EDIT: I have a bare bones site up and running -
http://ingeniousity.net/Stop press! I talked to the folks at Ushahidi, and they have an
application almost ready for release which will make it possible to
build Ushahidi into this site.
Please visit and play with this combination of functionalities. Content needs to be written or copied (and translated) from Evoke, and it needs to be smartened up visually, but the basic functions are all there. I need your input about what you think is good, bad or desirable before I can take it any further. I've also created an admin account (see message on website) so you can play with the softwares that make it all possible.
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Original message:I came into Evoke too late to use it in the classroom this year, but very much hope to do so next semester. I'm not clear on whether the existing site will still be available, but after thinking about it I've realised that it would be pretty easy to build something that works in much the same way.
Question: Does this count as a derivative work, as prohibited in the Terms of Service?
I've also realised that if I did build such a site it could function in two ways:
- Much the same as the existing site, with users around the world being in touch with each other.
- As a 'private Evoke space' with access restricted to those invited. By making everything downloadable and installable elsewhere, this would effectively give anyone who wants one their own copy of Evoke.
I can't start work on this until after 12 May (too many missions to complete) but I'm pretty sure I can do the following without any difficulty:
- Give all users a profile which can be configured to manage the quests, plus whatever other personal information I want to collect or display, including galleries.
- Enable 'groups' so that teachers can keep track of their students. Each group would have it's own discussion board. This is the biggie for me.
- Each user has a blog, or author privileges in designated categories which correspond to the missions. Or both.
- Commenting systems and private messaging
- Article rating, but only a simple 1-5 stars with no power points.
- Stuff like featured articles, latest activity, etc.
- Give points for designated activities, and (optionally) some kind of system for users to give each other points.
- An integrated, but seperate discussion forum using phpBB. (example)
- An integrated, but seperate wiki usable by all members for projects. This could include the material from the teaching project, for instance.
- multi-language support
There are tons of other features which can be added without too much difficulty, all using off-the shelf open source software. With modifications, which may cost money, a great many other things can become possible quite quickly.
If you have suggestions for features, or can offer to help, then leave a message below.
Requirements:
- Technical help may be needed for any software hacks.
- Content writing
- Curriculum stuff, to make it usable.
- Translation so that this becomes accessible to people who are not good in English.