Posted by fago on March 5, 2009 at 11:05pm
As we've discussed in Cologne, I've done a comparison of suiting modules for implementing the "Latest Updates", "Friends Updates", and "Recent Followers" blocks of the dashboard.
There is also an prototype for following friends with the flag module - as mentioned in the comparison. Rename the file ending to tar.gz.
I hope the comparison helps choosing the right modules.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| drupal-redesign-report.pdf | 120.52 KB |
| flag prototype.tar_.gz_.txt | 5.27 KB |
Comments
Flag and friending
You mention in your report that you're looking for one-way relationships, but also blocking... is that not the same as having a reciprocal friendship?
Flag friend does require a user to 'approve' a friendship, but also has the ability to 'block' that user by removing the relationship approval.
However, if I request your friendship, I'm just flagging you, and that could be a one way type of relationship. If it does not become approved, you are still flagged by me and other modules could still use that as the basic criteria of operation.
I believe flag is working on a way that you can remove a flag on yourself by someone else... in any case, it would not be hard to give a user a view of users who have flagged her and give them an unflag operation that would essentially block them. I guess you'd have to keep track of who you blocked as well... hrm I could work on something if you like.
There is also talk of using flag as the subscription modal as well, so if it's already installed, we should use it. http://drupal.org/node/34496#comment-1329522
Following is different than
Following is different than friending as following creates no obligation to reciprocate. They're two very different models.
Google "asymmetrical follow" or read this article which describes the concept and how it differs from friending.
http://ross.typepad.com/blog/2008/12/asymmetrical-fo.html
I've also been investigating buddy and activity modules for my own uses as well and I agree that Flag / Activity modules are the way to go.
Kyle Mathews
Kyle Mathews
blocking
I was talking about the blocking method, not the difference between following and friending. I'm also not sure I appreciate the tone of telling me to 'go google'.
You mention in your report
No, it's not. Following doesn't require any confirmation, but you still can block the users, if you want to.
I believe flag is working
Just removing the flag is not enough I think as it doesn't prevent users from re-following. So tracking blocks is definitely important. Check out my prototype it does that.
Your prototype
Is Rules being installed on d.o for the redesign?
I don't think so, although
I don't think so, although it might be useful. Anyway, it's just a prototype that shows how it could work.
I only ask because I can
I only ask because I can whip up something for blocking pretty easily. We actually have a custom user_messaging module that implements the technique. If this would be useful let me know and I'll post the code here for future reference.
Activity module has seen
Activity module has seen some changes this week as well.
First off, a release for 6.x-1 has come about.
Secondly, I've started a second branch of 6 that brings about better coding practices and core usage through actions. I'd love to get any and all feedback on the approach, so read up on my blog, the social networking sites group, and of course the project page itself.
It seems that from your report Activity already looks like the best candidate, but the new branch is working to be even better, so please check it out, anyone!
By the way, great work on the report fago! ;)
It's great so see that there
It's great so see that there is so much activity around the activity module ;) Also the 2.x sounds interesting, I'm going to have an eye on that for sure!