Simple Images

Hi folks, here is a draft of my proposal minus my bio part. Would appreciate any feedback.

SUMMARY

The goal for the Simple Images project is to provide a module or collection of modules that allows anyone or their grandma to insert images into a Drupal node. There already numerous image solutions available, but none that match the simplicity of commercial services such as Blogger or the notes interface in Facebook. Simple Images will be that solution.

EXISTING IMAGE SOLUTIONS

There are three commonly used image solutions in Drupal: the Image module with Image assist, the Gallery module, and Acidfree. These are all useful modules, but often overbuilt or not practical for the simple case of laying out images in an article. Research has been done, and more will continue on these systems.

THE SIMPLE IMAGE SOLUTION

Currently the vision for Simple Images is to provide a Facebook like interface for images. It uses special tags to insert photos into content. For example, would insert an inline image. Positioning and captioning are done in a preview pane below the text box. A screen capture from Facebook can be seen at http://kzo.net/log/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/picture-7.png

Drupaler and former SOC student Kkaefer has already implemented a similar preview interface in his Upload previews module. This is an excellent step in the right direction. Simple Images would aim to continue on that path to a full-featured solution.

There is a whole number of ways to implement images and file handling. There currently seems to be a fiery debate on file handling: files and images as nodes versus a separate file system. It seems to largely be the reason there is no set image solution in Drupal Core.

Simple Images will make use of current core upload handling and make use of the Image toolkit. If the community welcomes the capability, the module could eventually be worked into Core.

Obviously there are many details yet to be worked out, but this would be finalized in the beginning stages of the project. The most important goals are listed below.

Goals:

1. Remain simple and usable at all costs.
2. Easy insertion of images into nodes.
3. Provide semi-WYSIWYG (no fancy js editor) positioning and captioning.
4. Provide a way to manage existing images.

A module meeting these goals will fill the gap left by existing modules and will address the needs of many in the Drupal community. It simplifies inserting images into nodes and would allow the average Internet user to format a nice article.

DELIVERABLES

1. Fully functioning, tested, and usable module.
2. Documentation on how to make use of the module.

METHOD FOR DEVELOPMENT

Development will involve a design, implementation, and revision phase.

Design will heavily involve research of existing solutions outside of the Drupal realm and discussing the implementation details of the project with the Drupal community.

Implementation will be an iterative process of coding and testing. Functionality will be added with defined goals, tested, debugged, and the process repeated. Milestone improvements will involve consulting with the mentors and Drupal community to ensure quality code.

Revision phase will primarily be the last push to get the module to a first official release. Getting from 90% functional to 100% functional is always the most difficult and will be a critical to a successful release. This will include debugging, cleaning up the code, improving the interface, usability and documentation.

TIMELINE

April 9 - May 28 Design and flesh out detailed specifications.
May 29 - July 5 Implement code for all specifications.
July 6 - August 5 Refactor code and documentation.
August 5 - August 19 Buffer period.
August 20 Project turned in to Google.
Beyond Maintenance, patches, and upgrades.

// Qualifications / Bio will be here

CONCLUSION

The Simple Images project will address a frequent complaint for an already hugely popular and powerful content management framework. I have the necessary experience, determination and motivation to build this module and would value the chance to spend my summer creating it. If you have any questions or concerns about my SOC application, or me, don't hesitate to email kzo@kzo.net. I appreciate your consideration for this great opportunity.