[REBOL] Re: Idea for [rebol.org]...
From: greggirwin:mindspring at: 19-Mar-2004 12:18
Max, Robert, et al
(pardon any disjointed-ness, this was composed in small pieces and
spare moments)
Sunanda and I are both very busy for the next few weeks, but we'll
keep track of the suggestions made here regarding REBOL.org, so keep
them coming.
MOA> so far, it seems to me that rebolers don't play well together
MOA> (code-wise) unless RT is giving its approval.
My experience is that REBOLers play *very* well together. I've worked
on a number of projects with people from this list and other channels.
What I see as different about REBOL is that all the things we do
remain external from the main distro (as I think it should be right
now). Even if we come up with a great library, it won't ship with
REBOL, so people still have to look for it. This is a big difference
compared to other systems.
To support the reusable/shared code approach in a general way, I think
we need to have some other pieces in place (e.g. how to organize and
define "projects", include other files, etc.). This is where RT comes
into play. There are various INCLUDE mechanisms out there, but RT has
their own (PREBOL); which one to support? We'd all like to see module
support in REBOL (planned and rumored), but if we build our own it
could be made obsolete when their native mechanism becomes available.
So we wait...and build things for ourselves in the meantime.
Package support is a great example. Should it be RIP, ZIP, RPM, doc'd,
with metadata, allow 'includes, etc. We talked about a lot of things,
and would still be talking if Sunanda hadn't taken the initiative to
get *something* out there for comment and use.
A library approach like Boost might help, and I think that's something
REBOL.org can support, though maybe in a less formal manner. I looked
at Boost (and CPAN, Parnassus, etc.) quite a bit when we set up
REBOL.org. We want to improve the guidelines we provide to submitters,
without being overbearing in our formality about it.
>> Anyway, with rebol.org we have a very good reference point.
>> At the moment it's a portal to get access to scripts, someone owns
>> and updates. Scripts are independent. The library people introduced
>> the idea of packages, so now I can add collections of scripts that
>> are related. But still it's only a one-person show.
People can collaborate via REBOl.org. Scripts can be shared by
multiple owners, though I don't know how many people are using that
feature.
I'm all for making things better and I think REBOL.org is the
right place to get folks together to do it. Sunanda has made a
huge difference in the community by taking the initiative and
doing so much work at REBOL.org, giving us something to build on.
We're looking now at making REBOL.org more attractive and useful, so
let us know what you like (or don't), what you want to see in the
future, and what you want to do to help!
Thanks!
-- Gregg