At Wishdesk, we always monitor innovations and new developments in the Drupal world, and the Drupal Starshot project is one of the most exciting initiatives currently underway. Recently, on July 25, 2024, an AMA session with Dries took place, during which the main aspects of this ambitious project's progress were discussed. We want to share the key points from this session and how they can impact your future projects.
The Critical Path of the Starshot Project
During the session, Dries detailed the key components that make up the project's critical path. These elements are fundamental to the successful launch and operation of the first version of Drupal Starshot:
- Backend Theme: Developing a unified backend template that ensures a consistent user experience in the administrative part of sites. This template should include standardized components that simplify the work of administrators and be as convenient and intuitive as possible.
- Frontend Theme: Developing a primary frontend template that provides sites with a unified look and feel. The main goal is to ensure the quick setup of the site's appearance, considering the latest design and UX standards. The theme should be easily customizable to meet the diverse needs of users.
- Installer: Creating an installation process that allows users to select and install various recipes during the setup of Drupal Starshot. This will simplify the initial setup process, making it more user-friendly and intuitive for new users.
- Base Recipe: A primary recipe with essential components and modules, including themes (frontend and backend), media management, and SEO capabilities. The Base Recipe will serve as the foundation for further configurations and expansions, including:
- Content Management Modules: For example, for event support and content management.
- SEO Modules: Tools for optimizing content for search engines, such as creating meta tags and managing structured data.
- Media Management: The development of tools for managing media assets on sites is crucial for many types of websites. This includes a convenient interface for uploading, editing, and organizing media files.
- SEO Capability: Implementing search engine optimization capabilities, which are essential for improving the visibility of sites in search engines. This includes automated meta tag creation tools, structured data management, and other SEO aspects.
- User Experience (UX) Standardization: Ensuring consistency in the user experience, including integrating external libraries and standardizing design using CSS variables. This will reduce setup time and improve user interaction with the system.
- Technical Alignment: Coordinating technical solutions between tracks to ensure compatibility and avoid conflicts between modules and components. This includes ensuring common coding standards, development tools, and methodologies are used.
- Product Strategy and Documentation: Publishing and creating documentation to support developers and users. This will allow all stakeholders to understand the project's direction and effectively use available resources.
The Role of Track Leaders
One of the key topics discussed was the role of track leaders in the project. Track leaders will define requirements, plan, and implement tracks. They will also work closely with the Starshot leadership team to ensure UX and technical solutions consistency.
Several track leaders have been selected, and candidates for other tracks are being recruited. This is an excellent opportunity for the Drupal community to contribute to developing this ambitious project.
Collaboration and Communication
Dries emphasized the importance of collaboration between track leaders and the Starshot leadership team. Mechanisms for ensuring consistency between different tracks were discussed, including regular meetings and open communication through platforms such as Slack.
Promotion and Marketing
The role of marketing in promoting the Starshot project was also discussed. It was proposed to create a separate track for promoting and communicating the project's achievements. This includes creating short videos, social media posts, and other materials that will help raise awareness and interest in the project.
Future Plans
The Starshot project is planned to be presented at DrupalCon Barcelona, where the new platform's achievements and functionality will be demonstrated. This will include showcasing the installation process and the capabilities of various tracks.
Track List
The Starshot project includes a variety of tracks, with more to be added in the future. As of now, there are approximately 15 tracks. Some specific tracks that have been discussed include:
- Events: Adding events capability to Starshot, including support for multi-day events, digital events, and physical location events.
- Media Management: Tools and features for managing media assets on sites.
- SEO: Capabilities and modules to enhance search engine optimization for content.
Important Resources
- Drupal Starshot on Drupal.org: The official project page where you can find the latest news and documents.
- Dries' Blog: A place where Dries publishes his thoughts and updates on the project.
- Drupal Slack Channel: A platform for discussing and coordinating work on the Starshot project.
Final Thoughts
At Wishdesk, we are confident that the Starshot project has great potential and can significantly change the approach to developing sites on Drupal. We will continue to follow the news and share the most important updates with you.
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