NetPublish success!
I have now setup a framework around Extensis Portfolio/NetPublish which allows complete extension of the functionality of NetPublish. As identified through much experimentation, I have found that NetPublish package is limiting in its capabilities and flexibility for doing anything more than out of the box. That is where this framework takes over to provide the potential for complete flexibility:
The framework is based on:
Database Abstraction - (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL etc) to connect to a SQL server (either populated through their SQLConnect product [or through framework tool I also wrote which does the work also])
MVC Based - Model View Controller Model 2 design
Access Control Lists - Control access to resources and functionality
Advanced Templating - Highly flexible templating allowing complete seperation of View from the application
It requires the Extensis clients to purchase a copy of their Portfolio product to manage their images, and NetPublish to handle the interaction to the FDB NetPublish database format. Meaning you can work comfortably inside Portfolio, and your website flexibily works around your needs.
Stephen the product manager from PICA was an excellent help and provided many starting point resources about the different products that are provided by Extensis. Ensure that you head to him for your needs, he is very good at his customer service. Checkout http://www.pica.com.au/ for your extensis products.
This new framework gives unlimited potential for features such as:
- Share Lightboxes
- Email Order or Cart Selection
- E-commerce through various payment gateways (ANZ, PayPal, etc)
- User Management and Accounts
- Show/Send to a friend
- Email a comment about a gallery image
- RPC/XML communication for extension to rich user interfaces, like Macromedia Flash
- Advanced Interfaces (not just out-of-the-box fit all scenarios)
- Complex searches and queries
I am very excited about undertaking some of these projects, as there has been much discussion about limitations of the templating system and core functionality. If you are interested in this, checkout http://www.mink.net.au/ to get in contact with me directly.
