Hi, I have a simple naive question about access control and authorisation to use an Articulate course.
I have a PHP/ mySQL web site that has access control to various pages, one of which contains the hyperlinks to my courses (no LMS involved). Whilst I can control access to the web site pages, how do I best control access to the launcher and the actual course itself, as I find that I can copy and paste the URL to the course and succesfully use it without logging in through my web site ?
Also how can I stop anyone taking a download/copy of the course ?
If you are using HTTPS then that should require a log on to view your content so that would likely be the way to go. Regarding downloading the files, a presentation does get cached by your web browser but it's not really in a usable form.
Hi Justin, thanks for your reply. I'm not currently using HTTPS, is that the easiest/best way to control access ? Can HTTPS pick up user details from my user database which is located on the same server as my web site (which identifies if they have paid to use the course) ?
If you aren't really concerned about tracking anything. To host and deliver Articulate content, and to track user progress, we recommend using Articulate Online, which supports one-click publishing from Articulate authoring tools, and offers super-easy reporting capabilities. You can learn more about Articulate Online here:
Just to clarify, when you say 'If you aren't really concerned about tracking anything' do you mean that I could use HTTPS and pick up user details from my user database to verify access ?
Re Articulate Online, I do plan to use an LMS in the future but as a start up I need to get a few customers signed up before going down that path.
Meanwhile, my web developer has suggested adding the access control in/around launcher.html as a php script to check user credential and access rights. Could we do that without risking Articulate functioning correctly ?
5 Replies
If you are using HTTPS then that should require a log on to view your content so that would likely be the way to go. Regarding downloading the files, a presentation does get cached by your web browser but it's not really in a usable form.
Hi Justin, thanks for your reply. I'm not currently using HTTPS, is that the easiest/best way to control access ? Can HTTPS pick up user details from my user database which is located on the same server as my web site (which identifies if they have paid to use the course) ?
Thanks
Bryan
If you aren't really concerned about tracking anything. To host and deliver Articulate content, and to track user progress, we recommend using Articulate Online, which supports one-click publishing from Articulate authoring tools, and offers super-easy reporting capabilities. You can learn more about Articulate Online here:
http://www.articulate.com/products/articulate-online.php
You can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Articulate Online here:
http://www.articulate.com/downloads/freetrial-step1.aspx
If Articulate Online does not meet your needs, you can track Articulate content in any SCORM- or AICC-compliant Learning Management System (LMS). Here are some low cost LMS you might want to consider:
http://daveperso.mediaenglishonline.com/2009/10/29/getting-your-own-lms-part-1-dokeos-campus/
http://daveperso.mediaenglishonline.com/2009/12/23/getting-your-own-lms-part-2-efront/
http://daveperso.mediaenglishonline.com/2010/01/22/getting-your-own-lms-part-3-docebo/
http://daveperso.mediaenglishonline.com/2010/11/11/getting-your-own-lms-part-4-moodle/
Hi Justin
Just to clarify, when you say 'If you aren't really concerned about tracking anything' do you mean that I could use HTTPS and pick up user details from my user database to verify access ?
Re Articulate Online, I do plan to use an LMS in the future but as a start up I need to get a few customers signed up before going down that path.
Meanwhile, my web developer has suggested adding the access control in/around launcher.html as a php script to check user credential and access rights. Could we do that without risking Articulate functioning correctly ?
Thanks, Bryan
You could restrict access using https and requiring a login. However, you wouldn't be able to track quiz results or slides viewed.
I'm honestly not sure what, if any, impact your web developers suggestions would have so I would give it a go and see how it works!
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