Improving MODx

Hello,

I was searching for a new cms and I bumped into MODx. After a short review, it looks very good. But there are still some issues I would like to point out.

MODx development seems a little bit too unprofessional at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to make you feel bad. I just want to help you make MODx even better!

Development & Releases

* New version lacks release notes. It’s very hard to know how new version differs from old ones. Check out: http://www.sugarforge.org/frs/download.php/2459/OpenSource_ReleaseNotes.4.5.1RC.pdf
It’s 9 paged pdf document that includes: overview, requirements, what’s new, compatibility with another versions, known issues, fixed bugs with bug number.
=> This is something I really would like to see (+ better overview with only major improvements)!

* Releases should be announced in the frontpage - not only in forum.
=> More credibility.

* More transparency to development. I can’t figure out what you are currently developing and when the next version is planned to be published.
=> More information about future releases and a better roadmap.

* What’s the version 1.0. Really, what is it? When it’s gonna be published? Can I see some code? What are the main improvements? ... Total mystery.

Website

* I accidentally found plugins (or resources) and it was a little bit too hard.
=> Should be placed or named better!

* Bug roadmap is hard to find. At first I couldn’t find bug roadmap because I thought that the upper roadmap-link was for the main roadmap page.

* It’s a bit hard to find wiki through MODx website. There is no link on the documentation page.

Quote from: tomah at Jan 11, 2007, 06:34 PM

Development & Releases

* New version lacks release notes. It’s very hard to know how new version differs from old ones. Check out: http://www.sugarforge.org/frs/download.php/2459/OpenSource_ReleaseNotes.4.5.1RC.pdf
It’s 9 paged pdf document that includes: overview, requirements, what’s new, compatibility with another versions, known issues, fixed bugs with bug number.
=> This is something I really would like to see (+ better overview with only major improvements)!

Those would be nice. Are you volunteering to manage this by watching contributions and compiling these for release?

Quote from: tomah at Jan 11, 2007, 06:34 PM

* Releases should be announced in the frontpage - not only in forum.
=> More credibility.

Indeed, I’d also agree more information on current releases would be helpful on the front page.

Quote from: tomah at Jan 11, 2007, 06:34 PM

* More transparency to development. I can’t figure out what you are currently developing and when the next version is planned to be published.
=> More information about future releases and a better roadmap.

* What’s the version 1.0. Really, what is it? When it’s gonna be published? Can I see some code? What are the main improvements? ... Total mystery.

Total transparency is given to team members. Membership is offered to those investing their time and efforts to produce quality contributions to MODx, in many forms. Call it a meritocracy. As the project gains resources and (hopefully) funding, transparency will likely be increased.

And the roadmap is definitely outdated, as is most of the site, but efforts will likely focus on that again once the new 1.0 framework is ready for public preview. At that time, source code will be available.

Quote from: tomah at Jan 11, 2007, 06:34 PM

Website

* I accidentally found plugins (or resources) and it was a little bit too hard.
=> Should be placed or named better!

Agreed! I still have trouble finding it...

Quote from: tomah at Jan 11, 2007, 06:34 PM

* Bug roadmap is hard to find. At first I couldn’t find bug roadmap because I thought that the upper roadmap-link was for the main roadmap page.

* It’s a bit hard to find wiki through MODx website. There is no link on the documentation page.

All good points. Thanks for taking the time to share...