[imp] Making large scale changes

[Atif Ghaffar]

Hi Nick.

You have to think here about your own deadlines etc.
Unless, you are enhancing IMP solely for the purpose that the IMP
community can benifit from it, then its a different story.
If you are doing it cause its a business need, then I would suggest to
branch off and start doing your changes.

The IMP developers have are a little reluctant to accept all
patches/ideas from people who think a little bit different from them.
Not that there is something wrong with it, and I am sure that given
strong reasons for doing task X in way Z may change their minds.

Giving back to the community is easy. If you really want to: setup a
webpage about your patches and announce them on the IMP list. So Horde
developers are not forced to accept your patches, and only user's
interested in the changes you have made can get it if they want.

Now about the changes/customization.
------------------------------------
I have played a lot with different versions of IMP, and I can tell you
that it wasnt written for easy customizations in mind.
Having said that, you can change it to meet your requirements.
Try http://www.rslnet.ch (try horde/imp as user/pass or create an
account for yourself).
There is also a (unspeakable) frames  version that we have setup with a
lot of user behaviour study.
You can see a prototype at 
http://webmail.developer.ch (horde/imp as user/pass)

I will be interested to know more about what you have planned for
development.
In particular, I would be willing to help you with
* Address Book.
* link to calendars
* external pop3 account messages retrieval
* Multiple signatures
* user-profile/account creation interface

cheers.

Let me know what you think.



Nick Loman wrote:
> =

> Hey list,
> =

> I have to implement a web mail interface for a client with a very disti=
nct
> and well defined feature-set, as well as a complete appearance
> specification.
> =

> I have already decided to base this system on IMP -- my question is, ho=
w
> can I customise IMP sufficiently whilst allowing others to benefit from=

> any extra features I add in? Obviously the answer is "CVS" but presumab=
ly
> I would need to have a discussion with the developers as to how the
> features I anticipate adding might fit with the future direction of the=

> product and devise a strategy for merging my changes back in?
> =

> The alternative is just to branch off and do it myself but I would
> consider that a little inpolite on my behalf given that you guys have
> already given so much to the community.
> =

> As a basic indication of my requirements which may, or may not be cover=
ed
> already by the latest development version:
> =

> * complete customisable template
> * folder list on mail list page
> * interaction with SQL based members directory for searches
> * linking e-mail attachments to SQL
> * more advanced filtering capabilities
> * multiple "extra" mail accounts integrated into single INBOX (is this
> even possible?)
> * link to calendars
> * recognition of e-mail types and display of particular icon based on
> recognition by e-mail
> * Netscape 3.0+ higher compatibility
> * advanced address book capability
> * more advanced signature support (e.g. multiple signatures)
> * user profiles/accounts
> =

> There's more but that's a taster for now. IMP developers' thoughts
> appreciated.
> =

> Cheers,
> =

> Nick.

-- 
Atif Ghaffar
Internet Development Manager
4unet AG/SA/Ltd.
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