Session brainstorming for DrupalCamp Florida 2010

Posted by damienmckenna on October 28, 2009 at 2:15am

So, what sessions would like to see and what sessions would you like to present?

We'll use the wiki page as a running summary of what's posted here.

Comments

Upgrading core Drupal

Posted by duckydan on October 28, 2009 at 2:23am

I would like to see a session on best practices on upgrading the core Drupal stuff. Not so much modules, those are generally easy. For example, what specifically do you back up, how do you insure no data loss, etc.

Dev and Prod

Posted by duckydan on October 28, 2009 at 2:25am

I'd like to see a session on cases of having a dev environment and a prod environment that do not exactly match (like if you have a Linux VM for dev and an ISP for prod). This would include some tips on keeping them synced. For example, I run into issues where cached items on dev are not there when I update prod so stuff breaks until I flush the cache or copy the cache to the prod box.

Events and Calendars

Posted by duckydan on October 28, 2009 at 2:31am

I'd like to see a session on using Drupal to manage schedules of events. Using the date and calendar modules to accept events from a certain roles of users, making them go through an approval process then showing them on a calendar. I have struggled with this for some time, particularly with modifying aspects of a view for calendars to make it do things like show a certain date (such as the next approved event date) as default on the calendar instead of the current day.

reserve a spot

Posted by polishyourimage on October 28, 2009 at 2:39am

To add to that - offer the ability to reserve a spot and pay for it.

Jason Graham
http://www.PolishYourImage.com

Themeing

Posted by polishyourimage on October 28, 2009 at 2:34am

Themeing Views best practices & general themeing best practices.
Themeing a site from scratch
Pros/Cons of using Panels
How to keep Drupal friendly to front-end site administrators - problems when themers over-customize tpl files which take away ability to administer Drupal from the front-end - using CSS to hide stuff rather than using custom tpl files, etc.?
ability to choose from multiple theme styles for blocks - having more than one "look/feel" for a block - maybe one block has a blue title, and the other has a red title - how can that be managed from the front end Drupal admin?

Jason Graham
http://www.PolishYourImage.com

Theming for coders

Posted by caelon on October 28, 2009 at 3:05am

I couldn't design my way out of a boxy page. Every site I build is a template either bought or downloaded for free. While I know I can't be taught Advanced Design in one hour, maybe some quick tips to un-Drupalize standard themes.

Don VanDemark
Agile Process Manager, Blue Shield of California

Excellent

Posted by duckydan on October 28, 2009 at 5:38pm

I would sign up to attend this.

Ditto!

Posted by anneeasterling (not verified) on October 28, 2009 at 7:13pm

"ability to choose from multiple theme styles for blocks - having more than one "look/feel" for a block - maybe one block has a blue title, and the other has a red title - how can that be managed from the front end Drupal admin?"

I'd love to know this one too! Styling block-block-[id] gets tiresome!

Multiple block styles

Posted by harryc on October 28, 2009 at 7:41pm

This may be a work-around, Anne.
Install the "node as block" module.
Make a new content type that will accommodate the needs of your block and give it the option to output as a block. Let's call it funny-block.
Create some content with funny-block and output as a block.
Hopefully the new content type created divs that you can style however you want. Use Firebug and pray that new divs are there.
Style the divs however you want.
Now the styling should be there whenever you create content using funny-block.

Flash

Posted by polishyourimage on October 28, 2009 at 2:45am

uploading and displaying Flash SWFs as lightbox images and on the page. Like a portfolio page where you can upload and display JPGs, GIFs, and Flash SWFs.

Jason Graham
http://www.PolishYourImage.com

Instant comment pages for each session

Posted by caelon on October 28, 2009 at 3:09am

Sorry, Damien, this isn't a session idea but rather an idea to have comment pages built for each session so that presenters can get instant feedback after the presentation. This can also be a home for the presentation itself if the presenter decides to put it up.

Maybe this belongs as a thread on the web site itself but I wanted to put it in here with sessions.

Don VanDemark
Agile Process Manager, Blue Shield of California

Getting started with Drupal

Posted by wheelus on October 28, 2009 at 2:50pm

I would like to present a session which covers the basics new users need to get started. This session will be for those who have no prior drupal knowledge but are reasonably adept using the Internet. My presentation will cover the basics of setting up a drupal site; users, roles, permissions, blocks, themes, nodes, modules, and a few other basics.

I am already preparing this for a local non-profit customer of mine who needs training for about a dozen contributors to the drupal site I am helping them build.

I welcome comments.

-Charles Wheelus
http://harmonylogic.com

0 to Drupal

Posted by marcomatic on October 28, 2009 at 3:00pm

Charles,

Funny we discussed this last night in the meeting and I already volunteered to cover this. If you would like we can team up on this as we are going to make this session a two hour block.

www.rightsprocket.com

Beginners session

Posted by wheelus on October 28, 2009 at 3:14pm

Does anyone know how many new users might possibly be attending? Is there any marketing effort aimed directly at new drupal users for drupalcamp?

rightsprocket:
If it is going to be a two hour session, and you would like to team up, that is fine with me. As I mentioned, I am already preparing this for another group anyway. You can call me at: 561-395-6655 to discuss.

-C

Intro To CCK / Views

Posted by marcomatic on October 28, 2009 at 8:45pm

Charles if you want to take the beginner slot for the 0 to up and running, I could do a basic cck / views that continues on.

www.rightsprocket.com

Intermediate track suggestion

Posted by anneeasterling (not verified) on October 28, 2009 at 7:20pm

Creating your first module -- This is where I keep getting stuck. I've plowed through parts of Pro Drupal Development, but can't seem to get a handle on how to start a module from scratch to do something that I need, or even to modify an existing contrib module to make it do finetune its functionality to better match what I need.

I'd like to take this on

Posted by tedbow on November 4, 2009 at 4:18pm

I would like to do a session on creating your first Drupal Module. I too started with Pro Drupal Development. I made a few custom modules since then.

I just looked back at the table of contents of Pro Drupal Development and I think I covered most of the areas(hooks, blocks, form api, permissions, menu system, files, jQuery,taxonomy,theme system, filter system,etc) in the modules I have made.

I will see what I can to do to able to do this session.

Core developer

That would be very nice

Posted by anneeasterling (not verified) on November 6, 2009 at 6:01pm

That would be very nice indeed!

Sounds good

Posted by damienmckenna on January 17, 2010 at 11:18pm

That would be great - do you want a half-hour session (15-20 minute presentation) or a full hour session (40-50 minute presentation)?

It might help to start with something simple - hardcode a specific block, maybe show user_access(), yadda..

Would hook_views_default_views_alter() be too much?

I was also figuring doing a half-hour session on Module Development Tips:

Creating a site_stuff module.
Exporting views, panels, etc.
Using hooks & Devel to modify existing Views, Panels, etc.
Putting settings in code.
Controlling multiple sites with a shared settings file.
Tips for debugging - devel.module, kpr(), debug_backtrace(), func_get_args(), Krumo
Finding ways of hooking into modules
Finding ways of adding new hooks for modules
Using drupal_alter

Interested in tag-teaming to make a full hour of it or do you want to keep it separate?

Spliting an hour

Posted by tedbow on January 20, 2010 at 3:25am

Splitting an hour might be good. I could get an 1/2 hour presentation or there session need to be filled I could an hour.

I was thinking of making an example module that does something useful and then explaining how the different parts work. I have a couple module ideas I have be thinking about trying out. I could have barebones version of them to show and explain at the camp.

I don't think I would be the best to go over Tips for Debugging or Using Devel. So if that is something you would want to take on.

Core developer

Closing keynote?

Posted by damienmckenna on October 28, 2009 at 11:44pm

Given the importance of security for Drupal sites (and the obvious abilities to shoot yourself in the foot), what does everyone think of maybe having a closing keynote focused on security? The idea is that through-out the day you'd learn all sorts of new tricks but go home with some core principles on how to keep your site safe.

Excellent thought - I can't

Posted by caelon on October 29, 2009 at 2:02am

Excellent thought - I can't think of a better way to wrap it up.

Don VanDemark
Agile Process Manager, Blue Shield of California

Damien, When I first saw your

Posted by liberatr on November 12, 2009 at 7:18pm

Damien,

When I first saw your "closing keynote" in the list on the 2010 schedule page, I thought of how the keynotes were handled at DrupalCon DC.

They actually had the presentations that should draw the largest number of people immediately after lunch in the biggest room, but several other small talks were still happening in side rooms, and Birds-of-a-Feather (BOF) sessions were still booked at that time.

I think Security is a great topic, and it should certainly be covered, but I wonder if we will end up getting some special guest who will warrant a large presentation.

Also, I see that there are 15-minute slots between each session... does this mean we will have lightning talks again?

Ryan Price
DrupalEasy Podcast

Drush, from start to gravy

Posted by damienmckenna on October 28, 2009 at 11:45pm

How to use Drush: from simple things like updating modules to a quick intro on writing your own Drush scripts.

Like this one

Posted by jkimwright on December 20, 2009 at 5:58am

I want to learn how to use Drush.

I love DRUSH...

Posted by irishgringo on February 5, 2010 at 9:03pm

It has completely changed the way I do things... but I have been working on ways to automate the auto installation of 3rd party libraries after doing DRUSH DL's. Depending on how complicated this presentation gets, do you think this can cover the DRUSH MAKE utilties, as well as creating profiles? I can help on this if you need it.

Closing keynote

Posted by wheelus on October 28, 2009 at 11:57pm

I think a closing keynote on security would be excellent.

Some session ideas: Drupal 7

Posted by gilcreque on October 29, 2009 at 2:05am

Some session ideas:

Drupal 7 - What's new , how to upgrade, when should we upgrade
Deployment Methods - using Aegir, drush, svn, sever setups

Gil Creque

github

Posted by ultimike on October 29, 2009 at 3:04am

I'd love to see a presentation on github. How is it different from cvs/svn, how to set it up and basics for using it.

-mike

Getting Started with Drupal

Posted by wheelus on October 30, 2009 at 2:12pm

Hello All,

Below is what I am preparing to cover in Getting started with Drupal. I would appreciate your comments and thoughts.

rightsprocket: Is there any thing else you would like for me to cover leading up to your presentation on CCK/Views?

NOTE: I am not planning on covering Drupal Installation. My demonstrations will start with a virgin drupal install and go from there.

I will present (not necessarily in this order):

Intro - How we got here:
brief history of web pages
what is html, css, javascript, php, mysql, etc.
how does drupal help you use them (without having to really know about them)

Covered concepts:
Themes
Blocks
Modules
Nodes
Users
Roles
Permissions
Menus
URL Aliases
Pages
Blogs
Forums
Polls

Demonstrations:
Logging in for the first time
Installing a theme
Admininistration theme vs. "main" theme
Enabling and configuring a theme
Installing a module
Module configuration
Block configuration
Setting up a role
Adding a user (from the login screen or manually)
Setting user permissions
Creating a page
Creating a blog
Creating a Poll
Adding basic HTML tags
Adding menu entries
Adding URL aliases

Getting Started with Drupal (couple of thoughts)

Posted by marcomatic on October 30, 2009 at 2:25pm

The overall presentation looks great. However I do really think the installation process should be covered to give users and overview. Maybe even talk very briefly about the LAMP stack and where each part fits in. I would limit how long you spend on the how we got here part as most folks last time had some html experience. We could also on the website post maybe some primer links for people to read before they come.

Another nice addition might be a list of module to check out after this on their own time. Such as admin theme, cck, views, drush, pathauto, wysiwyg, etc...

I can then pick up from here with CCK / Views / Pathauto. Maybe even do a class focused on building an actual product.

www.rightsprocket.com

OK. I was only planning to

Posted by wheelus on October 30, 2009 at 2:36pm

OK. I was only planning to spend about minute or two on "how we got here" I already have the LAMP stack in that section. I will cover the installation process as well.

I will end off with a list of modules for them to check out and include the ones you mention.

Beginner track schedule?

Posted by wheelus on November 4, 2009 at 5:52pm

Hello all,

I would like to plan for who will be video recording for which sessions.

I would like to do the first beginner session since I am starting "at the beginning" in my presentation. It would seem that rightsprocket should follow me since my presentation will segue-way into his. Can we go ahead and put these two presentations into the beginner time-slots one and two respectively?

Assuming I can go first, I will be video recording session 2-5. I will also have someone assisting me to record my presentation and get "b roll" footage and interviews during drupal camp.

anneeasterling: Are you presenting? What sessions (1-6) will you be available to record?

We will need at least one more person to record. Jason Graham (polishyourimage) has volunteered use of his camera.

Anne and Jason: Can you supply the media necessary to record to prior to it being captured?

I'll have to buy the tapes -

Posted by polishyourimage on November 5, 2009 at 3:11pm

I'll have to buy the tapes - you mean captured to HD? e.g. you don't want to keep the tapes right?

Jason Graham
http://www.PolishYourImage.com

Don't need tapes

Posted by wheelus on November 5, 2009 at 4:34pm

I would like to get the video in digital format.

If you like, I can capture the video the evening following day one and return your camera to you on day two.

Alternatively you could capture the video and upload it to a server for me to edit.

I am going to setup an ftp site for each presenter to upload screencasts after the event.

-C

I'm not presenting, so I'm

Posted by anneeasterling (not verified) on November 6, 2009 at 6:04pm

I'm not presenting, so I'm available to record whatever you need.

My camera records on a hard drive, so I can transfer files to whoever wants to archive them. I can also convert to whatever format you might want for posting online.

Let's talk on the phone

Posted by wheelus on February 3, 2010 at 10:31pm

Hi Anne,

Let's chat on the phone about a schedule for recording. I left a message on your website, but I did not get a response. Can you please call me at 561-395-6655 for a quick chat at your convenience?

-C

Beginner Track

Posted by damienmckenna on November 11, 2009 at 2:32am

Lets pull the discussions of the beginner track to:
http://groups.drupal.org/node/35006

Advanced Session - posted for Sean Conner - HarmonyLogic

Posted by wheelus on December 9, 2009 at 5:12am

Sean would like to present in the afternoon. Here is his preliminary outline:

"Getting Drupal to Play With Others"

or

"How to launch a PHP application from another framework from within Drupal
Without Really Trying"

I. Introduction
a. Moving site from proprietary PHP framework to Drupal
b. Decide on moving only the store for now
c. Entire store moved except for an online questionaire to help customer
buy products.
1. Questionaire is 20,000 lines of code
A. horrible mixture of HTML, PHP, CSS, SQL and JavaScript
B. Some of the logic exists in the database
2. Very form heavy and ill documented.
A. No time to convert forms to Drupal
B. No money to convert forms to Drupal
C. No experience in analyzing results (code already written)

II. Step 1
a. Create database schema of online program
b. Figure out how existing framework launches online program
1. What database tables are updated
2. Authentication used
c. Isolate the online program as much as possible, create just enough PHP
code to launch it---even if it's hardcoded data.

III. Step 2
a. Identify what Drupal DB tables can be queried to populate online
b. Add online program DB to Drupal configuration
c. Create stub module that when activated, pulls appropriate data
from Drupal and populates online program DB.
d. Modify PHP code from II.c and retest it.

IV. Step 3
a. Figure out how to get Drupal $_SESSION[] to online program.
1. hostname
2. database it's stored it
3. how the session is named
b. Patch that into the online program
1. make session name is correctly constructed
2. pull session data from Drupal Database
3. parse data and populate $_SESSION[]
c. Modify stub module to pass control over to online program
d. hope it works

V. Step 4
a. (still working on this part)

Intermediate programs?

Posted by jkimwright on December 20, 2009 at 6:35am

I'm probably considered an intermediate user. I am mostly self taught and have learned what I have needed as I have gone along. I have little previous computer background. I don't program and the only HTML I know is what I've had to learn. I reinvent the wheel a lot.

I can upload content with my eyes closed. I have a site with user roles and users. I know how to choose and install modules. I can create blocks and views. I can work with menus. I have CCK profiles on the site. I'm using Tapestry theme and can make it look somewhat pretty. I have an administration menu, CAPTCHA, some other basics. I have a dedicated server. Nine months from launch, the site gets about 5,000 new unique visitors a month and it is growing.

What I know that I could use help with:

Some error messages regarding AutoComplete and PHP Update. Knowing more about PHP would be useful. Basic HTML too. Without the computer background, this would need to be pretty basic but I think I could catch on quickly.
The last time I tried to upgrade, I crashed everything and had to restore from back up. I'm afraid to try again and everything is way out of date. I am still using 6.9.
The font in Tapestry is way too small and I don't know how to adjust it either globally or by page or section.
I want to be able to send newsletters from the site and sort them by user roles but I have run into glitches.
I took a course on SEO but lost the upgrades and changes when my upgrade failed and I had to restore from back up.

There are probably things I don't know that I need and it would be fine to have some other intermediate topics but these are the ones that are presenting as issues now. I never expect to develop modules or do heavy duty programming.

I can teach beginner courses or help with them if anyone wants that sort of help. With my lack of computer background, I can often explain things to novices that are obvious to experts. I am a lawyer and can teach a class on Terms of Use or some other legal issues if there is interest. I have done a lot of research on monetizing the content and could participate in a discussion about that.

Services Module

Posted by irishgringo on February 5, 2010 at 9:14pm

This is a very poorly documented module, with soo much potential. I have been trying to use it with some iPhone and android projects, but not much luck. If you can find someone that knows the Services module, I would like to work on a demo demonstrating iPhone and Android connections. I think that we should also work on some documentation as well.

Session brainstorming for DrupalCamp Florida 2010

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