Transitioning from Plone to Drupal

The release of the new MMI website is accompanied by a change in the underlying site technology. In previous versions of the MMI electronic community, we were using Plone. The project is now making use of Drupal technology to drive the site. This fundamentally changes some of the ways the MMI community will interact with the website.

You are more than welcome to browse individual help and FAQ pages for additional information on the site. What follows here is a snapshot of the differences between the current and previous MMI sites.

Keyword Organization (current) vs. Folder Organization (previous)

In the previous version of the site, the structure was developed by creating folders in specific locations. To add content in a specific location, we would use the "Add" functionality to create content (page, folder, etc).  Once "Saved" this content was stored in that location.  

In the current website, the content is organized largely by keywords chosen from various taxonomies. The Drupal technology allows site administrators to develop comprehensive taxonomies, and then organize content based on how a particular page is tagged. In a sense, we are using metadata to organize the site!

The Deep End...

Let's be honest - we all like using structured URL for individual pages. So, site administrators have developed a taxonomy called "URL Path". We are using this additional taxonomy to create a clean URL path.

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Team Structure

Just as with the previous version, teams work in specific sections of the site. They are assigned a team section, and team membership can be managed by the team lead. This allows the team lead a little more flexibility in how the group is setup.

Since Drupal is metadata driven (i.e. taxonomy driven), it will be important for all team members to know their group's short name (available on the Team Description page, and includd in the team homepage URL). The shortname will be used when team content is added, using the URL Path section.  In addition, team content should be tagged with the appropriate type in the Group Content Filing System section.  This will ensure that content will appear in the Team Section. 

The Deep End...

In Drupal terminology, we are using "Organic Groups" to manage MMI teams. As we continue to grow into the new site, this organic group organization (og for short) will provide us with greater functionality.

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View vs. Attachment

OK, this one gets a little tricky. On the previous site, we could "Add an Image", or "Add a File." This functionality appears only in the Team section on the new Drupal driven site. The ability to add an image or file is not restrictted to team work.  Near the bottom of every add/edit content page, you will see a "File Attachment" section. You can use this to upload a file or image to the MMI site.

The Deep End...

In the previous Plone website, images were kept with web pages within the database that drove the site. This meant that for every file or image we uploaded, there was a corresponding "view" page. 

The Drupal technology separates the web pages from the "file attachments" (images, files).  So, the URL of all images and files on our current website begin with "http://marinemetadata.org/files/mmi/".  This also means that files and images are generally attached to content on the site.   

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Page/News/Event vs. Page/Book Page/Reference/Opportunity/Event/etc

On the previous site, we basically had three types of content we could add: Page, News, or Event. If we were adding information about a reference, we would use the Page type, and customize the body section. The organization and categorization of the content came from where we were adding the content, more than what we were adding.

On the current website, there are a variety of types of content we can add, including Page, Book Page, Reference, Opportunity, and Event, though this needs some refinement yet. Each of these types of content has slightly different elements required in the entry page. In this paradigm, organization and categorization of the content comes from what we are adding, not where it is being added.

The Deep End...

In Drupal terminology, site administrators are using different "Content Types" for the various types of content available for submission online. By using different content types, we are prompted to add metadata specific to the type of content we are adding. For example, if you are adding a reference, you might be prompted to indicate the "Maturity Level" of the reference. However, for events, you are asked to submit a start and end date. In addition to customizing the entry form, site administrators also pre-determine which sets of the taxonomy you are asked to submit for each content type.

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Publication Status vs. Workflow

While the previous site allows us to control the publication status of content, the new website incorporates a "Workflow Status."  The workflow process allows us to develop an editorial process by which content can be submitted, reviewed, and published.  This process, essentially, allows anonymous users to more easily add content to the site, while maintaining a level of security.

As we continue to grow into the new website, site administrators will be identifying reviewers and trashmen who will help with the editorial process.   

The Deep End...

The Drupal-driven workflow is different than public access.  The workflow state controls visibility and prompts actions for items that have not yet been published.  Access controls visibility for items that have been published.  See Workflow vs. Access for more information. 

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Looking Ahead

As the MMI project continues to grow into our new site, we will be able to use more complex tools and web functionality. The Plone-driven site served us well for many years. On the previous site, we explored the functionality and promise of an electronic community. Now, we are transitioning to a Drupal-driven site. If history is any indication, years from now we will have explored even more electronic community collaboration tools. This will benefit not only current MMI members, but scientists, technologists and researchers who have yet to become introduced to the exciting world of marine metadata interoperability.