Update the news ticker
Before you begin
Using the news ticker feature lets you highlight news, deadlines, and changing content on your homepage. To update the ticker, you'll need the appropriate software. Make sure you have a plaintext editing program and secure FTP program. We suggest using TextPad and WinSCP (PC) or Text Edit and Cyberduck (Mac).
Update your news ticker by following the steps below.
pc users
Connect to your website
Launch WinSCP. Note: If you are using a different secure FTP program, the steps may vary.
The WinSCP Login dialog box appears. If previously saved connections exist, click New. Enter the information as shown:
Note: When typing your eID, leave out the "@k-state.edu".
Make sure the box for Allow SCP fallback is checked. The Advanced options box may be checked or unchecked.
Click Directories in the box on the left. In the Remote directory field, type the path for your website (i.e., www.k-state.edu/univpub would be "/usr/local/data/www/univpub").
Click Save. The Save session as dialog box appears. Name this session (and save your password if desired) for future connections. This will allow you to connect without entering the above information each time.
Click OK to save your session.
The session you just created now appears under Stored sessions. Make sure the appropriate session is highlighted, then click Login.
If the Authentication Banner appears, check the box for Never show this banner again, then click Continue. If prompted, enter your password and click OK.
Edit the ticker file
In the window frame on the right, locate the file named data.txt. Double-click to open this file.
With the data.txt file open, you will see HTML code in the following format:
text=<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
The above code creates three items in the news ticker, where "weblink" is the page users visit when they click on the corresponding "text". Edit these areas as needed. Do not edit outside of the areas bolded above. Your finished ticker item might look something like this:
<a href="http://consider.k-state.edu/awards" target="_blank"><u>Check out our latest ranking.</u></a></p><br />
Note: You may see a different number of items in your file. If you need to add more, copy the last line of code and paste it at the very bottom. If you need to remove an item, delete the appropriate line, but never delete "text=" from the beginning of the code. Doing so will cause your ticker to appear blank.
Once you have edited your file as desired, click the Save button at the top (second button from the left) and close the window. The data.txt file has now been updated.
Check your work
Open the page containing your ticker in a web browser. If your changes do not appear, you may need to refresh your browser or clear your cache.
Click on each link to make sure the ticker functions correctly.
mac users
Connect to your website
Launch Cyberduck. Note: If you are using a different secure FTP program, the steps may vary.
Click Open Connection.
Enter the information as shown:
Make sure the Add to Keychain box is checked, then click on More Options. In the Path field, type the path for your website (i.e., www.k-state.edu/univpub/ would be "/usr/local/data/www/univpub/").
Click the Connect button.
Now you are connected to your website. Among the list of folders, locate the file named data.txt. Click and drag this file to your desktop.
On your desktop, double-click to open the data.txt file (it should open in TextEdit or another plaintext program.
Edit the ticker file
With the data.txt file open, you will see HTML code in the following format:
text=<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
<a href="weblink" target="_blank"><u>text</u></a></p><br />
The above code creates three items in the news ticker, where "weblink" is the page users visit when they click on the corresponding "text". Edit these areas as needed. Do not edit outside of the areas bolded above. Your finished ticker item might look something like this:
<a href="http://consider.k-state.edu/awards" target="_blank"><u>Check out our latest ranking.</u></a></p><br />
Note: You may see a different number of items in your file. If you need to add more, copy the last line of code and paste it at the very bottom. If you need to remove an item, delete the appropriate line, but never delete "text=" from the beginning of the code. Doing so will cause your ticker to appear blank.
Once you have edited your file as desired, go to File > Save.
Click and drag the data.txt file from your desktop back into the Cyberduck window, being careful not to drag the file into any folders. It should overwrite the file you originally downloaded.
Check your work
Open the page containing your ticker in a web browser. If your changes do not appear, you may need to refresh your browser or clear your cache.
Click on each link to make sure the ticker functions correctly.