Is there an instructional manual for Stories Matter?
The instructional manual explains how to use the application in detail and is available for download here: http://storytelling.concordia.ca/storiesmatter/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/sm_help.doc It does not include information on how to install Stories Matter on your server for online capabilities.
How do I access the COHDS “sample project” on the COHDS database?
View a video demonstration.
To do this, you need to have installed the latest version of the Stories Matter application (v. 1.5.1). Open the Stories Matter application, and then click “Login” located in the top right hand corner of the main window. Input the server URL:
http://storytelling.concordia.ca/database/
then select “login as guest.” (For members of the center involved in CURA and other projects, enter your username and password.) Options such as “edit session, delete session, and create a clip” will be unavailable to you when you are logged in as a guest.
How do I use Stories Matter online?
Here is an excerpt from chapter 7.0 of the instructional manual, entitled Online Functionality:
“To get started, collaborators will need to invest in a server and install Stories Matter. Users may need to employ a software engineer familiar with Adobe Air in order to set this up. From there, an administrator will need to be assigned to access the Stories Matter server, to create the necessary projects, and to create different user roles, such as project manager, publisher and guests. From there, only registered users will be able to upload information to projects. For users who wish to work independently, these additional steps are avoidable as Stories Matter application can still be used offline.”
In other words, individuals/organizations who wish to use the online features of the Stories Matter application will need to have their own database set up on their own server. The main benefit of having online functionality of the Stories Matter application is that individuals can collaborate on a project by accessing and merging databases remotely.
Is there support for setting up the online server patch of Stories Matter?
Yes, here are the steps.
- (Unzip the package storiesmatter.zip)
- Create a new mysql-database on your server (in PhpMyAdmin)
- Import the file smserver.sql (in the ‘Stories Matter/databases’-folder) in this newly created database
- Open the file Stories Matter>StoriesMatterServer>app>config>database.php with a text-editor
- Fill in your server-info in the lines below ‘var $default = array(‘ and save the file
- Upload the whole ‘StoriesMatterServer’-folder to your server
- Go to the URL where you uploaded the folder. If you see the Stories Matter logo, everything works
- Now add /admin (…/StoriesMatterServer/admin) to this URL to go to the administration page. You can log in with the standard first user log in ‘username: admin’, ‘password: kamicode’. ONCE YOU’RE LOGGED IN CHANGE YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD! You can also add other users here.
- Specify the URL where you uploaded the folder in the Stories Matter Home application under ‘user settings>Online Server URL’
- Log in with the username and password you created in the administration panel on the site
Can I use Stories Matter without having my own database and server setup?
Stories Matter can also be used in offline mode, in which a user’s database will be stored on their home computer. This will be most valuable to individuals who do not have a database set up on their own host server. Databases created on a home computer can be uploaded to an online database at a later date.
How do I backup my files in Stories Matter v1.5.1c3 ?
-Open the application, don’t go online
-In the export options, make a backup of your local database in a folder
-When the export completes, open that folder
-Open the ‘models’ subfolder, and another ‘models’ subfolder
-You should see the ‘stories_matter.db’ file
-To back up, copy this file to your backup location (such as an external hard drive).
C:\\Program Files\Stories Matter\Models
How can I update from Stories Matter v.1 to v.1.5.1c3 ?
Before beginning any update, it is always wise to backup your content to another location. Furthermore, it is good practice to have regularly scheduled backups where content is stored on another device or, ideally, in another location all together, in the event of a computer crash, application crash, or other unforeseen event.
Stories Matter is not responsible for any loss of content etc. resulting from use of the software. disclaimer.
Automatic Update to v.1.5.1 (Mac Only)
To update Stories Matter on a Mac, simply click on the Install badge located on this page. A window will pop up asking if you want to install, and possibly asking for your personal computer administrator password. Confirm, and type in your password as necessary. A window will pop up asking you if you want to replace existing version of Stories Matter. Select yes. All the media and content from your v.1 Stories Matter Application will be present in your updated version. If this does not work, follow the manual instructions below which include information on locating your Stories Matter content on a Mac.
Manually updating to v.1.5.1 (directions for both PC and Mac)
Step 1: Locate the Stories Matter file “Local Store.”
On PCs running XP, the Local Store file is located here: C:\Documents and Settings\Username\ApplicationData\com.StoriesMatter\Local Store
You may erase this directory and install the new version.
On PCS running Windows Vista, the Local Store file may be harder to locate. For one user, it was located here:
C:\Users\owner[or your username]\AppData\Roaming\com.StoriesMatter.5FEE21D4263AAD5CD9BB7CB0BBA48B0ABDC9BC8F.1\LocalStore
On Mac OS: the Local Store file is located here:
< appData >/< appId>/Local Store/ where < appData > is the user’s “preferences folder,” typically:
/Users/< user >/Library/Preferences/(com.StoriesMatter/LocalStore)
Step 2: Back up the Local Store
You will need to copy the Local Store folder to your desktop (or somewhere else where it is easy to find).
Step 3: Uninstall Stories Matter v.1 and Install Stories Matter v.1.5.1c
From there, you can go ahead and uninstall the old version, and install the new version.
Step 4: Replace Local Store Folder
Once the new version has been successfully installed, you will need to copy their Local Store folder into the new com.StoriesMatter folder, which can be found in the same location as the old one. Once completed, you should be able to view your old database in its entirety in the new version of SM. From this point forward, if you want to make a back-up you can do so following the instructions outlined below.