How do I setup a "sandbox" ?

Deb W.
Deb W.
@deb-w
7 years ago
136 posts
Is it possible for us to try out some new design stuff for our site in a "sandbox" type of situation? I'm not a designer - I focus on community engagement. However, I have someone who is willing to play around with the look of our site. I'm just not sure how much I can let her play around with it without fearing that we can't go back to what we have. Any thoughts on how to proceed?

thanks!
Deb
updated by @deb-w: 09/21/17 12:55:37PM
michael
@michael
7 years ago
7,714 posts
You're on Jamroom Hosting, you can create as many domains as you need. Your server control panel is here:
https://www.jamroom.net/deb-w/hosting/server_settings/231

Add a new domain to the "create a new jamroom site on this server" section

Let me know how these docs get you through:
Modules: "Hosting Transfer"
https://www.jamroom.net/the-jamroom-network/documentation/modules/2960/hosting-transfer

Docs: "Importing an Existing Jamroom site to a Domain"
https://www.jamroom.net/the-jamroom-network/documentation/jamroom-hosting/2547/importing-an-existing-jamroom-site-to-a-domain

If there is something in the docs that needs more info, I'd like to know about it so I can get smooth it out.
paul
@paul
7 years ago
4,326 posts
Hi Deb - As Michael says, just create another site on your server - just pick any domain you want, mysandboxsite.com say, then copy your live site to it, as in the above docs. Have just checked and you are only using 15% of your server atm so you have plenty of space to do this. Your developer can then access the new site at mysandboxsitecom.jamroomhosting.com
hth


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Paul Asher - JR Developer and System Import Specialist
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
7 years ago
3,603 posts
Deb, just be aware that if you do this clone of your site as Paul outlined, you'll be bringing over/cloning your member accounts and all their content as well- this means if you post something on the cloned site those members might get NOTIFICATIONS from the cloned site (depending on how their notification settings are set), and this would be really confusing to them. What I did was clone my site to the new test domain, then I immediately DELETED all my members except for a few fake or test members of various quotas so I could make site tests. You could also invite or keep a few live members who are willing to help test the site.


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...just another satisfied Jamroom customer.
Migrated from Ning to Jamroom June 2015
paul
@paul
7 years ago
4,326 posts
Deb - You say you have a developer who wants to 'play around with the look of the site'. In this case, after you have cloned the live site, reset it (ACP=>Developer=>Tools=>Reset Site). This will delete every profile, user and their content (except admin). Your developer is now free to play without risk of emailing members etc.
Hope we're not confusing you too much ? ;-)


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Paul Asher - JR Developer and System Import Specialist
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
7 years ago
3,603 posts
Yeah what he said. lolol... ;D


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...just another satisfied Jamroom customer.
Migrated from Ning to Jamroom June 2015
michael
@michael
7 years ago
7,714 posts
Strumelia:... you'll be bringing over/cloning your member accounts and all their content as well- this means if you post something on the cloned site those members might get NOTIFICATIONS from the cloned site ....

First thing I do when setup a dev site is to change the
ACP -> COMMUNICATION -> EMAIL SUPPORT -> GLOBAL CONFIG -> ACTIVE EMAIL SYSTEM

To "Log Sent Email to Activity Log" so that any email that would be sent goes into the 'Activity Log' instead.
activity_log.jpg
activity_log.jpg  •  128KB


updated by @michael: 06/22/17 07:02:51PM
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
7 years ago
3,603 posts
Saving that little nugget in my 'starting/cloning a new test site' folder, Michael! :)


--
...just another satisfied Jamroom customer.
Migrated from Ning to Jamroom June 2015