Mambo Plog Synch (I have working code to donate!)

[Brat]

Hello all.

I think I can safely say that Mambo CMS does not have a good blogging solution. Well... at least I couldn't find one.

Because I like pLog so much, I worked with a programmer to develop a working bridge between pLog and Mambo (latest versions of both). So far, it appears to be working well. Both programs maintain their individual independent functionality (including their own independent registration systems), and they share user information. Additionally, pLog writes each blog created as a news item to Mambo so that the webmaster can publish the blogs on a Mambo page (Mambo users know exactly what I'm talking about).

Of course, the solution is "rough" in my opinion - joint registration currently works one way (meaning that a person who registers in Mambo registers in pLog, but not the other way around). There are probably other "little" things that could be improved upon. I wasn't trying for full integration so much as full interfacing so that the programs could share information without being slaved to each other.

Some core files had to be altered to get the two programs to synch up, but it doesn't look too terribly bad. I'd REALLY like someone to adopt this project and run with it. I am willing to donate my working files and instructions to both software communities to make this a reality.

If anyone wants the code, please let me know where I can send it. Thanks!

Regards,
Brat.

[silex]

Sounds great. Is there a URL where we can see it in action?

[Brat]

Sounds great. Is there a URL where we can see it in action?

I have it up and running, but it's for a client site, and I cannot release that URL yet. However, on my company site, I can get a demo up and running within the next couple of days (sorry about the delay - I'm SWAMPED!)

Once I have a demo up and running for people to use, I'll post the URL here. The one thing I haven't had done yet is fully integrate the logins for both programs (so that when you're logged into Mambo, you also are logged into pLog). However, when you create an ID on Mambo, one is created in pLog, and I have a small login module that can be added to Mambo that at least allows separate login from the main page.

As I said, there is a LOT that still needs to be done. Again, if anyone would like to actually work on the source code, please let me know.

Regards,
Brat.

[phunkphorce]

well if it helps, we have planned for next version to include a separate "user backend" layer so that plog users can be integrated with phpbb, mambo or even ldap if needed by creating simple classes with basic methods such as createUser, updateUser, authenticateUser, etc. The default method will be of course to authenticate agains plog's own user data in the database but it will be very very easy to create new authentication and user management layers for further integration.

I'm also interested in seeing how you achieved this integration between mambo and plog

[Brat]

I'm still working out the interfacing. With the solution to the dreaded /tmp problem (I just posted the solution), I'm well on my way.

Basically, my integration is probably more extensive than is needed. My solution is set up so that a person who registers in Mambo is registered in pLog (including the creation of a default blog to get them going). The blog is given a simple, generic title ("Blog of [UserID]") which of course can be changed upon login.

Also, my solution cross posts between pLog and Mambo. Blogs/posts are entered into Mambo's tables as news items, which a webmaster can then publish however desired on Mambo pages. However, due to the power of Smarty, this really isn't necessary, as a Mambo administrator could simply create a static page (using the wonderful PHP bot available at Mambobrothers.com) and a simple include statement. The caveat here is that, as I learned, you SHOULD (and probably MUST to be safe) create the proper PHP and template files to get this to work with Mambo for various reasons (especially relative pathways!)

As I said earlier, I finally worked out the issues I was facing, and now it's just a matter of some style sheet alterations to fix the aesthetics. I even have pLog's login form working from within Mambo.

I'm sorry about the delay in getting up a working demo. I'm doing a business site, and I've GOT to get that done first before I can set this all up.

So far, this has been a GREAT learning experience, well worth the occasional headache.

If you want to see the code I used for passing information between the Mambo and pLog tables, just let me know.

[phunkphorce]

well I'd love to see that code if it's available. You can either put a link to it somewhere here in the forums or email it to me... (you'll find my address in my profile!)

[markwu]

Sounds interesting.

In Taiwan, Edday (Taiwan Mambo support leader) just told me he want to join development with me about this feature (Integrate pLog and Mamboo). I will let him know this information, he will be very happy.

When will you get code and demo site ready? I really want to see this demo in action

Regards, Mark

BTW, what is the Mambo and pLog version you used?

[syaman]

Any updates on this project? I am also very keen on how this is coming along

[Torkil]

I'm also keen to hear about development in this matter.

[pbutts]

Anything new?

I'll be starting to recreate our public site in Mambo over the next couple of months and the thing I'm most excited about is being able to have a common interface for both the public site and our intranet. By then I should have everyone trained in pLog and would be great if I could use the pLog database to set up Mambo users.

[markwu]

I will co-development with Taiwan pLog Community ... but, need to wait when I finish all 1.1 tasks ... too many things, only a little time

If someone want to do it ... just take it

Mark

[phunkphorce]

would be great if I could use the pLog database to set up Mambo users.

it's going to be the other way around: you'll be able to use mambo's database to set up plog users. What you were saying is only possible if you hack mambo to use plog's database, but in our case, plog is going to offer a framework to make it easy to use somebody else's user database (in this case, Mambo)

[buglerroller]

any update on this?

[phunkphorce]

at least, not from our side.

[coldfrost]

Hi

What is the progress for this bridging?

I have Joomla and would love to have a slick integration with Lifetype