Javascript extending WeBuilder (ie, plugins, add-ons)

[carlosmossman]

Added:
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I'm surprised by the limited interest in this idea so, before I put my tail between my legs and limp away, I'll try one more time with a modified appeal:

Imagine using Javascript (or any other language Blumentals chooses) to write your own, custom actions to operate on your documents.

- Client provides a privacy policy to add to a site. It's got 70 paragraphs in it. Copy/paste content into doc, select it, hit key combo of your choice and, instantly, all 70 lines are wrapped in paragraph tags.
- Client provides 10 products which need to be in a list. Copy/paste, select text, hit key combo of your choice and, instantly, it's a properly formatted list.
- Client provides a list of 10 vendors + their web address. Copy/pate, select text, hit key combo of your choice and, instantly, it's a properly formatted list containing links with the specified url for each vendor.
- Client provides text - urls are scattered throughout. highlight a url, hit key combo of your choice and, instantly, the text is now wrapped in an anchor.
- REFACTOR - select variable/method/class name, hit key combo of your choice, and your symbol is refactored.
+ a BILLION (1,000,000,000) other options.

And they're just scripts so they could be shared and co-developed in this community!!! like firefox extensions

How many pending WeBuilder Feature Requests could just be satisfied by users sharing "plugins"???
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Original:
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Homesite enabled the creation of "custom buttons" which had external JavaScript attached to them. Those scripts could operate on the current document, open documents or, most importantly (to me), the current selection. Here's an article about the concept and implementation guidance: http://www.webreference.com/js/column48/index.html

I used "custom buttons" to automate tedious tasks like wrapping link text in an anchor, creating lists, creating link lists, camel casing text, etc... I used regular expressions to convert large bodies of client-supplied text to html.

What are the chances that such a thing becomes possible in WeBuilder?

Thanks!

-Carlos
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[syrupcore]

my god, +10.

[CaliforniaJerry]

+1

[bscott45]

This is a little old but it definitely gets my +10.

The ability to creat plugins in whatever language chosen by Blumentals would make this already awesome product uber-awesome.

[Gatis]

Yes, this idea has been around for a while.
Not with the next version, but some time in future it might get implemented.
Sorry, I can not say anything more promising now.

Gatis

[carlosmossman]

ouch. the word "might" kills me.

extensions seem like the single-most important feature to add.

1) they're great community builders. developers contribute extensions, users communicate with developers and contribute back - everyone benefits.
2) solutions and improvements occur much more regularly than annually.
3) users would have a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH more finely-tuned piece of software and that should decrease the likelihood of product abandonment by many fold.

what sort of discussions have occurred at Blumentals about this feature? is it just a matter of limited public interest? anything that can be done to encourage this?

[Gatis]

what sort of discussions have occurred at Blumentals about this feature? is it just a matter of limited public interest? anything that can be done to encourage this?

We had some serious thought some time ago, but the idea has been laid off currently. It might be partially connected to the limited interest.

Also, this would require some serious programming, but the work in queue is already quite long.
As Aivars is currently more available for our projects than he was before, this idea might get a new push by using his experience and wide knowledge. He is also interested in this feature becoming reality.

Kind regards,
Gatis

[mapleleaf]

This is something that I'd be very interested in.

JavaScript and I go back along ways to its very beginning.

I was a beta tester for Netscape during the development of JavaScript working with Brendan Eich, was Netscape's 1st JavaScript's Developer Champion, and their moderator for the developer's and user forums.

I also had the first FAQ on JavaScript on the internet that was hosted on Netscape's web site 1997-1998.

In html5's new JavaScript engine is perhaps its most powerful version yet.

In fact, on my web site I use JavaScript to embed the flash object and do so in three different variations:
1. stand-alone
2. as a function
3. as a parameter function

html5 and JavaScript is a good marriage and very powerful.

Once WB releases their new version WB 2011, I'd recommend to anyone that they get into html5 as quickly as they can.

Btw, I'd love to beta test the new WB 2011. Any chance on this?



mapleleaf

http://www.mirana.net

[Gatis]

Wow. mapleleaf, it seems you have experience which would make many people proud off!

Btw, I'd love to beta test the new WB 2011. Any chance on this?

Once the beta will be available, most likely we shall publish it here in forums first, so everyone with interest will be able to participate.

Gatis

[carlosmossman]

I wonder whether a topic entitled "When will WB2011 be released?" might be worthwhile - sticky even. It seems like a fairly hot topic that permeates other threads.

And to steer this thread back to its original topic, I wonder whether "public support for WB Extensions" would gather much attention if it were also a sticky topic. If Blumentals asked its users whether they would value this feature, might the perceived value of this feature change?

I would pay more for WB if this feature were available.

[mapleleaf]

I would pay more for WB if this feature were available.

me too

[transeffect]

I don't want to muddle topics, and maybe I am incorrect, but it seems that this sort of functionality might also allow Zen Coding to be easily added to WeBuilder. Please see http://forums.blumentals.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4286 for the Zen Coding discussion.

[carlosmossman]

I'd say that muddling topics is exactly what this is NOT. It's exciting to think of the number of features we could add to this software via an extension system. Like Zen Coding.

[tcarnevale]

Great idea.

I'd consider allowing these plugins or addons to use jQuery (which of course produces javascript anyway). But a neat idea.

OBTW, I still like the idea of a feature, either inside or external to WeBuilder, updates your links if you move a file or files from one folder to another.