Re: Rialto Browser UI framework

What are reactions to the idea to the idea of an existing portal framework with development being devoted to building various JSR-286 portlets, as needed?

The portal framework itself deals with all the browser stuff like skins, decorations, sign-on, security, and deployment. This means a whole lot of overhead and PITA work is of no real concern to us programmers?


On 1/23/2010 4:32 PM, Pete Helgren wrote:

Nathan,

I think the "pluggable" architecture is a key to the success of any
framework. With a documented framework/API that is extensible, you
don't have to wait for the vendor to deliver. Someone else might write
one, or you could write your own plugin.

The open source financial software Kuali, uses a similar concept. Kuali
provides very basic financial accounting. Basically is has limited
functionality (G/L, A/P, Purchasing,etc) But not *all* the functionality
is there. You can't write checks with it for example. It will generate
a check "transaction" that can be used to print a check, or direct
deposit it, or whatever, but the actual model that would produce a paper
check would be provided by the college using the software. You can find
the Kuali project here: http://www.kuali.org/

The basic concept is that it is a financial framework, not a complete
solution, so they invite other colleges to write modules and contribute
them to the project.

You might even consider a similar concept with the financial package you
are developing. Your framework could provide the *core* functions
including auditing, journaling and the like. And, even if you continue
go the proprietary route, you could at least publish the api's that can
be used to "hook up" other applications. Those apps could be written by
schools or by third parties.

It isn't a bad concept when you are limited by resources. In your
situation, all of the plugins could be proprietary and closed source but
you get the advantage of the collaboration of many partners to deliver a
complete solution.

Just a thought.

Pete


Nathan Andelin wrote:

That leads to the question - what about using Widgets from multiple libraries? Rialto doesn't appear to have an editable grid, for example. Perhaps one of the secrets to jquery's success is that it begins with a lightweight library, and invites 3rd parties to write individual plug-ins.

Nathan.



----- Original Message ----
From: Pete Helgren<Pete@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries<web400@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, January 23, 2010 1:33:15 PM
Subject: Re: [WEB400] Rialto Browser UI framework

I have been using jqGrid which leverages jQuery and it has been pretty
productive, especially the inline editing which makes the grid work like
Excel (good for those finance types at School Districts who seem to
*love* Excel).

Pete