WYSIWYG Enablement

Melissa Ugiansky

Overview

The new version of the WYSIWYG editor was developed in response to client feedback that the existing HTML editor had limitations that made it difficult to use.  With the new WYSIWYG, Convio will integrate the open source TinyMCE editor, which is multi-browser compatible.  In addition to addressing multiple points of pain that exist with the existing editor and generating standards-compliant HTML, the new WYSIWYG will also allow clients to use Firefox (on a PC or Mac) to access the administrative interface of Convio.

Enablement Process and Timeframe

The new version of the WYSIWYG editor was initially released -- but not enabled -- with the Convio Summer '09 release in July and August. Many clients eager to begin using the new WYSIWYG editor particpated in the early adoption phase. Based on the success of the early adoption phase, Convio will automatically enable the new WYSIWYG editor for the majority of clients as part of the Fall '09 release in October and November.

Excetptions will be made for clients who have accessibility needs since the new WYSIWYG editor is not accessible to software for the visually impaired. It is currently expected that the WYSIWYG editor will be made accessible for software for the visually impaired as part of the Winter '10 release due out in February and March. If your organization has admins who have accessibility needs, please contact your Account Manager or log a Support case to let them know you would like to opt-out of the automatic WYSIWYG enablement with the Fall '09 release.

Resources to Help You Prepare

Although the core functionality of the WYSIWYG in Convio is essentially the same, there are significant changes in the user interface.  Therefore, we highly enourage you to read this entire article, and review these learning tools:

• WYSIWYG Quick Start Training Video. This video takes approximately ten minutes to complete.

• Learn about the new WYSIWYG editor by reviewing the WYSIWYG Feature Summary Document. This is a comprehensive document describing the features, benefits, limitations, use cases, etc.

FAQs

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Q: My organization was an early adopter of the new WYSIWYG editor  and is already using it. What should we expect to happen with the  auto-enablement occuring with the Fall '09 upgrade.

A: There should be no impact to your orgagnization's use of the WYSIWYG editor. The  new WYSIWYG will continue to be enabled on your site and you should not notice  any changes in this area.

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Q: Are there recommended best practices for approaching the usage of the new WYSIWYG editor once it is enabled on our site?

A: Yes. We recommend that you coordinate internally at your organization to ensure all admins are taking the same initial steps. Start small -- choose "less visible" pages of your site and create a back-up before making edits. In other words, don't edit your homepage first! Be sure to check your new pages in multiple browsers also.

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Q: I am a power-user and have used Firefox in the past as a way to get around using the WYSIWYG since I prefer to code the pages directly in HTML. Do I have to use the new WYSIWYG editor?

A: All Convio admins have the option to disable the WYSIWYG altogether. Please review the WYSIWYG Feature Summary Document for instructions on how to disable this feature.

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Q: My organization is really excited about the new WYSIWYG and we don't want to wait until the Fall ’09 release! Is it possible to get it sooner?

A: Yes! Watch the Quick Start Training Video, and put in a support case, and we’ll enable it for you now.

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Q: Can some administrators use the old WYSIWYG editor while others "try out" or use the new WYSIWYG editor?

A: No. WYSIWYG will be enabled site-wide. All admins must use the same version of the WYSIWYG editor.

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Q: Can we switch between the old WYSIWYG editor and the new WYSIWYG editor?

A: Due to differences between how the old and new WYSIWYG editor render HTML code, clients will not be able to toggle between the old WYSIWYG and the new version. Once your site has the new WYSIWYG editor enabled, there's no turning back.

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Q: What do I do if I have questions after reading the Feature Summary Document, taking the upgrade training or after I am already using the new WYSIWYG editor?

A: Please enter your comments and questions below this document. Chances are if you have a question, other people may also have the same question and would benefit from seeing the response.

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Q: What do I do if I experience a problem with the new WYSIWYG editor?

A: Please enter a Support case.

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Q: How long does the web-based "Quick Start" training video take?

A: The total run time is approximately ten minutes.

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Q: Is the Quick Start training video required?

A: Watching the Quick Start training video is not required but it is highly encouraged. Although the new WYSIWYG editor was designed with usability in mind and appears to be very straightforward, we also acknowledge that people become accustomed to doing things a certain way. The upgrade training focuses heavily on "before and after" visuals so that you get a sense for how to do the same work that you are already used to doing -- but do it in a different manner.The n

Julie Schauble-Nguyen

Yes, I have a question. We are currently using the older WSYWYG. The video mentions that the new WSYWYG is not yet usable with screen reader software for the visually impaired. We have a key staff person who is blind and uses such software. It sounds like we will need to immediately disable it system-wide and continue to use the older version until the Fall release. Right? I need to make sure we know how to do this.

Melissa Ugiansky

That is correct. You can coordinate a "WYSIWYG opt-out request" through your Account Manager. Please let him or her know that you have an admin who is visually impaired. We will make sure WYSIWYG is not automatically enabled as part of the Fall '09 release.

Diane Kelly

It appears that we can no longer search for an image or document on our desktops to upload on the fly and link to a page.  Am I missing something?

mfriel

Hi Diane,

You can upload an image from your desktop via the new WYSIWYG by using the "Convio Image Library" icon.  This is the 2nd icon from the left on the bottom row.  Once you click on that, a new window opens and you should see a "Add New Image" link in the lower left corner.  This will present you with the option to browse your desktop.

For a document, if what you wanted to do was insert a document link, this is still within the Components option.  To find this, you would use the "Convio Components" icon which is the 7th from the left.  Once you click on that, you would select "Content" as the Component Type and them the Document Link option.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Myra Friel

Senior Product Manager, Convio

Karla Koon

I am having difficulty creatign a link to an email address.  Before you could click on the create a link icon and it would give you an option of directing that link to a url or an email address.  It does not give that option anymore.  It only allows you to link to a url.  Did I miss soemthing int eh tutorial?

mfriel

Hi Karla,

This is actually done automatically for you when you enter an email address in the WYSIWYG.  If you type in the email address, you will see it becomes a  hyperlink.  If you select it and choose "Insert/Edit Hyperlink" you can see that it has the mailto: in the link, so you should be all set!

Hope this helps,

Myra

Gala Barnes-Loveday

Is there a way to prevent the TinyMCE editor from changing code?

Gala

mfriel

Hi Gala,

There are no configuration options that allow a client to determine how much HTML code clean up the WYSIWYG will do.  If there are concerns about how it will render existing HTML, clients are advised to make a copy of whatever page they want to edit.  Then they can edit the copy, preview and confirm that it looks the way they want.  Alternatively, if they do not want to use the WYSIWYG, they can disable this within each administrator's preferences.

Thanks,

Myra

Jill King

Hello, the new WYSIWYG became live today in my organization.  I normally do most of my work in the Source View, where the HTML is color-coded.  That was extrememly helpful, but I'm no longer seeing that option.  Is the Source View completely gone?

Also, I've adopted the practice of avoiding <p> tags and <div> tags.  I've found through experimenting those tags are the culprit with the spacing images in hotmail.  If I eliminate those tags, I am able to keep the spacing consistent across email clients.  What I've done is hand code <center> and <font> tags in the Source View.  However the new WYSIWYG is now stripping out those tags, and not allowing me to put them back in. Even if I disable the WYSIWYG. This is causing a significant problem for getting the spacing of my emails right.

Please advise (ASAP if possible, I leave for vacation in 2 days).

Cynthia Balusek

Hi Jill,

Would you mind putting in a support case about your issue?  With the time sensitive nature of your request, I'd like to make sure that we get your question answered quickly.

Thanks!

Cynthia Balusek

Manager, Convio Support

Jill King

Will do.

Thomas Listerman

I have a similar question:  Is there a way to disable the WYSIWYG editor and get the plain text editor by default? The WYSIWYG is regularly ruining my html code, causing stomach problems. I disable it when I insert my code, then the next time when I log in the letter opens in WYSIWYG editor mode by default, and the coding is ruined by <div> and <span> -- Oh, never mind, just found the option under Administrator Preferences

Still, it is a major progress from the earlier WYSIWYG editor, so you are moving in the right direction.  Thanks!

kellyf@ohiolung.org user_11455_lastname_inval

ok, so how do WE create the specific SUBJECT for that email link?

mfriel

Hi Kelly,

You can enter the text that you would like to use as the link.  For example, it might say "Email your thoughts".  Then you select that text and click the Insert/Edit Link icon.  Then in the "Link URL" field you could enter the following mailto:name@email.com?subject=Feedback and save it.  This should create a mailto link that opens an email client with the subject "Feedback" filled out.

Hope this helps,

Myra

Jill King

Thomas - I would also like to know if it is possible to default to the plain text editor.  In the meantime, I've figured out a workaround.  Every time you log in to Convio, it will default you to the WYSIWYG, and whenever you open anything in the WYSIWYG, it will mess up your code - as I'm sure you've noticed.  So when you log in and go to your HTML View, switch to the plain text editor, then go to a different screen without saving, then go back to the HTML View.  At this point, you can proceed with the code you previously saved.

This isn't ideal, obviously...but unless there is a way to default to the plain text editor, and until the WYSIWYG/coding issue is fixed in a patch, it's a way to access your code without it being ruined by the WYSIWYG.  Hope this helps.

Thomas Listerman

Hi Jill,

No need for that wonderful workaround anymore - Under Administrator Preferences (which is hidden under your name) in the upper right corner on the screen you see after you log in there is a box that is checked and that makes the WYSIWYG Editor open by default, called "Use the WYSIWYG".  Just uncheck that box and save and you will see your email drafts in plain html editor mode by default. Your new happy life with Convio can begin.

Jill King

Most excellent, thank you Thomas!

Abigail Koenig

If anyone can help - in the old WYSIWYG there was a way to insert a conditionalized personalization into a conditionalized personalization ie. Dear Mr. Jackson <if Last Name is BLANK insert First Name> Joe

This is gone as far as I can tell. I have the old codes and tried to use them, but I sent out an email with quite a few Dear BLANK.

Can anyone help on this? I'm at a loss.