[development] Consolidating duplicate contrib modules for D7

[Jamie Holly]

Instead of having the doc team do it, or spending hours on a custom code 
solution maybe a simpler solution would be better. I was just thinking 
about the "similar by terms" module. That would help out in this case. 
Have each project page display similar modules based upon their tags. If 
modules are properly tagged then the most similar/duplicate ones should 
show up first. Of course that is a big if, but we could even go a step 
further and institute something along the lines of community tagging.

Jamie Holly
http://www.intoxination.net 
http://www.hollyit.net



Steven Peck wrote:
> Differences occur because
> - development happened in a similar time frame.
> - developers do not play well with each other.
> - developer B has contempt for developer A's code
>  - and is not courteous in discussions of said codes weakness so does
> their own project.
> - modules seem the same but use wildly differing methods to achieve
> their results.
>
>
> The problem with the 'have the doc team do it' pretends we have
> assigned people that will magically carry this out.
> - They will install various modules on clean test sites.
> - They will have use cases which will allow the evaluation of the
> modules in questions
> - They assume the module contributor in question is responsive and
> that duplication is the result of 'just happened' instead of hostility
> between developers.
> - The modules are actually similar enough in function to be accurately compared.
> - Users will magically find the module comparison page and it will be
> up to date.
>
> Not really going to happen.
>
> The best long term suggestion is to have the maintainers clearly
> document any differences on their project page (preferably the ones
> who are second should do this by default).  People (devs) who have a
> need for a module and had to evaluate could submit an issue with a
> request to have an updated 'difference' description added.  Suggested
> sample text would probably help.  A module maintainer is not
> necessarily willing to go download a similar  module if theirs already
> fills their needs.
>
> The ones that are not used die out as tracked on the usage page.
>
> I would suggest a linked article on how to evaluate a project for use
> (and suggest how to get description updates) linked to the top of the
> Projects page description would be more useful.
>
> sepeck
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 3, 2009 at 3:36 PM, nan wich <nan_wich at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> > Shai Gluskin wrote:
> >> Asking the docs team to write module comparison pieces is a good thing too
> >
> > NO!!!  The comparison pieces should be written by the module developers or
> > one of their advanced users.
> >
> >
> > Nancy E. Wichmann, PMP
> >
> > Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. -- Dr. Martin L. King,
> > Jr.
> >
> >
>
>