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Date: Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:02:33 -0500
From: Ruth Hoffman <rhoffman@aesolves.com>
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To: dev@ofbiz.apache.org
Subject: Re: Extending OFBiz: The BigFish eCommerce Project
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Hi Gareth:
Can't help but add my 2 cents here...

First, I take issue with Han's statement: "...it is an implementation of 
a 'simple' OFBiz component all in a single webapp...". I would argue 
that there is no such thing as a "simple" OFBiz component. To my way of 
thinking, "simple" adds no value to the discussion. A component is a 
component.

Second, components are not implemented in webapps. User interfaces - 
built from one or more OFBiz webapps - which provide browser access to 
OFBiz features and functions, are implemented within a component. Not 
the other way around.

Third, after many years of using OFBiz and developing many new 
applications (and working with existing ones), IMHO the menu, form and 
list widgets are of limited value. Here is when I (sometimes) use them: 
If you need to build a quick webpage (HTML) view into a single database 
table, perhaps an entity you have added to implement some new business 
function, you may want to consider using these widgets. To add and 
remove data to a single table or list the contents of a table, widgets 
work just fine.

The problem arises in that most modern, web based user interface designs 
don't lend themselves to this very one-dimensional view of the data model.

It is extremely difficult (and IMHO a waste of time) to build an OFBiz 
user interface with these widgets when you have the best tool available 
(Freemarker) to do this. Use the right tool for the job and you will be 
rewarded handsomely!

Best of luck
Ruth
http://www.myofbiz.com

On 12/3/11 8:59 AM, Gareth O'Brien wrote:
> Hans,
>
> I'm new to ofbiz; also to the tools and components that it comprises having
> come from a Windows .NET C# background.
>
> I'm interested in your comment about it being a pity that only ftl is used.
> Can you expand a bit on that?
>
> What are the shortcomings of ftl?
> What alternative(s) would you recommend and why?
>
> The whole area of UI, especially simplified and deployed as an end-user
> package will feature heavily in a project due to kick off in January.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Gareth.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hans Bakker [mailto:mailinglist@antwebsystems.com]
> Sent: 02 December 2011 06:45
> To: dev@ofbiz.apache.org
> Cc: Len Shein
> Subject: Re: Extending OFBiz: The BigFish eCommerce Project
>
> I think this is pretty interesting, it is an implementation of a 'simple'
> OFBiz component all in a single webapp....a pity that only ftl is used, but
> still......
>
> A demo version would be helpfull.
>
> what is the license of this contribution, is it a contribution?
>
> Regards,
> Hans
>
> On 12/01/2011 01:06 AM, Len Shein wrote:
>> OFBiz Community:
>>
>> We have developed an eCommerce specific solution, something like a
>> "Store In a Box". We call it BigFish.
>>
>> Built on top of OFBiz; completely ready-to-go, with lots of
>> flexibility and configuration options. We are looking for adopters! We
>> are looking for the OFBiz community to download, support, critique,
>> suggest improvements, and validate our efforts.
>>
>> To participate take a look at
>> <http://www.salmonllc.com/downloads/bf_deploy.doc>
>> http://www.salmonllc.com/website/downloads/bf_deploy.doc
>>
>>
>>
>> *	BigFish eCommerce
>>
>> *	A fully functional eCommerce implementation (a real working "Store
>> In A Box")
>> *	Includes product categories, products, configurations, check-out
>> etc.
>> *	BigFish eCommerce is a single framework that can be used to
>> implement any number of eCommerce stores, all with their own products,
>> look-and-feel and behavior
>> *	The Product Catalog data drives all aspects of the shopping
>> experience
>> *	And look-and-feel is modified within the CSS styling and the BigFish
>> configuration
>> *	With flexible configuration options to fine-tune the user experience
>> and functionality (all easily maintained in the Admin Module)
>> *	Features:
>>
>> *	Flexible Home Page configuration
>> *	The OFBiz Product Catalog drives many aspects, including the main
>> navigation bar, listing and detail pages
>> *	Fully functional Product Listing Page (PLP), with options for
>> sorting and integration with SOLR for faceted navigation
>> *	Complete Product Detail Page, with options for Ratings and Reviews
>> *	Site Search: using SOLR
>> *	Complete Customer Account Management features, register, login,
>> forgot password, address book, order status
>> *	Complete Check-Out process
>> *	sitemap.xml generator
>> *	email generation for each relevant trigger
>> *	Flexible and powerful Static Page solution for About-Us, Terms and
>> Conditions etc.
>>
>> *	 BigFish Admin Module
>>
>> *	The Admin Module exposes all the great back-end OFBiz functionality
>> that is applicable to our eCommerce store
>> *	Intended to be used by the business experts, without IT involvement
>> *	Features:
>>
>> *	Manage your Product Catalog
>> *	Customer Management
>> *	Order Management
>> *	Manage home page content
>> *	Approve customer reviews
>> *	Manage specific Page content spots
>> *	Control how the faceted navigation will behave
>> *	Maintain Static Pages
>> *	Manage email templates and generation
>> *	and more
>>
>> *	Coming Soon (scheduled into our dev team)
>>
>> *	Guest Checkout
>> *	Single Page Checkout
>> *	Store Locator
>> *	Manage Promotions
>> *	Full multi support:
>>
>> *	Language
>> *	Country Formatting (date, tel, address)
>> *	Currency
>>
>> *	Road Map
>>
>> *	SEO User Friendly URL's
>> *	You Previously Viewed
>> *	Flexible import and export features
>> *	Home Page "carousel"
>> *	Multi-Catalog, Multi-Site
>> *	Site Search:
>>
>> *	auto complete
>> *	spell-check
>> *	did you mean?
>> *	search non-catalog content
>> *	store Locator: click and collect
>>
>> *	Enhanced Order Management
>> *	Enhanced Customer Management
>> *	Integrate with more OFBiz features:
>>
>> *	Inventory
>> *	Back-Orders
>> *	Warehousing
>> *	etc.
>>
>>
>> To participate, and for complete download / install instructions look
>> at<http://www.salmonllc.com/downloads/bf_deploy.doc>
>> http://www.salmonllc.com/website/downloads/bf_deploy.doc
>>
>>
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>>
>>
>> Len Shein
>>
>> Salmon LLC
>>
>> www.salmonllc.com<http://www.salmonllc.com/>
>>
>>
>>
>> O: 516.742.7888
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>