I just got word that our paper submitted to DESRIST 2007 was accepted.  It's very exciting, and while we do have things to fix, the reviewers were fairly positive about the paper.

Hey all; 

Thanks for all of the feedback on the folio plug-in.  I've finished cleaning up all of the bugs internal to the plug-in itself, aka showing the wrong users, dates, it works on older versions of php, etc...  It's been uploaded to http://elgg.net/garrettn/files/.  For those of you running the folio plug-in, I'd HIGHLY recommend you upgrade.  You will also need to re-run the mod/folio/html/setupdb.php file, as it will fix a number of anomalies.

I have not got it working with the forum mod.  I've love to do so, but have got a baby due next week, a paper to rewrite, a paper to write, a presentation, and a heavy work schedule.  So... Sorry, but the requested improvements in functionality & the interoperability will have to wait until I have more time.

Nathan

It's been very encouraging to see all of the plug-in activity on elgg.net, there are a lot of devs making various plug-ins & modifications of the core Elgg system.  While I had doubts about some of the architecture, it's obvious that it's working well & generating a lot of activity.

However, I have to admit I'm a bit concerned about some of the ways that it's going.  For the past year, it seems that Elgg has been developed from more of the benevolent dictator prespective (e.g., Linux) than from a community-driven process (e.g. Apache).  That's obviously a valid approach, and Curverider's in much company (like WordPress, from my limited understanding of their company/product).  Engagement from the community seems to be either to work on a requested enhancement or to turn your work into a plug-in.

But, I'm a bit afraid that the work on the plug-ins isn't sustainable.  I've had problems with my plug-in conflicting with others, and the plethora of work being done indicates that this problem will only get worse.  There have been a number of other plug-ins with similar problems.  In addition, over the past year, people have drifted in & out of the community.  This is a natural process, but what happens when Tim (maintains the Forum mod) gets busy & takes on other duties?

I really think that the Elgg devs need to start integrating succesful mods into the core Elgg project.  I really think that's the only way that mods will be maintained over the long run.

"Software development is a cooperative game - using props and markers to remind and incite,to reach the next move. The endpoint of the game is a delivered system. The next game is to alter or replace the system." [link]