Introduction
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Topic based course format with the ability to arrange the topics in columns except 0.

Required version of Moodle
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This version works with Moodle 2.3.2+, version 2012062502.05 (Build: 20121005) and above until the next release.

Installation
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1. Ensure you have the version of Moodle as stated above in 'Required version of Moodle'. This is essential as the
format relies on underlying core code that is out of my control.
2. Put Moodle in 'Maintenance Mode' (docs.moodle.org/en/admin/setting/maintenancemode) so that there are no
users using it bar you as the administrator - if you have not already done so.
3. Copy 'columns' to '/course/format/' if you have not already done so.
4. In 'cnconfig.php' change the value of 'defaultcolumns' for setting the default layout, structure and columns respectively for
new / updating courses as desired by following the instructions contained within.
5. Login as an administrator and follow standard the 'plugin' update notification. If needed, go to
'Site administration' -> 'Notifications' if this does not happen.
6. Put Moodle out of Maintenance Mode.

Upgrade Instructions
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1. Ensure you have the version of Moodle as stated above in 'Required version of Moodle'. This is essential as the
format relies on underlying core code that is out of my control.
3. Put Moodle in 'Maintenance Mode' so that there are no users using it bar you as the administrator.
4. In '/course/format/' move old 'columns' directory to a backup folder outside of Moodle.
5. Follow installation instructions above.
6. Perform a 'Purge all caches' under 'Home -> Site administration -> Development -> Purge all caches'.
7. Put Moodle out of Maintenance Mode.

Uninstallation
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1. Put Moodle in 'Maintenance Mode' so that there are no users using it bar you as the administrator.
2. It is recommended but not essential to change all of the courses that use the format to another. If this is
not done Moodle will pick the last format in your list of formats to use but display in 'Edit settings' of the
course the first format in the list. You can then set the desired format.
3. In '/course/format/' remove the folder 'columns'.
4. In the database, remove the table 'format_columns_settings' along with the entry for 'format_columns'
('plugin' attribute) in the table 'config_plugins'. If using the default prefix this will be
'mdl_format_columns_settings' and 'mdl_config_plugins' respectively.
5. Put Moodle out of Maintenance Mode.

Course Backup and Restore Instructions
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1. Backup as you would any other course. The number of columns will be stored with the course settings.
2. Restore as you would any other course. If you are offered the option of 'Overwrite Course Configuration'
you must say 'Yes' to have the number of columns restored otherwise the restored course will retain the
number of columns it previously had or the default in the 'cnconfig.php' file as mentioned in the 'Installation'
instructions above depending on the situation.
3. Note: I believe that if you restore a Columns's course on an installation that does not have the
format then it will work and become the default course format. However the column data will not be
stored if you install Columns's at a later date.

Version Information
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12th November 2012 - Version 2.3.0.1 - Alpha
1. First version.

23rd November 2012 - Version 2.3.1 - Stable
1. First stable version.

10th December 2012 - Version 2.3.1.1 - Stable
1. Fixed orphaned activities showing up when they were not orphaned.
2. Fixed use of wrong settings global in renderer.php.
3. Fixed typos.
4. Prefixed 'format' to the format's name in the language file.
5. Tidied up settings form.

10th January 2013 - Version 2.3.1.2 - Stable
1. Tidied up code to avoid use of globals.
2. Removed installation instruction about file permissions on config.php which is not required.

References
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Collapsed Topics Format - Column code migrated from - https://moodle.org/plugins/view.php?plugin=format_topcoll

G J Barnard MSc. BSc(Hons)(Sndw). MBCS. CEng. CITP. PGCE. - 10th January 2013.
Moodle profile: moodle.org/user/profile.php?id=442195.
Web profile : about.me/gjbarnard