Where are the most recent files?
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BillWill
Joined: 2008-08-28
Posts: 205 |
Posted: Tue, 2012-09-11 12:41
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This question, as well as the organizational one I posted a day or two ago, is not only for me, but for others who like gallery and want to get the most out of it. I've noticed that module files can be in many locations: codex pages, GIT download, and the forum. Many times these files are different. Which place can one expect the most current version to be if it is in multiple locations? And of course the followup is, why are there multiple locations in the first place? I've also noticed that sometimes my Gallery install will let me know if my version of a mod is outdated, and sometimes I discover upgrades by accident. Why does gallery tell me about some and not about others? Thanks for the info. =========================== |
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Posts: 27300
The beauty and detriment of open source. If we force developers to use a certain method to track and serve their code we eliminate some who don't want to learn that method, git for example. Some devs like to provide their own server to serve the files and other just like to give a .zip file.
@different versions: it is up to the developer to track that and update the various locations as needed. If that is not happening, hound the developer or as I have done, updated various modules and themes to keep up-to to date.
One community member started gallerymodules.com that has centralized
somemost of the modules. It takes codex and gallery-contib (git) files and offers one centralized location.If we force devs to use one method we might alienate them.
Take the GD theme for example, the dev does not want to learn git and still keep up with development of a cool and complex theme. If we forced some version control or method of repository he might not like that and that cool theme would be dead.
Then we have to train developers/volunteers/community members how to learn that method. That takes resource and time and some volunteer to do that.
Time and somebody to do it is all that is needed to make it better. The payback: Thanks and the admiration of the community.
How can we make it better without time or somebody?
In the 8+ years I have used Gallery I have seen lots of "why don't you do this..." and we say "can you? or can you find somebody?" and then the answer normally goes like "No. I don't have the skills or the time or know anybody to do that for free." or they just don't respond.
I know you would like to contribute as well. I'm looking forward to what you can offer even if it is simply helping new community members find some stuff in the forums or (i know not organized well) documentation.
I don't want to sound like a broken record, but there is only so much a small bunch of volunteers can do without more volunteers.
Dave
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Blog & G2 || floridave - Gallery Team
Posts: 205
Dave!
Thanks for your well thought out reply, and I especially appreciate your understanding that I am poking around because I care, and I do want to contribute.
There are two sides to the exchange of files: the developers and the users, and I think there are some ways to simplify it for the users without impeding the developers.
Your answer sort of veered towards my other question, so I put the rest of my answer there.
http://gallery.menalto.com/node/108569
Thanks!
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Install media wiki and/or Drupal on a test site and see if there is a opensource plugin that can help out so there is not much special coding required to do in the background.
Dave
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Blog & G2 || floridave - Gallery Team
Posts: 205
After exploring and considering this for awhile now, I think instead of adding more technology and more facts, the "Less is More" approach is better here, since more seems to be the problem. Below is what I want to do, and how I propose to do it.
WHAT I WANT TO DO: Find the facts, remove the distractions, and put the facts in one place.
1. Find statements about each module or mod and separate current facts from the evolution that led to them.
2. Delete or refile to "history" the wiki or forum posts that contained them.
3. Post them in a new area so the best source of information can verify.
4. Post the refined facts in a reference area.
Eventually, erroneous and outdated information would be drastically reduced, and all scattered facts about each module would be in one easy-to find thread.
HOW I WANT TO DO IT
I'd like one new forum with three sub-forums under Gallery 3.
Forum: Gallery 3 Reference
Subforum 1. General
Subforum 2. Modules
Subforum 3. Themes
Subforum 4. Facts awaiting confirmation
Only the last subforum would be for discussion, to sort out facts. It would be the starting point for anyone to post what they believe to be facts, or to ask questions about conflicting statements. It would also be a place for anyone who thinks the facts in the first three are incorrect. Once facts were distilled, these discussions would then be deleted, to again avoid further proliferation of rabbit trails and dead ends.
The other areas would be reference only, and would contain facts I as moderator move up to facts after verified.
First, I would create a new thread for each module and each theme. Each with a few simple, but important standard "starter facts"
a. Author
b. Created date
c. Activity Status (active, outdated, maintained by others)
d. Location of latest files. (gallery modules.com, git hub, a random forum post, or somebody's signature.
I would start going through the documentation, and forums, to add to each thread, including fixes others have made and posted somwhere. In the case of files being in forum posts and signature, those could be moved the the approriate thread in the Modules and Themes area.
The existing areas for current Modules&Themes and troubleshooting area would continue as it is now, for general questions, complaints, and brainstorming. The difference would be that each time the current truth there was discovered, the lengthy back-and-forth forum posts and/or wiki entries would removed, and the nuggets of facts posted in the fact area under the appropriate mod or theme.
Nobody has to do anything different. Developers will continue to upload their themes and modules wherever the feel like it. The only difference is that now there is one place to look to see where that is. It would be great if they posted something in the Fact-Finding area as to where they put it, but not necessary.
And finally, I realize there is a certain amount of friendship and banter in the posts that I want to delete after they are stipped of facts. If that is a big problem, then we can move it into a nostalgia area, with a clear caveat that the facts posted there are not reliable, with a direction to the reference area.
WHAT I NEED FROM WHOMEVER MAKES DECISIONS HERE
I would like the person who created this suggestion forum for Nash to create the forum and subs I mention above, and let me run with this on a trial basis for a month and see if you guys think this makes as much sense as I do. I've been trying to explain this to Dave since November, and he still doesn't quite understand what I'm saying, so don't feel alone if this doesn't make sense to you. I think my showing this would be easier than my explaining it for another couple of months.
For the trial period, instead of deleting items, I'd posts links the the threads and wikis I'd like deleted. However, if approved, I think deletion or moving discussions to another area is the only long-term success to this plan to reduce distractions and to put the facts in one easy to locate area.
Happy New Year!