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Possible idea for the SMF site

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MrMike:
If this post is in the wrong place, please move it. This isn't really a feature to be considered for SMF per se, but an enhancement in the way SMF is distributed.

If you're familiar with the way the jQuery site offers downloads there then you'll understand this right off.

If you're not familiar with the way the jQuery site offers downloads, they have a very useful download "configurator" page. In short, when you download the main jQuery package you also get to pick from a list of non-standard features which you can add into the main jQuery download file. A similar feature could be offered on the SMF download page in the form of a "Forum Customizer".

The customizer would simply provide pre-selected groups of packages based on some typical forum "types".

A forum that was intended as a "support forum" type could have some specific packages suggested that would be most useful in a support forum setting. Forums for car buffs, anime enthusiasts, sports fans or pet owners would all have different sets of mod packages suggested for them, based on what they do.

A support forum might not need a gallery, but anime forums might feel it's a "must have" feature. The anime forum probably wouldn't need a helpdesk mod (but you never know). :) They both might want an enhanced downloads or files area, though.

Since the number of spammers seems to be increasing daily, it might also be useful to have a variety of security packages (anti-spam, anti-bot, etc) presented that could be added with a click or two.


When the user clicks the download link the packages are dynamically added to the main SMF download file, so when it's unzipped the selected package files are sitting in place just as if they'd been uploaded and were awaiting installation.

I think this would be a strong feature in SMF....although it's usually a snap to install SMF, new users sometimes have trouble figuring out which  (if any) mod packages they ought to have and occasionally they have trouble getting or uploading them. This could eliminate a lot of the uncertainty for new SMF users.

It would also highlight the idea that SMF is easily adaptable and configurable to nearly any need. :)

I know this isn't something that could be whipped together in a day; maybe this is just something to put in the "Tomorrow" folder... but I think a feature like this on the SMF site would be extremely useful and very "attractive" for both new and experienced users.

Comments (pro or con) and mild flames welcome. :)

mashby:
Interesting idea. I think you are referring to jQuery UI rather than the core jQuery file itself, but that's splitting hairs. I understand what you are referring to. I think the "what" of what you are asking for is already there and it's called Package Manager. The "how" that you describe is likely a bit too complicated. Installing SMF is surely an easy thing to so. And to include mods like a gallery or whatever on installation is a nice idea, I'm unsure of its ease of implementing. Maybe a dev or a customizer could comment in their spare time. I see this as already being available.
1. Install SMF.
2. Download mod file.
3. Upload via Package Manager.
4. Apply and Install mod.
5. Rinse and repeat steps 2-4 for every mod you may want.

Illori:
i think they mean a basic setup for permissions and boards that can help a new user figure out how to get things going. I think the wiki is a better option to read up and learn then rely on an already setup forum that most likely would not match the use of the user that well anyway.

MrMike:

--- Quote from: mashby on June 26, 2011, 04:38:26 PM ---Interesting idea. I think you are referring to jQuery UI rather than the core jQuery file itself, but that's splitting hairs.
--- End quote ---
Correct, I was referring to the jQuery UI configurator page. It's a clever, useful feature and it's helped jQuery spread its adoption enormously. (As I understand it, in response Moo Tools copied the idea for use in their "More Builder" page.)

A lot of scripting applications do this, and I think the SMF site (and in turn SMF) itself would benefit greatly from the same ability.



--- Quote from: mashby on June 26, 2011, 04:38:26 PM ---Maybe a dev or a customizer could comment in their spare time. I see this as already being available.
1. Install SMF.
2. Download mod file.
3. Upload via Package Manager.
4. Apply and Install mod.
5. Rinse and repeat steps 2-4 for every mod you may want.
--- End quote ---

To be honest, I think it's significantly different than what's already available.

A configurator page would pretty much let you go directly from step 1 to step 4. I think steps 2 and 3 are where a lot of new users stumble, and possibly even prior to that in deciding what packages might be especially useful for them.

I'm not suggesting that anyone do away with the basic download file for SMF. I'm suggesting adding the ability for SMF to offer groups of potentially suitable packages that would be included in a custom-generated download file.

I'd be interested in what the devs and customizers think of this. If it's too much trouble to do or if there's not enough perceived value, they can ignore it. Personally I think it would be a useful addition for a lot of people, both new and experienced users.

I run a lot of SMF boards and I'm converting other forums to SMF on a regular basis. I'd love to have a standard package available to me with all of the stuff I usually install over and over and over again. I've gone so far as to create several "blank" installs with specific features that I then zip up and reuse, but it's not a very flexible a way to do it.

If some devs and/or customizers would like to weigh in on this, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

MrMike:

--- Quote from: Illori on June 26, 2011, 04:58:33 PM ---i think they mean a basic setup for permissions and boards that can help a new user figure out how to get things going.
--- End quote ---

No, that's not actually what I meant. I think SMF comes configured out-of-the-box pretty well in terms of permissions and groups.  :)

I was referring to being able to include a selectable group of mod packages into a dynamically-generated download file. Kind of like bundling apps. I'd download SMF but I'd check a few boxes and get (for example) a member map application, an image gallery, and maybe an enhanced CAPTCHA mod along with the main SMF install zip file.

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