I am highly anticipating the move to the new server and to the new version of rantfest (that I have hardly started working on, hehe). My goal is to have a working set of scripts by July 1st...and I have a lot of work to do. I have a general idea of how I want things to work, but no idea how I want the database to be setup...which is bad since I am gonna have to import our current stuff in.
Anyways, since I am fairly close, and I want all of my listeners to be a part of it I should let you know what is going on. The evolution (maybe a little ambitious of a word to use here) from 2LG to rantfest centered from making an updates script for a single page to building a collection of tools to nearly automate the page in layout, ease of use, and opening that to multiple users. Everything on toomucheffort.com uses rantfest and writingingreen.com just uses it for the updates/main and the guestbook pages (about half of the page are ported over but not being used). I have been slightly leary of opening it up to other users for the simple reason of bandwidth and our lack there of. There is also a level of polish I wanted to add to the backend that I am getting close to and features I want to add that are in the works.
Now that is all fun and good, but where do you come in, right? The next version of rantfest is going to build upon my current model by adding another domain to the list and the capability for any number of users to join in on the fun. Users can join in two ways.
- First, the new domain will sport an updates page like you are reading now that can be added to by any user (think like a forum). While page addition and formatting will be out of their hands, they can still post and comment on other peoples posts.
- Second, each user will have their own little page they can play with on rantfest...much like the one you are looking at right now. On their page they will have free access to posting/pages/formatting/etc in their personal space. The only real restriction I am seeing put on it right now is file upload...ie, I don't trust people. :)
To post on any of the domains you are going to have to login (I will probably make it easy by giving you a 3 month cookie like I do with the name/webpages on the comments you post now). I am requiring the login for three reasons: you are who you say you are, to finally give you the opportunity to edit your posts when you mess them up, and searchability. The one account (account = bad word, I know. No personal info is required other than an email address and no one will see it, and no money needed/wanted.) will give you comment capability on all the rantfest sites along with your own little rantfest site you can play with or ignore or a redirect to your site if you already have one.
Now this is going to sound really odd coming from me since I hate people, but the end goal is to create an environment where an online community could thrive. Do I expect one to thrive? No, not really, and that is not the point. This just seems like the next logical step in where I started going years ago. It has it hurdles of things I have never done or thought about doing that I am going to have to figure out...and it keeps me coding.
Originally, I had intended on keeping most of the details hush hush until I released it upon the world, but then I ran into a problem...the domain name rantfest.com is already taken and I am not creative enough to come up with a new one. So here is you chance to help out: I need a domain name. Also, if there is anything you want tossed in or considered for the new page, toss it in the comments below. I am always happy to use or ignore anything and everything you say.
