By lotec on

Is there a rating system for contributed modules? Maybe I'm overlooking something but I didn't see any sorting options for modules (hits, popularity, most downloaded, etc...) That would be extremely helpful for a drupal newb. Where do I start, what modules to try out, which can't you live without as a drupaler. Thanks for having me.

⋅ Categories: Drupal 5.x

Comments

aterink’s picture

aterink commented

There isn't anyway to tell you what you need. There are lots of great modules out there, but only you can decided which you'll need. Maybe if you tell us what kind of site you have in mind someone can give suggestions.

I keep seeing cool modules and think to my self "that'd be great!" then stop and think "but do I really need it/Will it be good for the user/customer?" just keep that in mind.

matt_harrold’s picture

matt_harrold commented

There isn't a rating system for modules on Drupal, you will have to experiment a bit.

I suggest you have a look at these modules for extending the basic functionality:

Actions, Workflow, Content (CCK), Views, Panels, Relativity, Node Queue

There are heaps of modules that help organize specific content types:

faq, Audio, Image, Leech, ...

There is heaps to try out, and the best way is to experiment (IMHO).

Make sure you experiment on a test site NOT your main website, otherwise you will cry a river when a Module does something unexpected.

nancydru’s picture

nancydru
she/her/hers
Primary language English
Location Boston
commented

There is a site that gives the most downloaded counts. However, why does it matter? You should not be choosing a module because it's popular; you should choose it because you need the function. Never let a solution go in search of a problem.

...which can't you live without as a drupaler... - I have sites with no additional modules and I have some with a bunch. None of my sites even uses all core modules. There are no modules that indispensable. There are requirements that can be satisfied with various modules or custom code.

Nancy W.
Drupal Cookbook (for New Drupallers)
Adding Hidden Design or How To notes in your database

NancyDru

lotec’s picture

lotec commented

It is surprising to me that sorting modules is not offered. As a new user I have to learn the names of each of these modules, figure out there strengths and weaknesses, decide if those fit within my parameters and if not do it again when a rating system would at least give me the option of choosing to go with the flow. Kind of like the ask the audience lifeline on who wants to be a millionaire.

Nancy, it matters because "you don't get a second chance to make a first impression"! Do you or the community really care that little for new users...! You threw me a life jacket while I was drowning and then jerked it from my grasp before I could reach it, "There is a site that gives the most downloaded counts. However, why does it matter?" and then never provided the link...hmmmm

nancydru’s picture

nancydru
she/her/hers
Primary language English
Location Boston
commented

I don't remember the link, but it should show up in a search of "most downloaded." By the way, when I watch "Millionaire," the audience is almost always wrong. I can tell you that Views was number one. I can also tell you that I have 16 sites so far and not one is using Views that I created. So what does the most downloaded mean? Besides, one of the reasons it was most downloaded that month is because it had errors and had to go through several iterations - and it's still on beta5. So what does the most downloaded mean?

Granted many modules have exceedingly poor documentation that makes it hard to know what they do. But that means you need to ask for better documentation.

As for caring about new users, yes I do (look at the book I wrote). That's why I gave you the advice I did. Too many newbies come here and see a long list of modules and think, "wow that looks good, how can I use it?" That's the wrong way to approach it. You have to say, "I have this problem that isn't taken care of in core, what module will do it?" If there's only one module that will do it (and there aren't that many with duplicate functionality), what difference does it make if it's popular or has high ratings? That's the one you need.

Downloading and enabling a lot of modules you don't need is a good recipe for disaster - many don't play well with others, and some don't clean up well if you remove them. And some will go away with the impending version 6 release.

There is a section on contributed modules in the handbooks that gives a lot more information than you'll find in the modules directory. I would look through that. Most have links to the download page.

Nancy W.
Drupal Cookbook (for New Drupallers)
Adding Hidden Design or How To notes in your database

NancyDru

Christefano-oldaccount’s picture

Christefano-oldaccount commented

Here are two more links that may be of interest:

  http://www.lullabot.com/audiocast/drupal_podcast_no_40_top_40_projects

  http://knaddison.com/drupal/drupal-download-statistics-april-2007

Christefano-oldaccount’s picture

Christefano-oldaccount commented

http://www.vancouvertechguy.com/site_topics/module

Christefano-oldaccount’s picture

Christefano-oldaccount commented

I like John Forsythe's articles at http://blamcast.net/ so I'm looking forward to this.

  http://drupalmodules.com/

lotec’s picture

lotec commented

1st - Nancy, thanks for your advice. I feel it is genuine, especially since you have written a newbie book...lol but I was expressing my feelings at that moment in time. I can say that I don't feel that same way now. I'm a little testy because the effort that I feel is going to be needed to get up to speed and efficient/proficient. I was just wanting a little looksee around to see if drupal is for me. I may not use any module on the lists but want to know what is available, what others deem beneficial, peek at them and then roll it into a decision for myself. Thank you for sharing and I will be starting my journey off with your book...

2nd - Christafone, thank you for the links, they were exactly what I was looking for. I'm sure most everything has been brought up or discussed at some point. I'll just need to learn where to look for the information I desire.

Thanks again for your help

nancydru’s picture

nancydru
she/her/hers
Primary language English
Location Boston
commented

up to speed and efficient/proficient... This is a different level for each person, and can even really represent different plateaus as they go along. I had two sites converted from HTML and running Drupal withing my first two weeks. But that didn't mean I felt up to speed. I had my third site up within two weeks after that, but I still wasn't "proficient." I've now written three modules (well, one of them has split into three others) but I still have a long way to go - for me.

Drupal is powerful and flexible, and that means complex. But one nice thing about Drupal is that it can also be kept simple. And I especially encourage new Drupallers to keep it simple. You will get "up to speed" much more quickly by keeping it as simple as you can for each plateau.

Nancy W.
Drupal Cookbook (for New Drupallers)
Adding Hidden Design or How To notes in your database

NancyDru