The Installation Profiles intro paragraph could use some revision in keeping with the MBD editorial guidelines. (Obviously the current content came directly from the existing Install Profiles page and no one has taken a pass at revising it yet.) Rather than starting with the developer-centric "Installation profiles are a feature in Drupal core that was added in the 5.x series," we should start with the definition of an installation profile and what it can do for you.

Here are some pages I found with more user-friendly descriptions of installation profiles that could be mined for and improved intro paragraph:
From http://groups.drupal.org/node/1041 (geared at art & music but could easily be altered to be more general):

What's an install profile and why is it important?

An install profile is a way of pre-configuring drupal right out of the box for a specific purpose or community. You can think of it as a template for a new drupal site. After you install drupal, the site will be pre-configured and customized out of the box (i.e. it will install and configure modules for you). The whole idea is to help you get from point A to B much faster. So if you are a band or musician looking to use drupal, you don't have to worry about figuring out how to download, install, and configure each module from scratch. You pick the install profile closest to your needs, and wham! Instant, functional site, with virtually no setup. Of course you will still have to know how to configure and customize Drupal to fit your specific needs if you want to make changes, but it sure will save a ton of time during installation and setup.

This is important for art and music communities - especially those that are non-technical - because it provides rapid deployment of very useful Drupal sites and minimize the headaches associated with installation.

From http://www.lullabot.com/articles/5-step-drupal-distributions (the article is mostly about creating a profile but has a good definition:

An installation profile is basically nothing more than a list of required modules and a variety of configuration code which gets performed during installation to give Drupal a bit more oomph out of the box.

From http://drupal.org/node/159730:

An installation profile is a simple file that tells the Drupal installer to enable a set of core and/or contributed modules, as well as to configure some default settings. ... For example, an installation profile for "Drupal band sites" might automatically install modules for e-mail newsletters, events and downloadable audio files.

It also looks like we should consider this thread as we create the language to describe installation profiles.

Comments

drumm’s picture

drumm
he/him
Location NY, US
commented
Component: D and E » Home

Edit here: http://drupal.org/admin/content/taxonomy/edit/term/96?destination=admin/...
Will show on http://drupal.org/project/installation+profiles and http://redesign.drupal.org/project/installation+profiles

drumm’s picture

drumm
he/him
Location NY, US
commented
Title: D&E: Installl Profiles needs better introduction » Install Profiles needs better introduction
Component: Home » Download and Extend
lisarex’s picture

lisarex commented
Status: Active » Needs review
Issue tags: +drupal.org redesign content

I have revised this copy and it's ready for review.

Anonymous’s picture

Anonymous (not verified) commented

I created this fork of bmann's post on github:

http://gist.github.com/534151

review, revise, etc

lisarex’s picture

lisarex commented

Cool, I liked a lot of that phrasing and have incorporated it.

Installation profiles combine core Drupal, contributed modules, themes, and pre-defined configuration into one download. Installation profiles provide specific site features and functions for a specific purpose or type of site. They make it possible to quickly set up a complex, use-specific site in fewer steps than if installing and configuring elements individually.

For example, an installation profile for conferences might automatically install and configure modules for advanced user registration, attendee profiles, ticketing, and a list of speakers and sessions. Once installed, installation profiles can be configured and customized the same as traditionally-built Drupal sites.

If there is an installation profile that fits your needs, they can be a great starting point. If not, consider creating one and contributing it to the Drupal community.

boris mann’s picture

boris mann commented
Status: Needs review » Reviewed & tested by the community

Hmm, weird -- I thought I submitted what I posted. http://gist.github.com/534056

Thanks @banghouse @lisarex - I think we are good to go for now. I edited the docs as well with some links. http://drupal.org/node/159730

Anonymous’s picture

Anonymous (not verified) commented

NP. Let me know if my input is useful elsewhere. I'll be happy to add my thoughts.

lisarex’s picture

lisarex commented
Status: Reviewed & tested by the community » Fixed

Status: Fixed » Closed (fixed)

Automatically closed -- issue fixed for 2 weeks with no activity.

lisarex’s picture

lisarex commented

The description was really long when viewed in situ, and I noticed the handbook page version had links and whatnot. Plus, it probably makes sense to link to the handbook in the description, so I've revised/shortened this:

Installation profiles combine provide site features and functions for a specific type of site as a single download containing Drupal core, contributed modules, themes, and pre-defined configuration. They make it possible to quickly set up a complex, use-specific site in fewer steps than if installing and configuring elements individually.

For example, an installation profile for conferences might include modules for advanced user registration, attendee profiles, ticketing, and a list of speakers and sessions. Once installed, installation profiles can be configured and customized the same as traditionally-built Drupal sites. Refer to the handbook page for more information.

I also updated the handbook page.