Re: [guadec-list] Re-considering expectnation web service

[Paul Cooper <pgc devel co uk>]

On Sun, 2007-12-30 at 23:09 +0200, Baris Cicek wrote:
> On Sun, 2007-12-30 at 14:21 -0500, John (J5) Palmieri wrote:
> > On Sun, 2007-12-30 at 18:28 +0100, Xavier Bestel wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > > 
> > > On sam, 2007-12-29 at 00:35 +0000, Baris Cicek wrote:
> > > > Currently we're using Drupal as CMS on guadec.org. Although it is
> > > > convenient if you want to use web page only for announcements but it
> > > > lacks functional bits like Registration Management, CfP and Schedule
> > > > preparing/announcement etc. 
> > > 
> > > Drupal has many, many modules implementing various features, and I would
> > > be very surprised if it couldn't do what you want. Just look at
> > > Event-related modules, they may match your case:
> > > http://drupal.org/project/Modules/category/61
> > > 
> > > And then, if assembling Drupal modules together is too much work (it may
> > > be), or if you miss a bit of custom PHP code, you could just ask on
> > > http://drupal.org/paid-services for some professional help. IMHO, this
> > > is much more in line with GNOME's ideals.
> > > 
> > > 	Xav
> > 
> > While I agree with Edd that the conference organizer's job is not to
> > build web systems it is the Foundation Board's job to seek out solutions
> > which both fit the need and are in-line with the community's
> > expectations and values.  It is clear that there are other solutions
> > available and we need to consider them.  
> And whatever we do we need to do it quickly. I want to make first look
> of new site to be ready on mid-January. On guadec-local list we're
> getting help from designers for a new look of web site. Worst case is to
> polish current design a little bit and use it. 
> 
> On infrastructure part maintenance should be job of some volunteer and
> anyone having skill on Drupal are very welcome for this job. I have no
> idea which bits from linux.conf.au we can get, 
> 
> I would be happy to see such volunteer work on this area. Past two
> GUADECs we somehow managed to live with current system. However my
> concerns with this system was due to feedback from previous organizers.
> It is obvious that we need to improve it more. 

Yes, I wouldn't want to re-use much of the system we used last year - we
managed to get through with it but it was far from smooth.
 
> > Can we get a detailed list from the conference committee on what their
> > requirements are for such a system so that the board members may discuss
> > this at the upcoming meeting?  I will push for an action item to get
> > someone to evaluate the different options, report back to the board and
> > make a decision in a timely manner.
> > 
> I would happily delegate this action to someone having time to donate on
> this task as I stated above. Whatever system we use one problem will
> still persist, which is how to transfer money for registration. As far
> as I realized neither Paypal nor Google Checkout transfers money to
> Turkey. I was hoping that expectnation would provide this service
> itself, but it's not doing that. We will need to solve it with some
> other way before registrations are open. 
> 
> Basically what we need are the following features: 
> 
> - Submit paper, letting review by program committee, and host/announce
> those papers/presentations about it, and maybe videos later on. 
> 
> - Registration should be streamlined / who is paid, how, and at which
> level should be manageable. 
> 
> - Schedule should be clearly viewed. 

I would suggest you also need a way to track sponsorship requests;

* Track all requests
* Status: pending / accepted / rejected
* Track email / messages to / from applicant
* Allow organisers to mail to groups via status (i.e. send message to
all accepted applicants)

It might be nice to track the applicants costs, but that would depend on
how this years organisers want to track that stuff. I don't think it's
critical that this system is integrated with the CMS - we used an issue
tracker module for Drupal that was OK, but not great (it also attracted
a load of spam).

As far as the expectnation v. free software debate, I think we should
have a preference for free software, however ultimately it's Baris' call
he should be free to choose whichever allows him to maximise his
resources and allow him and the 08 team to get the job done. Feel free
to flame us (the 07 team) after the fact for relying on Google docs
quite heavily (and if the board want to sponsor the development of a
free software equivalent that works with Gnumeric and Abiword then that
would be great ;-).

Paul

> And what would be good to have are:
> 
> - Efficient content management should exist, like attaching documents,
> maybe wikified pages etc. Possibility to post news, maybe forum-like
> conference time discussion fields. 
> 
> - Features like newsletter subscription, RSS feeds etc. 
> 
> - Personal calendars for subscribers for them to make their own
> watch-list during conference.
> 
> If we can do most of it with Drupal it is better, but we need someone to
> work on it as soon as possible. 
> 
> Regards,
> Baris Cicek
> 
> 
> 
> 
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