urbanclearway
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Q: Why do Links lists no longer appear in iTunes U?

In Public Site Manager under "Configure Selected Collection" > "Links" you have the option to add a list of links to the collection page. These lists used to display in iTunes U (on the desktop) on the left hand side below the collection artwork and genre, ratings and author information.

Currently, a "Links >" heading appears, but no links. Here's an example:

 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/itunes-u/murder-mystery-mayhem-fantastical/id5486445 36?mt=10

 

There should be three links in the list here, as configured in Public Site Manager:

  • Cardiff School of Creative & Cultural Industries – Drama
  • Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
  • Tequilla Radio

 

This is an Apple hosted feed, but the same thing happens on feeds hosted locally.

 

Does anybody know what has happened to the links?

 

Thanks,

Barry

Posted on Feb 26, 2013 5:44 AM

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urbanclearway

Q: Why do Links lists no longer appear in iTunes U?

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  • by University of Glasgow,

    University of Glasgow University of Glasgow Apr 12, 2013 5:29 AM in response to urbanclearway
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    Apr 12, 2013 5:29 AM in response to urbanclearway

    I am also finding this a problem. Having entered many links right through our entire site only to find they don't publish. The collections are updating but not these links,

    Thanks.

    Ger.

  • by urbanclearway,

    urbanclearway urbanclearway Apr 15, 2013 1:47 AM in response to University of Glasgow
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    Apr 15, 2013 1:47 AM in response to University of Glasgow

    Hi Ger,

     

    Since I posted my original message I've discovered a few things:

     

    1) The lists, which are still managable in PSM, still display in iTunes 10 and below. Bizarrely, if you preview a collection in PSM iTunes 11 renders the preview page as if it were iTunes 10.

     

    2) iTunes 11 ignores the styling for collection pages, randomly assigning grey or black as the page colour.

     

    3) The copyright statment which you can edit in PSM, doesn't display in iTunes 11, but remains in iTunes 10.

     

    My colleague had a conversation with a member of the OU's iTunes U team and they have noticed these changes too. They aren't happy about them either.

     

    All of this I have brought to the attention of our contact at Apple, who has told me that he will seek an answer on these issues. Hopefully, he will be able to communicate the answer to us.

     

    Barry

  • by University of Glasgow,

    University of Glasgow University of Glasgow Apr 22, 2013 2:41 AM in response to urbanclearway
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 22, 2013 2:41 AM in response to urbanclearway

    Hi Barry,

     

    Thank you so much for this. Yes I am experiencing exactly what you describe, and the random page colours had me pulling what little hair I have left after the lists problem.

     

    I appreciate the trouble you have taken and hope Apple can find a solution soon.

     

    Cheers.

     

    Ger.

  • by University of Glasgow,

    University of Glasgow University of Glasgow May 8, 2013 1:24 AM in response to urbanclearway
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2013 1:24 AM in response to urbanclearway

    Hi Barry,

     

    I had a response from the iTU team and all they say is "... Based on what I have been told the links have been removed from iTunes U at this point."

     

    They also told me courses were styled white and collections black, however I pointed out that this is not the case and collections seem to assign white or black randomly. Their answer to this was "Thank you for reporting the color discrepancies. If I am able to locate any rhyme or rhythm to the way the colors are displayed I will share that information with you."

     

    And then they closed the case.

     

    So there we have it. They know about it but I doubt they will do anything about it soon.

     

    If we don't have links then I'm failing to see the benefit of iTU at all, other than just being there. YouTube Edu, although not great, does at least let you tie up all the ends and create links to/from material, they also provide great analytics.

     

    I'm wondering where to put my efforts..

     

    Ger.