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Click-and-start
From Qedoc
| This article relates to features introduced in version 1.5.1. |
Click-and-start refers to a number of different methods by which a particular quiz module can be launched with a single click.
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Click-and-start from a website
The most elegant method of launching a quiz straight from a website is the one used on Qedoc Quiz Wiki. Go to any page on this site which is dedicated to a learning module, and click the prominent "launch quiz" link.
- Advantage: you don't have to have any previously installed software.
- Advantage: works with all operating systems, including Mac and Linux.
However you can also use QAF files for launching from a website (see below).
Click-and-start from a CD-ROM or hard drive
From version 1.5.1, it is possible to export any published Qedoc module as a QAF file. QAF files have the characteristic that when you click on them, the Qedoc Quiz Player launches and loads them. This process is equivalent to the process of clicking on any data file in your file system and having it launch in the appropriate editor or player. For example, if you click on a PDF file, it usually launches in the Adobe Reader. If you click on a TXT file, it launches in Windows Notepad. If you click on an MP3 file, it launches in your chosen MP3 player. If you click on a QAF file, it launches in the Qedoc Quiz Player.
This method is useful when distributing files using removable media devices such as CD-ROM's.
Using a batch file to launch a QAF file
If for any reason you need a batch file launch as part of your distribution package, here's how to do it.
c:/path_to_Qedoc_software/qplayer1510.exe ABCDE_012.qaf
Simply call the .exe file for the Qedoc Quiz Player, using the most recent version and the correct path. Append the name of the QAF file as an argument. That's all.
Using a QAF file on a website
If you include a URL to a QAF file on a website, then a click by any user on the hyperlink will probably launch the quiz in the Qedoc Quiz Player.
- Disadvantage: an appropriate version of the Qedoc Quiz Player must already have been installed properly by the user.
- Disadvantage: only Windows-compatible.
You are advised to force the headers of the download using a PHP (or equivalent script) if you want this to really work. In the following example, assume the name of your QAF file is ABCDE_000.qaf:
<?php
header('Content-disposition: attachment; filename='ABCDE_000.qaf');
header('Content-type: application/unknown');
readfile('ABCDE_000.qaf');
?>
This will have the effect of prompting the user with a dialogue where they can either open the quiz immediately, or download the quiz to their local file system (where they can then open it with a further click on the file).
