New to Version 3.0
XMod 3 has added a new management feature that allows DNN Hosts to control access and functionality within XMod. It also, at the host's discretion, allows portal administrators to install XMod "packages". As a portal administrator, what you see is dependent on how the host has configured XMod to run. At this stage, though, the only option available to portal administrators is the package installation feature. Hosts, of course, have complete access.
These settings can also be configured by editing the HostSettings.xml file found in XMod's program directory (typically \DesktopModules\XMod).
Starter Packages: Starter packages are pre-made collections of forms and templates designed as a jump-start to creating your own solutions. These forms and templates can be customized to fit your needs. Installing a package will create new forms and templates. It will not update or overwrite existing forms and templates.
Database Maintenance: If this is a new installation of XMod you shouldn't have to use this feature. It is designed primarily to convert data from versions prior to XMod 4.
These settings determine how XMod handles XMod Packages.
NOTE: XMod always processes XMod Installation scripts (*.xmi) extensions. The only way to prevent this is to de-select all of the above options.
These settings specify how XMod should manage program access at run-time. XMod provides a number of features which may be potentially harmful if abused by portal administrators. Some settings allow the Host to prevent the use of these features. Other settings allow Hosts which may run/manage sites to better protect their intellectual property by removing User Interface access to form definitions, templates, etc.
Beginning with version 5.0, XMod opened up a new level of extensibility for developers. "Managers" are essentially custom data sources. A manager allows you to interact with non-XMod data like other tables in your database, other databases, web services, and other potential sources. As an example, XMod 5.0 shipped with a User Defined Table manager which enables you to use XMod to add, edit, delete, and display data from the User Defined Table module - one of the core DNN projects. Other managers will be available in the future and you or third parties can build your own. Managers are installed as XMod packages. Those that have already been installed will be listed in the list control. Select the manager you wish to uninstall and click the Uninstall Manager button.
To install a Manager or other XMod Package, click the Browse... button to browse to the file you wish to install and click the Install link. A log, including any error messages, will be displayed.
The Export tab enables you to export data from XMod for use in other applications. XMod allows you to export your data in XML, CSV (comma separated values), and Excel format. Simply select the form whose data you'd like to export, select any templates you'd like to include in the export file (this is optional), and check the box next to each item you'd like to include such as the form definition, approved and un-approved records. Clicking the Export button will display your progress and notifiy you of any errors that arise during the process.
On the Import tab, you can import data from a previously exported file. Please note that the process cannot be reversed. It is therefore highly recommended you backup your database prior to continuing. To import your data, select the file using the Browse... button. Then choose the option most appropriate to your needs when dealing with forms and templates which are found in the file but are not found in the database. Finally, click the Import button to begin the process. Your progress will be displayed, along with any errors that are encountered.
The About tab simply displays the version of the XMod DLL that is running - which may differ from the version number you see when viewing the XMod module on the "Module Definitions" page in DNN. Beginning in XMod 4, it also displays the version of DNN that is targeted by your installed version of XMod. This makes it easier to determine if you have inadvertently installed a version of XMod which is not compatible with your version of DNN. It can be helpful when reporting bugs or determining your current version.