FAQ

1. What is HTMLQ?

HTMLQ is a user friendly HTML5 application for performing Q-Sorts online. HTMLQ can handle all kinds of distribution and as many statments as you want.

2. Does HTMLQ support other languages?

Yes, HTMLQ supports other languages. Each phrase or sentence used in HTMLQ is stored in external XML-files, which can be edited with any text editor like notepad.

3. What are the requirements for HTMLQ?

The requirements depend on the operating mode. If you are using HTMLQ in the offline mode, the user needs a PC or a tablet computer with an internet connection, an offline version of HTMLQ and an e-mail program like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. The data is submitted via email, which is created by the user's e-mail program. A web-based e-mail service like Hotmail or Gmail does not work. Alternatively to an e-mail program a user may use the print function to create a pdf file containing the data. The pdf file can be sent as an email attachment with any mail program or web based e-mail service.
The online mode is a little bit more difficult to set up, but much more convenient for the user. For using HTMLQ in the online mode, you need a web server with PHP, to which HTMLQ must be uploaded. The key advantage of this concept is that the user only needs a web browser to take part in your survey. The data is submitted to the web server, which either creates an e-mail or writes the data directly to a database or text-file.

4. How do I set up HTMLQ?

To set up your own survey, you have to customize FlashQ first, which is quite easy and does not require any programming skills. After downloading your own copy of HTMLQ (the entire zip file under „download zip“) you'll find four XML-files in a folder called "settings". In order to adjust the help texts, to add statements or to modify the layout of the score sheet, just edit these XML-files with a text editor like notepad. Do not use Microsoft Word.

• config.xml In this file general settings are stored.
• statements.xml This is the place for your statements. The maximum number of statements is theoretically unlimited, but less then 50 is advisable.
• map.xml In this file the layout of the score sheet can be modified. FlashQ can handle all types of distribution, even a non-forced distribution.
• language.xml In this file the labels of the buttons and the help text are stored.

Instructions on how to adjust these files are given on the top of each file when you open it with a text editor.

The next step depends on the operating mode. If you are using the offline version of FlashQ it's advisable to zip all files including the subfolders and the main exe-file. The created zip-file can be send afterwards via email to the participants. If you using the online version of HTMLQ, you have to upload all files including the subfolders onto your server via FTP. If your are using the PHP backend, please read the enclosed READ ME file.

5. Does HTMLQ cost anything?

No, everyone is free to use HTMLQ for commercial or non-commercial purposes. But if one publishes scientific or non-scientific articles you are obligated to refer to us in the common manner. We also ask you to notify us, so that we get an idea how many researchers are using our program.

6. Do you offer commercial support for HTMLQ?

Yes, we do offer commercial support to set up studies with HTMLQ. For details and pricing please contact Dr. Johannes Oschlies, oschlies@aproxima.de