Re: [xwiki-devs] [Brainstorming] XWiki Flavors

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 6:31 PM, Vincent Massol <vincent(a)massol.net>

> Hi Caty, > > On Feb 7, 2013, at 5:08 PM, "Ecaterina Moraru (Valica)" <

> wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> XWiki Flavors are a set of predefined extensions having a specific use >> case in mind. XWiki Flavors can be considered specializations of XWiki >> instances suited for different purposes like public websites, >> intranets, content sharing, project management, community status, >> business intelligence, etc. >> >> Scenario: You want to install XWiki. The installer will propose >> different 'flavors' and will install automatically all required >> extensions. This way you will have a product close to your initial >> needs. You can later refine it by installing / uninstalling other >> extensions. >> >> So when I first thought about the process of installing a Flavor I >> imagined that I could customize what I wanted from the Flavor and >> select just the things I need. Actually for me Flavors were like >> categories with subcategories, and more of a classification system, >> than a packaging one. >> >> >

>> >> Also another difference in my vision is that I had a Base Package that >> contains the common denominator for all Flavors. The Base Package >> should contain basic mechanics for managing content and users. >> Selecting no flavor will still result in having basic wiki features >> (page creation, attachments, history, users, etc.). >> >> After some discussions with Eduard I understood that Flavors could be >> defined as extensions and they could contain just a list of >> dependencies on other extensions. The Extension Manager will install >> the 'exact' list it gets from the definition without the ability to >> exclude some dependencies. > > Indeed. > >> I've watched the 'recent' mails about XWiki Flavors [1] [2] [3] [4] >> and for me the conclusion is clear: we will never agree on what >> starting features are the best and that will solve everybody's >> problems. But that is ok and normal and the strength of XWiki is it's >> extensibility. >> >> So the next idea was to have a Flavor Creator that will allow users to >> create their own collections of extensions. This collection should be >> then published to extensions.xwiki.org and could appear in the >> installer list as suggestions. > > Some thoughts: > > * Yes, the idea is that anyone can contribute a flavor on xwiki.org, > since it's an extension like any other (it would just have a new type, > called "flavor" since we don't have this ATM). The DW will list all

> it can find from e.x.o. This is where we need some ways to bring the

I agree with this. IMO, we should bring back the idea of extension types (including this new "flavour" type) and, as you`ve mentioned, add things like ratings.

Also, this should be reflected in the EM UI to allow a user to do

(by extension types) and not only searching (which is a bit intimidating

new users).

Thanks, Eduard > * Also, in the DW the user should be allowed to not install any flavor

> that he can then install extensions one by one if he so wishes > > * Re the base package there's no need to have one since extensions

> their require dependencies > >> >

>> >> If Application Within Minutes let's you create your own applications, >> the Flavor Creator would let you make packages of extensions for a >> specific purpose. This way we strengthen XWiki's extensibility and we >> let the users take the power and customize the solutions that are >> perfect for them. > > Sounds good. > > Thanks > -Vincent > >> Just some ideas. >> >> Thanks, >> Caty >> >> [1] [Idea]"Community" flavor > http://xwiki.markmail.org/thread/2e3fdm3hfuh54vpr >> [2] [Idea] XWiki Project Development Flavor >> http://xwiki.markmail.org/thread/334vzyytfvlppmri >> [3] Idea collection minimal xwiki configuration >> http://markmail.org/thread/abma4pzuq2ooy6as >> [4] [UserStory] Wiki Archetypes >> http://xwiki.markmail.org/thread/jp35ackl2puuscjv