Dave Burke - Introducing Drive, a Rapid Development Framework for Community Server

Introducing Drive, a Rapid Development Framework for Community Server

I'm excited to announce the release of Drive, a Rapid Development Framework for Community Server. You can learn more about Drive and download the framework at DriveFramework.com.

"Rapid Development Framework for Community Server" is a rather high fallutin' description, I know, so what exactly is Drive? Drive is a collection of CodeSmith Templates I created over the last two years doing Freelance Community Server Development. I felt the templates were at a point of completeness that I could share them with other Community Server developers, so I packaged the collection and created Drive.

I know Community Server Developers like myself are going to find the CodeSmith template library a HUGE time saver, so I was torn over how much to charge for it. I ended up making the decision to give Drive away for free, with the only requirement being to register at DriveFramework.com. The exciting thing to me is that Drive is now out there, and through the collective experience of other developers Drive can now evolve into a better product.

Because Drive is free and I have a day job, support will only be available on the Drive site Support Forums. I am also well into documenting every CodeSmith template, so that should help answer questions as well. I should be finished with product documentation in the next couple of weeks. The Drive site has a blog which I will be using to announce product updates and news.

I need to say a word to those of you who may be wondering what the heck is going on with me if I can release a Rapid Development Framework for Community Server after saying that I'm moving away from Community Server. The simple answer is that I still do a lot of Community Server development and Drive has been something I felt I had to release before I could move on to other non-Community Server aspirations in the hopper. Community Server is a phenomenal product. I love working with it. Drive is an outgrowth of that experience. There will be more to come from me that has nothing to do with Community Server, but tonight I'm celebrating Drive!

Below is a screenpic of the Drive CodeSmith Template Library. I hope you don't mind scrolling a smidge.

Comments (8) | Post RSS RSS comment feed

Posted on 11/3/2008 1:06:23 PM by Dave Burke
Categories: CodeSmith | Community Server | Drive
Tags: No tags for this post

11/3/2008 6:20:02 PM Permalink

Great work, Dave

I'm sure this is very helpful for all the Community Server developers.

Keyvan Nayyeri |

11/3/2008 6:46:43 PM Permalink

Thank you, K-man! I was curious who the first commenter was going to be and am not surprised at all that it's you! You're everywhere, my friend, especially now that you're not Active Military!

Dave Burke |

11/4/2008 11:44:38 AM Permalink

Dave, this is HUGE!!! I hope Drive is a big success!

George J. Capnias |

11/4/2008 11:54:42 AM Permalink

George, I've always respected your perspective and CS coding talent, so this means a lot coming from you.

The next thing I'll probably put up is a "Get Started" page. I think that would be helpful.

Thanks for the positive word!

11/7/2008 2:36:31 PM Permalink

I'm going to have to download myself a copy of codesmith and give this a whirl - this looks absolutly fantastic.

One question, is there a reason for storing documentation in a media gallery? Surely a wiki would have made more sense - after all you are using CS2008.5. (btw, you're running the debug build of CS2008.5)

Alex |

11/7/2008 3:06:02 PM Permalink

Picky, picky, picky, Afscrome!

I thought about the Wiki.  I suppose I was approaching documentation as documents, white papers, videos...media types, in other words.  Initially, you're right, as par your CS Expert Usual, that a straight Wiki documentation approach makes more sense.

As for the debug version, thanks for letting me know.  An old, bad habit.

Thanks for stopping by and for your comment, as always.  As a sidebar, I was thinking of bringing back Community Server Byte news posts, but I realized since I get so much from your CS Forums replies I'd have to rename it "Alex Crome Chronicles."

11/7/2008 3:20:28 PM Permalink

Call me picky if you like, but I'm thinking wiki documentation = can be written and improved on by the community whereas media gallery = you having to validate all changes. Less work for your and better documentation. What more can you ask for

11/7/2008 4:29:38 PM Permalink

Afscrome, Right you are [again]! Believe me, there are no plans for change validation with Drive. If Drive becomes that successful, then I'll be happy to cut-n-paste into a Wiki. I'll also put a price tag on it. Otherwise, Drive is a one-man show and self-marketing effort. I'll certainly keep that in mind with the non-CS project I have in mind after Drive though, so thank you for the reminder!

Dave Burke : Freelance .NET Web Developer specializing in Online Communities

Introducing Drive, a Rapid Development Framework for Community Server

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