Frequently Asked Questions

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General

What is ColdBricks?

ColdBricks is a web-based application for the Adobe ColdFusion platform that allows users to quickly generate and manage highly dynamic and modularized websites and portals.
Technically speaking, ColdBricks is a management tool for managing sites and portals created using the HomePortals framework.

Is ColdBricks a CMS? But it does not look like typical CMS...

Yes, ColdBricks does not follow the typical approach of traditional Content Management Systems. ColdBricks is more like a freeform management/development tool for portals and sites that can benefit of being highly modular. With ColdBricks, everything on the page can be rearranged and reused. In this sense, ColdBricks focuses more on the creativity of the designer/content editor/site administrator rather than on rigid workflows or schemes.

What types of sites can be created using ColdBricks?

The strength of ColdBricks is on the reusability and modularization of the components of a website, therefore sites that can benefit of these characteristics are more suited for ColdBricks. ColdBricks is ideal for managing sites that can be decomposed on functional or content units and in which those units are reused again and again throughout the site although with different arrangements and configurations.
Also, ColdBricks leverages the personalization features offered by the HomePortals framework in which a site can contain multiple "accounts" or users, each with their own mini-site based on a central "pool" of resources.
ColdBricks have been used to create sites like personal start pages, news agregators, social networking communities, and even traditional brochure-type sites.
If you would like to disucss if ColdBricks is right for you please send us an email to info@coldbricks.com

Is ColdBricks For Me?

Although ColdBricks has been developed with ease of use in mind, it does help to have at least a basic knowledge or understanding of web terminology and concepts. Also, you need to have access to a webserver in which to deploy ColdBricks.
Of course if you have knowledge of ColdFusion and common web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and Ajax you will find in ColdBricks a perfect web development and management tool.
If you would like to disucss if ColdBricks is right for you please send us an email to info@coldbricks.com

Do I need to know ColdFusion to be able use ColdBricks?

No, you can use ColdBricks to create and manage sites without writing a single ColdFusion line of code. However in order to create customized modules or extend the included module libraries you will need to have some ColdFusion programming knowledge to do so.

Can I manage my existing site with ColdBricks?

The answer can get a bit complicated. Since ColdBricks relies on sites being built on the HomePortals framework, you will first need to migrate your site to it. For content-oriented sites (i.e. no database, no custom ColdFusion processes) this can be as simple as creating content resources for every content unit or fragment in your site and then creating a custom skin and layout to match your existing design. After that, ColdBricks will give you the freedom to manage and control all these resources and even experiment with different layouts and ideas.
For more complex sites, the migration could become a bit more involved since it much likely will involve the creation of custom modules to access your database and implement your processes.
However, you can integrate ColdBricks with your existing site by just using ColdBricks to create (or replace) only certain sections or pages of your site without interfering with your existing pages.

Licensing

How is ColdBricks Licensed?

ColdBricks is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3

How Much ColdBricks Costs?

ColdBricks is FREE and Open Source! However, we follow the Professional Open Source model, and also have paid support plans available, as well as provide customers with custom development and training if needed. Click Here to learn more about our professional support options.

Can I Distribute/Sell Sites Created Using ColdBricks?

Yes, you can use ColdBricks to create a site and then what you do with that site is completely up to you. Once a site is created it does not require the ColdBricks application to function, it only requires the HomePortals framework, which is also open source and freely distributable under the LGPL license.

If you wish to distribute ColdBricks along with your generated site, then it must be under the terms of the GPL license, which pretty much states that you have to distribute the source code along with it and leave the original license and copyright terms intact.

On the other hand, if you wish to distribute a branded version ColdBricks as an OEM and not abide by the terms of the GPL, you may contact us at info@coldbricks.com to discuss different licensing options.

Technical

What are the System Requirements?

Since the sites created and managed by ColdBricks rely on the HomePortals engine to function, ColdBricks itself has a very small footprint in your server (around 15mb including the data directory).
Additional requirements:

» Adobe ColdFusion server (version 7 or higher) or Railo 2.0
» HomePortals Framework (version 3) - optionally included in the ColdBricks distribution package
» ColdBricks can be deployed on any of the ColdFusion supported platforms. See Here for ColdFusion system requirements and supported platforms.

What Database does ColdBricks use?

ColdBricks does not require a database.

Does it support BlueDragon, Railo, etc?

For the time being, ColdBricks officially only supports Adobe ColdFusion 7 and 8 and Railo 2.0; A BlueDragon release is planned for the near future.

What is the Installation Process?

Installing ColdBricks is very simple, just unzip the download package and copy the ColdBricks directory into the webroot of your server and you are done.
Also, make sure you have the latest version of the HomePortals framework installed on the /Home directory.
Once installed on your server, you can access ColdBricks by opening your browser and going to http://<your_server>/coldBricks/. The default username is admin with password admin
IMPORTANT! change your password as soon as you log into ColdBricks!!

What is the Default Username and Password?

When you install ColdBricks the default user always has username admin and password admin.

I'm stuck, where do I go for help?

Community based support is always available from the Forums, additionally we also provide the option for paid support. Click Here to learn more about our professional services.

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