NS Pro Help

Hello. My name is Christopher Mavros, and I will try to make this help, really help you.

This help will resemble my support style, as personal, and as simple as possible.

Anyone already familiar with NS Pro can read this, too, since it is useful for everybody.

One important detail, is that NS Pro 1.2 can still work without any list, exactly as it did before.

1. Small Introduction to the NS Pro Administrator

NS Pro has 4 main back-end views.

NS Pro also has an About page, that can help you see what features are currently available

and also there is a link to this help page.

The 4 main views in detail:

The Mailing List Manager is the newest addition in version 1.2
where you can manage the lists of subscribers.
Not much to talk about this page, since the interface is pretty much self-explanatory.
The Subscriber Manager, is a list of subscribers.
You can filter by the mailing list, by the box found on the right.
Lower in this view, are the NS Pro Tools, where you can import and export subscribers.
The Newsletter Manager, where you manage AND SEND your newsletters.
When you send a newsletter, it is automatically sent to all subscribers in the newsletter's mailing lists.
If the newsletter has no lists, it is sent to all subscribers. That simple!
The Toolkit is a collection of Tools, that can be very useful,
like sending a newsletter by its id to a test email or to a group of emails by selecting them.
A main purpose of the Toolkit, is to keep the rest of the views as simple as possible.

A very important part in 'knowing your way' through NS Pro, is to check the Parameters (or Preferences) in detail.

2. Small Introduction to the NS Pro Front-End

NS Pro also has some front-end views.

The Default view, which just shows a subscribe form by including the plugin
The Unsubscribe view, (parameters are configured from the administrator)
The Edit Mailing Lists view, which is accessed by including smart text in newsletters
The Forward to Friend view, which is also accessed by including smart text in newsletters and
The Newsletter List view, which gives you the opportunity to show the already sent newsletters in the front-end.

3. Small Introduction to the NS Pro Module & Plugin

NS Pro has two main ways to show a subscription form. The Module and the Plugin.

The difference is simple. Use the module if you want to show the form in a side (all module positions) of your site,or use the plugin to include the form in an article.

Note this: The module is the only extension that can be omitted. The plugin must always be configured correctly.

In version 1.2, the parameters are very well organized, and easily edited.

Moreover, all parameters have a description that is shown when you move your mouse over the label.

To use the plugin in an article, just write {newsletter_subscriber_pro} in that article (and make sure the plugin is enabled)

4. Small Introduction to Community Builder Plugin

NS Pro has also another way to be used, in combination with the well known Joomla! extension, Community Builder.

NS Pro CB Plugin must be installed in the CB Plugin Installer.

Offers the users the ability to subscribe and edit their mailing lists from their Profile Page.

Also, please check the parameters, (and their descriptions), to find out the abilities to customize the registration page.

5. FAQ & Common Errors

Question #1: What are NS Pro's usage limits?
Answer #1: I would be a little excessive if I said the limit is the sky :) . To be honest, the only limits are set by your host.
You can use NS Pro in unlimited sites, unlimited domains, unlimited times.
You get unlimited updates, unlimited support and
you have unlimited lists, unlimited subscribers, unlimited newsletters.

Question #2: It installed just fine. Now what?
Answer #2: Now please go enable and configure all 3 extensions (component, module AND plugin).
Plase make sure that your Joomla! mail settings are correct. (found in Site->Global Configurations).

Question #3: How do I set an unsubscribe page?
Answer #3: By adding a page from the menu item, or by linking to index.php?option=com_nspro&layout=unsubscribe

Question #4: What 'Smart Text' can I include in a newsletter?
Answer #4:
You can include the subscriber's name by writing {subscriber_name} ,
and also the subscriber's email by writing {subscriber_email} .
You can add a one-click unsubscribe link by writing {unsub_quick}Your Text Here{/unsub_quick} ,
and you can also include the url to one-click unsubscribe by writing {unsubscribe_link} .
You can add {edit_list_link}Your text here{/edit_list_link} to add a link to the page where the subscriber can choose his mailing lists.
Last, but not least, you can write {forward_to_friend_link}Your Text Here{/forward_to_friend_link} to add a link to the Forward To Friend page (in the front-end).

Question #5: I get the 'Could not instantiate mail function' error.
Answer #5: Plase make sure that your Joomla! mail settings are correct. (found in Site->Global Configurations)
If those are correct, check the Mail From parameter, the email recipient (in the module AND the plugin) and also ask your host
Feel free to drop me a line, in this case.. :)

Question #6: I can't send any mail. What's wrong?
Answer #6: Probably the same as Question #5, but your template doesn't handle error printing.. :)

Question #7: I get a blank page or some security issues when I click to subscribe
Answer #7: The most common problem that causes that is HTTPS enabled servers.
Go to both the module and the plugin parameters and turn "Disable HTTPS" to Yes.

Question #8: I get a big error that starts with "fopen".. something.
Answer #8: Actually, reading the error report helps. If it says permission denied,
then the mailing list file is trying to be saved in a directory with no permissions.
Make sure the path (found in module and plugin parameters) is correct.
Remember, a path is not a URL address.

6. What you should remember

All 3 extensions must be enabled and configured. (the module is the only one that can be omitted)
The site's Joomla! mail settings must be configured. (Site->Global Configurations)
Import, Export and Newsletter Attachments, go to the directory
"site_root/administrator/components/com_nspro/uploads"
This directory must have read/write permissions and any file or attachment will overwrite older with the same name.
Newsletters that have no list assigned are sent to all subscribers.
Module And Plugin parameters about the List IDs determine the user's ability to select a list.
The confirmation process uses the Plugin parameters.
Most IMPORTANTLY, remember that I'm always available for help at mavrosxristoforos@gmail.com

Thank you for reading this help file.