The Janet Systems DotNetNuke RandomImage module was developed to enable a random image to be shown from a number held within a database, for presentation on the Janet Systems website, when the new skin was developed in 2005.

It was further developed to support the use of categories, enabling the module to be placed on a web page and images from a particular grouping shown. This enabled the same module to operate over the entire website, the module placed on multiple pages, with the ption of whether the selection should be from the same group of iamges.

The title is overlaid in the bottom 30 pixels of the image, ideal for creating the fashionable lightended area of an image with text. The alt text for the image is also included as an option.

The janet.RandomImage module enables a random image to be placed on a website page, chosen from a database table of images. This module may also be used as a User Control, incorporated within a DotNetNuke skin.

Features

• Images maintained in a database table
• Each image maybe categorised
• For each module define from which category the random images are to be chosen
• Supports insertion of module in DotNetNuke skin as a user control

Details

The janet.RandomImage module was originally developed for use on the Janet Systems website, where the module is incorporated within the skin. The module has since been further developed to enable it to operate as an inserted module on a web page, providing a random image. The janet.RandomImage module is used to provide a random image on a website.

The image is presented with the associated title text, width and height, to keep the search engines happy. Optional strap line text is overlaid in the bottom 30px of the image.

RandomImage module
Displaying image, with strapline text

We begin by creating categories for our images. Later on we shall use this property to determine which images are to be shown by our module. It is better to choose images of the same size to be grouped together. The width and height should be chosen carefully to avoid distorting the template skin.

Editing category details

For each image we have a number of options to configure.

• The source for the image is taken from the images which have been added to the website through the File Manager. In our screen shot, below, we are selecting our image from the list of known images.
• We are able to assign ALT text to our image. The use of ALT text, associated with an image is important, liked by search engiens and used as an alternative for text only browsers.
• Strap Line text is laid over our image in the lower 30 pixels. This may be seen in the images at the top and on the Janet Systems website.
• Categories the image, for display grouping.
• Set the image live if appropriate.

Editing image details

Lastly we need to assign the display option for our module instance. When the web page is viewed an image will be taken from the database which is live, within date range and of the assigned category.

Assigning display properties to module

If the module is incorporated within the skin of the website the edit options are not exposed. We overcome this problem by adding the module to a page with Administration permissions, hidden from view of other users. We are then able to access the configuration parameters as described above.

For an example of this module in use please see the Janet Systems website, see the image at the top of the page, or the module below.

Purchase

This module may be purchased at the Snowcovered website.