Finally the first beta release is ready.

I have also created some fieldtype-plugins. The picture-plugin supports thumbnail generation and resizing.

^{[link removed due to SoC investigation and review]}

The file contains the component and all fieldtype-plugins.

I am almost finished with the first version of the component. Then the debugging can start. When it is finished, I'll post the installation packages to this blog.

I have added some additional fieldtypes, almost finished template manager and still have to create a front-end display for acticles.

There will be a fieldtype where you can upload images (and other files).

There will not be support for subcategories.

The articles are be searchable, but there has to be a plugin developed. I expect I won't have time to create one within the Summer Of Code deadline, but probably after the deadline I will.

I'll keep you updated and plan to release the first beta next week.

I am happy to tell you I have 3 out of 5 milestones finished. In my previous post I said my milestones were:

• Create contenttype manager
• Create fields manager
• Create article manager
• Create template manager
• Create frontend article-display

I have now created a contenttype manager, field manager and article manager. Fieldtypes (inputbox, selectlist, etc.) can be added by installing plugins. This allows 3rd party developers to add their own fields. I have created plugins for a textbox and a selectlist.

I have created installation packages for the component and 2 plugins so you can see my progress so far:

• com_cfm.zip
• plg_field.text.zip
• plg_field.select.zip

Am am now busy creating more fieldtypes and creating a template manager.

I've been very busy the last few weeks so I didn't have much time for this project, but the good news is that I can focus on this project completely from now on.

Thanks for the reactions and name-suggestions. The projectname will be Custom Fields Manager.

My milestones are:

• Create contenttype manager
• Create fields manager
• Create article manager
• Create template manager
• Create frontend article-display

I'm currently still working on the contenttype manager.

I've looked at existing solutions (like Drupal CCK) and I like the functionality that you can add your own field-types (selectlist, radiobuttons etc.). So I am going to implement that in the fields manager.

I've had some suggestions for features, and I liked the idea of creating templates for category listings.

New idea's are of course still welcome, but the next thing I'm thinking of is the name of the component. I've got some idea's myself, but I love to hear from you as well! Here's my list:

• CCK, Content Construction Kit (same name as drupal, so drupal-users know what the content does instantly, but not very original)
• CustomFields
• Custom Fields Manager
• Content Type Manager

At the moment I think I would go for Content Type Manager, but giving your opinion could change that of course!

I'd also like to tell you: I'm going to keep everything similar to com_content (of the joomla-core) as much as possible. So this means using categories/sections of com_content,  same parameters (date published, author, meta-tags, etc.).

I'm going to be very busy with exams till May 29th, so you won't hear much from me probably, but I'll let you hear if my exams went well

Hey everyone, I'll start explaining my idea.

It's a component wich allows you to do the following:

1. Create a custom content type (content item with custom fields).
2. Create a template (how the content type should be displayed).
3. Create unlimited content-items, based on the custom content types.

Example:

Create content-type painting, with custom fields: name, artist, medium, date painted, image of painting. Then create a template. Now create a new content-item, and select as content type painting. A form is automatically generated, where you can enter the name, artist, date painted and upload an image of the painting.

To get some idea's how to exactly make this, I'm going to look at some of the existing solutions:

• Drupal Content Constuction Kit (Kim Brebach told me about it in a comment of a previous post, thanks!)
• JoomSuite Content

If you have feature-requests or interesting idea's, now is the time, please tell me!
If you like the idea, please let me know in a comment, then I know some is reading this :)

You can also mail me at woltjes@gmail.com.

Jaap Woltjes is a Business Economics major from the Netherlands who is good at mathematics and physics. Jaap learned PHP programming and MySQL several years ago and has studied object orientated programming, design patterns and UML. He also has real world experience using Joomla! to build Web sites for small businesses. In fact, it is because of this experience that Jaap realized his GSoC idea would be helpful to end users. Jaap is excited at the prospect of participating in the GSoC and creating something that many find useful.

Mentor: Mickael Maison is from France but is currently a student in Computer Programming at the University of Teesside where he studies software development, artificial intelligence, and distributed systems. Last year, he was a Joomla! GSoC student and was invited to join the Joomla! Developer Team as a result of his success. Mickael participates in Web programming as a hobby and is fascinated by how quickly things can be accomplished. He enjoys music, guitar, travel, discovering cultures, and learning languages.

Many webdesigners use Joomla to allow their clients to edit their website. I know from experience the client hasn't got the knowlegde to make a complicated layout. He/she doesn't know much about pixels etc.

If the developer wants to allow their clients to create pages with a custom layout, he has to create a custom component for that.

My proposal will be a component where the developer can define a template, and the client can fill it up

Images are automatically resized, so the client can't mess up the layout.

When I posted my idea on the Joomla forum there were already people interested in using it.

Quote from DeborahSuzan on the Joomla forum:

"It would be a very helpful implementation"