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Week 3 - Tasks
Go back to: General discussion
This week we're trying out distributions: See Week 3 Tasks
To discuss:
- Which distributions did you try?
- What the advantages of the ones you tried?
- Can you see any limitations of the distributions?
- What do you want to do with your site, would an existing distribution help?
I have some nuts and bolts questions. I decided I was interested in the civiCRM distribution. To install it, I created a second "new" site on webenabled. Was that the best procedure? Generally, I have a questions about how to try out things and then take them live. Is there a way to use an existing site's database and apply it to a new distribution? Can you do this while keeping your first site intact? If you like the new site better, how do you switch over?
I played with the Open Atrium and Open Scholar distributions. I was impressed by how robust they are. The focus on multiple users is appealing and seems to be a theme across many of the distributions. I'm interested in experimenting with Open Atrium more to see what kinds of collaboration it facilitates. Could it be an alternative to collaborating through Google Docs or paid services like Campfire?
The main limitation I see with both these distributions is handling visual and interactive media. Are there any distributions designed to create rich contexts for experiencing collections of media from a group of artists and designers?
Until now i have tried Acquia Drupal (6.x, 7 Alpha), and Open Atrium, Acquia is a Drupal distro with focus on security and facility, since its easier to apply security fixes and provides l/w/m/amp stacks simplifying the installation procedure.
I'm not sure if we can consider OpenAtrium as a drupal distro, it shares the same base code, but there are many differences in usage, it's more intranet oriented.
I also used DrupalGardens, like OpenAtrium is Drupal based, but not also a distro, it's easier for setup without the needs of dedicated hosting and complex configurations, and a good starting point, for who wants a microsite in done in a short time.
Distros can help a lot, and can boost Drupal usage, just think in Linux without distros and today we don't have Linux. In particular for some business areas (Schools, Micro sites, Big Sites, Blogs, High traffic sites..etc.
For me, one limitation, or not, depending on distro conception and implementation is compatibility with core, regarding patches and security fixes.
For now, i think i don't need a particular distro, since the installation and configuration is not too complicated and, in this learning phase, it's important to have contact with all aspects of Drupal.
Maybe one idea of distro, is to have an pre-configured and dynamic generated Drupal installation, with user selected modules, themes, views, blocks, etc..and ready to go. This way, it will spare, a lot of work, to the user.
I've been looking for a flexible "Sandbox" environment to test out themes, layouts, modules, social media tools...for a site that is evolving. Tried Drupal Gardens, but it's too limited, and the p2pu/webenabled space is active until the end of the course. I'd appreciate suggestions of Sandbox spaces where we can build and grow out site.
Thanks!
you can use webenabled.com as your sandbox if you utilize only two sites at a time (free option). Sign up after the course or email marc @ webenabled and see if they can move your account automatically when the course ends. The only thing that accompanies the free option is that you must manually re-enable the free account once a month, it isn't automatic, but they give you plenty of notice ahead of the time you are required to re-enable.
Drawback is probably size limitations of your environment.
Thanks for this helpful tip! Don't think the size limitations will be an issue, and familiarity w/ WebEnabled may make it the simplest way to go.
Paula
Hi. I've tried OpenAtrium, OpenPublish, OpenCommons and OpenScholar (and Acquia Drupal). Great distros definitely!
This is a post that I wrote in my site about OpenPublish (spanish): http://paviles.net/content/openpublish
I'm waiting for workflow improves in next version.
I also used OpenCommons, this is a production site with this distro: http://www.ots.ac.cr/rcn
I think there is little documentation about OpenCommons (for administrators). The administrator needs to know about panels, and the publication of content process for guest users is not trivial.
excellent article about OpenPublish. Thanks or rather, gracias!
Thanx, and Pura Vida :)
I installed on webenabled OpenPublish and OpenScholar, a quick resume about them can be found there: http://pgomes.dev3.webenabled.net/blog/week-3-try-distributions-and-compare
@ Jill - next week we'll be talking about Deployment. This is the question about - moving between environments.
@ Pablo - Thanks for the review of Open Publish. You seem to know quite a bit about the industry. I agree with you about the documentation needed for Drupal Commons. As Marilyn mentioned in the online session, the community around Commons is very active. This is a good suggestion.
http://commons.acquia.com/
@ Ida - You mentioned "Are there any distributions designed to create rich contexts for experiencing collections of media from a group of artists and designers?" I think that would be a great idea! There are so many interesting media companies using Drupal, I would love to see something like that. I know there are modules for communicating to Flash.
@ James thanks for helping out Paula with the Web Enabled sandbox. Working locally with the DAMP stack is a good alternative too. I love being able to whip out another site really quickly.
@ Paulo - your site is looking great! That's a good comparison. I know the pages will disappear if you delete your sandbox.
Don't forget to backup your site content. You have some great stuff there!