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How to get a Distance Learning URL to open new Window

Submitted by jwade on Thu, 2010-08-05 13:02

I am slogging along setting up single signon for eCollege/MyLabs Plus. So far I wrote a GCF Connector to perform the appropriate Single Signon. (using the HMAC/SHA technique. This works fine, (except for the inability to deep link to an individual class) but now I am trying to figure out how to present this to students and faculty. Since only a small fraction of our classes use this system, it seems silly to put in a general purpose custom icon or channel.

I was thinking that the best way to do this was via the myCourses channel and a distance learning URL. This all works fine, but I can't figure out the correct URL syntax in the Distance Learning URL to have the my Courses link open a new window.

Anyone have a clue? Since you don't have access to the raw html, you can't use a target=_blank, I thought there was a luminis URL I could use that would force a new window, but I can't remember now. I guess I could open a static page in the framed URL and then have it launch the CPIP URL in a new window but this seems kind of lame since it would leave the source behind in a framed luminis window.

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DL in new window

Submitted by Jason on Fri, 2010-08-06 15:58.

One approach would be to have the DL link point to a html file with some javascript to handle the popup.

I tried to put the code in here, but the spam filter didn't like it.

View the source of this file to see how to do a popup.
(spam filter apparently hates any URL's.... below is the path on our server, http).
my.pcc.edu / pcc / blackboard.html

That is our DL link that we use in the My Courses area to popup a new window for blackboard. You could popup a sso link and it should work.

edit: I noticed in the 4.2.3.34 release notes that a new property was added:
com.pipeline.schoolsvc.SchoolServicesServlet.always_open_new_window_for_DL=false

DL in newwindow via Javascript

Submitted by jwade on Mon, 2010-08-09 15:43.

Well, this is what we did for INB, so I guess I should just bite the bullet and proceed, but it runs afoul of popup blockers. I guess I should look for the potential new functionality you mentioned above when we risk 4.2.3.

Thanks, I hope you don't mind I stole your page almost line for line. (If you do, let me know and I will rewrite. )

Thanks,
John

Perfect timing

Submitted by jrcole on Fri, 2010-08-06 16:46.

I came here for something unrelated but saw your post on the front page. I, too, am in the middle of implementing SSO to MyLabs Plus. I just started this morning, really. I've got something going in PHP but would love to see your GCF version if you'd be willing to share.

Thanks
Jason

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