[sims] SIMS Cover HTML

[Cini65]

I'm publishing HTML files of our cover daily. However, the HTML being produced is pretty ugly and unprofessional. I can edit the HTML file that gets produced in Dreamweaver to make a good looking cover HTML but then everytime I add new cover and update the HTML by pressing 'HTML' in SIMS, the HTML file reverts back to the original ugly version which it is clearly getting from a template somewhere.

 

Does anyone know where the cover HTML template is stored so that I can reformat it?

[LosOjos]

I'm also interested in how to create your own templates for these reports.

 

In the meantime however, have you thought about exporting as XML rather than HTML and then applying a XML Transform to it? That way you can set up the Transform file however you want it and just place the updated XML in the same place on the server each day to update it.

 

If you're unsure how to go about it, this website is a great start: W3Schools Online Web Tutorials

[Cini65]

SIMS only gives the option of forming an HTML file though doesn't it?

[LosOjos]

I'm not sure about Cover but in most areas of SIMS where HTML is generated, there is also an option further down the box that asks you to specify a template that will allow you to export XML, like this:

 

[vikpaw]

SIMS only gives the option of forming an HTML file though doesn't it?

 

just html as far as i know. print goes straight to html too. i guess you could script some kind of other output, based on the file it generates.

 

in other areas, especially built in reports. losojos is right, you have the option to send to browser as html or output xml, or supply your own template. i've made my own templates for things like displaying registration certificates because our working week is sat-wed so need to alter the layout. i'm just getting capita to check them to see if i can share with other schools in the gulf.

 

with that in mind, i think the html template is built into sims somehow, as the xsl files are for other reports. i have managed to get our cover page to have our school logo in it.

 

it uses frames i think, so you could create your own master file cover7.htm, and then copy their data, modify it how you want, and then take the data from the daily file that is produced as a frame and get some control that way. you could use vbscript in your master file to read the daily file extract the data and make your own. somthing like that. sorry i don't have time to play and test it so i can prove it would work, but worth a try.

[zag]

I'm just looking into this myself and you might have just saved me a lot of wasted time and effort.

 

Is it confirmed its not possible to automatically apply them?

 

Also could you post any templates you have?

[dayzd]

This is something I've been asked to look at, too... (Are you listening Capita? People don't like your default output - please let us change it!)

 

I was planning to get our cover manager to export the regular HTML to a folder on a webserver, then have staff access it via that, while using some PHP/Javascript/JQuery goodness on the way to pretty-fy it.

 

Haven't had time to even start as yet, but it'll happen eventually!

[Sivadam]

... (Are you listening Capita? People don't like your default output - please let us change it!)

Somewhat of a sweeping statement. Maybe it ought to be 'Some people don't.....'

 

This functionality is fairly basic but it does show exactly what it needs to show. In these days, when cover feeds back the the SIMS Homepage and the main cover list is probably the Summary Sheet for the Staff Room and for a couple of offices (not to mention the feed to SLG that is coming soon) is it worth spending time and money on changing this when there are so many new developments that I, for one, would regard as far more worthy of extra input of time and money!?

I think that most staff here have actually forgotten that we even publish the Cover in this way!

Edited December 16, 2010 by Sivadam

[LosOjos]

Somewhat of a sweeping statement. Maybe it ought to be 'Some people don't.....'

 

This functionality is fairly basic but it does show exactly what it needs to show. In these days when cover feeds back the the SIMS Homepage and the main cover list is probably the Summary Sheet for the Staff Room and for a couple of offices (not to mention the feed to SLG that is coming soon) is it worth spending time and money on changing this when there are so many new developments that I, for one, would regard as far more worthy of extra input of time and money!?

 

Here we go again...

[dayzd]

The specificity of my comment doesn't change the fact that a little flexibility wouldn't go amiss.

 

Yeah, there more than likely are more important developments that should be made first. It doesn't change the fact that there are users out there who perceive that this particular area of the software is lacking in features.

[Sivadam]

Here we go again...

It's Christmas!

I need my Red Squares back before it's too late!

That Green one ain't very festive.

[LosOjos]

It's Christmas!

I need my Red Squares back before it's too late!

That Green one ain't very festive.

 

I'll give you one thing: you're resilient! After a nuclear war, all that would be left would be cockroaches, you and your SIMS manual!

 

So do you have any work arounds to suggest to the OP in relation to their question?

[Sivadam]

Unfortunately not.

The print-out has suited me for its purpose ever since we started using the Cover7 Module as part of the Field Trial quite a number of years ago.

For us it is merely a back stop so that we still have acces to the data if the SIMS Server goes down (or some other such issue). Staff simply do not use it that much.

They mainly check their SIMS timeline for the Cover.

 

 

As for the nuclear war - didn't I notice one of those on these forums a few weeks ago?

Everbody knows now that if they drop a misdirected bomb then I'll throw one back! (and keep throwing!)

Edited December 16, 2010 by Sivadam

[LosOjos]

As for the nuclear war - didn't I notice one of those on these forums a few weeks ago?

Everbody knows now that if they drop a misdirected bomb then I'll throw one back! (and keep throwing!)

 

You know, if you really want people to stop having a dig, you should try helping people out every now and then rather than just flaming them for not thinking SIMS is perfect... constructive criticism is received much better I find

 

Anyway, this is getting off topic now, so that's the last I'll say on the matter (until next time of course)

[scholarpack]

Does anyone know where the cover HTML template is stored so that I can reformat it?

 

So do you have any work arounds to suggest to the OP in relation to their question?

 

Unfortunately not.

 

So why not stay out of the thread instead of saying that the functionality the OP wants changed is actually suitable for him, he just doesn't know it yet.

[Sivadam]

You know, if you really want people to stop having a dig, you should try helping people out every now and then rather than just flaming them for not thinking SIMS is perfect... constructive criticism is received much better I find

 

Anyway, this is getting off topic now, so that's the last I'll say on the matter (until next time of course)

 

Maybe you should check out a few of my recent posts. I didn't go from 4 (or was it 5?) Red Squares to 1 Green one for nothing!

[Sivadam]

So why not stay out of the thread instead of saying that the functionality the OP wants changed is actually suitable for him, he just doesn't know it yet.

 

Hmmmm..........

Maybe I ought to start throwing a few more bombs into your threads again.

I have deliberately kept out of these 'debates' for quite a while!

 

And while we are at it please do not misread my words and replace them with those of your own choosing! We have been down that route before. Misquoting what I say or what 'I meant to say' has caused enough problems on this website!

What I say is what I mean - not what you think it means!!!

I actually agreed by implying that some people would want it changing! I assume that such people will have raised and/or supported such a change request on SupportNet!

Edited December 16, 2010 by Sivadam

[GREED]

I didn't go from 4 (or was it 5?) Red Squares to 1 Green one for nothing!

 

How you manage that? I think it's time for a red square again, it doesn't look right you having green ones!

[LosOjos]

Hmmmm..........

Maybe I ought to start throwing a few more bombs into your threads again.

I have deliberately kept out of these 'debates' for quite a while!

 

The OP came here to ask a question because he isn't happy with the way SIMS presents his data: there was really no need for you to barge in here and try to tell them otherwise! I could understand if this was a thread about how cr*p SIMS is (that's not my opinion BTW) but it's not, it's somebody looking for help, so if you have none to give, butt out. abullet made a comment that people aren't happy with the way Cover is currently presented, which is clearly true as this thread exists, and it is well known that there are Capita employees who read and contribute to these forums, so why not make a suggestion for an improvement? It has after all worked in the past.

Edited December 16, 2010 by LosOjos
wrong user mentioned

[scholarpack]

Hmmmm..........

Maybe I ought to start throwing a few more bombs into your threads again.

I have deliberately kept out of these 'debates' for quite a while!

 

And while we are at it please do not misread my words and replace them with those of your own choosing! We have been down that route before.

What I say is what I mean - not what you think it means!!!

 

I enjoy an interesting and thought provoking debate so please don't refrain if we are in those sort of threads. Bringing politics into a "How do I do this.." thread is a bit silly though.

 

And without getting into a philosophy debate, surely the person you speak to 'decides' what you mean, since they are not, and can't possibly know what you 'actually' meant, if that's different from they perceived.

[GREED]

I must say however, yes it is rubbish output, but have people logged change requests of supportnet for this? EduGeek is not the place to insigate that as a change.

 

I am supprised that Capita have not modified this facility yet it has always been basic and many schools do still use it as a means of communication.

[Sivadam]

I enjoy an interesting and thought provoking debate so please don't refrain if we are in those sort of threads. Bringing politics into a "How do I do this.." thread is a bit silly though.

 

And without getting into a philosophy debate, surely the person you speak to 'decides' what you mean, since they are not, and can't possibly know what you 'actually' meant, if that's different from they perceived.

See above!

[Sivadam]

The OP came here to ask a question because he isn't happy with the way SIMS presents his data: there was really no need for you to barge in here and try to tell them otherwise! I could understand if this was a thread about how cr*p SIMS is (that's not my opinion BTW) but it's not, it's somebody looking for help, so if you have none to give, butt out. abullet made a comment that people aren't happy with the way Cover is currently presented, which is clearly true as this thread exists, and it is well known that there are Capita employees who read and contribute to these forums, so why not make a suggestion for an improvement? It has after all worked in the past.

See above

[LosOjos]

See above

 

So why didn't you suggest the OP log a change request? Much more helpful than just saying (to paraphrase) "you're wrong, SIMS is fine." I'm done with this thread, you don't debate Sivadam, you argue like a child.

[GREED]

And without getting into a philosophy debate, surely the person you speak to 'decides' what you mean, since they are not, and can't possibly know what you 'actually' meant, if that's different from they perceived.

 

This point can be taken both ways. Read up on NLP - Map is not the territory, which means basically that what one says is not how it is percieved by others. This HAS to be taken both ways, so what is heard is not always what is said.