ebibleicious extension

[timothy.stiffler]

Okay, so, I'm guessing that this will need to be a plugin/mambot. But I'm not entirely sure. So, here are my questions.

The extension I want to make is from http://www.ebible.com's little developer tool that changes all of the Scriptures that are listed on a page and adds either a link to the ebible.com page, or creates a java pop-up window showing the Scripture. Now, the extension would allow the user to change the way that the java box looks, and also the version of the Bible that it links to.

To activate the tool I can already just go into my template index file and add a few lines of code. But then, I have to go and edit the code a dozen times to get it just perfect on my site. Instead, I would like to just have an extension that makes it a dozen times simpler for me and others. So, my questions are....

1. What kind of extension would this be?
2. When making the extension, will I just incorporate the "find, add/replace" operations to add the lines of code that are needed?
3. Is anyone willing to join me in making this?

I will have many more questions as time goes on, because this will be my first extension. But I'd appreciate the help!

Thanks!
Tim

[AmyStephen]

Timothy -

Is this the toolkit you are speaking of? I think it would be a module, do others agree?

It's late and I can't seem to find another post someone made in these Joomla! 101 forums where they wanted to create a Bible Verse module.

I would be interested in that for my church website, too. Let's try to find the other interested party and start on such a project.

I wonder if we could find other Web Services that don't have advertisement? It's a nice one, though.

Good idea and I am glad to have you join us! We'll talk again!
Amy

[timothy.stiffler]

Yes, that is the one! I should have put the link up there earlier.

Well, we can certainly look into other groups that have created something similar, but I have already gotten permission from ebible.com so we can use that if we want to. Perhaps we can create our own and code it into there?

Actually, I don't see a problem with having the small link to ebible.com. Because wouldn't it make more sense to link to the place we are getting the Scripture from? That way, the user can easily click the link and look up other passages if they want. Of course, you could put a Bible Search on your site, but I think those have the advertisments on them as well.

I am excited about this now! Thanks Amy!

[mike_dowler]

Amy - I am wondering whether it might be better to run it as a plugin - after all you are wanting to alter the content of the main output (albeit the unseen content of the ... section, by adding refs to the JS and CSS files) rather than adding new content.  If you use a module, you will need to add it to a particular position in the template, even though the module itself will not contain any content.  If this is the only module in that position, it might therefore alter the layout of the template (e.g if a column is created based on a count of modules in that position), which will look odd.

You will need some kind of link to a text provider - most modern Bible translations are copyright, so you can't simply reproduce them without permission, and permission will normally require a link to a provider website (e.g. eBible, or BibleGateway).

[AmyStephen]

Mike -

You are absolutely right. Looking back at the eBibleicious Javascript API, the only output is the Javascript that goes into the head. The site developer will choose the mode and translation and the content is processed by the Javascript (and some magic?) to create links. When the mouse "hovers over" the link (or whatever mode was selected), the Bible verse appears in a popup for the Translation specified.

I misunderstood this with a quick look last night. I thought it was a "random Bible verse" generator tool that would be suitable (I think?) for a module.

Regarding the copyright of translations, how does eBible or BibleGateway get permission then? There are eight translations available. Are they paying for a service from each of the copyright owners? Just curious, is all.

THANKS for your help, Mike! Hope you hang around and participate with us. Nice to have someone who knows things helping out!

Amy

[AmyStephen]

Tim - and Mike if you are interested - and ANYONE else interested -

There is a Skype chat line you can join. Many people wanting to learn development swing by there during the day (and night.)

Scott put together great step-by-step instructions for downloading and configuring an IDE environment for development. If you are interested in a tool for building extensions, I recommend this. If you have questions about installation, feel free to ask in the Skype chat line or in the forums - in the Tools of the Trade board. Scott is always around and others can help, as well.

The Skype and IDE are free.

Amy

[timothy.stiffler]

Thank you very much for the links, Amy! I will check into them when I get home!

Actually, I was thinking the same way and wondering about how it could work as a module. But, I think that it makes sense now what will need to be accomplished. I'll be back later to psot more.

[timothy.stiffler]

I want to create a new project for this on Joomlacode.org. As soon as it is approved, I will let everyone here know! If you are interested in joining, let me know and I'll send you the link when it's ready for members to join!

[AmyStephen]

Sounds good Tim!

[timothy.stiffler]

For some reason it is not allowing me in even though I got an email saying that it has been granted. Any chance you know why, Amy? I'll check into it and get back with you guys soon. Here is the link, though, maybe you all can get in.:

http://joomlacode.org/gf/project/ebibleicious/

[AmyStephen]

I got the same error message, Tim.

That's cool, though. Now, you get to move on to lesson 2!  When we have problems like that, we are asked to post our questions, what we did, what we expected to have happen, what happened, etc., in the JoomlaCode Forum. The people who manage that resource keep track of and assist with those problems.

Thanks!
Amy

[timothy.stiffler]

Done! And it is approved! The above link should now work for anyone interested in joining this project! Hopefully we will get this thing rolling soon!