[Zope-Annce] zQuest 1.1.0 beta 1 released

Stephan Richter srichter@cbu.edu
Sun, 28 Oct 2001 21:24:43 -0600 

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Hello everyone,

I am proud to announce zQuest 1.1.0 beta 1. This version finally supports=20
Zope 2.4.x+ and runs on the PsycoPG DA for better scalability. Since=20
PsycoPG was not stable until now, I held this release back. But with the=20
latest 0.99.8 version (and the upcoming 1.0.0 release later this week) this=
=20
PostGreSQL adapter seems to be stable and now ZQuest will also run reliably.
But other than that, this release contains a variety of new features, code=
=20
cleanup and new documentation:

- Made a Class Problem Set Print Preview, so you can print out a test for=20
people that can only take it offline. This feature is not yet completely=20
usable, but it is a start.

- Have a CSV File download for the Student Grades Overview; this way=20
Spreadsheet Applications can read it!

- Create a detailed Grade View for each student, so that the instructor can=
=20
determine whether a problem set was completed late, in case he wants to=20
give partial credit.

- Better Error Handling on all levels. Setup a framework of condition=20
statements in standard_error_message.

- Batching Support for Lists. If a list has more than 10 entries the table=
=20
will be split and you have buttons to move back and forth.

- Increase Speed of List generation by optimizing code. There was some=20
horrible inefficient code in the lists that would get all objects with=20
objectValues() (requiring them to be loaded in RAM) and then it would get=20
the attributes for each object separately (that means, the respective SQL=20
Query was executed N times). Now no objects are loaded to RAM and all=20
attributes are retrieved with one SQL Query.

- Translated/localized the entire system using ZBabel. zQuest speaks=20
already English, German and Spanish (thanks to Jos=E9 L G=F3mez Dans).

- Support for Zope 2.4.x.

- Add message boards for classes. You can now have discussions for each=20
class, for example to announce homeworks, answer students' questions or=20
simply clarify some class materials.

- Send E-Mails to the entire class.

- Support for skins in the installer. You can now select a skin when=20
creating an instance. Four skins I created for CBU are already included:=20
CBU Physics, CBU Chemistry, CBU Mathematics and CBU Computer Science. Each=
=20
features another color scheme.

- Wrote a "flatten" script that moves all objects from their Transparent=20
Folders into the next real Folder. This should cause a boost in=20
performance, since Transparent Folders really slow things down. There is=20
also an option added to the installer.

- Moved to PsycoPG as Database Adaptor, since it is more scalable. It also=
=20
got rid of this PostgreSQL startup script hack!!!

- Provided Installation Instructions. These instructions start with the=20
installation of the operating system and end with creating an instance for=
=20
zQuest. They are fairly specific and I hope to enhance them as people=20
report issues.

You can find the files and the documentation at the usual place at=20
http://demo.iuveno-net.de/iuveno/Products/ZQuest/. The zQuest Installation=
=20
Guide is in the Documentation section.

Regards,
Stephan

--
Stephan Richter
CBU - Physics and Chemistry Student
Web2k - Web Design/Development & Technical Project Management
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<html>
Hello everyone,<br><br>
I am proud to announce zQuest 1.1.0 beta 1. This version finally supports
Zope 2.4.x+ and runs on the PsycoPG DA for better scalability. Since
PsycoPG was not stable until now, I held this release back. But with the
latest 0.99.8 version (and the upcoming 1.0.0 release later this week)
this PostGreSQL adapter seems to be stable and now ZQuest will also run
reliably. <br>
But other than that, this release contains a variety of new features,
code cleanup and new documentation:<br><br>
- Made a Class Problem Set Print Preview, so you can print out a test for
people that can only take it offline. This feature is not yet completely
usable, but it is a start.<br><br>
- Have a CSV File download for the Student Grades Overview; this way
Spreadsheet Applications can read it! <br><br>
- Create a detailed Grade View for each student, so that the instructor
can determine whether a problem set was completed late, in case he wants
to give partial credit.<br><br>
- Better Error Handling on all levels. Setup a framework of condition
statements in standard_error_message. <br><br>
- Batching Support for Lists. If a list has more than 10 entries the
table will be split and you have buttons to move back and forth.
<br><br>
- Increase Speed of List generation by optimizing code. There was some
horrible inefficient code in the lists that would get all objects with
objectValues() (requiring them to be loaded in RAM) and then it would get
the attributes for each object separately (that means, the respective SQL
Query was executed N times). Now no objects are loaded to RAM and all
attributes are retrieved with one SQL Query. <br><br>
- Translated/localized the entire system using ZBabel. zQuest speaks
already English, German and Spanish (thanks to Jos=E9 L G=F3mez Dans).
<br><br>
- Support for Zope 2.4.x. <br><br>
- Add message boards for classes. You can now have discussions for each
class, for example to announce homeworks, answer students' questions or
simply clarify some class materials.<br><br>
- Send E-Mails to the entire class. <br><br>
- Support for skins in the installer. You can now select a skin when
creating an instance. Four skins I created for CBU are already included:
CBU Physics, CBU Chemistry, CBU Mathematics and CBU Computer Science.
Each features another color scheme.<br><br>
- Wrote a &quot;flatten&quot; script that moves all objects from their
Transparent Folders into the next real Folder. This should cause a boost
in performance, since Transparent Folders really slow things down. There
is also an option added to the installer. <br><br>
- Moved to PsycoPG as Database Adaptor, since it is more scalable. It
also got rid of this PostgreSQL startup script hack!!! <br><br>
- Provided Installation Instructions. These instructions start with the
installation of the operating system and end with creating an instance
for zQuest. They are fairly specific and I hope to enhance them as people
report issues.<br><br>
You can find the files and the documentation at the usual place at
<a href=3D"http://demo.iuveno-net.de/iuveno/Products/ZQuest/"=
 eudora=3D"autourl"><font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>http://demo.iuveno-net.de/iuv=
eno/Products/ZQuest/</a></u></font>.
The zQuest Installation Guide is in the Documentation section.<br><br>
Regards, <br>
Stephan<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
--<br>
Stephan Richter<br>
CBU - Physics and Chemistry Student<br>
Web2k - Web Design/Development &amp; Technical Project Management</html>

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