[wp-hackers] [GSoC] Document Management

[Eric Mann]

I think this is a fantastic idea, mostly because existing document
management systems are so lacking in features and control.

I'm concerned a bit about managing document revisions with the WordPress
revisioning system.  The first time I read your description, I was guessing
you meant a user would be able to view some sort of diff between document
revisions within WordPress itself.  Considering the sheer number of document
formats in use, it seems almost impossible to have this kind of rich
functionality (so correct me if you've already got one working).  As I
thought about it more, I came to think you might just have different
versions of an attachment hooked to different revisions within WordPress,
thus keeping a full history of changes.  My concern here is storing the
files.  A heavily-modified document could have several versions of itself
with only minor changes living on the server.

So ... basically I'm asking for more detail about *how* you want to extend
the revision and attachment functionality to handle attachment revisions.
 It's an impressive concept, and one I'd like to see more fleshed out.

Other than that, I think this is a fantastic idea and I look forward to
seeing a more complete GSoC application from you!

~Eric

On Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 2:12 PM, Benjamin J. Balter <ben at balter.com> wrote:

> I'm preparing a GSoC application for a plugin that implements document
> management and version control functionality.
>
> The idea would be to help position WordPress to make some headway into
> gov/enterprise where these features are often required. It would also help
> approach parity with other open source CMS's as well as Sharepoint when it
> comes to document management.
>
> Specifically:
>
>  - Extend WP's revisions and attachment functionality to handle revisions
> to
> attachments, including a revision log (similar to commit messages) for
> documents, grouping documents and their revisions into a custom post type
> object.
>
>  - Build on permalink structure and post statuses to handle latest-document
> and revision permalinks, and public/private toggling functionality.
>
>  - Build onto the existing autosave system to maintain file locks to
> prevent
> collisions.
>
>  - Add basic workflow management (overview of documents by status, etc.)
> upon which other plugins and users could expand.
>
> - Apply user permissions on a document-status level.
>
> I've been working on a prototype that supports the beginnings of these
> features, but it's very much a work in progress. Thoughts or feedback with
> regards to the idea and scope would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Ben Balter
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