Simple Blog Module + Reptag [Work In Progress]

[frold]

yeah... just wondering

[shiny]

Hello everyone - I've been away for a lot longer than I expected (see below), but there's some good news on the horizon. Here's an edited extract from a message that I've just sent to one of my future beta testers - if anyone else is interested, please just drop me a PM:

"It seems like Santa got stuck on the information superhighway over Xmas, but he's nearly through. I've just moved house across the country and started a new job (as a web designer) all at the same time, and my internet access is currently limited and I can't really do that much web surfing at work.

I've had loads of interest from people as beta testers, and it's driving me crazy that I can't get the little bit of time on to finish the code that I have here (there's one really critical feature that needs implementing) before I can send it to you all. I've fixed all the bugs I can find, however, and have almost finished tidying the code, too. The end of the week is currently looking a lot quieter, so there'll be an opportunity to finish it off there - I'll be in touch!"

[DeXXus]

(there's one really critical feature that needs implementing) before I can send it to you all.

Would that be a universal <button/link> to unhide ~all~ comments on the page, at once, with one-click ? If not... I'd put that forth as a wish

[shiny]

(there's one really critical feature that needs implementing) before I can send it to you all.

Would that be a universal <button/link> to unhide ~all~ comments on the page, at once, with one-click ? If not... I'd put that forth as a wish

No, it's not (it's to do with blog ownership and would otherwise prevent the systen from working) - but the feature you speak of wouldn't be that difficult to implement. (About 5 lines of code ) Why would you want a link like that, though - all the comments will start closed by default (which isn't currently configurable).

[DeXXus]

Why would you want a link like that, though - all the comments will start closed by default (which isn't currently configurable).

For a couple of "usability" reasons.

1. Flexibility - Quick view of all comments - lets visitor determine quickly whether ~new~ comments have been left since they last visited main blog page. (Otherwise, they must remember how many there ~were~.)

2. There are always some percentage of "lazy" users who do not want to click X number of times to view comments (once for each blog entry).

3. Keyboard users face several problems, when tabbing, like tabbing sequence going down the menu... then RSS feed, ...then going right within the individual blog entry..., is the permalink ~before~ the <(2) comments> link and/or <add a comment> link, etc... then ~on~ to next blog entry. Tabbing to RSS feed -and- in individual blog entry loses link focus. Small considerations

I think it's a great coding effort, though. I love it !

P.S.
Blank entries should be "dis-allowed" somehow ( see http://www.shinypixel.co.uk/index.php?s ... malink=736 )

I'd also suggest that going to the permalink'ed entry, just ~default~ to "unrolled", but that's just more niggling

[shiny]

Why would you want a link like that, though - all the comments will start closed by default (which isn't currently configurable).

For a couple of "usability" reasons.

1. Flexibility - Quick view of all comments - lets visitor determine quickly whether ~new~ comments have been left since they last visited main blog page. (Otherwise, they must remember how many there ~were~.)

2. There are always some percentage of "lazy" users who do not want to click X number of times to view comments (once for each blog entry).

3. Keyboard users face several problems, when tabbing, like tabbing sequence going down the menu... then RSS feed, ...then going right within the individual blog entry..., is the permalink ~before~ the <(2) comments> link and/or <add a comment> link, etc... then ~on~ to next blog entry. Tabbing to RSS feed -and- in individual blog entry loses link focus. Small considerations

I think it's a great coding effort, though. I love it !

P.S.
Blank entries should be "dis-allowed" somehow ( see http://www.shinypixel.co.uk/index.php?s ... malink=736 )

I'd also suggest that going to the permalink'ed entry, just ~default~ to "unrolled", but that's just more niggling

Can't really argue with any of that. Not really sure that I'll do much about the tabbing order, though the rest of the points can be addressed. Not really sure where I could put a "Quick View" link, though I could always add a Reptag for one, and let people use it as they like.

Blank comments should be disallowed (I've been getting random blog spam for some reason - hence all the odd comments there), you're right - I'll add it to the sanitization function that already sifts out any nefarious stuff like <script> that people attempt to add to the comments.

In the previous version of my module [when I used my old homegrown CMS] the permalink did default to unrolled. I'll change it back. Most sensible.

[chrillef]

..go out to U, must say this sound really interesting..

[mikepkp17]

are there any news on this? Can you already tell when the blog-module will be available or is it possible to get it somehow prior to the release date?

[Kosse]

are there any news on this? Can you already tell when the blog-module will be available or is it possible to get it somehow prior to the release date?

Bump
post-alpha release plz...

CHeers

[phalancs]

Ok this is now approx half a year ago and nothing has been released yet. Sorry but then please DO NOT tease us with any "work in progress" announcements, if the progress is so little, that its faster to call for a miracle, than to sit an wait.

This reminds me of a post by kristofix...

Well ok, i think that the blog seems to be working fine on your site. Thanx for sharing at least backend pix!

Disappointing

[DeXXus]

@phalancs

Don't let your alligator a$$ overrun your hummingbird mouth !
You may just be the tipping point as to whether he releases it -or- not, right?

[Fulvio Romanin]

i understand phalancs' disappointment, since i was waiting for this reptag too; i mailed shiny and replied he was very busy with changing house and job;

we should NEVER forget that all this open source thing is based on VOLUNTEER work, and nobody should EVER feel obliged to have schedules or dues since he's doing a FAVOUR to the other guys subtracting precious time to his RL ... so i hope shiny will release his reptag some day; until then... peace

[phalancs]

Yes you are right Fulvio,

I fully understand how things or releases can be stretched out. My point was to criticise that it is very annoying to see things announced and never released.

No download but teasing pictures of a (actually) working program. I dont like this "look, but do not touch" strategy. Ok, this is my personal view, but i guess everyone who read the first post from shiny wanted to test this tool.

Ok I think there are enough reasons to find that explain why there is still no release.

But wouldn't it be much easier if people came aoround with their teasing news at least close to some beta release dates???

Hmm, need to think... and wait...

[Fulvio Romanin]

i agree to your point of view, btw - i'm drooling from this reptag since 6 months... it's requiring a bit too much saliva....

[Kosse]

Somebody said a long time ago...
when Internet nor phpwcms existed

The venerable man starts by applying what he wants to teach; then he starts teaching.

If you refuse to inform a man who has the required aptitudes, you lose a man. If you teach a man who does not have the necessary requirments, you lose your instructions. The wise loses neither the men nor his lessons.