Vision for the Future of MDPro

As we transition to MDPro 1.1. our next generation CMS, MDLite represents a rest stop along the way. It includes some of the changes that will be a part of future releases of MDPro. These include the structure of the core program and modules, including only the essential modules in the distribution, and the new MDUsers module, which consolidates the functions of several formerly separate modules as well as adding new features.

MDLite (MDPro 1.08) is not a developmental branch. Except for any requisite fixes, there will be no advancing it and all development efforts will be directed towards MDPro 1.1

MDPro 1.1 will feature an all new core and API as we leave our PostNuke roots behind and emerge as a totally unique program. Some of the changes that lie ahead include recoding modules (core and add-on) to be API compliant and other changes. Many will take their name from the directory name and will be able to be changed to other languages, making for a truly multi-language CMS. In the recoding, those modules missing multi-language support will have it added and separation of content by language will be added as well.

We will examine every opportunity to consolidate related functions into a single module as we have done with the MDUsers module and are doing with the new news module.

New features will include a central ban module that will be hookable so even third party modules can make use of it. It will handle all types of bans, words, phrases, IP addresses, e-mail addresses, domain names, and disallowed characters in user names upon registration. MDForum will be modified to make use of it, further simplifying it over other phpBB modules.

Once the main 1.1 program has been finalized, new add-on modules will be produced to offer best of class offerings in various fields. These include an all new directory module which will replace the links module.

There will be a greater integration of static pages without the need of a wrapper. MDPro 1.1 will be multisite enabled from the start.

We've learned not to be too precise with details and forecasting as things change and the further out we forecast, the more likely we will be mistaken.

We will endeavor to update this statement of our vision as we get closer to meeting some goals and set some new ones.