ImpressCMS Member Lounge

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 12:35:53
• david

I think I understand.

So basically - a standard "editor screen" which could be used front or admin end - which all modules use?

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 12:07:03
• Will

A unified administration means that modules should provide new or extend existing functionality - that all content entry should be done in a cohesive and unified manner from a centralized location - and that the interface for doing so should be rich yet simple.

A user should not have to run all over the administration to construct a single page.

The "modular" approach in ICMS is great - but it has created an extremely fragmented system that allows each individual module to control it's own content and content entry - that part is flawed.

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 8:48:30
• david

Quote:

SEO/Clean URLs:
These two are definitely tied together, and will doubtless be solved in one go: I'd like to see something like the work Madfish has done with Dublin core url's in his modules - combined with what's been discussed by Will as well.

Tying together some of these ideas, and combining with our existing Symlinks won't be easy - but a lot of work already exists for this.

Personally I can see it happening sooner rather than later.

Unified administration:
This ties in with much of what was discussed by using the TinyConfig work to improve the editor side - but I would imagine what you also mean is to make editing in each modules have a similar look and feel - at the moment it can vary a lot on each module.

Simple Media management:
Do you mean something like a central core-based upload facility? I guess really this would involve adding some of the features of a module like Download to the features already there for Mimetype management - and allowing any core module to use this?

Doesn't sound an impossible task in theory - the work is done, it's combining it - and making sure modules use that feature.

Simple Content Management:
We do provide this to an extent with the content module. Some people say that this isn't ideal for all uses. That's true - I see it fine for single page content. Perhaps another module for multipage content should be included?

Menu Management:
Again - menu module perhaps could be included by default? And perhaps we could use it's features on the core side? If we did this, it would be crucial it wasn't removable...

Perhaps we are looking at a possible class of "extensions" rather than modules for things like Menu, Tags, etc? Things that enhance the core - and could be replaced by third party enhanced ones, so long as they maintain compatibility?

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 8:17:44
• david

For myself - the ideal plan would be the following:

Make a package of a couple of standard extra modules to go with the core, to cover most common usages. I'd suggest Menu and either CMS or Impression.

This would mean we'd provide: Protector (security), Profile, Banner, Content (still a useful module for single page content) - although ideally needing an update), a multi-page content module and Menu .. with one of our install options.

This could be offset by a module pack of other most-needed modules.

The modules that come with the core by default... we optomise the presentation to make them uniform in how they look and feel to new users. Make sure the icon style and presentation is easily recognisable for functions, make sure they all have easy to follow help, etc.

We later do the same for modules in the pack. The point being is to make it easier for people to use each module by instinct - instead of wondering "what does this icon do?" "What does this option do?" etc.

Improving the editor on the core side to remove the confusion is a part of this stage. It's not so simple to configure editor usage on each module - at least not for a newcomer. (How many people would think of looking in "groups" to control who can use which editor etc?)

Don't know how much sense this makes so far

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 6:56:05
• fiammybe

nice suggestion about the symlinks, hadn't thought of that I'll put a change request on assembla to start with.

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 6:53:58
• david

A small suggestion - but perhaps including the menu module (QMB's is rather good) with the core install could be a start?

The module is very good - although perhaps being able to select from existing Symlinks could be a nice addition.

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/28 6:52:05
• fiammybe

i wouln't say these are considered low priority. There's just a finite amount of stuff that a small team can do. I've been thinking about most of these things, and it's incredible how much they are affecting each other.
* Clean URLs are easy to do for incoming connections, but we'll need to figure out how to handle (and transform) the links on the pages of the site. The links are not managed by the core at the moment, but we should, if we want to do any of the more interesting things.
* Media Management should take over control of all the assets that you use on your site : images, files, downloads, ... (maybe even URLs?)
* Menu management : that's easier to do, if you just want plain and simple menu builders. the 'menu' module is a good start.
* simple content management : that's a pet peeve of mine : we should structure the site the way we want it, not according to the different modules we happen to have. I've been discussing this with Steve, and we both think that the way to go will be making much more use of blocks in order to organise the content more flexibly. That way, the modules offer a kind of data, and you have a pagination module that lets you assemble pages based on different blocks. The User interface to get this working will be the make-or-break for this, it needs to be easy and flexible
* unified administration -> Not exactly sure what you mean by that. Administration should be more flexible and should be more logical (who needs 5 items to manage users, isn't the 'general' section way too big?)

And I still believe the 2 things I mention above are relevant as well : Ajaxify the core and make api integration easier.

I re-iterate what I say each time : don't let us stop you, jump right in Don't stop just at asking, but start talking to people on the forums about what you think a feature should do, find people to help you, start writing code, ask questions if you get stuck.
It's the only way to be certain that ImpressCMS evolves in the way and direction you want it to. If you let someone else do it, it will be done his way, and you won't have any reason to complain.

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/27 11:23:04
• Will

bleekk is right - we can't expect to get any kind of coverage if we refuse to offer basic functionality. If we want people to write about us, there can't be this nonchalant attitude about these critical features that are missing - and continue to be considered low-priority additions.

Clean URLS
SEO
Unified administration
Simple media management
Simple content management
menu management

The problem is that ICMS is written for developers - and it is not too often that developers build websites that don't need to meet the approval of regular users.

I know when I am paid to build a site for a client - they want the administration to be stupid-simple - and ICMS does not even come close to how easy systems like this make it for regular joe-smo users to add content and manage the site.

Re: PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/27 8:20:13
• bleekk

I have used pyrocms for one project. maybe that icms offers the same functionalities like pyrocms but pyrocms makes it better.
much things are easier to use(file/image upload, editor, ...) and there are some things that icms still does not have (menu management, nice urls, easy switch between development-productive environment)
overall there is a much more modern look/feel and much much better usability.

sorry for this kind of criticism but it is time to wake up and rethink some things in icms

PyroCMS vs ImpressCMS

• 2013/2/27 0:49:48
• fiammybe

I just saw this post on Nettuts : http://net.tutsplus.com/tutorials/php/whats-pyrocms/

It struck me that in most regards, ImpressCMS offers the same functionalities. There are some things that need improving or adding (developer docs, integrating external APIs more easily), but we also need more exposure of this kind.

Any suggestions or help on this would be appreciated greatly!

Re: Design studios on the bleeding edge of digital publishing?

• 2013/2/20 11:09:51
• nachenko

Thanks, fiammybe - I contacted them, they are clearly big fish. Wish me luck!

Re: Design studios on the bleeding edge of digital publishing?

• 2013/2/20 0:48:27
• fiammybe

Hi Ignacio,

you might have a look at Emakina, it's one of Belgium's finest. They are located in several European countries, but not (yet) in your region I'm afraid.

Design studios on the bleeding edge of digital publishing?

• 2013/2/19 16:14:18
• nachenko

Hi everyone!

Here I am again in need of your help, but this time is not computer stuff.

Most of you don't know, but I'm finishing a degree in Graphic Design (yes, working and studying at the same time, wow), and I'm looking for design studios that accept students for internships.

I'm studying graphic design, but I'm still me, so I'm looking for quality studios IN EUROPE that are working hard on the digital media: web, tablet apps and publications, UX.

BTW, this is my student portfolio:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2qwzCXu6ZfXOGdOWUc3MWRjWk0/edit?usp=sharing

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

Re: Coursera: Free online courses from top unis

• 2013/1/17 18:57:06
• Madfish

Just a reminder that the next run of the free Cryptography I course started a few days ago, you are still in time to sign up.

I did this course last year and it really was excellent. One of the best parts is that each week they give you a cryptography system to attack as (optional extra) homework (you need basic scripting skills to solve these). These often show how an apparently trivial weakness or oversight can be exploited to totally break an otherwise unbreakable system.

If you have any interest in computer security I thoroughly recommend this course to you. It is by no means a walk over and if you've forgotten most of your high school maths like I had you may struggle a bit!

There's a heap more courses kicking off in January, check out their site. I'm going to do some remedial maths courses before tackling calculus again - and then maybe some programming and physics, with the aim of getting into the Open Pilot (UAVs) and OpenROV project. Robots man, I am going to build flying and diving robots!!!

As soon as I saw Coursera I knew this was going to be a monster, and it is. They already have 2.3 million students, and more than 200 courses to choose from. Enjoy!

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/31 1:32:30
• fiammybe

Does anyone know how we can be part of this CMS Garden? The site seems to me to be geared at getting you to buy sponsorship ads in the booklet.

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/26 2:58:33
• fiammybe

That's what I thought, but at this moment there are still rooms and appartments available in the vicinity of Hannover Messe for a reasonable price (€450-500 for 4 nights).

If we want to do this, we'll need to get organised quickly. Does anyone know if they still accept extra CMS systems? I didn't find a link to apply on the site.

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/24 13:36:21
• david

Tempting - but finding a place to stay could be a bit of a headache with the CeBit crowd taking over most hotels.

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/14 9:14:18
• lotus

I'll like to join the CMS-garden, aswell :)

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/14 6:36:42
• bleekk

yes I would like too! Even if it is for one day.
I will check my calendar.

Re: CeBIT 2013 > CMS Garden

• 2012/12/14 0:19:38
• fiammybe

OMG OMG, I would SO MUCH like to go. CeBit has been a bit of a mythical thing for me, and be able to attend would be awesome. Getting a hotel will be a big problem though, normally every hotel in 100km is booked a year in advance...

anyone else would like to go? That would be a cool european ImpressCMS face-to-face.