Elliot? - Where’s he gone?!
Hey guys, I just wanted to let you all know that I am still around, and getting back into blogging.
For the last few months I’ve been working like crazy at doof to get version 2.0 launched.
Now that it’s done, I can get back to blogging and writing code in my spare time… Like every web developer does! Let me give you a little recap of where I am with things, and my plans for the future.
Blaze - The CodeIgniter CMS
I’ve had so much feedback from people regarding Blaze, the CodeIgniter CMS I started to write. In the main, the feedback was largely positive, along the following lines:
Hey, I really like Blaze, but it just doesn’t do enough for me… could you finish a 1.0 version already!?
Oh, and what’s going on with the licensing?
Blaze got off to a really good start, and worked as a ‘proof-of-concept’ for me. However, I was never happy with the state of modular seperation, and always felt the code was a bit heavy.
I’ve been thinking an awful lot about Blaze over the last few weeks, and want to get back into it. To begin with, version 1.0 of Blaze is going to be a basic CMS… just managing one entity: ‘pages’ (and subpages). Once the core system, and this one module is complete, I can then move onto building more functionality, like a blog module, a gallery module, etc…
Blaze is also going to use jQuery. Over the last 2 months I’ve been getting my head right into jQuery and I love everything about it. This will definitely be my javascript library of choice from now on.
That CodeIgniter Book Thing
In February I announced that I had began writing a CodeIgniter Book.
I started off at full steam, and posted a small portion of the first chapter of my book. But, as I my time was taken by more things, I eventually left my book to go dusty on a yet-to-be-built shelf.
This was a real shame, because I know that there are plenty of people who would really like to get this book… and I enjoyed writing it.
So, I’m going to be straight with you all.
I can see the way that CodeIgniter and ExpressionEngine are going, and I know that within a month or so there will probably be a significant CodeIgniter update that makes it an even better framework.
I want to write this book for the newest generation of CI (possibly named version 2.0), so that it’s relevant and up-to-date.
I’m also shifting the focus of the book. Initially, I wanted to go from the very basics right through. But, I realized that this would be such a huge task, that the book would never get finished.
Instead, my book is now going to focus on readers who already know a reasonable amount of PHP, and have used CodeIgniter for….. well…. let’s say 1 week. Afterall, it’s not hard to get ones head around CI.
With this focus, I can cut out a great deal of ‘housekeeping’ from the book and get right into the really good stuff.
In terms of a release date, I’m going to give a good estimate here and say 1 year. I’d love to say sooner, but the be fair, I want to be realistic, and set a deadline that I can keep to.
I’ll keep you all updated on the book via this blog.
CodeIgniter Libraries
I get a lot of traffic from people coming to my site to download my CodeIgniter libraries. However, I do know they are currently not up-to-scratch, and need a re-visit.
I will be reworking my libraries over the weekend and re-releasing them next week.
As well as this, I have 2 new libraries ready for release too.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Awesome, glad your back.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
work harder at Doof
August 5th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
You got inside info into the new version of CI???, i would love to know what features they are going to throw in considering the posts about expression engine 2.0 areas…and when its coming out!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Wow, I’m really really impressed with Doof! Cool concept, great execution.. probably the slickest Flex application I’ve come across. Flex, Remoting, CodeIgniter - good stuff
How long has it been in development?
August 6th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
To start with…
Firstly. No, I don’t have any inside info on CI… and if I were to have, I certainly wouldn’t tell the whole world!
Those predictions are just based on my observations, and half guess work.
Secondly. doof is great, the flex is coming along really nicely. The first version launched last October, and the second version launched just a few weeks ago.
The second version has been in development for a few months now.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Good read!
I’ve only recently started following your blog after I found out about Blaze.
Don’t overwork yourself… Don’t put too much pressure on yourself by announcing stuff people will start bugging you about…
August 11th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Elliot,
If you are looking for partner in the book, email me. I’ve been thinking about doing a CI book but doing the whole thing is a daunting task for 1 person.
- Tim
August 11th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I like all directions your trying to go - just remember that if you can find someone to help you it will make life 60% easier.
Doing everything you said by yourself might wear you out too soon (I know it did me…)
keep it up!
August 27th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Lots of people in the community are interested in helping you get Blaze moving - would you consider opening the project up so that a small team of contributers could really get the ball moving ASAP?