In response to whu606 - New Poll plugin

peregrine

from another discussion related to a poll plugin for vanilla 2.1

whu606 said

@peregrine

Is there a thread where you are collecting pledges?

here's a thread for pledges for the peregrine poll plugin - if there are enough pledges, I'll revamp my code.

@whu606 here's the basics of the plan. Some proposed features to be implemented

• Poll creation via any role - that is given permission.
• Poll can be edited and deleted by creator of poll.
• One Poll Question can be attached to first thread of a discussion, by the originator of the discussion with up to 10 different answers allowed. 1 vote and 1 selected answer per logged in member of forum per poll.
• Poll display inline in discussion body - if a poll is attached.
• presentation of poll results that will work in default theme

Pledge a specific monetary amount and you may seek what you pledge for.

@whu606 - do you have any specific features you want?

peregrine

@whu606

Ignore my previous comment above....

I will have to pass on this. I never tested features in 2.1

I'm going to take a pass -

Since my time is now pretty tight and I can't afford to write plugins for free or custom plugins for token donations.

I realized I don't have enough time to write a plugin compatible with 2.1 because making it compatible with 2.1, I would probably need pledges to exceed $500 and I don't think that's gonna happen, based on my experience with past history of donations.

But, in case the miracle happens, I'll keep an eye on this thread.

And I don't think anyone wants to pledge for a plugin that would only work in 2.0.18.8. - since there are already 3 or so poll plugins.

50sQuiff

Hi Peregrine, dig up my 'Poll' thread here: http://vanillaforums.org/discussion/23681/looking-to-sponsor-a-new-polls-plugin

It got derailed but the OP outlines very similar requirements to whu606's. You can exclude the "multiple selection" poll requirement if you think that's too complex.

I'm happy for it to be 2.0-only, but for the widest community usage someone is going to have to port it to 2.1 once you lay the groundwork.

I'll get the ball rolling with a pledge of $200.

whu606

I'm in for a measly $10 if it is 2.1 friendly!

Our forum is a labour of love that generates costs rather than income...

@peregrine

From what you have seen, is it a major overhaul to update the Poll plugin to 2.1?

I thought I might take a look at that over the summer, but if it is a case of totally rewriting it, I can save myself the effort, as it would be way beyond me.

Unless I decide to learn php and Garden over the summer...

x00

Well I'm sorry if I derailed your thread last time, I just wanted to make it clear just becuase there is some perceived need, doesn't mean it is enough for it to be funded on beer money. Now you are pledging some serious money I take back what I said.

I actually have a client that expressed interested in a poll plugin, and they have some money.

The biggest issue with previous poll plugins was how the data was link, they were just implemented very badly and inefficiently.

If the client agrees, I'm happy to spend time looking over architecture, provide guidance and do corrections, and 21 compatibility, go over it with a fine tooth comb.

I will ask my client for 200USD (very cheap), any other contributions can go to peregrine and hgtonight, or whoever is working on it. I won't be able to do a great deal this month, and I'm going away for two weeks in July, but will be back in early June.

If there is anyone like 50sQuiff who need this more for their community please put up a decent amount.

x00

I should point out this would be for the basic poll, where you have questions with their choices, and it would tally the result per answer

Arbitrary number of choices, is not difficult.

Anything more than that I think you will have difficulty getting it off the ground, it can wait for later. Performance and stability begin the key concerns.

peregrine

So @x00 - are you going to develop or do you want me to?

Option 1

I can get the current "Poll" working in 2.1 in the same manner of data entry. and panel location.

• xss vulnerabilities corrected

• and permissions by role for edit, create and deletion,

• with one vote per user, and the discussion author being the creator.
  probably by next week.

---

Option 2

Another option is I can get my new proposed poll plugin working with 2.0.18.x with poll in discussion body with following specs

• Poll creation via any role - that is given permission.
• Poll can be edited and deleted by creator of poll.
• One Poll Question can be attached to first thread of a discussion, by the originator of the discussion with up to 10 different answers allowed. 1 vote and 1 selected answer per logged in member of forum per poll.
• Poll displayed inline in discussion body - if a poll is attached.
• presentation of poll results that will work in default theme

If 50squiff agrees to paying the $200 public amount pledged to me for either option 1 or option2 with specs I stated, I will proceed.

x00

I will give some hours to checking it and making any corrections, also it if you want architecture stage I will give you advice on an appropriate software design.

I think you don't want to repeat the same mistakes of previous polls plugins that is why I advised my client not to use them.

It doesn't cost you anything if the client is paying for it.

peregrine

@x00 said:

I will give some hours to checking it and making any corrections, also it if you want architecture stage I will give you advice on an appropriate software design.

ok thanks.

I'll see if @50sQuiff wants option 1 or 2 with my specs provided.

• The thing I want to avoid is a moving target of specs or competing with another developer, etc.
• I proposed this plugin in a thread back many months ago, but didn't have any takers then. - maybe it will get off the ground.

x00

I have no interest in moving the specs, or feature creep. I will not compete with you on this.

I'm offering to mentor.

hgtonight

@x00 said:
I'm offering to mentor.

This is awesome. Per the other thread, I am in for $10.

I will also start outlining this functionality, per the thread.

50sQuiff

I definitely don't want anything based on the existing poll plugins. Hence my sponsorship offer for something with better UX, security and performance

A couple of notes:

• I'd like each 'poll' to support multiple questions, each with a different set of responses. In other words, I want to attach multiple polls to a discussion.
• There shouldn't be a limit to the number of answers.

Specs from my other thread:

• Polls created via New Discussion form
• Poll creation form revealed once 'Poll' option is checked (same checkbox UI as existing Announce and Close options)
• Polls to appear inline below Discussion body (ie. first post in a given thread)
• Show results upon poll completion or via "Show Results" toggle
• Simple, clean results presentation: number of votes, coloured bars, percentages.
• Ability to pose multiple questions in each Poll (ie. multiple polls)
• Permissions integration for poll creation
• Compatible with 2.0 and 2.1
• Emphasis on performance and stability

I think a full-featured, secure and polished plugin is worth more than $200, so I hope people will contribute over and above the amount I pledged. But if I'm putting up most of the money then I want to 'sign off' the final specs and the finished plugin.

I'm happy to commit to my $200 on the basis that Peregrine is the main developer with x00 as mentor and architect.

What do you say guys?

peregrine

@50sQuiff

I'm out of this proposed plugin development based on your specs and my time availability.

Perhaps @hgtonight can take up the gauntlet, with x00's suggestions.

x00

I will ask my client if they are interested in you your specs at they will be footing a similar amount. I'm not anticipated any issues, though they simply want to be able to make polls easily, and thee features would be useful.

Multi question with arbitrary number of options, however I'm assuming these options are pick one at least for the time being.

businessdad

@50sQuiff said:

• I'd like each 'poll' to support multiple questions, each with a different set of responses. In other words, I want to attach multiple polls to a discussion.
• There shouldn't be a limit to the number of answers.

Specs from my other thread:

• Polls created via New Discussion form
• Poll creation form revealed once 'Poll' option is checked (same checkbox UI as existing Announce and Close options)
• Polls to appear inline below Discussion body (ie. first post in a given thread)
• Show results upon poll completion or via "Show Results" toggle
• Simple, clean results presentation: number of votes, coloured bars, percentages.
• Ability to pose multiple questions in each Poll (ie. multiple polls)
• Permissions integration for poll creation
• Compatible with 2.0 and 2.1
• Emphasis on performance and stability

I think those are good specs, to which I would like to add one:

• Don't allow changing the answers when a Poll received at least one answer, to prevent poll manipulation. A poll can be changed until at least one User voted. After that, the only operation the OP should be able to do is deleting the poll altogether.

peregrine

said:

Don't allow changing the answers when a Poll received at least one answer, to prevent poll manipulation. A poll can be changed until at least one User voted. After that, the only operation the OP should be able to do is deleting the poll altogether.

in addition - editing the poll title should be restricted in the same manner.

One thought I had was not to display (or allow voting on the poll) for an hour after creation to give the op time to fine tune and edit.

But I'm sure x00 will produce a plugin something even better than we can imagine.

an option for poll expiration (e.g. 30, 60 90 days). Something to consider for future enhancements.

other things to consider - do you want the participant tied to the item voted upon, or just the participation in a particular poll (second way would provide privacy on vote options, and vice versa).

x00

I'm not going suggest more features. I think it rational that poll question should not be changed during

peregrine

I'm not going suggest more features. I think it rational that poll question should no be changed.

in my experience - the pollster invariably makes a typo no matter whether you tell them to double-check the wording or not.

x00

I'm trying avoid feature creep those addition can come at a later date, if required.

hgtonight

Gauntlet gratefully accepted with the stipulation of a release to the community upon completion.

x00

yes I would advise as a consultant so it is not my project.