World of Xoops (WOX): WOX (World of XOOPS) Newsletter # 11 (August 2008)

Posted by: MambaOn 2008/7/31 20:10:00 26702 reads

WOX - World Of Xoops

W.O.X. - WORLD OF XOOPS #11 (August 2008)

Another month, and another issue of the WOX (World of XOOPS) Newsletter (see here previous versions). We are glad that you enjoy reading this newsletter and we appreciate your feedback! Thanks to Burning, we've changed a little bit the look of our newsletter - let us know what do you think...

Month of July was another successful month for XOOPS - we see more and more modules and themes being released showing the creativity of the community, and more and more Websites around the world utilizing XOOPS.

XOOPS 2.3 release is coming closer. Check out the latest Release Candidate. In the meantime, we would like to focus on Marketing campaign preparation for the XOOPS 2.3 Release via a Competition for XOOPS 2.3 Marketing Materials. Check out the idea for our new Video promo - help us in making it a great one!
We continue with the XOOPS Innovation Award - for people who create something very unique and innovative for XOOPS. This time the award goes to Vinod Surendran R (psindia) for his Xoops DHTML Hack
The "XOOPSer of the Month" is Herve Thouzard (hervet) from Instant Zero, for his "Birthday" module and for his endless support for XOOPS.

Summary

We continue to execute on our Plans for 2008. We'll need all the help from the whole XOOPS Community to make the 2008 Plans reality. But we are confident that together, we'll be able to make it. Remember - XOOPS is powered by YOU!!!!

01. New XOOPS developments

Current Releases

02. XOOPSer of the Month

This month we would like to recognize Herve Thouzard (hervet) from Instant Zero, for his his "Birthday" module. It is awesome example of the "XOOPS community spirit" - when Herve learned that Kevin, who is maintaining an Army Veterans site in UK, was looking for a modification to an old "Birthday" module, to honor their fallen soldiers, Herve offered to do a total rewrite of the module free of charge. They never met, they live in different countries, they speak different language at home, but it connects them the love for XOOPS. Herve, we salute you for helping Kevin!
Herve is also the author of the best XOOPS module for news (News), in addition to many other cool modules, and a big supporter of XOOPS for years! What we appreciate most about Herve is his dedication and endless support for XOOPS. To be honest, this award was long time overdue!!!

Where are you from, and where do you live now?

I'm from France and I'm living in a small town near Angers (Less than 2 hours from Paris)

How long have you been programming?

Since I was 13 years old (that's 25 years ago). I have been, first, a Windows programmer (I'm the author of "THE Rename") and several years ago (a bit tired of this domain), I choose to concentrate on internet

What is your expertise?

Creating websites with Xoops and also creating modules.

What got you to XOOPS?

In 2002, I've been asked to create several intranets in a very short time. After a comprehensive study of all the available CMS (I had a list of points to validate), I chose Xoops and I succeed in creating the intranets before the deadlines.

What do you like the most about XOOPS?

Its modularity and adaptability and the fact that it's Open Source.

In what area of XOOPS do you contribute and why?

Mainly in modules because that's what I like to do

You have also a company, Instant-Zero, that delivers XOOPS-based Solutions. What do you specialize in?

Instant Zero exists since 2006 and we are specialized in several areas :

1. The full creation of websites (Xoops installation, theme creation etc)
2. The creation of specific modules, for example Bookshop, Myshop, Mykart, Myservices, Buyersguide, Myphotos, Adhesions, etc
3. Maintenance of websites
4. Hosting of websites
5. Adaptation/customization of existing Open Source products
6. Web Consulting for our customers
7. Subcontracting/outsourcing services for other companies

Why did you come up with the idea of focusing on XOOPS? What are the benefits for an ISV?

As I was working with and for Xoops since 2002, it seems natural to me to keep using it. The benefits are multiples. The first argument for our client is to say that it's Open Source. The second argument goes with the first, if we disappear you (the client) can still find someone else to maintain your site. The fact that the product exists since 2001 is important. Having a product running with PHP and MySQL enable us to use and install Xoops nearly everywhere. As I previously stated, its modularity and adaptability are two important points. Adding a feature to a website is often just a matter of minutes (and limited to a module installation) The use of themes based on CSS enable us to adapt the look and feel to the exact needs of our clients. It's also a secure solution with a good support.

What is your major achievement in programming that you're most proud of?

Always my next module But I'm very proud of Buyersguide. This module required several month for its development but it's really my best module.

What's your favorite development tool(s)?

I was working with PpEclipse but now I'm using Zend Studio for Eclipse.

What are your hobbies, when you're not coding?

Being with my wife, reading, making the cat believe he is a killer, playing to my WII (with my wife and friends) and going to the cinema.

You favorite dish and drink?

Snails with a Saumur Champigny

What about movies and music?

Jazz & classical music and for the films, SciFic and comics.

If you could choose a place and time to live, what would it be and why?

Today and here.

Who is the person that you would like to meet and why?

Alan Mathison Turing to thanks him for everything he made and to ask him not to eat the apple.

03. XOOPS Innovation Award

Our XOOPS Innovation Award is given to people who create something very unique and very innovative for XOOPS! We are clear that XOOPS can only succeed, when we push the limits of our creativity, imagination, and innovation to "infinity and beyond" . And therefore we would like to recognize people who create this "WOW!" effect, when we see what they've done. The XOOPS Innovation Award is not a monthly award, i.e. theoretically, there might be a month where we won't give one, but we certainly hope that this will never happen

This month the award goes to Vinod Surendran R (psindia) for his Xoops DHTML Hack

Where are you from, and where do you live now?

I am from INDIA ( Kerala ) and still living here

How long have you been programming?

From my 15th Birthday

What is your expertise?

php,cpp,java .. but more php

What got you to XOOPS?

It was just an accident .. I found xoops inside a magazine cd . Installed and found interesting and learned more about it ..

What do you like the most about XOOPS?

Everything .. :) ..

In what area of XOOPS do you contribute and why?

My major contribution include XOOPS DHTML Hack ( I felt that the current editor of xoops needs to improve alot). I also made a module X-monitor for tracking user activities.

What you you major achievement in programming that you're most proud of?

I made a software for my college eXamlog ... and the College is still using it.

What are your hobbies, when you're not coding?

Gaming , Reading IT Magazines

What about movies and music?

Movies with action and stunning graphics.

If you would have a chance for a 30 seconds commercial with a message to the world, what would you say?

" HATE WARS !!!! LOVE PEACE !!! "

Who is the person that you would like to meet and why?

Larry Page and Sergey Brin .. I am a big fan of these google founders and likes their style.