3
- mimeTex upgraded
- SSO integration possible
- using CSS for a large amount of the styling elements
- <Task> XML updates 
    - <Setup> added for Picking <Instance> without any associated <Criteria>
    - Allows nesting of <Dimension>
    - Dimensions can have a <QuestionText>
    - <Criteria> can be associated with an <Instance> Or a <Dimension>
- can get overall grader statistics for <Task> grading
- <Task> works with
    - PGRD display of interaction data
    - STAT Student Submission Reports
- slots
    - work with .problems
    - can be applied to an entire .sequence
    - can be unproctored
- grading of portfolio submissions allows the instructor an easy route 
  to edit and send the edited file back to the student
- Blogs
- Course announcements available through rss feed
- portfolio files can be set to be public, or passphrase protected
- WebCT4 Vista IMS import into CSTR space
- seamlessly move from Searching to Browsing of resources
- calendars can output iCal data files
- logging of all parameter changes (and interface for viewing)
- revamped print and message user selector
- In-Line mode now default, Launch Remote button moved for students
  to preferences page
- Printing for multiple users screens revamped to be easier to use
- Printing for multiple users can be configured to specify the number of 
  pages a student's exam should take up, and the system should auto detect
  if a student's exam needs extra blank pages inserted
- Printing of <table> supports rowspan/colspan tables and handles 
  embedded images better
- batch course creation available as upload on course creation screen
- practice problems
- Simple dropbox problem added
- usability improvements to inline remote mode (ANOT and Bookmarks
  accessible, easier to send a message) 

To install this update:

1) You will need to be running Fedora Core 4 or 5, RHEL ES 4, SUSE 9.3, SLES 9
     (Fedora Core 3 should continue to work but is deprecated.)

2) If running Fedora, use yum to update your machine and then install the
      LONCAPA-prerequisites (if not already installed).

yum update
yum install LONCAPA-prerequisites

    If running SUSE, use you to update your machine.
    if running RHEL, use up2date to update your machine.



3) Download the new LON-CAPA tarball from
wget http://install.lon-capa.org/versions/loncapa-2.1.99.2.tar.gz

and untar it

tar xzvf loncapa-2.1.99.2.tar.gz

4) stop the Lon-CAPA system services

/etc/rc.d/init.d/loncontrol stop

5) stop the webserver:

Fedora/Red Hat Enterprise:
/etc/rc.d/init.d/httpd stop

SUSE:
/etc/init.d/apache stop


6) Run the UPDATE script as root
cd loncapa-2.1.99.2
su
./UPDATE



7) restart the Lon-CAPA system services
/etc/rc.d/init.d/loncontrol start


8) restart the webserver:

Fedora/Red Hat Enterprise:
/etc/rc.d/init.d/httpd start

SUSE:
/etc/init.d/apache start




----NOTES
1) Many questions are answered at http://help.lon-capa.org
2) Defects reports, and enhancements requests can be entered at
   http://bugs.lon-capa.org
3) Mailing lists can be joined and left at http://mail.lon-capa.org

-- 
guy at albertelli.com   0-7-1-6-27,137