[CLUE-Talk] Announcement: CLUE Dev

[Jeffery C. Cann]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Greetings.

This weekend, I created the 'CLUE Dev' email list.  This list is dedicated to 
communication about the development of the CLUE web site.

Currently, the CLUE web site is a collection of static pages.  I recently 
converted them to PHP pages from HTMLPP <http://www.imatix.com/htmlpp> (a 
great PERL script that generates HTML).

We would like the CLUE web site to be dynamic.  Our admin members would like 
to use HTML forms to update information and have it appear on our site.  For 
example, meeting prizes, presentation abstracts, and news & notes can be 
stored in a database and then displayed on the web site dynamically.  In 
addition, we would like to build a members area / directory, where Cluebies 
can upload tips and tricks and other information that they would like to 
share with fellow clue members.  We also need a search engine!

We looked around at some of the content applications build in PHP.  Most are 
along the lines of slashdot.  I decided against plugging in a content 
application for two reasons:  

1.  They don't have exactly the features we need, so we would have had to 
code some things.

2.  Being a developer, I thought it would be fun to code one that is specific 
to our needs.

Also, some folks asked about a Java environment.  I think Java web 
development in JSP/Servlet environment is a lot of fun, but something about 
PHP makes it more fun to me!  There is also (IMHO) a lower barrier of entry 
for PHP.  If you have coded in PERL, or UNIX shell, PHP will be a fairly 
painless transition.  Our PHP code will be object-oriented, so OO folks can 
get their reusability / extensibility fix as needed.

So, I opted for the Linux-centric PHP/Apache/MySQL model because it is 
attractive and enjoyable environment for Linux enthusiasts (Hey, 6 million 
web sites can't be wrong, right?)

We have embarked on building a truly dynamic web site.  I am in the process 
of creating an infrastructure that will help to guide the development team.  
So far, I have configured/created the following components:

0.  CLUE-Dev email list.  This is where all discussion for the development 
team will take place.  Lurkers are welcome.   Developer volunteers are 
required to join.

1.  CVS repository.  This holds the 'website' project on our 
clue.denver.co.us server.  Refer to 
http://clue.denver.co.us/siteDevelopment.html for information on anonymous 
access.

2.  CLUEDB.  These are the tables for the CLUE database.  The SQL scripts are 
stored in the 'website' CVS project in the 'sql' sub-directory.

Ian and Jim have tested of the existing components (thanks, guys!) and both 
will be on the development team.  The next infrastructure component will be 
the PHP database interface classes and an example form that we can use for 
building the admin and members area forms.

After the PHP database interface is in place (in the next week or so) and an 
example form (probably the admin login form), we will be ready to dole out 
coding projects to CLUE members.

So far Jim and Ian have been ready and willing to code.  My role will to 
facilitate and lead the team as we build our new, super-cool web site.  Of 
course, I will also code when possible! 

If you are interested and willing to help out, please contact me via email or 
at the upcoming CLUE meeting on Tuesday.

If you are a code newbie, and are willing to learn, do not fret because we 
probably have something that you can cut your teeth on.

For our more career-oriented Cluebies, this type of project is another line 
on the resume.

For our artist-oriented cluebies, we really need some help with images.

Finally, to be a volunteer developer you need the following:

0.  Join the 'CLUE-Dev' email list, visit the following web page:
      (http://clue.denver.co.us/listinfo/clue-dev)
1.  A working Linux box (distro choice does not matter).
2.  A working Internet connection (required for CVS access).
3.  CVS client (command line is fine).
4.  MySQL installation on your machine.
5.  Apache installation on your machine.
6.  PHP 4.x installation on your machine.

To respondants, I will email out a list of links of tutorials in the 
PHP/MySQL/Apache environment.

Later,
Jeff
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org

iEYEARECAAYFAjqsXkYACgkQw3/GBQk72kCYwwCeMHROcEE5cfkY9hXi7kwzEB/C
uIoAnjbDfj+1SolrAdayt3L9RA0A31QU
=/tXd
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----