New book - MODx Web Development

Hi,

I’ve searched the forums and nothing seems to be mentioned about the recent announcement of an upcoming book from Packt publishing MODx Web Development, Expected February 2009

I haven’t used MODx for any commercial project yet (currently using CodeIgniter and Textpattern for that), but I’ve been following its evolution since 2006, voted for it for the Packt awards 2007 and requested many times a book on MODx through the Packt "SUGGEST A TITLE" form...

Many tahnks to the MODx team and community!

Good news.

Good to hear about the book. What kinda of flower is that on the cover photo?

The PDF download will be available in December - Does anybody know if the release of this book going to cover 0.9.6.x stuff or v1 Revolution stuff?

Is this a hint that Revolution will be out by December or February?

It was not written by a team member so dev_cw will attest that this is 0.9.6x based. Revolution will be in bete likely before December/January.

That’s interesting to know - does someone have to get permission to write and publish a book about an open source CMS? or can anybody do it?

I’m surprised that they’re making a book like this before MODx is version 1 - surely the author or publisher must be fairly knowledgeable on MODx and realize that everybody will be switching over to v1 and 0.9.6.x will have less attention?

Quote from: Mallmus at Oct 24, 2008, 09:59 AM

I’m surprised that they’re making a book like this before MODx is version 1 - surely the author or publisher must be fairly knowledgeable on MODx and realize that everybody will be switching over to v1 and 0.9.6.x will have less attention?

I’m not so sure about this - everybody switching over. The 0.9.6.x branch in my understanding will be around for a while - eventually becoming evolution (is that right, guys?). The book will still be useful . Assuming it is well written, there’s some stuff one can carry over to later versions of modx, say how wayfinder works, etc. Just my 2 cents.

Am also curious btw, regarding the author’s expertise in modx.

Mallmus regarding the pre 1.0 nature of modx. The 0.9x branch is not pre production it is an unconventional numbering scheme and causes raised eyebrows in some industries. I’ve considered modx stable/1.0-ish since 0.9.2 and certainly since 0.9.5.

That being said. You can write a book about anything w/o permission it may not be officially sanctioned or may be but just look at unautorized biographies or non-fiction books. This author has written about his experience using and implementing modx. You can’t stop someone sharing their experience be it a private company or FOSS project.

The only thing one needs to be wary of is legal misrepresentation of facts.

Personally I think it is fine no matter who writes the book so long as its correct and helps some people to use the project. It may also spawn more books (hint, hint).

I’m surprised that they’re making a book like this before MODx is version 1

096x although this is lower than one it is way beyond a version 1.0 and a modx book, on any version, is way overdue.

096x will be around for some time. The great thing about modx is that there is actually quite a bit of room for many books ranging from beginner level all the way to advanced. There is actually a sort of a void for modx discussion beyond this forum (and now to some degree on twitter) so any literature is welcome in my opinion.

Does anybody know if the release of this book going to cover 0.9.6.x stuff or v1 Revolution stuff?

I am sure that once Revolution is out and accepted there will be books on that as well, but for the time being modx is 096x to the world and that is what people want to learn to use. I would not expect any literature at this point on Revolution considering it is still in alpha stage.

does someone have to get permission to write and publish a book about an open source CMS? or can anybody do it?

Anyone can write a book about anything the hard part is getting it published.

I’m working on one... slow going at this time of year, though; allergies really do a job on my eyes. Hope to get back in business any day now.

http://sottwell.com/modx-from-the-inside.html