[geeklog-devel] Quick overview of GL2 and what we have so far and how it relates to the API

[Blaine Lang]

Tony,

I'd like to take a crack at putting together a drawing that puts this into
pictures.
Give me a few days.

Blaine
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Bibbs" <tony at tonybibbs.com>
To: "Geeklog Development" <geeklog-devel at lists.geeklog.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 5:55 PM
Subject: [geeklog-devel] Quick overview of GL2 and what we have so far and
how it relates to the API



> I wanted to draw an ascii picture of what GL2 has started or planned so

> far.  Please take note as this impacts some of our discussions of late:

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> |         | AUTHENTICATION/AUTHORIZATION |                |-->Module 1

> | Geeklog | TRANSLATION                  | Plugin Manager |-->Module 2

> |         | messaging*                   | (Includes API) |-->Module 3

> |         | SESSION MANAGEMENT           |                |-->Module N

> |         | database abstraction         |                |

> |         | MVC                          |                |

> |         | SPELLCHECKER                 |                |

> |         | up2date service*             |                |

> |         | module library interface     |                |

> |         | remote bug reporting         |                |

> |         | etc.                         |                |

> -----------------------------------------------------------

>

> NOTE: items in all CAPS have either been implemented or are being

> implemented.  Items marked with an * are items that would be for-profit

> or have extended for-profit features.

>

> The diagram above isn't radically different from how GL 1.3.x works (I

> mean, we did do a lot of good stuff that shoud carry over).  First the

> big box containing the three sections is how we can logically think of

> Geeklog.  The middle tier are classes that I would provide a key

> resource to all modules.  The Plugin manager is the means by which

> Geeklog communicates to all the modules (the equivalent of

> lib-plugins.php in the 1.3.x world).

>

> First off, Blaine, notice how I have made your messaging portion part of

> the core.  I know you don't want this but keep in mind this is a logical

> representation, not a physical on.  I plan on making your messaging

> component a true module.  The distinction is that I think you can almost

> gaurantee that nearly all modules will want the ability to use

> messaging.  Also, for clarity when I say messaging I a lumping PM, IM

> and Email functions all together.

>

> Now let me bring your attention to the Plugin Manager.  This portion

> consists of two distinct pieces.  A) the server side manager responsible

> for calling API methods on the modules and B) the API itself that all

> modules must implement.

>

> The API that vinny was talking about is item B) above.  I make this

> clarification because as I read through some of the feedback I saw us

> talking about things that aren't really meant to be in the API (note

> Vinny mentioned the same thing in his last message).  To be clear, the

> API should consist of methods that GL would want to all in order to

> invoke some sort of processing from a module.  On the flip side, the

> Plugin Manager will proxy requests between Geeklog and the modules (this

> IS a two way street).

>

> That being said, we should probably be working on both the Module API

> *and* the object model for the Plugin Manager since they are so closely

> related.

>

> On a side note, anything in lowercase has not been started yet.  If

> anybody wants to volunteer or any of those pieces please let me know.

>

> Finally, I am hoping we find a new name for this other than "Geeklog".

> I know we have talked about this a lot but I wanted to bring this back

> up and challenge us to find a name that is a) catchy and b) marketable

> to businesses.

>

> --Tony

>

> +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

> |Tony Bibbs         |[R]egardless of what you may think of our penal   |

> |tony at tonybibbs.com |system, the fact is that every man in jail is one |

> |                   |less potential fisherman to clutter up your       |

> |                   |favorite pool or pond. --Ed Zern                  |

> +----------------------------------------------------------------------+

>

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