Companion Guide

[Devilsigh]

Can we get some sort of companion guide about how to use most of the functions? I'm having a really hard time figuring it out, and I don't feel as though most of this is as intuitive as PERSCOM 1 was. I want the look/feel/intuition of the first PERSCOM, but with the flexibility of this one. For example, I don't know how to really use the template/document system in an intuitive way, partly because I don't know much about the functions themselves or their limitations. Also, when adding service records, how do you get it to distinguish between a promotion, demotion, general document, award, etc? Is there somewhere I can "File" an Award or Promotion/Demotion like the old system had? 

This is incredibly frustrating and I would really like some direction. The document system is probably one of the most problematic things for me. As I've said before, there is little description of what PERSCOM 2.0 can even do, so it's essentially a learning curve. But I would like more clear and concise information to help me determine what it is that I can even do with PERSCOM. I feel like it's a powerful system, but I'm unsure as to how to utilize it. A breakdown of all of PERSCOM's major features, and maybe a few examples of what some of the things you can do with it "Such as a set up document system" would be helpful. I've messed around with the demo website, and it isn't helping much.

Edited October 30, 2018 by Devilsigh

[Arthur Cantu]

I will be working on a "quick start" guide to help with setting up PERSCOM for new units. I will also see about doing some tutorials and explanations as you are asking about. Part of the issue is that the system is customization for each unit, so something that works for me might not for you, or might not make sense between our units. I also don't want to limit your imagination in what you can accomplish! I won't be able to start on this for probably another week or two though as I'm swamped with work right now.

As a joke, I actually created a cast list for a tv show using just the ranks system! So yes, its powerful!

Regarding documents, you can create as many documents as you want. We use documents for awards, awards with valor (so with a V device), promotions, demotions (non-punitive), demotions (punitive), Combat Duty Assignments, a welcome letter sent to all new soldiers, and then we also have documents sent to approved PARs.

Once you have created a document, when you go to award a soldier, promote/demote, add assignment, approve/deny PARs, etc, you have an option to attach a document. All the documents you have created are listed and you can choose which one is applicable. 

To file the Award or Promotion/Demotion you must login to the admin CP, then go to PERSCOM -> Personnel -> Soldier | You will then select the drop down icon on the right.

Here are some screenshots I took to explain discharge for my staff, your system may look a little different but I think this should help.

Edited October 30, 2018 by Arthur Cantu

[Devilsigh]

Thank you Arthur, this was a major help. I also appreciate the work that goes into PERSCOM, I really do, I've just had a few issues learning how to use it. Also, I wouldn't want my own creativity to be stifled either. I was only asking for a "So this is an example of what you can do with PERSCOM" sort of thing, specifically with relation to the document/template system. How about I ask you, for 3ID, will you guys be using a new document for every single service record entry? For example, if CPL Jane Doe is being promoted to SGT, would a new document be created specifically for this individual's promotion to that specific rank? Or would that be a template, but requiring a new document for each instance it's used? That is the trouble I'm having in deciding how to use it. Maybe getting insight from someone else about how they do it will help me construct mine. Maybe give me some examples of what PARs you use, for what purposes, and why? 

Edited October 30, 2018 by Devilsigh

[Arthur Cantu]

You're welcome to visit our beta website and see how we have it set up! https://beta.3rdinf.us we will be live early next month.

The way documents are set up, is that you can create a document that pulls specific variables. So for the Promotion, I can set up my document to look something like:

 

{promotion_rank_image}

{promotion_rank}


{soldier_name}
{soldier_combat_unit}

The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. 
In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, 
you are, therefore, promoted to the rank of {promotion_rank}.

{promotion_date}

The system will pull the variables (wrapped in { } ) and automatically generate the document when attached. Here is are two examples of an attached promotion entry, automatically generated, with some CSS added for extra styling. 

 

Regarding PARs, we currently have a PAR for:

• Temporary Pass Request - When a soldier needs to miss a specific event or events over a short time frame.
• Leave of Absence - When a soldier needs to be excused from all events and responsibilities for an extended time.
• Discharge - When requesting a discharge, soldier can request a specific grade (honorable, retirement, etc) and give an explanation.
• Uniform Update Request - Our Uniforms and Signatures are created by a specific team.
• Profile Update/XML update Request - Any changes to the PERSCOM records for a soldier or their Squad XML data changes.

[Devilsigh]

How did you give it a background? And can you have the rank that appears be a different version than the one used for the forums?

[Devilsigh]

I'll probably be asking you guys a lot of things about how you built your site lol.

[Arthur Cantu]

For the background, I use CSS. It's kind of awkward because the only parent item I could find to call is an aria-label in the ipsDialog. So unfortunately you have to write an attribute selector for each document name. In my case we have 6 different documents with that background.

div[aria-label=Promotion] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label=Demotion] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label=Award] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Assignment Order"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Demotion - Punitive"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Award - Valor"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ) {
  background: url({resource="paper.png" app="core" location="global"});
  border-radius: 2px;
  border-color: #999;
}

For the rank icon, short answer is yes you could. Long answer is, it would be complicated, you would have to have the rank images somewhere, have them titled with the promotion rank, then wrap the img tag around the {promotion_rank}. Could also have issues if your ranks have a space in them or special characters.

 

20 minutes ago, Devilsigh said:

I'll probably be asking you guys a lot of things about how you built your site lol.

I'm happy to help when I can. I might have to start charging though ?

[rleathers]

I'm seeing an error when trying to create documents or templates

IPS\Db\Exception: Unknown column 'templates_perscom_editor_template' in 'field list' (1054)

I don't have access to the database to see what fields are there, but I assume this message is correct and somehow the database column names are not matching the function 

Any suggestions for what I should do to remedy this? 

[Jon Erickson]

@rleathers Can you create a support ticket, and post the full error and backtrack so we can diagnose this. You can get the latest error in your ACP by click on Support -> System Logs. You may have to trigger the error first by doing whatever causes the error, then select the latest log. 

[Leighton Thompson]

On 10/31/2018 at 2:20 PM, Arthur Cantu said:

For the background, I use CSS. It's kind of awkward because the only parent item I could find to call is an aria-label in the ipsDialog. So unfortunately you have to write an attribute selector for each document name. In my case we have 6 different documents with that background.

div[aria-label=Promotion] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label=Demotion] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label=Award] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Assignment Order"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Demotion - Punitive"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ),
div[aria-label="Award - Valor"] .ipsBox:not( .ipsBox_transparent ):not( .ipsModerated ) {
  background: url({resource="paper.png" app="core" location="global"});
  border-radius: 2px;
  border-color: #999;
}

For the rank icon, short answer is yes you could. Long answer is, it would be complicated, you would have to have the rank images somewhere, have them titled with the promotion rank, then wrap the img tag around the {promotion_rank}. Could also have issues if your ranks have a space in them or special characters.

 

I'm happy to help when I can. I might have to start charging though ?

Sorry for my complete lack of knowledge in CSS but where would I put this in the template/CSS code to get this to work?

[Jon Erickson]

You would add this within the theme editor to the custom.css file. Its under Customization -> Themes -> Edit HTML and CSS -> CSS Tab and search for custom. 

[Ryan Netley]

@Arthur Cantu Might I ask how you centre the text on your Promotion Warrant?

I have this so far, and when I add <centre> nothing happens at all.

<p>
    {promotion_rank_image}<br>
    {promotion_rank} {soldier_name}
</p>

<p>
    {soldier_combat_unit}
</p>

<p>
    To all who shall see these presents, greeting:
</p>

<p>
    Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of {soldier_name}, I do appoint this member a&nbsp;{promotion_rank}&nbsp;in the 4th Combat Engineer Battalion. To rank as such from the {promotion_date}.
</p>

<p>
    This appointee will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the grade to which appointed by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto pertaining. And I do strictly charge and require all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to appropriate orders. And this appointee is to observe and follow such orders and direction as may be given from time to time by superiors acting according to the rules and articles governing the discipline of the 4th Combat Engineer<br>
    Battalion.<br>
    <br>
    Given under my hand at Headquarters Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, in the year of our Lord. Two Thousand and Nineteen.
</p>

<p>
    Signed, R. Netley, Second Lieutenant, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion Alpha Platoon Leader.
</p>
 

[Ashton]

@Ryan Netley

Wrap the whole thing..

<center>

Content 

</center>

Thats how we have achieved it.

[Ryan Netley]

Huge mistake from me, using the English UK centre not center woops.

Thanks Ashton!

[Ashton]

Dont worry dude its hard for us UK guys to get used the US standards and spellings ?

[Ryan Netley]

Ain't that true ?

[Matthew McAlpine]

Hello,

I am also trying to figure the document/template system out.  I have a custom certificate image I wish to use as the background.  Is anyone willing to help me out?