Glossary

Definitions for all UNA-specific terms, organized alphabetically for easy reference.

A

Accounts

The record for each user in the UNA community, which includes login credentials, profile information, and related activity. Accounts are the foundation of user identity within the UNA ecosystem. Accounts App allows administrators and operators to change status, delete, block, view associated profiles, track and change email confirmation status. UNA accounts are separate from profiles, providing a layer of abstraction that enhances security and flexibility. Learn more about Accounts

ACL/Membership Levels

Access Control List and Membership Levels determine what content and features users can access based on their role or subscription status. This system allows site operators to create tiered access to content and features, enabling monetization and community management strategies. Learn more about Membership Levels

Ads

Classified Ads and Listings managed by Categories and Sub-Categories, creating a Facebook Market, Gumtree, or Craigslist-like marketplace within your UNA website. The UNA Ads Module enables community members to post, browse, and respond to classified advertisements. Learn more about Ads Module

AI-powered Content Moderation

Integration with AI services to automatically moderate content, preventing spam, harmful content, and inappropriate material from appearing on the site. Helps maintain community standards with minimal manual intervention.

Albums

A UNA content module that allows users to create collections of images, photos, or videos within their community profiles or groups. The Albums module provides features like bulk uploading, sorting, tagging, and setting privacy levels. Community members can share albums, comment on media, and engage through likes or reactions. Learn more about Albums

Antispam

A system to prevent spam content posting and reduce the number of spammers trying to join your site. This app is an important component in keeping your site secure and maintaining content quality. Learn more about Antispam

API

The Application Programming Interface of UNA CMS which allows for external integrations and data exchange between UNA and other apps. The API enables developers to extend UNA's functionality and integrate it with third-party services. Learn more about API

App Store

In UNA CMS, the App Store is the centralized repository accessible through the Studio interface where site administrators can browse, download, install, update, and manage UNA Apps. These apps can range from modules and extensions that enhance the platform's functionality to language packs and template designs that alter the look and feel of the community site. Learn more about App Store

Apps Market

The marketplace where site operators can discover and purchase additional modules, templates, and extensions for their UNA installation. The Apps Market includes both free and premium offerings from UNA Inc. and third-party developers. Learn more about Apps Market

Artificer

The new UNA default template, taking advantage of the TailwindCSS framework for consistent styling, seamless support of dark/light modes, and modern design language. Artificer provides a responsive, accessible, and visually appealing foundation for UNA-powered communities. Learn more about Artificer

Asynchronous Blocks with Placeholders

A system feature that allows content to load independently of the main page, improving performance and user experience by displaying placeholder content until the actual content loads.

Audit

Log all moderation and administrative actions taken by moderators and admins. This allows top-level admins with operator access to review actions such as post approvals or member management decisions, providing accountability and oversight. Learn more about Audit

Auth2.0 Application

The Auth2.0 application in UNA CMS is a customizable Single Sign-On (SSO) implementation that utilizes OAuth 2.0 protocol to provide a seamless authentication experience across connected systems. It simplifies user account management by allowing users to authenticate using a single set of credentials for multiple applications or services affiliated with the UNA community platform. Learn more about OAuth 2.0

B

Backend

The backend of UNA CMS refers to the server-side components that power the community platform. This includes the database management system (usually MySQL) for data storage, the PHP application server for processing server-side logic, and the configuration system known as UNA Studio, which provides a web-based interface for site operators to manage the site settings, apps, and structure. Learn more about Backend

Badges

Visual indicators or icons that can be assigned to users and content to signify achievements, roles, or statuses within the UNA community. Badges can be used to gamify the community experience and recognize user contributions or status. Learn more about Badges

Builders

Some of the core configuration apps in UNA Studio are called Builders. For example, Pages Builder, Navigation Builder, and Permissions Builder provide interfaces for creating and managing these aspects of the UNA site. Learn more about Builders

C

Cache

In the context of UNA CMS, a cache refers to the temporary storage of data such as web pages, images, and other frequently accessed content to reduce loading times and server load. Caching mechanisms ensure that repeated requests for the same content are served quickly, improving the user experience and reducing bandwidth usage. Learn more about Cache

Centralised Logs System

A system feature that collects and centralizes logs from various parts of the UNA platform, making it easier to monitor system health, troubleshoot issues, and track user activity.

Channels

Utilizing the power of 'Hashtags' for sorting, following, and discovering content. Channels creates a 'context' for posts and gives users the ability to subscribe to a hashtag. When users subscribe to a hashtag, they will get notifications of new content with that tag. Learn more about Channels

Comments

A system feature that allows users to leave feedback, opinions, or questions on content throughout the UNA platform. The comments system supports threading, moderation, and various engagement features. Learn more about Comments

Contact

A module that provides users with a seamless and private way to reach out to site administrators or specific departments. The Contact module can be configured to route inquiries to different team members based on the nature of the contact. Learn more about Contact

Content Modules

Content modules in UNA CMS are types of apps that enable the creation, management, and sharing of various forms of content within the community. This includes modules like Posts for text updates, Discussions for forum-like interactions, Videos for multimedia sharing, and Albums for image collections. Learn more about Content Modules

Context Modules

Context modules in UNA CMS serve as containers or structured environments within which content can be published and managed. Examples of context modules are Groups, which host subgroup discussions and shared content; Events for event scheduling and RSVPs; Spaces, which might represent different topics or departments; and Courses for e-learning modules. Learn more about Context Modules

Conversations

A private inbox for asynchronous one-to-one or group messaging between community members. The Conversations module provides a familiar messaging interface similar to popular messaging apps, allowing users to communicate privately within the community. Learn more about Conversations

Core Apps

Global settings, builders, configuration, and management tools that form the foundation of the UNA platform. Core Apps include Dashboard, Designer, Forms, Navigation, Pages, Permissions, Polyglot, Roles, Settings, and Storage, among others. Learn more about Core Apps

Courses

The Courses module in UNA is designed for e-learning and educational communities. It allows facilitators to create structured courses with modules, lessons, and associated resources. Participants can enroll in courses, track their progress, and engage with learning material.

Crontabs/Scheduling

A system feature that allows for the scheduling of recurring tasks and maintenance operations, ensuring that background processes run at specified intervals without manual intervention.

D

Dashboard App

A comprehensive control center accessible to site operators, showcasing the overall application status, system versioning, space used, server audits, and other critical diagnostics. The dashboard is a critical tool for administrators to monitor the health and performance of the community platform.

Dashboard Page

This customizable user interface acts as a landing page for members after logging into the community site, allowing users to access personal activity feeds, notifications, and a summary of their interactions within the community.

Designer App

The Designer is an essential Core app in UNA Studio that provides a no-code environment where site operators can make visual changes to their UNA community. It facilitates customization of the site template, layout, and theme, and allows uploading of brand assets such as logos, icons, and cover images.

Developer App

The Developer app in UNA Studio unlocks an advanced set of configurations and builder tools designed for experienced site operators and developers. It provides access to under-the-hood settings for fine-tuning platform performance, backend configurations, and the key builders of UNA.

E

Email Notifications

Email notifications are a component of UNA's multi-faceted notification system, which also includes on-site and push notifications. The system allows administrators to define default notification settings, with flexibility for users to personalize their notification preferences.

Email Templates

Email templates in UNA CMS, managed via the Polyglot app, provide a framework for system-generated emails sent to users in response to various triggers, such as account verification, password resets, and alerts about community activity.

Events App

The Events app in UNA CMS is a versatile module that supports the creation, management, and promotion of events within the community. It covers an array of features including scheduling, participant management, event ticketing with paid join options, and separate session segmentation.

F

Favorite Lists

A system feature that allows users to bookmark and organize content they want to revisit later, creating personalized collections of community content.

Featured

A system feature that allows administrators to highlight specific content, making it more visible to community members and visitors.

Fields

Customizable data fields that can be added to profiles, content types, and forms throughout the UNA platform. Fields allow for structured data collection and display.

File Storage

The system responsible for storing and managing uploaded files, including images, videos, documents, and other media. UNA's file storage system supports both local storage and cloud storage options.

File Viewers

Components that allow users to preview and interact with various file types directly within the UNA interface, without needing to download them first.

Files Module

A module that enables file sharing and management within the UNA community, allowing users to upload, organize, and share documents and other files.

Follow/Subscribe

A system feature that allows users to receive updates about specific content, users, or topics they're interested in, creating a personalized information stream.

Forms

Manage, edit, and customize all the forms and form fields for your UNA site. Add and remove fields for each form, modify visibility of each form and field based on user level, customize and validate form inputs. Forms are a critical component for data collection and user interaction.

Frontend

The user-facing part of the UNA platform that community members interact with, including the design, layout, and interactive elements of the site.

Friends

A system feature that allows users to establish mutual connections with other community members, creating a network of relationships within the platform.

G

Groups App

A context module that allows users to create and join interest-based communities within the larger UNA platform. Groups have their own content, members, and privacy settings.

H

Hashtags

A tagging system that allows users to categorize content with keywords preceded by the # symbol, making it easier to discover related content and track topics.

Headless Server Application

A configuration that allows UNA to serve as a backend system without a frontend, providing API access for custom frontends or mobile applications.

I

Icons

Visual symbols used throughout the UNA interface to represent actions, features, and status indicators. UNA includes a comprehensive icon library that can be extended or customized.

Identity Verification

Features and processes that confirm the authenticity of user accounts, potentially including email verification, phone verification, or integration with third-party identity verification services.

Infrastructure

The underlying technical components that support the UNA platform, including servers, databases, file storage systems, and networking resources.

Installer

The tool used to set up a new UNA installation, guiding administrators through the process of configuring the database, setting up the first administrator account, and initializing the system.

Invitations App

A module that allows existing users to invite others to join the community, potentially with special privileges or access based on the invitation.

J

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)

A lightweight data interchange format used extensively in UNA's API and configuration files. JSON is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate.

Jot Server

A NodeJS-based server component required for the UNA Messenger module. It enables real-time messaging functionality in UNA-powered communities.

K

Key & Secret

Authentication credentials used to connect your UNA installation with the UNA App Store and update services. The Key & Secret are essential for installing apps and receiving updates.

L

Labels

A categorization system that allows administrators to organize and tag content, users, or other elements within the UNA platform for easier management and discovery.

Layouts

Predefined arrangements of content blocks and widgets that determine how information is presented on pages throughout the UNA site.

Licenses

The terms under which UNA software and apps are distributed and used. UNA Core is available under the MIT license, while individual apps may have their own licensing terms.

Likes

A simple engagement mechanism that allows users to express appreciation or agreement with content by clicking a "like" button, similar to popular social networks.

Localization

The process of adapting the UNA interface and content to different languages and regional preferences. UNA supports comprehensive localization through the Polyglot module.

Locations

A system feature that integrates with mapping services to allow location-based content, user searches, and geographic context for community activities.

Login

The authentication process where users provide credentials to access their UNA account. UNA supports various login methods, including traditional username/password, social login, and SSO.

M

Macros

Reusable code snippets that can be inserted into templates, pages, or other content to add dynamic functionality without requiring custom development.

Market

A module that enables e-commerce functionality within the UNA platform, allowing users to buy and sell products or services within the community.

Massmailer

A tool for sending bulk emails to community members, with options for targeting specific user segments and tracking engagement.

Membership Levels

Tiered access levels that determine what features and content users can access based on their subscription or status within the community. Membership levels can be used for monetization or to create exclusive areas.

Moderator

A user role with special permissions to monitor and manage community content, enforce community guidelines, and assist with user issues.

Modules

The building blocks of UNA functionality, modules are self-contained components that add specific features to the platform. UNA distinguishes between Content Modules, Context Modules, and System Modules.

Multilingual

UNA's capability to present content in multiple languages, allowing users to select their preferred language and for administrators to provide translated content.

MySQL

The relational database management system used by UNA to store and retrieve data. UNA is optimized for MySQL and compatible variants like MariaDB.

N

Navigation

Customize and manage navigation menus, items, and sets. Add menus, change icons, manage visibility settings based upon user levels and devices for each menu and menu item. Navigation is essential for user experience and site organization.

Navigation Builder

A tool in UNA Studio that allows administrators to create and manage the site's navigation structure, including menus, submenus, and navigation items.

Notifications App

A system that alerts users to relevant activity within the community, such as replies to their content, mentions, or updates to followed topics. Notifications can be delivered on-site, via email, or through push notifications.

O

OAuth 2.0

An authorization protocol used by UNA for secure API access and integration with third-party services. OAuth 2.0 allows users to grant limited access to their UNA account to external applications without sharing their credentials.

OneSignal

A third-party service integrated with UNA to provide push notifications to users' devices, even when they're not actively browsing the community site.

Operators

The highest level of administrative users in UNA, with complete access to all system settings and management tools. Operators are responsible for the overall configuration and maintenance of the UNA platform.

Operators Roles

Distinct permission sets that can be assigned to administrative team members, allowing for delegation of specific management responsibilities without granting full operator access.

Organizations App

A context module designed for business or institutional profiles within the UNA community, with features specific to organizational needs rather than individual users.

P

Pages

Add, edit & customize pages, manage content, visibility settings based upon user level and device. Set page visibility and layouts. All aspects of page management are easily and quickly managed through the Pages module.

Pages Builder

A tool in UNA Studio that allows administrators to create and manage the site's page structure, including content, layout, and visibility settings.

Permissions

Control user levels, visibility, actions & access. Determine what each user can do and what they can see within your UNA website. Permissions Module is a core part of the engine room of your community platform.

Polyglot

Edit all text throughout your site in multiple languages. Edit site emails and all text/keys in multiple languages. Polyglot is the language center of your UNA site, enabling you to create a multilingual community experience.

Posts App

A content module that allows users to share text updates, links, and media with the community. Posts can be published in various contexts, such as personal profiles, groups, or public feeds.

Privacy for Form Fields

A system feature that allows administrators to control the visibility and access to specific form fields based on user roles and relationships.

Profiles

The public-facing representation of users within the UNA community, containing information they choose to share, their activity history, and their connections. Profiles are distinct from accounts in the UNA architecture.

PUSH Notifications

Real-time alerts sent to users' devices even when they're not actively using the UNA site, keeping them informed about important activity and encouraging re-engagement.

Q

Quotas

Limits set on various user activities or resource usage within the UNA platform, such as file storage space, number of posts, or API calls, often tied to membership levels.

Quotes

A content format or feature that allows users to highlight and share excerpts from other content or external sources.

R

Reactions

A system feature that extends beyond simple "likes" to allow users to express a range of emotions or responses to content, similar to reaction systems on popular social networks.

Relationships

A system feature that defines how users can connect with each other, including friendship models, following/followers, and professional connections.

Reporting

Tools that allow users to flag inappropriate content or behavior for moderator review, helping maintain community standards.

REST API

A programming interface that follows Representational State Transfer principles, allowing developers to interact with UNA data and functionality through standardized HTTP requests.

Roles App

A core app that allows administrators to create and manage user roles with specific permissions and access levels, facilitating granular control over what different user types can do within the community.

RSS

Support for Really Simple Syndication feeds, allowing users to subscribe to content updates using external RSS readers or for UNA to aggregate content from external RSS sources.

S

Search

A system feature that allows users to find content, people, and resources within the UNA platform using keywords and filters.

Settings

Access & Edit the Settings for each installed UNA Module from this centralized control center. Settings can be accessed in Studio from within each module, yet Settings Module brings them all together in one place.

Sharing/Embeds

Features that allow users to share UNA content on external platforms or embed external content within the UNA platform.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

A authentication mechanism that allows users to use a single set of credentials to access multiple applications or services, simplifying the login experience and improving security.

Spaces

A context module that provides dedicated areas for specific topics, departments, or interests within the larger community, with their own content and member lists.

Storage

Direct access to stored user files and images. Search for files, download and resize from the Studio Interface. The Storage module provides a centralized system for managing all uploaded media and documents.

Storage App

A core app that manages the storage and retrieval of files uploaded to the UNA platform, with options for local storage or integration with cloud storage services.

Storage Engine

The underlying system that handles file storage, retrieval, and management within UNA, supporting various storage backends including local filesystem and cloud storage services.

Studio

The administrative interface of UNA CMS where site operators configure settings, manage content, and administer the community platform. Studio is accessible only to users with administrative privileges.

System Features

Platform-wide functionality that connects and unifies UNA apps, creating a seamless user experience by organizing data structure, privacy controls, and interaction methods uniformly across all modules.

T

Templates

Design frameworks that determine the visual appearance and layout of the UNA site. UNA supports multiple templates that can be customized or switched to change the site's look and feel.

Timeline App

A module that presents content in a chronological feed, similar to social media timelines, allowing users to see the latest activity from their connections or followed topics.

Transcoder

A system component that processes and optimizes media files (images and videos) for web display, ensuring proper formatting, compression, and compatibility across devices.

Translations

Localized versions of the UNA interface and content in different languages, managed through the Polyglot module to create a multilingual community experience.

Twilio Integration

Connection with the Twilio communication platform to enable SMS notifications, phone verification, and other telephony features within the UNA community.

U

UNA Studio

The comprehensive administrative interface where site operators manage all aspects of their UNA-powered community, including settings, apps, users, content, and design.

Unified (in UNA acronym)

The "U" in UNA stands for "Unified," reflecting the platform's approach to integrating various community features into a cohesive whole rather than as disconnected components.

Updates

The process of upgrading UNA core and installed apps to newer versions, adding features, fixing bugs, and improving security. UNA provides both automatic and manual update options.

Uploaders

Components that handle file uploads throughout the UNA platform, with support for various file types, drag-and-drop functionality, and progress indicators.

V

Verification

The process of confirming user identity or authenticity, which may include email verification, phone verification, or manual review by administrators.

Videos App

A content module specifically designed for sharing and viewing video content within the UNA community, with features for uploading, embedding, and commenting on videos.

Views

A system for tracking and displaying how many times content has been viewed, providing engagement metrics for both users and administrators.

Visibility

Controls that determine which users can see specific content, features, or sections of the UNA site, based on factors like membership level, relationships, or custom permission rules.

Votes

A system feature that allows users to cast votes on content, polls, or decisions within the community, providing a mechanism for collective decision-making or opinion gathering.

Votes and Reactions for Form Fields

A feature that allows administrators to add voting or reaction capabilities to specific form fields, enabling users to provide feedback on form content.

W

Web App

UNA's capability to function as a Progressive Web App (PWA), allowing users to install the community site as an app on their devices for improved access and engagement.

Wiki Blocks

Content components that allow collaborative editing and versioning, similar to wiki pages, that can be integrated into various parts of the UNA site.

X

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)

A markup language used in various parts of UNA for data exchange and configuration, particularly in legacy integrations and certain export/import operations.

Z

Zones

Designated areas within page layouts where widgets, blocks, or content can be placed, allowing for flexible and modular page design.