Dark Hart Portal

File Release Notes and Changelog

Release Name: 0.3.1 beta

Notes: This release will be the final incarnation of this version of the portal. The next release will be developed on an entirely new core which will be designed shortly and hopefully written on the PHP5 platform in the mid-term. My reasoning for stopping development on this branch is as follows: From the beginning of development on this project, I worked to separate the presentation layer fully from the code/logic layer. Unlike most PHP portals, I was very successful in doing this with generally improved performance over the heavier competition. However, the underlying core had some major deficiencies 1) The method of translating the user's request to an action in code was sometimes heavy handed. This can be sub-classed cleaner. Since this is most of the core so far, it will require major fundamental changes throughout all code. 2) The template engine parsing was proprietary, when it could be XML based. I will still provide a hand-rolled XML parser in addition to a fully Expat compatible parser (which will be faster). Tag definitions will change throughout the templates because of this. 3) The current implementation of the "element" content type is essentially allowing the embedding of code in content. This should be vastly modified, secured and improved. 4) The entire idea of content management is heavily flawed by the Slash "article" based systems used in other CMS. It is not generic enough to be a true CMS. 5) User management and security was an afterthought in the original design.. This MUST be integrated into the CORE action model. 6) Language handling needs direct interaction in the core. 7) I spent too much time constantly fiddling with the core and couldn't get plugins to play well with each other. Plugin cross-integration and relationships are also a key element to the core. If you have followed Dark Portal and been interested in its future development, let me know if you would like to participate in the design of the next version of the core: hirschf@rogers.com