Symphony.

Looking at jQuery’s UI download section I think this would work really well for downloading Symphony’s install package as well (assuming you do not use GIT like me).

My workflow right now is:

• downloading the zip and installing it
• stripping all the unneeded pages/datasource/extensions, exepts the ones which are very handy of course ;)
• clean the CSS
• installing the needed extensions
• and finally build the site

Wouldn’t this be better:

• downloading the zip as a custom install package where you can choose the needed pre-installed items (in essence defining how clean the install would be from start) and needed extensions.
• install it and start building.

You wouldn’t have to care which extensions are safe for your install since only the right ones are offered as an include option in the package. And perhaps even a SQL import file could be passed which fills the database a bit (handy if you’re moving the site to a new server)?

Ooh! Yes!

Right now, I have a local clean install of symphony (with everything stripped), purely for this purpose.

You can delete the default workspace folder before installing and you won’t get the default blog…

Ah, didn’t know that. Thanks!

Me neither..! Pardon my ignorance ;)

Still would be great if you could select extensions/utilities from start, it would definitely save time.

And if you delete the workspace folder, will some utilities be kept (date-time, typography most importantly)?

Speaking of Symhony install workflow, I recommend trying out git if your environment supports it. Getting an empty core, then core extensions, then other extensions I want is so simple with just a few git clone commands.

If my recent forays into Git are any indication there is no such thing as “simple”.

I see where this is coming from and I slightly agree that it would be nice, however it would be problematic with all the myriad of extensions. Say there are 100 extensions available for your version of Symphony, it would be rather difficult to sift through them all unless you knew which ones you were looking for. We might not be there yet but look at WordPress and you can see where this might happen.

I recommend trying out git if your environment supports it

If my recent forays into Git are any indication there is no such thing as “simple”.

Yeah I haven’t tried GIT out yet, I used to be on svn but I’m not sure that’s the right comparison. In any case downloading the zip work well for me, not withstanding the process can be improved like stated ;). I’m wondering actually how many people are using git or zip?

Back op topic..

I really think being able to make a custom install package would work, for two reasons.

First of it would ‘ease’ the process for people who are hesitant as yet (see Symphony Marketing/Promo Ideas).

And secondly it simply would be quicker to start of :). The issue which extensions to select from start would be a thing I guess, to much choice is not good. But I can see a setup with a default package (like it is now), and then the ability to turn options on/off as needed. The current download section looks pretty clear to me for example, so that could be a base.

I really think being able to make a custom install package would work,

I’m confused. I thought you understood that you can pick and choose what you want to install…

I’m confused. I thought you understood that you can pick and choose what you want to install…

You mean via GIT?

Yeah I guess, but an interface like jQuery ui download would be a big plus to attract new people as well who do not use GIT ;). Simple getting one zip with all the needed (read: selected by hand) extensions and utilities to install in one go would be great.