How to install Textbox.io in IBM Connections 5.5

Several people asked me how I install the Ephox editors in IBM Connections. So I decided to write down the steps I use. Hope it helps.

First, review Ephox’s documentation and their Textbox.io services installation guide.

1. Extract the EPHOX_EDITORS3.0.1_CONN5.5.zip (downloadable from Passport Advantage).

2. Edit the file config/config.js to set Textbox.io as the default editor by adding the value “textbox.io” to the “editor” parameter:

editor: 'textbox.io | EditLive | CKEditor | role-based'

Note that adding the “role-based” value allows you to enable Textbox.io and EditLive for different user groups. As you may know, EditLive! needs a Java plugin, which has become deprecated in modern browsers but still works in older browsers and Java Swing applications.

3. To setup spelling, you need to enable the Spelling-Service URL (you need to deploy tbioServices_c5.ear to do this):

spellingServiceUrl: "https://connections-host/ephox-spelling"

You have to set the URL to https (spell-checking works with http and https access to Connections).

If you added the “role-based”, value to the “editor” parameter you must deploy EphoxEditorsForConnections.ear.

4. Start ./install.sh or install.exe

./install.sh root@webspherehost <customization-dir> <webressources-dir>

You need to type the root password 3 times because installation uses separate ssh calls for the installation.

5. Create /opt/ephox/application.conf (WINDOWS: WAS_INSTALLATION_DRIVE:\opt\ephox\application.conf)

ephox {
     allowed-origins { 
       origins = [
          "https://connections-55.panastoeps.local",
          "http://connections-55.panastoeps.local"
       ],
       url = "https://connections-55.panastoeps.local/ephox-allowed-origins/cors"
     }
}

6. Map Applications to your web server, update the Connections version stamp and restart Common and Ephox Applications.

7. Verify your installation

http://<your-server-and-port>/connections/resources/web/ephox.editors.connections/verify.html

This guide is an edited version of Christoph Stoettner’s installation guide for Textbox.io in IBM Connections. IBM’s installation documentation for the Ephox editors can be found here.