Fast Action

Software's primary task is to provide users with tools that enable them to perform typical tasks efficiently, getting more done in less time. To that end, Cyn.in [1] helps you improve communication and optimize the exchange of knowledge.

A Virtual Appliance

The Cyn.in Python-based environment is based on a Debian system, including an Apache web server, if you use the virtual appliance. From a technical perspective, Cyn.in is an add-on for the Plone content management system, which in turn is based on Zope. In the background, the Zope Object Database (ZODB) manages the objects.

The easiest way to evaluate the software is to use the virtual appliance, which is available for download from SourceForge. Cyn.in is not particularly resource hungry. According to the developers, a standard system with 8GB of RAM and 10GB of free disk space is all you need, plus Internet access, of course. Working with the ISO file, install the associated Debian system along with the required components.

After completing the installation, it's time to open the wizard in the browser for web-based configuration by typing http://<IP-address-of-the-Cyn.in-system>:8004 . The secured URL (https ) is available on port 8003. The configuration wizard shows a login dialog for initial access, which accepts the default username/password admin /password . The wizard guides you step by step through the rest of the configuration. The first step is to assign a new password to the administrator. Clicking on Save will take you to the next configuration section, which is email notifications. Here, you specify the email server and the sender that will send the notices. You will want to create at least one recipient who will be notified by email about system-critical events.

Another click on Save takes you to network configuration, where you define the hostname of the Cyn.in system and the gateway. Alternatively, you can leave this to the DHCP server on your network. Customization options for DNS and Ethernet then follow. If any changes are made to the network, the virtual appliance requests a reboot. If you accept the predefined settings, Save takes you to the proxy configuration. Because Cyn.in is a web-based environment, you can customize the HTTP/S proxy settings. If the proxy server requires authentication, store the credentials in the wizard. After saving the data, Cyn.in welcomes you to the admin console, which shows the status of the environment and lets you carry out typical admin tasks.

Completing the Basic Configuration

Cyn.in distinguishes between system administration of the underlying Debian system and management of the groupware environment. System-related functions are limited to a few customization options, accessing appliance logs, scheduling system reboots, and applying rollbacks. You can also check for system updates and discover whether they are installed.

Cyn.in administration happens on the front end, which can be accessed from the same hostname or the assigned IP address, but always through the default port. As part of the initial configuration, Cyn.in creates a site administrator (the login is siteadmin /secret ). Each Cyn.in account has its own profile, for which you want to change the passwords. You can add to the profile in Personal Preferences , where you save, for example, the email address and a profile picture. Provided you have administrative rights, you can also deactivate its listing in a search.

Although you configured some email-specific settings during the system setup, they only relate to warnings from the Debian system. To make sure the groupware environment also interacts with the message server, you need to adjust the email settings for the site administrator. To do this, switch to the Mail Setup menu in the environment settings; you will recognize these by the wheel symbol in the header. Cyn.in assumes by default that you will be using the local email server for sending. If you specified a specific hostname during system setup, you need to specify a valid email address that the Debian system provides as the Site From address .

User management is one of the other central tasks in Cyn.in, and it has been made easy thanks to the tabular overview and the integrated search. Return to the settings under User Management and create your first user by following the Add New User link. Cyn.in requires a real name, the username, and an email address. Click Register to create the account and generate a registration email, which the user has to confirm. The site administrator can assign users to groups (e.g., Editor, Reader, Manager) in user management. Group management is organized in the Group Management menu.

Collaboration Modules

For communication and collaboration, the environment provides various modules that the site administrator can enable or disable as needed. Users have easy access to basic features, such as the shared calendar and discussion forums, through the front end. For example, you can generate task- and team-specific file repositories in which to store documents. The associated functions are available under Files . The system automatically generates a version history. Access rights are controlled with a granular rights system. Galleries for images and audio and video files are also available to support collaborative work on projects (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Cyn.in can be extended to include more functions and workspaces, if required.

Cyn.in's various functional areas are accessible in configurable views. The blog module plays a central role; the developers believe it can develop into a genuine think tank with a value-generating potential. The associated functions are available under Blog . To create a new entry, click on the New icon. The idea is to not just use the blog function to gather ideas, but to develop ideas actively with comments and other activities.

Because many groupware systems do not do justice to this knowledge management aspect, the developers integrated a Wiki module that lets you create a cross-departmental or cross-company knowledge database. In the familiar style of Wikipedia and other systems, arbitrary content can be linked in this way. Content development is simplified by the integrated WYSIWYG editor that autosaves changes every minute by default.