Contributions

[rivervalleydiscount]

Afternoon all

We are fairly new to the osCmax and so far quite impressed. The question I have is how we can go about adding contributions or at least adding to existing contributions. After spending the last couple of hours putting the Shipping Estimator into place we came across a few problems that we would like to add to the package, if possible.

Thanks!

[ridexbuilder]

Hi,
Click 'Home', then look at the Projects on left-hand side. View existing ones to get an idea of how to submit.

HTH
EJ

[Having said that, this route may be closed now, since the forum system update. Michael?]

[rivervalleydiscount]

Thanks EJ!

[pgmarshall]

I was wondering if it might be best to move these contributions into the wiki?

Or perhaps within a copy of osCmax itself?

I am not convinced the current setup is particularily user friendly ...

Regards,

[ridexbuilder]

Wiki might be a good platform, though the "vetting procedure" might be lost?
Never know, maybe I'll put some of my more recent 'Projects' on it - not just on my website.

[rivervalleydiscount]

It is actually quite difficult to navigate from a "newbie" end. While I do have experience with the OSCommerce and Zen Cart models, this one is a bit different. Perhaps once a "newbie" has time to poke around a bit he/she will be able to figure it out. Honestly, I gave up after poking around. But with the way that this development looks and the friendliness from the user end I would put my two cents into making it easier for us to submit contribs or to add to existing contribs. Much like the way that the OSC contributors are able to do now. I would think that it would open up folks wanting to contribute a bit.

Just my 2 cents worth

[pgmarshall]

Hmmm! I suspect the "Boss" will let us know ... however, my vote goes for a bit of a change ... it is unfair to rely solely on Michael to check and approve modules but at the same time I take Ridex's point that without vetting we could end up with a lot of rubbish being released into the wiki. Perhaps the store idea (where people can release for free or a nominal charge their work ... I am working on a template store at the moment so could consider hosting the addons) - the boss may want a more "official" solution though.

Regards,

[met00]

One of the things that made the mothership work well was that people could add contribs, and then post a thread on it. It was their responsibility to manage their contrib,or in some cases others took it over. Did this work? Well look at all the contribs at the mothership (and how many we have integrated into oCmax). So in a word "yes". When I created recover carts sales I did it for me, but wanted to give back to the community. The result was then taken over by someone who wanted to give my hack the correct look-and-feel.Then people wanted to add more functionality, etc. The core is still what I wrote (somewhere in that mess-o-code), but the community embraced it and took it much further than I ever would have. Harold never had any say or input on it.

Todd has a point. We make it simple and let the user community take care of itself. Michael shouldn't have to bear the brunt of "testing" a contrib. If it meets a need the user community will test and report bugs, and maybe even fix them.

[ridexbuilder]

... how we can go about adding contributions or at least adding to existing contributions.

Whilst the debate continues, it would be appreciated if you could create a new thread in the Custom Mods & Hacks, containing an attachment of your changes.
As someone who messed around with a Shipping Estimator in the past, it's certainly of interest.
Regards,
EJ

[michael_s]

It is simple to create new projects or add to existing ones. Basically a one step process. Not sure how that is difficult to use or hard to figure out.

Click on Create Content >> Project to create a new project.

To add to an existing project, click on Create Content >> Project Release and select the project you want to add to.

Until I see a system that is better and just as well tied into the site's existing user base and permissions, I will not be making any changes.