Content Packaging

The Skillsoft Publisher packages and tests LOT content for use with the LMS platform. In addition to the LOT-compliant content, developers must include an additional data file called the Skillport Publish file (sppub.ini). The Publisher looks for the sppub.ini file in the course root folder by default. The file must, at a minimum, contain the following information:

The location of the set of interchange files for each learning object or learning path you wish to publish to Skillport, or the location of the IMS manifest file (default location is the course root folder)
- Skillsoft strongly recommends using interchange files. The IMS manifest file is based LRN 2.0, which is no longer supported (but may be obtained from the Skillsoft Custom Solutions Group.)
The version of the content
Information to generate & assign the course a unique Skillport identifier (company code and course code)
Additionally, the sppub.ini can include course launch summary page data, window launch parameters, and other optional values (see the SPPub.ini File section).

The Skillsoft Publisher generates a Skillport Course Identifier for the course, loads the interchange files, and performs a static check to ensure the interchange files contain the minimum required data and that it is valid data (e.g. file references actually point to real files). The Publisher generates the Skillport Content Structure File (SPCSF), a proprietary XML-based format for describing content to Skillport. This format is a lightweight version of the AICC CSF, incorporating common elements from the AICC CSF with some proprietary extensions. The Publisher maintains the interchange files and includes them within the final course package unchanged.

The Publisher next conducts a runtime test by parsing the HACP communications from the course and ensuring they are structurally acceptable to Skillport. The Publisher also does a small amount of semantic validation on the course communication (for example, checks score, lesson status codes, etc.).

If the course passes the runtime test, the Publisher packages the course in its final format. The course is then ready for installation to a Skillport content server.